- Principle Benefits: Enhanced cheek contours, reduction in sagging skin around the cheeks and lower eyelids, improvement in cheek volume for a more youthful look.
- Candidates: Patients interested in addressing signs of aging around the cheeks and lower eyelids, especially in conjunction with lower blepharoplasty
- Recovery Timeline: Most patients can return to work and standard routines in 1-2 weeks; minor swelling and discomfort are common immediately after surgery
- Average Cost: $2,200–$4,200, depending on procedural details
The eyelid and midface continuum is one of the most important anatomic areas that contributes to the overall facial aesthetic. When you first meet someone face to face, it’s this middle third that often gets all of the attention and focus. In fact, our first impressions are typically drawn from this area. Historically, cosmetic surgeons removed too much skin and fat from the lower eyelid and midface region, creating a tight (and even skeletonized) look. Today we understand that we want just the opposite—a fuller, more volumized look. This is the rejuvenated, more refreshed appearance that can be achieved via a midface lift.
- What Is a Midface Lift?
- Midface Lift Candidates
- Midface Lift vs. Facelift
- Midface Lift Procedure
- Midface Lift Recovery
- Midface Lift Results
- Midface Lift Scars
- Cost of Midface Lift
What Is a Midface Lift?
Often performed in association with lower eyelid blepharoplasty, a midface lift is designed to improve the contour of the cheeks, helping to eliminate excess skin, remove redundant cheek fat, and elevate weakened facial muscles. This surgery is frequently augmented with facial fillers—such as hyaluronic acid-based JUVÉDERM® and Restylane® Lyft—to add volume to a severely gaunt or hollow midfacial appearance.
Dr. Albert Cytryn has been performing midface lifts for over two decades. With this experience, he has honed his expertise in the art of evaluating the middle third of the face, which includes understanding and appreciating the aging process as well as the light and shadows that aging produces. Taking all of this into consideration, he can develop and perform a personalized treatment plan that effectively addresses your needs while yielding a beautifully rejuvenated midfacial appearance.
Before 
After Who Is a Candidate for a Midface Lift?
A good candidate for a midface lift is typically someone who is noticing sagging in the cheek area and seeking to rejuvenate their facial appearance. Ideal candidates are healthy, non-smokers with realistic expectations about the outcomes. This procedure can be particularly effective for those who have pronounced nasolabial folds, decreased cheek volume, and minor jowling. The midface lift helps in elevating the cheeks, enhancing the contour of the face, and providing a more youthful appearance. It’s also important for potential patients to have stable weight and good skin elasticity to achieve optimal results.
Patients concerned about marionette lines, neck bands, prominent wrinkles, and serious jowling may be better candidates for a facelift and/or neck lift. During a consultation, Dr. Cytryn will review your concerns and recommend the optimal solution.
Facelift vs. Midface Lift
A facelift and a midface lift are both surgical procedures aimed at rejuvenating the face, but they target different areas and concerns. A facelift primarily addresses signs of aging in the lower face and upper neck. It can tighten sagging skin, reduce wrinkles, and improve contours around the jawline, mouth, and neck. A facelift is generally considered a more comprehensive procedure and it can achieve dramatic results for those interested in achieving a more refreshed and youthful aesthetic.
In contrast, a midface lift focuses on the central part of the face. It targets sagging cheeks, deep nasolabial folds, and can improve under-eye hollows. The midface lift is less invasive than a full facelift and specifically elevates the cheeks to create a more youthful, refreshed look.
Both procedures require downtime and carry some risks, but they cater to different aesthetic goals based on a patient’s specific areas of concern.
How Is the Midface Lift Procedure Performed?
The midface lift procedure is performed through an incision that is similar to the one used for lower eyelid blepharoplasty. The dissection of tissue is extended below the lower eyelids and into the bottom of the cheek. Once the tissues are released, the facial muscles can be advanced to their proper anatomical position, restoring a more youthful appearance. Malar or cheek fat can also be sculpted away or repositioned as needed. When the muscles have been adequately supported, excessive skin can be pulled toward the eyelids and easily removed through the incision below the eyelashes. The surgery is an important adjunct to lower blepharoplasty and helps maintain the proper continuum between a youthful lower eyelid and cheek.
What Does Recovery from a Midface Lift Entail?
Recovery from a midface lift generally takes between one and two weeks, after which time non-strenuous jobs and normal daily routines can usually be resumed. Most patients report experiencing little to no pain, though if any discomfort does occur, analgesic medication can typically be used to provide effective relief. Some degree of bruising and/or swelling may also be present initially, but these symptoms are temporary and should resolve over time. To aid proper healing and help ensure an optimal final result, Dr. Cytryn often recommends avoiding strenuous activities—including exercise and physical sports—for several weeks post-surgery.
I’m receiving compliments from all my friends! Since he did my surgery I look younger and more refreshed. Dr. Cytryn took time to really listen to what I wanted. His staff was friendly and helpful.
How Long Do Midface Lift Results Last?
Generally speaking, results from a midface lift often last approximately 10–15 years before aging symptoms might manifest to a degree that some individuals are motivated to pursue a minimally invasive, non-surgical treatment to address specific concerns. With that said, it is important to understand that women and men who received a midface lift will still look younger at this 10–15 year mark (and thereafter) than they would if the procedure was never performed initially. Although there are certain uncontrollable elements—like genetics—that can affect how long midface lift results endure, some more manageable factors that impact longevity include the specific approach to surgery as well as various post-operative lifestyle and self-care habits. In regard to the former, Dr. Cytryn always makes certain to elevate muscles and underlying tissue of the face in addition to skin during midface lift surgery, as focusing on skin alone often yields shorter results. Concerning lifestyle and self-care habits after treatment, he frequently advises patients to maintain a good skin care regimen and refrain from over-doing anything that can be potentially harmful to the skin—such as smoking, getting too much sun exposure, and consuming a poor diet. After your midface lift, Dr. Cytryn can provide more personalized instructions on how to help ensure your results last as long as possible based on your unique situation.
Will I Have Noticeable Scars from a Midface Lift?
Incisions for a midface lift are typically made in natural creases just under the lashes of the lower eyelids, and consequently, scarring tends to be well-concealed. Of course, several factors can influence the ultimate visibility of scars (including genetics and how strictly incision care advice is adhered to after treatment), but most of Dr. Cytryn’s patients have no issues once they are fully healed—and many report that their scars are practically imperceptible to both themselves and others.
What Does a Midface Lift Cost?
The cost of a midface lift is directly proportional to how much tissue is elevated and whether or not the lower eyelid fat pads are also involved. When performed along with lower eyelid blepharoplasty, the average range of pricing for the procedure is $3,200–$4,200.
For a personalized price quote, we encourage you to book a consultation with Dr. Cytryn. During this meeting, he can perform a comprehensive assessment of your needs and goals, which will enable him to custom-tailor a surgical plan and provide a cost estimate based on the specifics of your proposed treatment.
Contact Our Practice
To learn more about midface lift surgery, or to find out if this facial rejuvenation option is right for you, please don’t hesitate to contact Cytryn Cosmetic Surgery today to schedule a consultation.