One of the earliest signs of ageing is that of the cheeks – the middle region of the face tends to lose volume and elasticity, making the skin sag, thus making you look older. It’s called ‘gravitational descent’, and it’s when the ligaments that hold the bone structures of the face that make you look youthful loosen, and the muscles of the face fall down due to gravity. A cheek lift or also known as a mid face rejuvenation can help with this.
The midface is one of the fastest parts of the face to age, and as a person ages, the fat tissue that naturally lies over the cheekbones begin to fall. The fat of the lower eyelid and the upper cheeks begin to drop due to a decrease in skin laxity and lack of subcutaneous support in the midface. As this happens, the cheeks begin to lose volume, the under eyes begin to look more hollow, the lower eyelids begin to droop, and the folds between the cheeks and the nose begin to look more prominent.
To combat this, many people turn to getting a cheek lift. Also called a midface rejuvenation, it’s a cosmetic surgical procedure that can help you achieve a more youthful appearance.
Things to know: Cheek Lift & Midface Rejuvenation
As the midface is one of the first areas to show signs of ageing, many people opt to get a cheek lift instead of a full face lift. This is because a face lift focuses on restoring the neck, lower jaw, and jawline. On the other hand, a cheek lift focuses on rejuvenating the central region of the face.
Also called a midface rejuvenation, a cheek lift is either performed alone or in combination with other procedures to lift the cheeks and lower eyelids for an anti-ageing effect. The aim of the procedure is to reposition the sagging fat pads of the cheek over the cheekbone, and restore the cheek volume. This will result in a more youthful cheek contour. This also counteracts the hollowness below the lower eyelid, thus the line between the cheek and the eyelid is reduced or removed, which creates a more rejuvenated appearance.
Who Are Ideal Candidates?
Ideal candidates for a midface rejuvenation treatment are those wanting to address their sagging cheeks or beneath their eyelids. It’s a good option for those who are not quite yet ready for a full face lift, but still want an anti-ageing procedure that can help with drooping cheeks.
Patients who undergo cheek lifts are typically younger than those who opt for a full face lift or neck lift, as the hollowing of the undereye and volume loss in the cheeks tend to occur before any changes in the jawline occur. Usually, cheek lift patients are those in their mid-30s to mid-40s, and want to prevent further ageing changes. These patients also still often have good skin elasticity, which will help in prolonging the results of the procedure. Furthermore, good candidates are also non-smokers, as smoking can inhibit wound healing.
What are the Side Effects?
As with any other cosmetic procedures, there are always risks and side effects to be aware of before undergoing the procedure. Some of the side effects of a cheek lift/midface rejuvenation include:
- Infection of the wound
- Scarring
- Bleeding
- Anaesthesia risks
- Nerve injury
- Facial asymmetry
- Fat necrosis
- Fluid accumulation
- Skin contour irregularities
- Skin discolouration, sensitivity, or swelling
- Bruising
- Swelling
What’s The Procedure Like?
Depending on the severity of the patient, there are several ways that cheek lifts can be performed. Hidden incisions can be endoscopically made in the hairline of the scalp, or in front of the ear, which is also how a standard facelift is done. Other than that, a cheek lift can also be performed through a lower eyelid incision, and fourthly, a fat grafting procedure can be performed to restore the cheek volume.
Quite often, a cheek lift will be performed in addition to other cosmetic procedures, such as upper eyelid blepharoplasty, also known as a brow lift, to achieve a full anti-ageing makeover. Consult with your doctor to determine the most suitable procedure to achieve your desired outcome.
Midface rejuvenations are outpatient procedures, and will typically take about two hours. The procedure will be longer if it’s performed in conjunction with other procedures.
The recovery time for a midface rejuvenation procedure is usually between a week to ten days. You should be able to resume your normal activities about a week after the procedure. Initially, your cheek pads will look higher than normal, but they will settle into a more natural-looking position as you recover.
How Does It Work?
Cheek lifts work by repositioning the fat pads of the cheek, as well as lifting the skin and muscles. As a person ages, skin loses elasticity, and the muscles and fat begin to descend. Also known as a midface rejuvenation treatment, it works to reduce the sagging and smoothen the nasolabial folds on both sides of the mouth. By repositioning the soft tissue of the cheek, it can also counteract the hollowing underneath the eyelid, resulting in a more youthful appearance.
What Are the Pros and Cons?
Pros:
- Minimal downtime
- Results can last up to 10 years
- Considered very safe
Cons:
- Similar results are achieved through other procedures like fillers or cheek implants
- Risk of side effects
Summary
In short, you can reverse the signs of ageing that shows through the dropping of your cheeks and hollowness beneath your eyes by undergoing a cosmetic procedure called a cheek lift, also known as a midface rejuvenation. In the process, the soft tissue is repositioned, thus lifting the cheeks and creating more volume underneath the eyelid. The procedure results in a more lifted and youthful appearance.
Where to Get Cheek Lift and Midface Rejuvenation in Malaysia?
At Dr Alice Medispa, we are prepared to deliver desired results while making your safety and comfort our main priority. Our cheek lifts and midface rejuvenation treatments are among the many treatments offered at our clinic that have seen many satisfied clients that will vouch for our competence. We believe in each patients’ unique wants and needs, which is proven through our development of individualised treatment plans for every patient that walks through our doors.
Our Locations
Dr Alice Clinic
62-1 Jalan Maarof,
Bangsar Baru,
59100 Kuala Lumpur.
Tel: 03 2282 0994
Dr Alice Klinik
Klang 46 Lorong Batu Nilam 21-A,
Bandar Bukit Tinggi 2,
41200, Klang.
Tel: 03 3324 6994
Dr Alice Ageless Medispa
257, Jalan Maarof,
Bangsar Baru
59100 Kuala Lumpur
Tel: 03-2095 0458
010 3683521
