Lifting the Smile Lines from the Nose: Pyriform Aperture Filler
The nasolabial fold (smile line) is often treated by filling the line itself or lifting the cheek. But there is a secret "third option" used by master injectors to treat deep folds, particularly in patients with a recessed mid-face. It is called the Pyriform Aperture injection. The pyriform aperture is the triangular bony opening at the base of the nose, beside the nostril. As we age, this bone resorbs and widens, causing the base of the nose to sink backward. This lack of support causes the nasolabial fold to deepen significantly at the top. By placing a deep, structural bolus of filler right onto the bone at the base of the nose, we can push the entire area forward. This acts like a tent pole, lifting the deepest part of the nasolabial fold from underneath. It is a powerful technique that softens the shadow of the fold without adding any bulk to the cheek or the lip. It addresses the skeletal cause of the fold rather than just masking the skin crease. The "Sniff...