A midface lift is a procedure that aims to rejuvenate the middle section of the face, but the approach used can vary significantly depending on the surgeon. There isn’t a single universal technique for a midface lift; instead, it refers to a range of surgical methods designed to lift and reposition the tissues in this area. Because of this variation, patients must understand what their surgeon means when they refer to a midface lift and what specific technique will be used.
Some surgeons perform an endoscopic midface lift, which involves making very small incisions within the hairline. They lift and reposition the underlying facial tissues using specialised instruments without creating large scars. This method is often favoured for its minimal invasiveness and quicker recovery time. However, not all surgeons take this approach. Others may make more extensive incisions around the hairline and near the ear, allowing them to lift the tissue between the lower eyelid and the jawline. This approach can provide more dramatic results, particularly for those with significant sagging in the midface region.
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Another technique used by some surgeons involves lifting with threads, often referred to as a thread lift. This non-surgical approach involves inserting dissolvable threads under the skin to create a lifting effect. While this method can produce a subtle and temporary improvement, it does not offer the long-term results of a surgical midface lift.
When considering a midface lift, you must ask your surgeon detailed questions about the specific technique they plan to use. Understanding how they will perform the procedure, what areas will be lifted, and how the results will complement your facial structure will help you make an informed decision. Most surgeons will explain that the lifting process generally targets the area between the lower eyelid and the jawline, helping to restore youthful contours and improve facial harmony.
Centre for Surgery is home to some of the best facial plastic surgeons in the UK. Our facial surgeons have years of experience in all types of facelift surgery, including a mid-face lift. The key to achieving successful outcomes is combining precision surgical expertise with deep knowledge of the structure of the face to attain voluminous cheeks, which helps to give the impression of high cheekbones.
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What is a mid-facelift?
A mid-facelift is also known as a cheek lift and is a less invasive version of a full facelift. A cheek lift is designed to target signs of facial ageing affecting the middle third of the face, and this includes the cheeks, the area beneath the eyes, and the vertical lip lines. As part of the natural ageing process, the skin and superficial soft tissues begin to lose elasticity and become looser. Volume loss occurs in the cheeks, which results in the midface beginning to sag downwards with associated wrinkling. Many of the initial features of facial ageing affect the middle part of the face first, and this includes:
- Sunken cheeks
- Vertical marionette lines extending from the corner of the mouth
- Prominent nasolabial folds between the nose and mouth
- Hollowness of the lower eyelids
- Loss of cheekbone definition
Compared with a full facelift, middle facelift surgery targets the middle third of the face, extending between the corner of the eyes to the corner of the mouth. By smoothing facial lines and wrinkles, the cheeks can be elevated into a higher position. Cheek lift surgery is highly effective for eradicating many features of ageing to produce Fuller cheeks, smooth skin contours, and more youthful eyes.
What are the benefits of mid-facelift surgery?
Deep facial wrinkles and droopy cheeks that often appear sunken may make people look fatigued and much older than they actually are. A more youthful and vibrant appearance can be attained with this specialist type of facelift that is designed to lift the middle third of the face. Mid-facelift surgery can achieve the following benefits:
- Get rid of nasolabial folds and marionette lines
- Restore volume to the area beneath the eyes
- Lift sagging skin around the cheeks
- Enhance cheek volume
- Define your cheekbones
A mid-facelift is less surgically invasive compared with a traditional facelift, and the recovery and healing time is much quicker. In many cases, the procedure may be carried out under local anaesthetic for selected patients. The best results often give the impression to others that you have come back from a nice holiday, appearing refreshed without the obvious tell-tale signs of having surgery.
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Mid-facelift vs full facelift
Facelift surgery is one of the most common facial rejuvenation procedures designed to address signs of facial ageing for a more youthful look. There are several different types of facelift procedures depending on the targeted areas of the face and can generally be broken down into three main types:
- Upper facelift (forehead lift) – designed to target the forehead skin, brow and upper eyelids
- Mid-facelift (cheek lift) – designed to target the middle third of the face extending from the corner of the mouth to the lateral aspect of the eyes and includes the cheeks, vertical lip lines and lower eyelids.
