Facelift face-off: The mid-facelift vs traditional facelift

In one corner is the consistently popular, heavyweight champion – the traditional facelift. In the other is a new contender for the title who is getting a lot of attention – the mid-facelift. Bets are being placed on who will win this facelift face-off. But there are plenty of options to restore and rejuvenate your face, so the winner is whichever procedure is the best fit for your features and concerns.

The facelift is a popular way to tighten the skin and smooth wrinkles for a more youthful appearance. If the idea of a full facelift feels overwhelming, there's another procedure that may be an option – the mid-facelift.

What exactly is a mid-facelift, and how does it differ from a traditional facelift? Who is a good candidate for each procedure? How do I find the right surgeon to perform my procedure? To gather more insight into these questions and more, we reached out to ASPS Member Surgeons Michelle Lee, MD, and Daniel Beck, MD. Discover their thoughts around these procedures, which patients are best suited for each and best practices for finding the right provider for your facelift or mid-facelift procedure.

The basics of a mid-facelift

A mid-facelift doesn't change your entire face. Instead, it focuses specifically on one part – the area around the cheeks and under the eyes. It's a targeted lift to refresh the middle third of your face.

"Mid-facelifts involve separating the midface tissue from the bone through small incisions hidden in the hairline, lower eyelid and inside the mouth," said Dr. Lee. "The check tissue is then repositioned and secured to a more uplifted position with an anchoring device."

This alternative to a traditional facelift procedure is growing in popularity, although traditional facelifts still remain the top choice.

"We've seen a boom in interest for the mid-facelift procedure from patients who are looking for more targeted rejuvenation of the cheeks and under eyes without a full facial overhaul," said Dr. Beck. "While traditional facelifts remain a cornerstone of my practice, the number of mid-facelift procedures I perform has doubled in the last year alone, and interest continues to surge."

The mid-facelift vs traditional facelift

Both procedures enhance the face, but they are done differently and deliver distinctly different results.

"The main difference between the two lies in the area of focus," said Dr. Beck. "A mid-facelift can be done through a significantly smaller incision, is more vertical in its lift pattern, and targets the cheek area and lower eyelids. A limited incision is plenty to lift the facial muscles, reposition fat pads, restore volume and remove any excess skin. A traditional facelift requires a longer incision and more extensive dissection in order to adequately address the lower face and neck."

If you're hoping to minimize scarring from incisions, the mid-facelift may be an ideal option.

"The main difference is that the mid-facelift involves smaller incisions, which means there are fewer areas that need to heal," said Dr. Lee. "However, both procedures typically require a two-week recovery period. Initially, after a mid-facelift, the cheeks are intentionally lifted to a slightly exaggerated position, and then they settle naturally over time. For the first couple of weeks, patients may have a somewhat 'chipmunk-like' appearance until the swelling subsides."

A mid-facelift and a traditional facelift are also suited for different patients.

"Traditional facelifts, especially the deep plane facelift, also address the midface once the appropriate ligaments are released," said Dr. Lee. "Most patients who undergo traditional facelifts seek to treat all areas of aging. It's actually rare for patients to have only sagging cheeks without any neck laxity."

So, who's usually the best candidate for a mid-facelift?

"The typical patient looking for a mid-facelift is someone in their late 30s to early 50s, that leads an active lifestyle and wants to maintain looking as good as they feel," said Dr. Beck. "Often, these patients want to address hollowing under the eyes and a loss of volume in the cheeks to project a more healthy and energetic appearance. Many have tried fillers or non-surgical procedures without the expected results or longevity. However, more and more, I am seeing patients who are still satisfied with the way they look, but want to prevent the signs of aging they see in their parents, siblings and peers. Despite the motivation for seeking the mid-face lift, these are patients that are proactive about aging and desire a procedure that delivers powerful, natural, long-lasting results."

While these key differences do exist, there are also some similarities between these two procedures.

"Both a traditional facelift and a mid-facelift require an expert knowledge of facial anatomy and how to properly work with and adjust all the deep tissue layers in the face," said Dr. Beck. "I believe properly releasing, repositioning and supporting these deeper facial structures – not just the skin – is the key to long-lasting, natural results. The goal is always restoration, not distortion."

There's no need for a facelift face-off. A mid-facelift is a targeted procedure that might be right for you if you just want to refresh the area around your eyelids and cheeks. A traditional facelift targets the entire face by tightening the skin and smoothing wrinkles. Both options can deliver natural-looking, lifted results, but the one you choose will depend on your personal aesthetic goals and your overall facial structure. Consult with a board-certified plastic surgeon to figure out which procedure is the best fit for you.

To find a qualified plastic surgeon for any cosmetic or reconstructive procedure, consult a member of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons. All ASPS members are board certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery, have completed an accredited plastic surgery training program, practice in accredited facilities and follow strict standards of safety and ethics. Find an ASPS member in your area.