What Is an Endoscopic Midface Lift?
An endoscopic midface lift uses a small camera passed through incisions hidden entirely within the hairline — typically the same temporal approach used for an endoscopic brow lift — to access and elevate the deeper soft tissues of the cheek and midface. Mr Naparus performs this in the subperiosteal plane: dissection proceeds directly on the surface of the cheekbone, beneath the periosteum, allowing the cheek fat pad and overlying soft tissue to be released and repositioned as a single unit, rather than pulling on the skin itself.
This produces a more vertical repositioning of descended midface tissue, in contrast to the lateral, sideways pull associated with older skin-based lifting techniques — helping to avoid a stretched or "windswept" appearance. Because dissection stays in a well-defined anatomical plane and the overlying blood supply and lymphatic drainage to the skin are largely preserved, tissue trauma and swelling are generally less than with a more extensive open lift, and there are no incisions in front of or behind the ear.
How This Differs from a Full Face & Neck Lift
An endoscopic subperiosteal midface lift is a midface-specific technique. It elevates the cheek, deepened tear trough and brow-cheek junction, but it does not address jowling, jawline definition or neck laxity in the way a Deep Plane, SMAS or MACS facelift does. Where lower face and neck ageing are also significant, the two approaches are often complementary rather than alternatives — some patients are better suited to a lower face and neck lift alone, others to a midface lift alone, and others to a combination of both, planned individually at consultation.
Who Is a Good Candidate?
Not everyone is a good candidate for this technique. Patients typically best suited to an endoscopic midface lift present with:
- Early-to-moderate descent of the midface and cheek, rather than advanced lower-face ageing
- Volume loss or flattening of the cheek, and hollowing at the lower eyelid–cheek junction
- Brow or upper midface heaviness, sometimes alongside interest in a brow lift
- Reasonably good skin quality and elasticity — where skin quality is significantly reduced, an adjunctive treatment such as resurfacing may be discussed instead of, or alongside, surgical lifting
- Realistic expectations of a natural, refreshed appearance rather than dramatic or overpulled change
Patients with significant jowling, jawline laxity or neck banding as their primary concern are usually better served by a lower face and neck lift, with or without a midface component — this will be discussed candidly at your consultation.
The Procedure
Performed under general anaesthesia following a full pre-operative assessment of your general health, allergies, medication and anaesthetic history. Incisions are placed entirely within the temporal hairline. Depending on the extent of surgery and whether it is combined with other procedures, this may be performed as a day case or with an overnight stay.
Recovery
As with other hidden-incision techniques, swelling and bruising are most noticeable in the first one to two weeks, with most patients feeling socially presentable from around two weeks and swelling substantially settled by six weeks. As with any facelift technique, final results continue to refine over several months. Results are not permanent, but the underlying anatomical repositioning tends to be durable.
Complementary Procedures
An endoscopic midface lift is frequently combined with other procedures for balanced, natural facial rejuvenation, including endoscopic brow lift, upper or lower blepharoplasty, lower face and neck lift, and facial fat grafting to the cheeks and temples. Which, if any, of these are appropriate for you will be discussed at consultation.
Risks & Complications
Haematoma
Uncommon; meticulous haemostasis and careful dissection in the subperiosteal plane minimise this risk.
Altered Sensation
Temporary numbness over the cheek or forehead is common initially and usually resolves over weeks to months.
Asymmetry
Minor asymmetry is common and usually settles as swelling resolves; pre-existing facial asymmetry is documented beforehand.
Under- or Over-Correction
As with any lifting technique, the degree of correction is a clinical judgement made with you in advance; results vary with individual anatomy.