- Lower facelift (jowl lift) – designed to target the lower third of the face extending from the corner of the mouth and includes the jawline and chin.
A mid-facelift is specifically aimed at improving the appearance of the middle third of the face by reducing deep lines, wrinkles, and loose skin. A full facelift is designed to address all three areas of the face. Traditional facelift surgery can eliminate sagging jowls and loose neck skin, tighten the skin of the midface, smoothen forehead skin, and produce a lifting effect on the outer third of the eyebrow.
A mid-facelift can improve the volume beneath the eyes, produce fuller cheeks, soften nose-to-mouth lines, eliminate marionette lines and remove. Deeper wrinkles affect the middle part of the face. However, it cannot improve signs of ageing affecting the upper or lower part of the face.
What signs of ageing can be targeted with facelift surgery?
A full facelift can be either a SMAS facelift or a deep plane facelift. Both types are designed to correct signs of facial ageing affecting any part of the face from the neck up to the forehead. A mid-facelift is specifically aimed at the middle part of the face with the elimination of loose and sagging skin, which extends from the upper cheeks to the corner of the mouth.
Am I suitable for a mid-facelift?
Mid-facelift surgery is ideal for people who have developed early signs of facial ageing affecting the middle part of the face, and the upper and lower face otherwise look youthful. Ideal patients for a mid-facelift include:
- Patients who have drooping or sagging affecting the cheeks with an associated loss of cheek volume
- Patients with sunken eyes that appear hollowed out
- Patients with deep wrinkles affecting the area around the mouth and nose.
- Patients with ill-defined cheekbones.
- Patients with noticeable vertical lip lines
Upper cheek lift surgery is ideal for people who are concerned about any of these signs of facial ageing but are otherwise happy with the rest of their facial appearance.
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Mid-facelift procedure
A mid-facelift is a day case procedure, which means you’ll be able to go home later the same day once you have recovered from the effects of the anaesthetic. General anaesthesia is most commonly used for cheek lift surgery. Once you have been anaesthetised, your surgeon will position the incision within the hairline and above the ear on each side of the face. The skin is then gently separated from the underlying soft tissue.
Once the appropriate surgical exposure has been achieved, areas of bulging fat and weakened muscles Will be surgically repositioned and elevated to a higher position on the face. The skin will then be delicately redraped over the new enhanced facial contours and anchored in place. Excess skin is surgically trimmed before the incisions are closed using dissolvable stitches. Your surgeon uses wound closure techniques designed to minimise the appearance of visible scarring. The procedure takes one to two hours to perform, which is quicker than a full facelift. Natural-looking results can be achieved with a mid-facelift for appropriately selected patients due to meticulous surgical techniques and extreme attention to detail.
Recovery after mid-facelift
The length of the recovery period after mid-facelift surgery will be determined by several factors, including the age and general health of a patient and the extent of surgical correction that was performed as part of the cheek lift procedure. We recommend at least two weeks to heal and recover from a mid-facelift. There are certain measures that all patients can take to speed up their recovery after surgery, including:
- Taking at least one week off work ensures plenty of rest and healing time.
- Avoidance of vigorous physical activities for at least 4 to 6 weeks after a mid-lift.
- Avoiding excessive or sudden movements of the neck during the first two weeks after surgery.
- Making sure to attend all scheduled follow-up appointments with your nurse and surgeon
As part of the preparation for a mid-facelift, you’ll be given detailed preoperative and post-operative instructions, which will help you to get through the recovery after facelift surgery without undue stress. You should always ensure you follow your surgeon’s instructions to minimise the risk of complications occurring
Risk and potential complications of mid-facelift surgery
As with any surgical procedure, mid-facelift surgery involves certain risks, although these can be minimised by choosing a highly experienced facelift surgeon in London. At your consultation, your Surgeon will cover the following risks:
- Seroma – this is a localised collection of fluid beneath the skin.
- Haematoma – this occurs when blood collects beneath the skin to form a localised swelling.
- Surgical site infection – wound infection after facelift surgery is relatively rare, although it may have a higher risk of occurring if postoperative instructions are not adhered to.
