News / Media

Midface Lift Surgery: Rejuvenate Your Appearance with a Youthful Lift

A midface lift is a popular cosmetic surgery designed to restore youthful contours to the middle part of your face. This procedure targets the facial skin and underlying muscle layers, effectively lifting sagging tissues to reduce signs of aging, such as tiredness and wrinkles, leaving you with a refreshed and more youthful look. By reversing the effects of time, it helps bring back volume and smoothness, creating a naturally rejuvenated appearance.

Understanding the Aging Process and Midface Lift Benefits

Facial aging is a gradual process that affects the entire face, not just one area. As we age, all components of the face—skin, muscles, fat, and bone—experience changes that contribute to an older appearance. Sun damage, gravity, and stress further accelerate this process, causing skin laxity and deeper wrinkles.

One of the most prominent changes in facial aging is the loss of volume, especially in the midface. The sub-orbicularis oculi fat pad (SOOF), which sits under the eyes, is particularly affected, leading to the sagging of the cheeks and the formation of deep folds and lines. This contributes to drooping around the mouth and the formation of nasolabial folds (the lines from the nose to the mouth). These changes create a tired, aged look, which a midface lift aims to correct.

The midface lift focuses on rejuvenating the area between the lower eyelids, the cheekbones, and the upper lip. It helps tighten and lift sagging skin, reducing the appearance of under-eye bags, jowls, and the nasolabial folds.

Midface Lift with Eyelid Surgery: A Comprehensive Approach

In many cases, a midface lift is performed in conjunction with other procedures such as lower eyelid blepharoplasty(eye bag removal) to enhance overall facial harmony. Combining these surgeries can provide a more balanced and refreshed result. The midface lift also has the added benefit of lifting the skin around the cheekbones, giving the face a more sculpted, youthful appearance.

In addition to the midface lift, other treatments may be recommended to complement the procedure, such as fat transfer, facial dermal fillers and/or wrinkle-relaxing injections to restore volume and smooth out fine lines.

Non-Surgical Alternatives for Midface Aging

While surgical procedures like the midface lift offer permanent results, non-surgical options are also available for patients seeking a less invasive approach. Dermal fillers, such as Hyaluronic acid-based products like the Allergan Vycross range, can be used to restore lost volume in the midface, particularly around the cheeks. Additionally, advanced techniques like MD-Codes can provide a more precise and targeted facial rejuvenation without the need for surgery.

For optimal results, it’s important to address the condition of the skin as well. Tired, sun-damaged skin can hinder the results of a midface lift, making skin rejuvenation treatments a crucial part of pre-surgery consultations.

What to Expect from a Midface Lift Procedure

A midface lift is typically performed under general anaesthesia; however, for selected patients, local anaesthesia with or without sedation may be an option.

Recovery time after a midface lift varies from person to person. Most patients require a 1-night hospital stay and a recovery period of about 3-4 weeks. During the initial stages of recovery, patients can expect swelling and stiffness, which gradually improves within 2-3 weeks. In most cases, social activities and work can be resumed after 2-3 weeks, though some bruising may persist.

For patients undergoing more extensive procedures, including lower eyelid rejuvenation, the recovery process may take longer, ranging from 4-6 weeks. This extended recovery period may also involve symptoms such as red or watery eyesand a tighter lower eyelid, which require close monitoring during recovery.

Scarring After Midface Lift Surgery

Scarring is an inevitable part of any surgery, but the scars from a midface lift are typically minimal. They are strategically placed along the lower eyelid line and extend slightly to the sides. In most patients, these scars fade significantly within the first 4-6 months and continue to improve over the following 12-18 months as they mature.

Enhancing Results with Additional Treatments

For maximum results and longevity, some patients may choose to combine their midface lift with other cosmetic treatments, such as wrinkle-relaxing injections, dermal fillers, or fat transfer.

• Fat transfer can be used to restore volume to the midface or other areas, providing a natural, youthful contour. It’s important to note that in 20-30% of cases, fat may be resorbed by the body, requiring a second procedure for optimal results.

Why Choose a Qualified Surgeon for Your Midface Lift

A midface lift is a complex procedure that requires an experienced, board-certified plastic surgeon with expertise in facial anatomy. With over 18 years of experience, I have performed midface lifts with consistent, reproducible results, helping many patients achieve a more youthful, refreshed look.

Contact me today to schedule a consultation and explore how a midface lift can rejuvenate your appearance.