Can I Get Rid Of My Labiomental Fold?

Q: Dr. Eppley, I would like to accomplish a chin with less harsh of a labiomental fold, preferably no fold at all. But have the area more smooth. Maybe somehow add vertical volume to the chin area or adjust the mentalis muscle to achieve the desired result. I would like to here your thoughts on what procedure you would recommend to achieve the most attractive chin possible.

A: Altering the labiomental sulcus or crease is the hardest portion of the chin to change. This is because it is a fixed anatomic structure that correlates to the depth of the anterior mandibular vestibule intraorally and the upper attachment of the mentalis muscle beneath it. It is simply not possible to completely get rid of the labiomental sulcus. It may be softened a bit by various injection and implant materials but the operative word here is ‘a little bit’. If the chin is lengthened vertically by a bony genioplasty method, it may appear  slightly less deep because the chin is longer and the labiomental fold is stretched out. That lessening effect may be enhanced by the simultaneous placement of a small fat graft.

More aggressive labiomental fold reduction can be done but this requires a skin incision and the subcutaneous placement of a dermal-fat graft under the released skin edges.

Dr. Barry Eppley

Indianapolis, Indiana