What are nasolabial folds – what the lines between nose and mouth reveal about life path and inner burdens
- Daniel Neuhaus
- Feb 6
- 11 min read
When people hear “nasolabial folds,” most immediately think of hyaluronic acid, anti-aging, and before-and-after photos. In Chinese face reading and physiognomy, however, these lines tell a much deeper story.
The folds that run from the wings of the nose to the corners of the mouth are often called “Fa Ling lines” or “Purpose Lines” in Face Reading. They do not only reflect aging processes, but also how you deal with your life path, your past, and inner disappointments.
In this article, we look at both levels:
What nasolabial folds are anatomically – and what they reveal from a Face Reading perspective about purpose, letting go, and old burdens.
Contents at a glance
1. What are nasolabial folds, really?
Anatomically, nasolabial folds are the lines that run from the sides of the nose downward toward the corners of the mouth. They form as a result of:
facial expression, especially smiling and speaking
volume loss in the midface
gravity and changes in connective tissue
skin aging, sun damage, and lifestyle factors
Over the years, they become more visible in most people. From a medical perspective, they are considered typical age-related and expression lines. In Chinese facial diagnostics, they belong to the area of the large intestine and digestion and are closely associated with the theme of “letting go.”
2. Purpose Lines in Face Reading – lines of your calling
In Face Reading, the Fa Ling lines are regarded as “lines of purpose” or Purpose Lines. They show to what extent you have found your life path and how consistently you walk it.
Clearly visible but not overly deep nasolabial folds are considered a good sign and stand for:
goal orientation
a clear inner sense of one’s life task
healthy basic motivation and willpower
people who know why they get up in the morning
In many traditional sources it is said:
These lines should develop from the mid-30s, at the latest by the mid-40s. They are then considered a sign that a person has found their “golden path” – a sense of life that makes it worth living.
When I see a clearly defined, well-balanced nasolabial fold in a face, my inner message is often:
“Well done. You know why you are here.”
3. When nasolabial folds are missing – overstretched skin, overstretched system
What is interesting is not only what is visible, but also what is missing.
If nasolabial folds are not present at all from around the age of 40, or only appear very faintly, this is rather uncommon. From a Face Reading perspective, this can point to a state of inner overstrain.
The skin appears “overstretched,” the folds cannot properly form.
The autonomic nervous system is highly sensitive.
Those affected are often perceived as quickly nervous, inwardly pressured, or in a state of constant tension.
Here, the face tends to express:
“I am holding everything together, no matter the cost.”
The energy does not flow toward purpose, but into pure endurance.
This is not a “mistake in the face,” but an indication:
It may be important to gently relieve the nervous system, psyche, and body, rather than focusing solely on the surface.
4. Normally developed nasolabial folds – on your own path
Nasolabial folds that:
begin at the level of the wings of the nose
curve downward softly and smoothly
end roughly at the level of the corners of the mouth
are clearly visible, but not deeply “etched”
… are considered a very good sign in Face Reading.
They tell the story of people who:
are aware of their calling
actively shape their own path
possess a stable basic motivation
are willing to take responsibility for their lives
Here, past, present, and future are in a reasonably good balance:
The past is present, but it does not block the path. The person is able to learn from experiences without being held back by them.
5. Deep nasolabial folds – when old stories have become heavy
People with very deep nasolabial folds often hear comments like: “You look so strict” or “You look tired.”
From a Face Reading perspective, the focus lies elsewhere: deep lines tell a story of weight.
They stand, among other things, for:
worries that have been carried for a long time
old grief, losses, and emotional pain
fixed beliefs and rigid patterns of thinking
difficulties letting go of what is old
In Chinese understanding, nasolabial folds are closely connected to the large intestine. The large intestine decides what may remain in the body and what is eliminated. Transferred to life, it is exactly the same question:
Which thoughts, stories, and relationships are allowed to stay –
and what has long been ready to be released?
