Cheek Lift

Patients concerned about signs of aging in the upper facial areas can find an ideal path forward with a cheek lift in Beverly Hills. By addressing concerns such as skin laxity, lost volume, and wrinkles, this procedure allows patients to see lasting aesthetic rejuvenation. 

stock image of model posing to camera

Dr. Brent performs each procedure with his trademark high standard of quality, patient care, and aesthetic expertise.

The Next Evolution of the Cheek Lift

Cheek lift techniques have evolved to be far less invasive than before. Experts like Dr. Brent now use minimal incisions, which are very short and on the side of the eye for little to no visible scarring. Cheek lifts should be a subtle operation, or else the risk is high that the eyes will distort in shape. Recently, the tendency has been toward more minimally invasive procedures, anchoring the muscle to the periosteum of the upper eyelid. Dr. Brent offers two modern variations of the cheek lift: the LUSIC® and USIC® cheek lifts.
Facial
Rejuvenation

Address Signs of Aging With a Cheek Lift

The first signs of aging in your face occur in your eye and cheek region, impacting the overall facial appearance significantly. Facial aging usually shows up in your mid-face in your 40s and 50s, but this varies from one patient to another. You might notice:
  • Hollow cheeks start to look sunken
  • Marionette lines become deeper
  • Muscles between your eyes change and smile lines deepen as your cheek fat pads begin to descend
  • Thin eyelid skin underneath your eye descends due to the effects of gravity
  • This same gravity affects your cheek and also causes “jowl” formation.
Fortunately for you, there is an excellent option available to elevate your cheeks, restore fullness to your cheekbones, elevate the corners of your mouth, and improve your jowls as well as the appearance of your lower eyelids.
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What Is Dr. Brent’s Signature USIC Cheek Lift?

Another of the signature plastic surgery procedures developed by Dr. Brent is the USIC (Ultrashort Incision Cheeklift). This procedure eliminates the need to make incisions underneath your eyelid. This differs from where the majority of cheek lift incisions are usually made.

One concern with traditional incisions is that they tend to cause droopiness. And can change the shape of your eye. Dr. Brent’s innovative cosmetic surgery technique is superficial, and the fat restoration included in this cosmetic procedure provides a more rested appearance.

LUSIC Cheek Lift Overview

The superficial cheek lift is a cosmetic operation that smoothes and rejuvenates your face. It targets:

  • Lower eye area
  • Cheeks
  • Smile lines

People like to call it the “mini-cheek lift” because of the dramatic difference in appearance it makes and the quick recovery time. This technique makes the midface and cheek area look younger and more rested. It does not involve any implants but elevates the patient’s own cheek fat combined with LiveFill® to create a cheekbone effect.

Breaking Down the LUSIC Process

Dr. Brent’s LUSIC cheek lift procedure involves four main steps.

  1. He makes a small incision under each eye.
  2. The cheek pad is lifted.
  3. The eye muscle is tightened and anchored in a new placement.
  4. Livefill is injected into target areas.

It is a drastically less invasive procedure than a typical eye and mid-facelift surgery, which usually involves stripping off the bone’s membrane.

Please click here to view our video on Dr. Brent’s LUSIC® Cheeklift

This innovation dramatically reduces cost, anesthesia time, recovery time, and pain. The cheek lift operation also involves tightening the droopy lower eye muscle, giving support and structure to the lower eyelid and midface area. A cheek lift prevents this by rejuvenating the lower eye and midface area rather than just the side of the face. It gives a more natural, youthful appearance to the lower eyes than with conventional methods.

Cheek Lift FAQs

A cheek lift performed by a skilled surgeon can create lasting positive results for patients concerned with their facial appearance. We work closely with our patients to ensure that they are fully informed about their options, allowing them to select from an ideal suite of procedure options. Patients who are in good health and nonsmoking will see the best outcomes, and it is crucial to have a positive mental approach as well. We provide patients with in-depth information during their consultation, allowing them to choose with comfort and confidence from their available options.

Cheek lift recovery usually is relatively mild compared to other surgical procedures. It still will involve downtime, but the surgical sites should heal at a good pace. Your recovery experience can be broken down into three parts.

