Question: What is a cheek lift by percutaneous cheek suspension? Is this a type of facelift?
Answer: A cheek lift, which is also referred to as a midface lift, is a facial rejuvenation procedure that elevates the cheeks to a more youthful position on the face. This could be considered a type of facelift, but it is distinct from what is generally considered a traditional facelift. A typical facelift, sometimes referred to as a lower facelift, addresses the loose tissue around the jawline (jowls). A midface/cheek lift addresses the nasolabial folds (lines between the nose and lips) by lifting the cheek mounds and alleviating this fold. This can be performed via a percutaneous approach, where a barbed suture is placed through a tiny puncture incision and threaded beneath the facial skin into the cheek mound. The barbs on the suture “catch” the cheek tissue and lift it as the suture is tightened.