Nasolabial Fold Subcision

Subcision is a procedure in which a clinician places a small needle or specialised instrument beneath the skin to separate fibrous bands that pull a depressed area downward. It is commonly discussed for tethered acne scars. A typical nasolabial fold is often shaped by facial movement, skin laxity, and cheek support, so it is not automatically a subcision problem. Examination while the face is relaxed and moving helps distinguish a tethered depression from a surface crease.

During consultation, describe whether the fold is new, whether it changes with smiling, and whether you have had fillers, threads, surgery, or scarring in the area. The clinician should explain the intended entry points, anaesthesia, bruising, swelling, and the possibility that another approach may be more suitable. Afterward, follow the individual wound-care instructions, avoid picking or pressing the area, and allow swelling to settle before judging the contour. Acne scar laser treatment may be discussed when textural scarring is also present.

Contact the treating clinic promptly for worsening redness, warmth, drainage, fever, escalating pain, or swelling that is not following the expected pattern. New numbness, weakness, marked colour change, or a wound that opens also needs review. Urgent care is appropriate for breathing difficulty, facial swelling affecting the throat, or sudden vision symptoms.

Ask whether the fold is actually tethered and what finding supports subcision. Ask what improvement can reasonably be expected from release alone, whether staged treatment is likely, and how your previous procedures affect planning. Clarify aftercare, time away from work, and the symptoms that should trigger an urgent call.