What is a mid facelift?

The mid facelift is a procedure to improve the look of the cheekbone area as well as the area underneath the eyelids. It restores fullness to these areas and this makes the patient look younger. It is a relatively new procedure which is still evolving and can be approached many ways.

Who benefits the most from this procedure?

Put your fingertip on your cheekbone about a fingerbreadth sideways and down from the outer corner of the eye. Pull the skin upwards and slightly back. This mimics the effect of a 'mid facelift'.

Because this procedure corrects some of the early signs of ageing, we find it gives a 'refreshing' appearance to somebody who has started the ageing process but does not yet feel the need for a full facelift which also involves the forehead, neck and jawline.

However, when combined with an endoscopic browlift the results are more dramatic. The combined procedure rejuvenates the cheekbone area and brightens the eyes. Many people in their late thirties to late forties can have marked improvements in their appearance with a procedure whose scars are all hidden in the hairline.

What is involved in the mid facelift procedure?

The procedure is done under general anesthesia. A small incision is made in the scalp skin above the ear and the skin is elevated to the level of the cheekbone. Another incision is made either inside the mouth or in the lower eyelid (where a standard lower eyelid incision would be made).

From here, the tissues are elevated from the cheekbone. Sutures are then used to grasp these tissues so they can be elevated in a direction that parallels a line drawn from the side of the nostril to the outer corner of the eye. The sutures then are fixed under the scalp incision. This restores the cheek tissues to a more youthful position. The scalp skin is then pulled in the same direction. This rejuvenates the area around the outer corner of the eye.

How is a threadlift different from a mid facelift?

The threadlift is a type of mid facelift. A threadlift uses a 'barbed suture' to grasp the cheek tissues and elevate them. The 'barbed suture' can be used in a more limited procedure where the tissues are not separated and elevated. Thus, the threadlift procedure is less invasive and can be done under local anesthetic in the office.

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