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Ever thought about giving your face a little pick-me-up? A cheek lift, or midface lift, is one option to restore some freshness and youthfulness to your appearance. Read on to discover more about what this procedure entails.
What Is a Cheek Lift (Midface Lift)?
A cheek lift, or midface lift, is a procedure that involves lifting the fat pads, muscles and skin of your cheeks that have sagged and/or atrophied, usually due to a loss in elasticity caused by aging.1 The procedure focuses on the "triangle" area between your mouth and the two corners of your eyes.2 The surgery can reduce wrinkles, diminish under-eye hollowing, replenish lost volume and help you look more youthful.1
Cheek lifts are often done on their own, but they can also be performed in conjunction with a traditional facelift or other procedures.3
Good Candidates for Cheek Lifts
Younger and middle-aged individuals may make the best candidates for a cheek lift.1 Consult a board-certified plastic surgeon to determine if a cheek lift is right for your particular situation.
Dermal Fillers vs. Cheek Lifts
Dermal fillers may not be enough to correct the fat atrophy and deepening nasolabial folds that you develop as you age.3 Thus, depending on your age and specific situation, your doctor may recommend cheek lifts over fillers.
The results of a cheek lift tend to last longer than fillers. Deep dermal filler injections can last 12 months, while thinner injections for wrinkles or lines tend to last closer to six to 12 months.4 In contrast, the results of a midface lift can last 10 to 12 years.5 This means that although a cheek lift costs quite a bit more up front, you won't need repeat treatments every six to 12 months to keep the look you want.
How Much Does a Cheek Lift Cost?
According to CareCredit's 2024 Average Procedural Cost study,* the average cost of a cheek lift is $8,381, though it can range from $6,453 to $16,375.6 This is similar to the cost of a traditional facelift, which ranges from $4,125 to $13,000, averaging about $8,584.7
The final cost of a cheek lift will vary depending on what state you're in, your surgeon and other factors.6
Average cost by state
| U.S. state | Average cost of a cheek lift |
|---|---|
| Alabama | $7,206 |
| Alaska | $10,155 |
| Arizona | $8,398 |
| Arkansas | $7,287 |
| California | $10,436 |
| Colorado | $8,443 |
| Connecticut | $8,658 |
| Delaware | $8,327 |
| Washington, D.C. | $10,263 |
| Florida | $8,380 |
| Georgia | $7,403 |
| Hawaii | $13,068 |
| Idaho | $8,551 |
| Illinois | $8,353 |
| Indiana | $7,690 |
| Iowa | $7,332 |
| Kansas | $7,592 |
| Kentucky | $7,735 |
| Louisiana | $7,717 |
| Maine | $8,470 |
| Maryland | $9,528 |
| Massachusetts | $10,630 |
| Michigan | $7,717 |
| Minnesota | $7,681 |
| Mississippi | $6,991 |
| Missouri | $7,520 |
| Montana | $8,156 |
| Nebraska | $7,520 |
| Nevada | $8,345 |
| New Hampshire | $8,891 |
| New Jersey | $9,097 |
| New Mexico | $7,565 |
| New York | $9,071 |
| North Carolina | $7,654 |
| North Dakota | $7,663 |
| Ohio | $7,825 |
| Oklahoma | $7,305 |
| Oregon | $8,999 |
| Pennsylvania | $8,111 |
| Rhode Island | $8,587 |
| South Carolina | $7,887 |
| South Dakota | $7,627 |
| Tennessee | $7,681 |
| Texas | $7,660 |
| Utah | $8,416 |
| Vermont | $8,757 |
| Virginia | $8,138 |
| Washington | $9,223 |
| West Virginia | $7,323 |
| Wisconsin | $7,843 |
| Wyoming | $7,887 |
Does Insurance Cover Cheek Lifts?
Your insurance won't cover a cheek lift or any other kind of facelift surgery. This is because health insurance only covers medically necessary procedures, not cosmetic procedures like cheek lifts. You'll be responsible for the surgeon's fee, anesthesia fees, surgical facility fees, post-surgery appointment costs, prescription charges and other costs.10
Many patients simply don't have the funds to cover the out-of-pocket costs of a cheek lift. While the surgery isn't covered by insurance, there are many financing options that can help ensure cost isn't a barrier.
To help you finance the procedure, you can use the CareCredit credit card at providers in the CareCredit network.** Some plastic surgery offices might also offer their own payment plans.
What Happens During Cheek Lift Surgery?
If you're having a cheek lift done, your surgeon will make incisions near your hairline and above your gumline.2 Your cheek fat pads will be repositioned to help with skin tightness.1 You'll be under either general anesthesia or twilight anesthesia (a type of sedation) during the procedure.2
Possible Side Effects
While a cheek lift is considered a safe procedure, it still has potential side effects. These include:3
- Swelling and bruising1
- Infection
- Reactions to anesthesia5
- Scarring
- Facial asymmetry5
- Facial nerve injury or weakness
- First bite syndrome
- Skin necrosis (This is a rare but serious side effect. Not smoking can help reduce the chance of necrosis.)8
Cheek lifts aren't recommended for everyone. If you have one of the following issues, your doctor may recommend against the surgery:3
- Smoking
- Bleeding disorder
- Inability to temporarily stop taking anticoagulants
- Autoimmune or collagen vascular disease
- Cardiopulmonary issues with traditional anesthesia
- Wound healing issues from complications like diabetes or immunosuppression
Preparing for Surgery and Recovery
Cheek lift surgery takes just about two hours.9 Some people choose to combine this with other procedures like a facelift or chin lift; in that case, the surgery might take longer.
Your doctor will likely tell you to stop taking certain medications, to stop smoking and to not eat or drink for a few hours before your surgery.5 In some cases, you may need to wear a compressive head dressing for the first 24 hours after your surgery is over.3
While all surgeries need preparation and recovery time, a midface lift has a relatively short recovery: It takes only about a week before you can return to work. However, you'll need to avoid strenuous physical workouts for several weeks.5
It will likely take about six months before you'll be able to see the final results of your surgery, since it takes time for the swelling, bruising and tightness to go down completely.1
A midface lift or cheek lift can help boost your confidence and give you a more youthful, rested appearance. And compared to other cosmetic surgeries, the recovery is a lot smoother.
Financing a Cheek Lift With the CareCredit Credit Card
Ready to revitalize your appearance and boost your confidence? The CareCredit credit card makes it easy to pay for a cheek lift and related expenses not covered by health insurance.** Use our Acceptance Locator to find a doctor or cosmetic surgeon near you that accepts CareCredit so you can stop dreaming and start living your best life. Continue your wellness journey by downloading the CareCredit Mobile App to manage your CareCredit account, find a provider on the go and easily access the Well U blog for more great articles, podcasts and videos.
In addition to cosmetic procedures, you can also use your CareCredit credit card for dentistry, pet care, vision, hearing, health systems, dermatology, pharmacy purchases, spa treatments and so much more within the CareCredit network. How will you invest in your health and wellness next?
Author Bio
Stephanie Dwilson specializes in science journalism, breaking news and animal health. She's a business owner, nonpracticing attorney and writer.
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