Very deep or darkly colored folds can therefore symbolically stand for “emotional baggage” that has not yet been processed. In some sources, they are referred to as “Disappointment lines”.
6. Long nasolabial folds below the corners of the mouth – lines of disappointment and hunger
When nasolabial folds continue clearly downward below the corners of the mouth, the message changes.
These lines are often referred to as “lines of disappointment” or – when they almost form a circle around the chin – “hunger lines.”
They then stand for:
deep, repeated disappointments
being stuck in old beliefs about oneself
dogmatic convictions that block one’s own path
grief that has not been released
people who are still holding on internally to something that has long been over
The “hunger line,” which almost closes around the chin, additionally points to a strong inner hunger for love, recognition, or being seen.
Often, this line softens or fades when a person recognizes their own worth and stops seeking love exclusively from the outside.
Here, the developmental message of the nasolabial folds is:
“Learn to let go, so that you can go where you truly want to go.”
Whoever chains themselves to old stories cannot move on.
7. Left, right, or both sides – inner and outer life task
Sometimes nasolabial folds appear with different intensity. There are also people who have a clearly developed nasolabial fold on only one side. As with many features in Face Reading, differentiating the sides is worthwhile here as well.
Clearly visible only on the left
→ The left side of the face stands more for the inner world, emotions, and personal history.
→ There is often a deep awareness of one’s own life path, but the creative or spiritual potential is not yet fully lived.
→ Question that arises from this:
“What is still holding you back from truly walking your path?”
Clearly visible only on the right
→ The right side stands more strongly for outer role, profession, and impact in the world.
→ The person is already living their calling outwardly to some extent, but receives too little appreciation – from family, culture, or environment.
→ The face tells the story:
“I am walking my path, but I do not yet feel truly recognized for it.”
Clearly and harmoniously visible on both sides
→ Inner purpose and outer action are comparatively well connected.
8. Double nasolabial folds – multiple callings
Sometimes the nasolabial fold splits, or two lines appear side by side.
This can indicate that a person quite literally carries “two callings” within them.
For example:
two very different professional paths
one creative and one analytical calling
a visible outer role and an inner, more spiritual task
What matters here is that both life paths are allowed to have their place. The face makes something visible:
“There is more than one track within you.”
9. Physical connections – large intestine, stomach, and immune system
In Chinese medicine and facial diagnostics, nasolabial folds are primarily associated with the large intestine and the stomach.
Some typical correlations:
very long or strongly pronounced folds
→ tendency toward stomach sensitivity, hyperacidity, or digestive issues
very deep, dark, or reddened Fa Ling lines
→ indication of “holding on,” irritable bowel tendencies, or inflammatory processes in the intestines
pale or lacking color
→ rather a tendency to “let things pass through” too quickly, without truly processing them
Important:
These are not diagnoses, but indications of possible strain. They can be a good occasion to look at one’s own lifestyle, digestion, and medically clarified findings together.
On a parallel level, these lines also speak on a psychological level of “digestion”:
What of what has happened to me in life do I integrate – and what do I merely carry around as a burden?
10. What you can do with your nasolabial folds – beyond hyaluronic acid
Of course, nasolabial folds can also be treated: with hyaluronic acid, thread lifting, laser, or other methods. This is a personal decision, and there are situations in which aesthetic treatment can significantly increase well-being.
From a Face Reading perspective, however, a different question is worthwhile in parallel:
What do I get up for in the morning?
Which stories from the past am I still carrying around with me?
Where am I holding on to beliefs that no longer serve me?
Which disappointments have become so deeply imprinted that they narrow my view of the future?
Nasolabial folds do not only tell of how the skin ages, but also of how fully you have accepted your life path – with everything that belongs to it. Sometimes change does not begin at the fold, but with the decisions you make.
11. Treating nasolabial folds – why a holistic perspective makes sense
If you are considering an aesthetic treatment of your nasolabial folds, it can be helpful to connect both levels:
the visible fold in the mirror
and the invisible story behind it
A holistic approach asks:
What do I really want to change: only the surface, or also how I deal with the past and with disappointments?
