The Art & Anatomy of Beautification: The Mid-Face

The mid-face includes the area just below the eyes through to the upper lip. This area of the face is particularly prone to showing signs of aging, and in fact is one of the primary visual indicators of age. Patients will commonly see signs of aging such as a hollow or sunken appearance in the tear trough (under eyes) or cheeks. Wrinkles, fine lines, or folds in the cheeks or near the nose are also common.

Thankfully, cosmetic medicine experts at Cerulean Medical Institute understand the underlying causes for these signs of aging and successfully treat these deficiencies with natural looking results. Understanding the facial anatomy and how it changes through the years is key to addressing signs of aging in the mid-face.

What Causes Aging in the Mid-Face?

Several factors are responsible for signs of aging in the mid-face. Firstly, fat redistribution naturally occurs over time. As you grow older, it is expected to see loss of soft tissue and fat in the mid-face. The malar fat pat, which is an inverted triangle shape which extends from the tear trough area through the cheek, will naturally descend lower in the face and decrease in projection with age. Natural fat storage will migrate away from the mid-face and naturally shift to areas such as the jowls or submental area (below the chin). Patients will also typically see lateral nasolabial fat storage with age, meaning that volume shifts away from the center of the face.

Skeletal changes also take place with age. Patients commonly see a gradual reduction in bone density and changes in the facial skeleton structure. A reduction in facial height and increase in width and depth is typical. The maxilla or upper jaw will decrease as the mandible or lower jaw becomes coarser and relatively more prominent.

The skin also naturally changes over time. Collagen and elastin production decreases, which leads to skin laxity and subsequent fine lines and wrinkles. Patients may notice a dehydrated look or sagging as a result of poor collagen and elastin.

In addition to these natural changes in the body, extrinsic factors impact the mid-face appearance. These extrinsic factors can exacerbate the visible signs of aging that would otherwise naturally occur. This includes:

-Gravity
-Sun Exposure
-Smoking
-Stress
-Drug or alcohol use
-Illness

Beautification Considerations for the Mid-Face

When addressing beautification of the mid-face area, the goal should be to restore youthfulness three-dimensionally by addressing volume deficits in specialized tissue compartments. Traditional beauty is a result of the visual harmony between the eyes, nose, lips, and cheek bones. Aesthetic medicine specialists at Cerulean Medical Institute consider the face in a three-dimensional perspective, especially as the mid-face is concerned. The focus is on restoring youthful contours and facial volume in areas such as the tear troughs or cheeks. In addition to these considerations, visible signs of damage such as brown spots or rough, uneven texture may be addressed.

Treatment Options for the Mid-Face

Several non-surgical treatment options are available to address signs of aging in the mid-face. The best option for each patient will vary depending on factors such as stage of ageing, the severity of their concerns, skin type, etc. For this reason, it is important to see an experienced cosmetic specialist like Dr. Chetty who can create a customized treatment plan based on these considerations.

Dermal Fillers for the Mid-Face

Dermal fillers are among the most popular treatment options for signs of aging in the mid-face area. These soft tissue fillers can be injected into areas such as the tear troughs, cheeks, or nasolabial folds to restore lost volume, reduce wrinkles and folds, and create a youthful contour. Most dermal fillers are composed of hyaluronic acid, which is a naturally-occurring substance in the body that creates a hydrated and volumized look. At Cerulean Medical Institute, dermal filler options include:

-Juvéderm
-Radiesse
-Belotero
-Teosyal

Liquid Facelift

A liquid facelift, also called a non-surgical facelift or soft lift, typically involves the use of various injectables (including both dermal fillers and neuromodulators such as Botox) to reduce visible signs of aging. This can be beneficial for the mid-face area, particularly in addressing sagging or volume loss in areas such as the cheeks.

Botox for the Mid-Face

Botox is a purified muscle relaxer and is commonly used to treat nasal bunny lines, dialated nostrils, a descending nasal tip, gummy smiles, smile lines and lower crows’ feet.  This results in softening of the snarl complex, smile lines and crows’ feet for a more youthful and rejuvenated appearance.

Skin Tightening for the Mid-Face

As skin laxity is a significant problem in signs of aging, skin tightening treatments can be very beneficial. In most cases, these treatments work by stimulating natural collagen and elastin production. This results in a tighter, firmer texture in the skin. Often, skin tightening treatments will have benefits such as smoothening rough or uneven texture, and improving dullness, scarring, or other cutaneous imperfections.

Chemical Peels for the Mid-Face

Chemical peels help to resurface and turnover aged skin cells resulting in healthy, more even toned and texture skin. Chemical peels are an excellent treatment option for abnormal pigmentation, acne, acne scars, large pores, keratosis, etc. This involves gently applying a solution which causes controlled exfoliation and triggers new skin cell formation. Chemical peels range from superficial to deep peels, meaning there are several options suited to different patients’ needs.

Microneedling for the Mid-Face

Microneedling aka collagen induction therapy. This treatment introduces micro-channels to the skin, triggering the natural healing process. As the skin heals, additional collagen is produced for a firmer texture and skin tone.

Laser Facials for the Mid-Face

Laser facials are another effective skin texturing treatment option. Laser treatments stimulate the natural healing process and production of collagen. This treatment is particularly beneficial for those who have fine lines and wrinkles, sun damage, etc. Intense pulsed light, or IPL uses rapid pulses of full-spectrum light to achieve fantastic results. IPL is often used for dyspigmentation, Rosacea and acne. IPL treatments are not recommended for those with an active tan or dark skin tones. A consultation is necessary to determine whether you are a suitable candidate.

Schedule a Consultation

To learn more about your best treatment options for the mid-face area, schedule a consultation with Dr. Chetty at Cerulean Medical Institute in Kelowna, BC. During your consultation, you can discuss your cosmetic goals and concerns. Dr. Chetty will assess your facial anatomy, skin type, stage of aging and overall health to recommend your best treatment options for natural looking results.

To schedule your consultation, call our office at (778) 402-3696. You may also contact us online.