Midface / Cheek Lift
The midface, the area between the lower eyelid and the upper lip, loses volume and descends with age. A midface lift repositions the cheek upward, often improving the under-eye area in the same step.
When the cheek descends, the natural support of the lower eyelid is lost. The result is a hollow or shadowed under-eye, a deepening of the line between the lower lid and the cheek, and a flatter midface. A midface lift repositions the cheek pad upward and outward, restoring the volume and the support of the lower lid in one operation. Done well, it can soften the under-eye area without operating directly on the eyelid itself.
The procedure is technically related to lower blepharoplasty and is often planned in coordination with it. As an oculofacial plastic surgeon, Dr. Boxrud evaluates the lower lid, the midface, and the cheek as a single anatomic unit, rather than treating each in isolation. That integrated assessment is why patients across Los Angeles seek out her practice for midface concerns.
A midface lift is not the right procedure for every patient. For some, dermal filler can address the volume change non-surgically. For others, a more comprehensive facelift is the better fit. The decision is made together at consultation.
- Procedure
- Outpatient, typically 2 to 3 hours.
- Anesthesia
- General anesthesia or deep sedation.
- Recovery
- About two weeks before comfortable in public.
- Often combined with
- Lower blepharoplasty.
What is a midface lift?
A midface lift is a surgical procedure that repositions the cheek pad upward and outward, restoring volume and lower-eyelid support. It addresses the area between the lower eyelid and upper lip, the part of the face that loses volume and descends earliest.
How is a midface lift different from a facelift?
A facelift addresses the lower face and neck; a midface lift addresses the cheek and lower-lid junction. Different anatomy, different incisions, different result. They can be combined when both areas need work.
Can a midface lift improve the under-eye area?
Yes, often dramatically. When the cheek pad descends, the lower lid loses its support and the under-eye appears hollow or shadowed. Restoring the cheek often restores the under-eye in the same step, sometimes without operating on the lid at all.
How long is recovery from a midface lift?
Most patients are comfortable in public around two weeks. Final settling of the contour takes several months.
Will the scars be visible?
Incisions are placed in well-hidden locations, typically inside the mouth, in the lower-lid line, or in the temporal hairline depending on the technique. Once healed, they are designed to be invisible.
Is a midface lift right for me?
It depends on the anatomy. Patients with descent of the cheek and a hollow under-eye are good candidates. Those with isolated volume loss may do better with filler; those with extensive lower-face changes may do better with a comprehensive facelift. The decision is made together at consultation.