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2026.02.26
What is nasolabial fat? | What is fat that makes lines look deeper?
As a plastic surgeon certified by the Japanese Society of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, I have been involved in many cases of trauma, reconstruction, and congenital diseases, and have cultivated precise techniques and a deep understanding of anatomy. He entered the field of cosmetic surgery out of a desire to bring the power of cosmetics to his patients, as a change in one's appearance can also make one's mind more positive. Her specialties include general treatment of the eye area, injections, and sagging skin. I provide treatments that focus on beauty with the medical stance of "sincerely addressing the ideals of the patient.
Hello!
Designing natural beauty with trust.
I am Masataka Fujihashi, a board-certified plastic surgeon.
There are a great many people who come for counseling because they are concerned about their laugh lines.
Most important in treatment,Correctly determine "what is causing the lines to stand out."That is the case.
The three main causes are
Volume loss due to bone atrophy in the laugh line area
Volume of Nazorabialfat
Drooping skin above the laugh lines
Lines are not simply wrinkles in the skin; they appear deeper because structural changes in fat, skin, and bone create bumps and accentuate shadows.
In this article, we will discuss Nazorabialfat, one of the most important of these.
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What is Nazorabialfat?
Nasolabial fat is vertical subcutaneous fat that is present from the sides of the nose to above the laugh lines.
Nasolabial refers to the area between the naso (nose) and labial (lips).
This fat is not an independent formal name listed in Terminologia Anatomica, but anatomically corresponds to part of the mailer fat (medial cheek fat compartment).
Because it is present to cover just above the laugh lines, this fat bulge creates a bump with the groove and accentuates the shadow.
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Mechanism of deepening of the laugh lines
With aging, the nasolabial fat droops and rides on top of the laugh lines.
Then,「Fat bulges (mountains)"と「The grooves (valleys) of the laugh lines."The difference between the two is emphasized by the difference in the steps of the
Furthermore,Skin saggingやBone atrophy at the base of the nasal wingThe lines appear deeper due to the added loss of support caused by
In other words, not only fat but also skin and bone changes are important factors.
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■ Indications and precautions for nasolabial fat removal
Nasolabial fat removal is a treatment that reduces this fat bulge and improves the bumps.
Because the approach is made through a small scar at the corner of the mouth, the scar is completely unnoticeable.
In younger patients, there is less skin laxity, which may improve with nasolabial fat removal alone.
HoweverLiposuction alone is not sufficient for patients in their 30s and beyond, as it is often accompanied by skin laxityis.
In this case, a combined thread lift or midface lift is required.
especiallyThe key is to perform liposuction and lifting at the same timeis.
Adhesions occur under the skin after aspiration, and if adhesions occur in a drooping position, improvement is difficult.
It is important that they are properly lifted and secured.
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Volume replacement for bone atrophy
In the laugh lines, lack of volume due to bony atrophy at the base of the nasal wings is also almost inevitable.
In this case,As volume compensation,
・Hyaluronic acid injection
Aristocratomy (prosthesis or rib cartilage grafting)
and others are used in combination.
Rib cartilage is used when rib cartilage is used in nasal surgery, but prostheses are commonly used when used alone.
Fat injections are another option, but I don't do them very often because of the high risk of migration and the instability of results, such as biodeposition in areas other than the target site.
In addition, because the area around the mouth is subject to significant movement due to facial expressions such as smiling and speaking, both hyaluronic acid and fat injections are associated with a high risk of migration.
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■ Summary
Nazorabial fat is a piece of cheek fat present above the laugh lines.
This fat drooping, combined with sagging skin and bone atrophy, makes the lines appear deeper.
Fat removal is effective in younger age groups, but a combination of lifting and volume replacement is often necessary in people in their 30s and beyond.
It is important to choose the appropriate treatment according to the cause.
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【Profile】
Masataka Fujihashi, MD, Plastic Surgeon
Leveraging expertise as a board-certified plastic surgeon, I offer comprehensive facial cosmetic procedures including eyelid and nose surgery, facial liposuction, thread lifts, and hyaluronic acid injections. From incisional surgeries and revision procedures requiring delicate design to minimally invasive injections and lifts with minimal downtime, I strive to provide treatments tailored to each patient's ideal outcome.
We are dedicated to achieving natural results and minimizing downtime, pursuing medical care that leaves you feeling confident in your choice through sincere consultations.
Designing natural beauty with trust.
We cherish that sentiment and apply it to our daily practice.
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【Career】
March 2015: Graduated from the School of Medicine, Showa University
April 2015 Showa University Yokohama Northern Hospital Initial Clinical Training
April 2017 Showa University Hospital Department of Plastic Surgery
October 2017 Maebashi Red Cross Hospital Plastic Surgery / Cosmetic Surgery
April 2019 Nishio Municipal Hospital Plastic Surgery Department
April 2020 Showa University Fujigaoka Hospital Plastic Surgery Department
November 2020 Ota Nishinouchi Hospital Plastic Surgery / Cosmetic Surgery
July 2022 Tokyo Rosai Hospital Plastic Surgery / Cosmetic Surgery Department Head
July 2022: R.O.clinic (Part-time), Kusano Taro Clinic (Part-time)
April 2024 Deputy Director, Ginza TA Clinic
November 2025 BIANCA CLINIC
【Professional Affiliations and Qualifications】
Japanese Society of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery Board-Certified Plastic Surgeon
Member of the Japanese Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery (JSAPS)
Member of the Japanese Society of Aesthetic Surgery (JSAS)
