Nasolabial Fold
Pronunciation: nay-zo-LAY-bee-ul FOLD
Also written as: NLF — Nasolabial Fold
The skin crease running from the sides of the nose to the corners of the mouth, commonly targeted in facial filler treatments to reduce the appearance of aging.
Full Definition
The nasolabial fold (NLF), colloquially referred to as a 'smile line' or 'laugh line', is an anatomical feature formed by the boundary between the cheek and the upper lip. Its prominence increases with age as a result of midface volume loss, skin laxity, and gravitational changes. In cosmetic dermatology, it is one of the most common injection sites for hyaluronic acid fillers. Editors should note the correct spelling—'nasolabial', not 'nasiolabial' or 'naso-labial'—as the compound is written as a single unhyphenated adjective. The plural is 'nasolabial folds' (bilateral structures).
Usage
Usage note: Write as one unhyphenated word: 'nasolabial'. The abbreviation NLF is acceptable after first use in clinical documents.
In Context
- "One millilitre of HA filler was injected into each nasolabial fold using a cannula technique." — Procedure documentation
- "The manuscript used 'naso-labial fold' with a hyphen, which was corrected to the unhyphenated standard form." — Journal manuscript editing