The midface lift at a glance
- Duration2 hours
- AnaesthesiaGeneral
- Hospital stayDay surgery or 1 night
- Social downtime15 to 21 days
- How long the result lasts8 to 12 years
- Price€5,000 to €10,000
The midface lift, also called a centrofacial lift or concentric malar lift, raises the cheek by vertical suspension. It softens the tear trough, dark circles and the nasolabial fold, and treats excess skin or bags of the lower eyelid. The incision is placed under the lashes. The operation takes 2 hours, under general anaesthesia, as day surgery or with one night’s stay at Clinique Oxford in Cannes. Social downtime is 15 to 21 days; the final result is reached at 6 months and lasts 8 to 12 years.
Price: €5,000 to €10,000, on a written quote after a consultation (€100).
What does the midface lift correct?
- a descended cheek;
- the tear trough and dark circles;
- excess skin and bags of the lower eyelid;
- the nasolabial fold.
It does not treat the jowls, the jawline or the neck, which call for a deep plane (face and neck) lift. See also the overview of all facelifts.
Before: descended cheek, marked tear trough and nasolabial fold. The arrows show the direction of the suspension.
Midface lift, blepharoplasty or injections?
| Midface lift | Lower blepharoplasty | Injections (hyaluronic acid) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| What is treated | Cheek, tear trough, dark circles, lower eyelid, nasolabial fold | Excess skin and bags of the lower eyelid | Hollow under the eye, cheek volume |
| Scar | Under the lashes | Under the lashes, or none (internal approach) | None |
| Anaesthesia | General | Local or general | Numbing cream or local |
| Social downtime | 15 to 21 days | 7 to 21 days | None |
| How long the result lasts | 8 to 12 years | More than 10 years | 8 to 24 months |
When the cheek has also descended, the lower blepharoplasty is incorporated into a midface lift. For certain limited indications, a non-surgical mini facelift with injections is enough.
Which procedures can be combined with it?
- Temporal lift: very often combined, it rejuvenates the eyes harmoniously.
- Canthopexy: it treats laxity of the lower eyelid or creates a more almond-shaped eye.
- Deep plane facelift: when the jawline and neck are also lax; the midface lift can then be performed at a second stage.
Overview
Overview: Incision just below the lashes of the lower eyelid; vertical suspension raises the cheek and improves the tear trough and the nasolabial fold.
How does the operation take place?
- ConsultationAt the practice, 101 rue d’Antibes, Cannes (€100): analysis of the face and eyes, choice of procedures, information on the risks, written quote. Statutory 15-day cooling-off period.
- Anaesthetic consultationWith an anaesthetist.
- OperationAt Clinique Oxford in Cannes, under general anaesthesia, lasting 2 hours, as day surgery or with one night’s stay: incision under the lashes of the lower eyelid; correction of the dark circle, treatment of excess skin or bags by an associated blepharoplasty; vertical suspension of the cheek, which improves the tear trough; improvement of the nasolabial fold.
- Removal of stitchesOn day 6; no dressing.
- Follow-upCheck-up consultations on day 7, day 15 and at 1, 3, 6 and 12 months.
What is the recovery like?
- Pain: not really pain, rather discomfort or a feeling of tension or pulling.
- Swelling and bruising are common for 21 days.
- Deliberate over-correction at first, accentuated by swelling: it is necessary for the success of the operation and disappears within the first 15 days.
- Social life: 15 to 21 days of social downtime.
- Work and sport: 15 days.
- Final result at 6 months, for both the shape and the scars. It looks natural, because the structures are returned to a younger position.
Where will you be?
14 days after the procedure
What are the risks?
Like any surgery, the midface lift carries risks, which are rare and explained at consultation:
- haematoma;
- temporary changes in sensation in the cheek;
- temporary downward pulling of the lower eyelid away from the eye, more rarely ectropion (the edge of the eyelid turning outwards);
- asymmetry;
- delayed healing, made more likely by smoking.
Choosing a qualified, experienced and reputable surgeon reduces these risks, and can even eliminate some of them.
Maintaining the result
The result can be complemented or maintained with botulinum toxin or hyaluronic acid injections, chemical peels, or micro- or nano-fat grafting (lipostructure).
Dr Médard de Chardon’s experience
- Qualified plastic surgeon specialising in plastic, reconstructive and aesthetic surgery, former Chef de Clinique (university hospital senior registrar), Nice Faculty of Medicine; in practice in Cannes since 2011; member of SOFCEP (French Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery), SOFCPRE (French Society of Plastic, Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgery) and ISAPS (International Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery).
- More than 1,000 facelifts performed.
See the before and after photos of facelifts.
How much does a midface lift cost in Cannes?
€5,000 to €10,000
€5,000 to €10,000, on a written quote after the consultation (€100). A cosmetic facelift is not reimbursed by the Assurance Maladie or by mutuelles (top-up health insurance).
Book an appointment: +33 (0)4 93 68 86 68 or Doctolib.
Frequently asked questions about the midface lift
What is the difference between a midface lift and a deep plane facelift?
The midface lift raises the cheek and rejuvenates the eyes (dark circles, tear trough, lower eyelid). The deep plane facelift corrects the jawline, jowls and neck. The two can be combined.
Is the midface lift scar visible?
It is placed just under the lashes of the lower eyelid and becomes very discreet. The scars reach their final appearance at 6 months.
Why does the midface lift look over-corrected at first?
Over-correction is necessary for the success of the operation. Accentuated by swelling, it disappears within the first 15 days.
How long does bruising last after a midface lift?
Swelling and bruising are common for 21 days. Social downtime is 15 to 21 days.
How long does the result of a midface lift last?
8 to 12 years, depending on the quality of the tissues.
Can the cheeks be lifted without surgery?
For certain indications, a non-surgical mini facelift with hyaluronic acid injections is enough. Its effect is temporary (8 to 16 months) and it does not replace a facelift when the cheek has clearly descended.
How much does a midface lift cost in Cannes?
The price is set on a written quote after the consultation (€100). It ranges from €5,000 to €10,000. A cosmetic facelift is not reimbursed by the Assurance Maladie or by mutuelles.