- Facial nerve injury – any type of facelift surgery involves potential damage to the facial nerve although this is a very rare complication in experienced hands and occurs in less than one and 100 cases.
Choosing a specialist in facelift surgery who regularly performs both traditional facelift surgery and minimally invasive versions, including a mid-facelift, can help minimise the risk of complications after surgery. This procedure can help restore up to 10 years of your facial appearance for a more youthful and refreshed look.
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How much does a mid-facelift cost in London?
Several factors should be considered when planning for the cost of a mid-facelift. The extent of surgical correction required and whether a mid-facelift will be combined with other procedures will affect the price. Our surgeons commonly combine facial fat transfer with a mid-facelift to enhance cheek volume. A mid lift is a less invasive type of facelift and costs less than a full facelift as it is quicker to perform. Once you have had an in-person consultation, your dedicated patient coordinator will give you a detailed quotation, including the surgical, anaesthetic, and facility fees. All post-operative after-care visits are included in the cost of your mid-facelift.
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Mid-facelift surgery FAQs
What is the difference between a midface lift and a mini-lift?
The terms “midface lift” and “mini-lift” are often used interchangeably, but their exact meaning can vary depending on the surgeon performing the procedure. Some surgeons consider them to be essentially the same because they use a similar incision pattern—typically around the hairline and ear—to lift the middle portion of the face, from the lower eyelid to the jawline.
For our surgeons, a mini-lift and a midface lift are indeed the same. When we perform a mini facelift, we are lifting the midface, targeting sagging in the cheek and lower eyelid area while preserving a natural and long-lasting appearance. In some cases, this procedure may even be referred to as an “upper facelift” since it focuses on lifting the upper portion of the face rather than addressing the neck.
However, different surgeons have different approaches. Some perform a midface lift by making an incision in the lower eyelid, combining a lower eyelid correction with midface rejuvenation. This technique is particularly useful when patients also have concerns about under-eye hollows or sagging. Others prefer to place incisions in the hairline and use large sutures that stretch between the hairline and cheek to achieve a lifting effect.
Because there is no universal definition for these terms, asking your surgeon exactly what they mean when they refer to a midface lift or a mini-lift is essential. The surgical technique, incision placement, and extent of tissue repositioning can all vary. Our surgeons carefully place incisions where they heal exceptionally well, ensuring that they are virtually undetectable, whether you wear your hair up or down. By lifting the midface in the same way as a full facelift, we achieve natural results lasting for 8 to 10 years, offering a refreshed and youthful appearance.
What sign of facial ageing can be corrected with a mid-facelift?
Mid-facelift is a type of facelift surgery aimed at correcting early features of facial ageing, which primarily affect the middle third of the face. Saggy or sunken cheeks most commonly characterise this with drooping of the corners of the mouth. There are several different types of facelifts, and all share in common the aim of getting rid of lines, wrinkles, deep skin faults and saggy skin. A traditional full facelift can target the entire face and neck. In comparison, a mini facelift is focused on rejuvenating the lower third of the face, which includes the jawline and chin.
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A mid-facelift is focused on correcting signs of ageing affecting the middle third of the face, and this includes volume loss in the cheeks, sunken eyes, deep nasolabial folds and marionette lines. People who choose a mid-facelift can achieve impressive rejuvenation effects with lifting and volume enhancement of the cheeks and correction of nose-to-mouth lines and the hollow area beneath the eyes.
Can a mid-facelift get rid of jowls?
A cheek lift is designed to address the middle part of the face, from the upper corner of the mouth to the outer aspect of the eyes. Mid-facelift surgery does not target the neck, jawline or jowls. A lower facelift, mini facelift or full facelift can address the lower part of the face, including eliminating jowls.
Can a mid-facelift make me look younger?
Facelift surgery for the middle part of the face can treat deflated cheeks and improve hollowness beneath the lower eyelids. Lines and wrinkles extending from the upper lip to the outer eyes can be smoothened out. People who have a mid-facelift feel much more confident due to having a more youthful and refreshed appearance.
