Mid Facelift Guide | Rejuvenate Cheeks and Under Eyes for a Youthful Look

If your cheeks are sagging, smile lines deepening, or under-eye hollows making you look tired, a Mid Facelift may be your perfect solution. This specialized surgical procedure targets the center of the face, lifting and tightening tissues around the cheeks, lower eyelids, and nasolabial folds for a refreshed and naturally youthful appearance—without changing your facial identity.

What Is a Mid Facelift?

A Mid Facelift (also called a cheek lift or vertical facelift) is a cosmetic surgery that lifts and repositions the fat pads and muscles of the midface, including:

  • Cheeks (malar region)
  • Nasolabial folds
  • Under-eye area (tear troughs)

Unlike full facelifts that focus on the jawline and neck, the mid facelift targets aging in the middle third of the face, often one of the earliest areas to sag.


Who Is a Good Candidate?

You may be a great candidate for a mid facelift if:

  • You're in your 30s to 50s
  • You have sagging cheeks or flattened cheekbones
  • You notice under-eye bags or hollowing
  • Your nasolabial folds are deepening
  • You have good skin elasticity and want to avoid a full facelift
  • You’re looking for a subtle but effective lift


Benefits of a Mid Facelift

  • Lifts sagging cheeks and enhances cheekbone contour
  • Smooths smile lines (nasolabial folds)
  • Reduces under-eye puffiness and hollowing
  • Restores youthful cheek volume without fillers
  • Smaller incisions and less downtime than a full facelift
  • Natural-looking results with minimal scarring


How Is It Performed?

A mid facelift can be performed through:

1. Endoscopic Approach (most common)

  • Tiny incisions in the hairline or inside the mouth
  • A small camera guides tissue lifting
  • Fat pads and muscles are elevated vertically

2. Lower Eyelid Incision (transconjunctival or subciliary)

  • Incision made just under the lower lashes
  • Common when combined with lower eyelid surgery (blepharoplasty)

3. Temporal or Mini Lift Approach

  • Shorter incisions around the temples
  • For subtle lifting of the lateral cheeks and eye corners

Surgery time: 1.5 to 3 hours
 Anesthesia: General or twilight sedation
 Outpatient surgery: Go home same day


Mid Facelift vs Full Facelift

FeatureMid FaceliftFull FaceliftTarget AreaCheeks, under eyes, smile linesJawline, jowls, neckIncisionsHairline, eyelid, or mouthAround ears and hairlineIdeal ForEarly to moderate midface saggingAdvanced lower face and neck agingDowntime5–10 days10–14 days


Recovery & Downtime

  • Swelling & bruising: Peaks at 2–3 days, resolves in 7–10 days
  • Mild tightness or numbness: Common but temporary
  • Return to work/social life: 1–2 weeks
  • Strenuous activity: Avoid for 3–4 weeks
  • Final results: Visible within 1–2 months, improve as swelling subsides


How Long Do Results Last?

  • Results typically last 7–10 years
  • Aging continues naturally, but mid facelift results can be extended with thread lifts, fillers, or skin tightening treatments


Mid Facelift Cost (Estimated)

RegionPrice Range (USD)South Korea₩6M – ₩12M ($4,500 – $9,000)USA / Canada$8,000 – $14,000UK / EU£6,000 – £11,000


Pricing depends on technique, surgeon experience, and whether combined with eyelid surgery or fat grafting.

Can It Be Combined With Other Procedures?

Yes, and it often is:

  • Lower Blepharoplasty – For under-eye bags and wrinkles
  • Fat Grafting – Adds volume to cheeks or temples
  • Skin Resurfacing (Laser/Peel) – For tone and texture
  • Thread Lift or Botox – For touch-ups and longer-term contouring




A Mid Facelift is the ideal solution for early facial aging concentrated in the cheek and under-eye areas. It provides natural lift and contour where aging first becomes visible—without the need for a full facelift. If you're seeking to brighten your face, lift your cheeks, and look years younger with minimal downtime, this may be the perfect procedure for you.

Considering a mid facelift in Korea?
Clinics in Gangnam, Seoul are known for expert midface lifting techniques, including endoscopic and fat-preserving approaches, all with English-speaking staff and global patient care standards.

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