Parenthesis, or nasolabial folds, is the heaviness that occurs from the corner of the nose downward to the corner of the mouth. When the heaviness is deep enough to create a shadow, it looks droopy and ages the face. First, you need to understand what has caused the fold before figuring out the best way to treat it.
Let’s imagine the face and head is a balloon blown up with air. As we age the air is slowly released from the balloon, the air volume is lost and the balloon slowly begins to become deflated and sag. The same is true with the aging face. As the years go by, we lose soft tissue volume in the midface. With this loss of volume, our cheek contour is diminished, we develop a hollow ridge under the eye, and the general shape of the face changes from triangular to rectangular. I often hear patients describe this process by saying, “I don’t even look the same!”
The proper correction of any issue, is to correct the cause or source, right? So if volume loss occurs and parenthesis are formed in the lower face, the correction should be to add volume to the cheeks or upper face. One way to see for yourself how this would look is to stand in front of a mirror and smile, which lifts the cheek tissue up. Then place your index finger just under the cheek volume and relax your smile holding the cheek in place. The volumizing you see can be achieved with dermal filler injection restoring a more youthful facial shape.
There are numerous solutions for restoring mid-face volume. One method is the new Vampire Facelift® which uses your own growth factors to stimulate collagen growth. More information about that procedure can be found at www.vampirefaceliftgeorgia.com. Other dermal fillers work, as well. Voluma® is an FDA-approved filler that is made for mid-face volumizing. It is unique in its two-year longevity! Other fillers such as Radiesse® and Juvederm® can be used.
Correcting parenthesis is best done by restoring midface volume, which lifts the nasolabial folds up to a natural contour. If you simply continue to add volume at the site of the fold or parenthesis, you eventually end up with a monkey mouth or Marge Simpson look. Not a good look!
When it comes to addressing your aging concerns, it’s important that you choose the right injector to provide you with the best results. Make sure your provider is experienced in dermal filler treatments and has trained extensively on the best techniques and has accessible office hours to address any questions you might have.
At Spa Medical, we are lucky to have several highly experienced aesthetic providers that have helped 1000s of patients reverse the physical signs of aging. If you’re ready to meet with our team and get started, book your complimentary consultation by calling 478.732.2299