How Long Do the Results of a Midface Lift Last?
The longevity of a midface lift depends on several factors, including the surgical technique used, the depth of the lift, and the extent of tissue repositioning. Not all midface lifts provide the same duration of results, as different approaches offer varying levels of support and structural integrity.
One of the key factors that influence how long the results will last is the number of sutures used to hold the lifted tissues in place. If only a single suture is securing the repositioned structures, the effects may not be as long-lasting as a technique that involves multiple sutures, which provide greater stability. Another important consideration is whether the surgeon is lifting the tissue above the muscle (a more superficial lift) or below the muscle (a deeper and more structurally supportive lift). A lift that secures the muscle itself tends to yield longer-lasting results because it repositions the underlying foundation of the face rather than just tightening the skin.
The degree of dissection towards the nose also plays a role. A more extensive lift that repositions the tissue closer to the central face will generally have longer-lasting results than a minimal or less invasive technique. Less extensive procedures, such as a “lunchtime facelift” or a thread lift, may provide an immediate but temporary improvement, with results typically lasting only a few months to a couple of years.
In contrast, a properly performed midface lift or mini-lift that repositions the muscle and deeper tissues can last anywhere from 8 to 10 years. This is because the structural support is restored to a more youthful position, rather than simply tightening the surface. While no procedure can completely stop the ageing process, a well-executed midface lift can significantly delay the signs of facial sagging and provide long-term rejuvenation.
Is a mid-facelift worth it?
The vast majority of patients who have a mid-facelift tell us the procedure was worth it. The elimination of signs of facial ageing affecting the middle third of the face gives patients a significant boost in confidence and self-esteem. This allows people to engage in many everyday social situations that they may have previously avoided due to feeling excessively self-conscious about how they look.
Why Choose Centre for Surgery for Your Mid-Facelift?
At Centre for Surgery, we offer world-class facial rejuvenation procedures tailored to your unique needs. Our team of highly skilled and experienced surgeons specialise in mid-facelifts, ensuring natural, long-lasting results with minimal downtime. With a patient-centred approach, cutting-edge surgical techniques, and a commitment to excellence, we are a leading choice for those seeking facial rejuvenation in London.
Expert Surgeons and Personalised Care
Our surgeons are experts in facial aesthetics, using advanced techniques to lift and restore the midface with precision. Every procedure is fully tailored to the individual, ensuring results that enhance your natural beauty while maintaining facial harmony. Unlike standardised approaches, we take the time to understand your goals and create a bespoke treatment plan that aligns with your desired outcome.
World-Class Facilities at Our Baker Street Clinic
Located in the heart of London, our Baker Street clinic offers a state-of-the-art surgical environment designed for comfort, safety, and discretion. Our facilities are fully equipped with the latest technology, ensuring that every procedure is performed with the highest standards of care.
Hear from Our Happy Patients
“I had a mid-facelift at Centre for Surgery, and the results exceeded my expectations. My face looks lifted but completely natural, and the recovery process was smooth. The team was incredibly supportive throughout.” – Sarah W.
“The surgeons at Centre for Surgery truly understand facial aesthetics. My midface lift gave me a refreshed, youthful look without looking overdone. The care I received was exceptional, from my first consultation to post-surgery follow-ups.” – Mark T.
“Choosing Centre for Surgery was the best decision I made. The entire experience was seamless, and I felt in safe hands. My results are subtle but transformative—I look like a younger version of myself!” – Emma R.
Finance Options Available
We believe that everyone should have access to the highest quality cosmetic procedures. That’s why we offer a range of finance options to help you spread the cost of your mid-facelift. Whether you’re looking for flexible payment plans or interest-free options, we can guide you through the process to find a plan that works for you.
Book Your Consultation Today
Ready to take the next step towards a more youthful appearance? Book a consultation with one of our expert surgeons today. Our team will provide a thorough assessment and discuss the best approach to achieve your aesthetic goals.
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At Centre for Surgery, we are dedicated to delivering exceptional results with a patient-first approach. Let us help you achieve a naturally refreshed and youthful appearance with our expert mid-facelift procedures.
