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Key takeaways: With Hilowave for nasolabial folds, 4cc cannot be expected to give twice the effect of 2cc. Volume is a number that sets how far the filling extends, so the choice depends on whether only the fold line is refined or the surrounding volume that creates the shadow is also filled, and that judgment becomes accurate when the cause and stage of the folds are identified first.

Nasolabial folds that once appeared briefly only when smiling may one day stay on both sides of the mouth even with no expression at all. Once you start noticing them, they are the first lines you look for in every photo.

People who discover Hilowave while searching for a solution most often raise the question of volume first in consultation. They wonder whether 2cc will do or whether 4cc is needed, and this article explains what to check before choosing a volume and the actual difference between 2cc and 4cc.

The more a muscle moves in one direction, strongly and repeatedly, the deeper the line it leaves on the skin above. It is similar to a crease forming in paper folded again and again in the same place, and it is why lines appear first in areas that move reflexively and often, such as the forehead, around the eyes and around the mouth.

The muscle that pulls the corners of the mouth upward follows the same path every time you smile, and as the skin folds along that path, nasolabial folds gradually build up. This is why people say folds deepen earlier in those who smile a lot.

As years pass, facial fat shifts downward and skin firmness declines, adding shadow on top of the fold. For this reason, Dr. Oh Seung-min observes the movement of the fascia and muscles beneath the skin before the line on the surface when assessing nasolabial folds.

Some people hope their folds will fade simply by correcting facial expression habits. Changing habits can be expected to slow how quickly lines deepen in the future, but it cannot erase lines already etched. So for established folds, it is necessary to look separately at the muscles, sagging and stage of progression.

Hilowave is a skin booster containing both small and large molecular hyaluronic acid. Because it is formulated with minimal crosslinking, the hyaluronic acid holds water once in the skin and works to softly fill the dark shading around the folds. Over time, it is known to help refine skin density and firmness together.

The method involves injecting densely along the fold line and then molding with the fingertips so the product spreads evenly. Hilowave is therefore closer to softening the shadow of the folds than to forcibly filling the line. Being hyaluronic acid based, the amount can be adjusted with a dissolving enzyme if needed, which also lowers the burden.

It is tempting to think 4cc will smooth the fold twice as much, but volume refers to the amount that can be placed in the skin, in other words the area to be filled. A 2cc volume tends to suit refining the area around a clearly defined concern such as the fold line.

A 4cc volume is considered when not only the fold but also the surrounding areas that create shadow, such as the front of the cheek above it or the area around the mouth, need filling. Nasolabial folds are often not just a single line but a shadow cast as the volume above has decreased.

In the end, more volume cannot be called better. If someone concerned about just one line receives 4cc, the mouth area may look heavier, and if someone whose surrounding volume has also dropped stops at 2cc, the result may fall short.

That is why Dr. Oh classifies the folds with a few questions before choosing the Hilowave volume. Whether the line comes from muscle habits or from sagging, how far it has progressed, whether it stays fixed at rest, and whether prevention is enough or treatment is needed can greatly change the recommended direction.

Even similar looking folds can lead to entirely different results with the same 2cc if their causes differ. For an early stage that shows only with expression, prevention and care are discussed before rushing into filling. When sagging is the main cause, filling only the folds can make the lower face look heavy, so in such cases Hilowave alone is not relied on.

Conversely, if the line is clear even at rest and the surrounding volume has also dropped, the coverage is widened and 4cc is considered. Rather than finishing in one session, treatment is divided over a period, and the volume for the next session is adjusted by watching how the line fades. Duration is usually explained as around 3 to 6 months, and may vary with individual skin condition and expression habits.

At O.N Clinic, the skin condition is measured before treatment with an AI skin analysis device called MUSE, and the movement of the mouth area is compared while smiling and at rest. The reason cause comes before volume is that, even with the same 2cc, the cause is the factor that most divides the result.

In summary, choosing between 2cc and 4cc is a question solved only by knowing why the nasolabial folds formed. Once the cause and stage are classified first, the Hilowave volume needed tends to follow naturally.

My folds show only when I smile. Do I need treatment now?

If the folds appear only with expression, you can think about prevention and care before rushing to fill. It is good to first check whether the line has started to remain at rest and then set the direction.

I heard filling the folds can make the mouth area look thick

If sagging is the cause and only the fold area is filled, or more than needed is injected, the mouth area can look heavy. It is best to decide volume and coverage after looking at the cause and the surrounding volume together.

Will correcting expression habits make the folds disappear?

Correcting habits can help slow how quickly lines deepen, but nasolabial folds already etched are hard to disappear on their own. We recommend checking the current stage before deciding on a care plan.

O.N Clinic is located near Gangnam Station, so it is relatively easy to reach by subway.

If you are considering Hilowave for nasolabial folds, it helps to note before your visit whether the folds show only when smiling or also at rest, and any treatments you have had before, so the consultation on volume goes smoothly. For any questions, feel free to reach us via chat with us now.

Author: Dr. Oh Seung-min (Medical Director of O.N Clinic, graduate of Seoul National University College of Medicine, Academic Committee Chair of the Korean Society for Laser, Skin and Hair). See the full profile on the medical team page. First published 2026-10-19, last reviewed 2026-11-10

This article is for general information only, and suitable treatment and results may vary depending on each person's condition.