What expectations do I attach to a treatment, and what can it realistically achieve?
Where might Face Reading help to understand the message behind the fold instead of simply making it “disappear”?
In this way, a “problem zone” becomes an invitation to look more deeply at one’s own life.
12. Conclusion – lines between the past and your “golden path”
Nasolabial folds are much more than just age-related lines.
They can indicate:
that you have found your path
that you are still holding on to old stories
that you are hungry for love and recognition
or that you carry multiple callings within you
You do not have to love them. But you can learn to read them.
Your face does not judge you. It shows where you are right now:
between past, present, and the path that lies ahead of you.
If you wish, nasolabial folds can become exactly what they stand for in many traditions:
Lines of purpose that remind you that you are allowed to make your life your own – step by step.
If you would like to dive deeper:
If you want to understand why some lines become deep, others disappear, and what wrinkles truly reveal about your emotional experience, you will find an empathetic and clear introduction here.
Lower eyelid swelling often tells of stored grief, fear, and inner pressure. If you are interested in how the face reflects these themes, read on here.
Some dark circles fade quickly, others remain for years. Why this is so and what this area can reveal about stress, fear, grief, or exhaustion is explored here – an article for those who want to look more closely.
If you would like to know which patterns lie behind your own nasolabial folds, facial expressions, and expression lines, you can book a personal Face Reading here. We connect your facial features with your life story and your talents.
If you are interested in how aesthetic treatments and Face Reading interact, which inner processes can be triggered by changes in the face, and why a holistic view is so valuable, this article takes you deeper.
The philtrum is one of the most fascinating zones of the face. If you want to understand how its form relates to creativity, sensitivity, and closeness behavior, you will find a detailed introduction here.
The Cupid’s bow reveals a great deal about how we live closeness and how our presence affects others. If you would like to go deeper, you will find a helpful overview here.
The lips are closely connected to emotional language. If you are curious about what your lip shape says about you, you will find a clear and practical overview here.
Video: A conversation about personality, empathy, and what faces reveal
In this episode of FlowGrade – For Life, I talk with Max Gotzler about what Face Reading can truly offer today. We go through the foundations – physiognomy, facial expression, and body language – and discuss how personality shows itself in the face, where the limits lie, and why empathy is the core of this work.
At the end, I read a few facets of Max’s personality from his face – in the form of a small speed reading, in a live analysis.
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You will learn how facial features are connected to personality, resources, and inner patterns – and how you can use this knowledge for coaching, communication, or your personal development.
The webinar is designed to be interactive and offers plenty of space for your questions.
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FAQ – Nasolabial folds
What do nasolabial folds reveal in Face Reading?
They show how deeply a person has arrived on their life path, how they deal with the past, and where old emotional weight may still be present. Well-developed folds are considered an indication of goal orientation and inner purpose. Very deep or long folds tend to point to burden, disappointment, or stories that are still being held onto.
Are nasolabial folds something negative?
No. In many traditions, they are even considered desirable – a sign that someone has developed along their path. It only becomes challenging when the folds are very deep or very long, as this can indicate that old patterns or disappointments still take up a great deal of space.
Why do nasolabial folds become more visible with age?
From a medical perspective, due to volume loss, facial expression, connective tissue changes, and gravity. In Face Reading, they also become more visible because inner themes that unfold over the course of life – such as life path, letting go, and lived crises – show more clearly.
Can nasolabial folds be softened without losing their “meaning”?
Yes. The meaning does not lie in the fold itself, but in the lived theme behind it. A treatment does not automatically change the inner pattern. Many people combine aesthetic procedures with Face Reading in order to let go emotionally as well.
What does it mean if nasolabial folds appear on only one side?
The left side is more associated with personal and emotional themes. The right side relates more to outer role, professional development, and impact. One-sided folds often indicate the area of life in which the strongest inner movements are currently taking place.
