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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. This is most commonly characterised by saggy or sunken cheeks 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.
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 by combining precision surgical expertise with deep knowledge of the structure of the face to achieve 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 is designed to target the middle third of the face extending between the corner of the eyes to the corner of the mouth. The cheeks can be elevated into a higher position with smoothening of facial lines and wrinkles. 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 result in people looking 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.
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 with a reduction in deep lines and 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 and 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 would generally 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 to ensure plenty of time for rest and healing.
- 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 type of 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.
Minimising the risk of complications after surgery can be helped by choosing a specialist facelift surgery who regularly carries out both traditional facelift surgery and minimally invasive versions, including a mid-facelift. This procedure can help to take 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?
When planning for the cost of a mid-facelift, there are several factors that should be taken into account. 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 which includes the surgical fees, anaesthetic fees 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
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 does a mid-facelift last?
Bruising and swelling after surgery can take several weeks to disappear. He will then be able to observe the final results of a mid-facelift. The procedure can turn back the clock to make patients look up to 10 years younger. No facelift surgery can stop the ageing process. However, once a mid-facelift has been carried out, the extent of facial ageing over time will be less compared with those who did not have surgery. Most surgeons agree the procedure can last for up to 10 years as long as patients maintain a healthy lifestyle with a good skincare routine, avoid excessive sunlight and smoking and keep well hydrated.
Is a mid-facelift worth it?
The vast majority of patients who have a mid-facelift tell us the procedure was worth it. Patients develop a significant boost in confidence and self-esteem due to the elimination of signs of facial ageing affecting the middle third of the face. 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.
Call us today on 020 7993 4849 or complete the contact form below to schedule an in-person consultation with a London facelift surgeon at our state-of-the-art Baker Street clinic in Marylebone.