  • Initial Recovery: The first few days will involve discomfort, swelling, and bruising. Patients should arrange for someone to help them around the house during this time. Fortunately, any pain can be readily managed with recommended medication. Dr. Brent will also provide a comprehensive list of instructions to care for the surgical sites and promote smooth healing.
  • Middle Period: After the first few days, you should see notable improvements. You will still have bruising and swelling, but they will continue to gradually subside, with most resolved by the second week. Dr. Brent sees all patients for follow-ups during this time to track your recovery and provide additional recommendations as needed.
  • Full Recovery: Full recovery can take several weeks to a couple of months. This part of the experience is quite mild, but does still require taking care of the surgical sites.

Dr. Brent’s minimalist approach helps reduce the required downtime following your cheek lift. Smaller incisions, less tissue damage, and expert incision closure all help move along the recovery. Patients will still need to take about 1 week of downtime away from work and all physical activity. If you had a combined procedure, that may increase to about 2 weeks. Dr. Brent will provide you with a personal outline during the consultation that factors in your individual procedure plan. Following this, you can gradually return to your full routine. Continue to listen to your body, though, and avoid any strenuous activity until you make a full recovery.

Your initial results first shine through once the swelling and bruising begin to fade. For most patients, they can expect to begin enjoying their results after about 2 weeks. While residual swelling takes longer to fade, it should not notably hold you back from enjoying your refreshed appearance. As residual swelling fades in the coming weeks, your facial tissues will settle into their final position. Full results appear once these tissues settle, typically a few months after surgery.

On average, cheek lift results last about 10 years. Result duration can vary significantly, and patients can take steps to prolong their benefits. The easiest steps involve maintaining healthy habits, such as a balanced diet, excellent hydration, and exercise. Good skin care habits also help. This includes avoiding excess sun, always using sunscreen outdoors, and having a solid skin care routine. You can also have nonsurgical treatments that promote youthful skin without a second procedure. Examples include laser treatments, chemical peels, and dermal fillers.

Dr. Brent’s cheek lift techniques involve using minimal incisions placed in hidden areas. So while scar formation does happen, it should not be visible. Additionally, scarring will fade over time and can be facilitated with good care of the surgical sites. Laser treatments can further reduce scarring. Ultimately, the only thing visible will be the youthful aesthetic of your results.

Every procedure involves the use of anesthetic. When possible, patients may have only local anesthetic, which fully numbs the area. However, many patients prefer general anesthesia, which allows them to remain unconscious for the procedure duration. During your consultation, Dr. Brent will go over your options and help you select the best option for your case.

The recovery period can involve some pain. The first few days will have more notable discomfort. However, you can use pain medication to manage this, making the experience easy to tolerate. As you heal, the surgical sites should feel increasingly comfortable.

You can combine most face procedures with a cheek lift for enhanced results. The superficial cheek lift elevates your cheek pads and rejuvenates your lower eyes. There are some limitations, though. A conventional facelift incision cannot rejuvenate the midfacial area and the lower eyelids. So one of the most popular combination procedures is lower eyelid surgery.

Conventional lower eyelid surgery is performed with a laser or scalpel, removing skin and fat from the lower eye. Finally, it can cause a hollow, pulled look of the face, and an unnatural “too tight” appearance will result. When performed simultaneously with a facelift, the superficial cheek lift avoids this by elevating your cheeks rather than pulling them to the side. The result is a more natural rejuvenation.

During your consultation, Dr. Brent will carefully examine your entire face. This includes your brow, face, neck, and upper & lower eyelids. He will make recommendations to help you achieve your desired result while maintaining facial harmony. Dr. Brent believes that the entire face should be in balance. To achieve this, he may recommend additional procedures. But the choice is always in your hands.

He knows that your desires, expectations, and anatomy are unique. And the key to a successful surgery is proper planning and a thorough discussion. His priority is to help you meet and exceed all of your expectations through open communication and honesty. Call us today to take the first step to a rejuvenated appearance.

A cheek lift addresses moderate to significant signs of aging rather well. While it can be appropriate for a range of age groups, most patients will at least be in their 40s or 50s. The best age for a cheek lift is the age at which you want to eliminate signs of aging! Dr. Brent adapts his surgical technique to align with the degree of the concerns you want to address.

Dr. Brent offers a suite of nonsurgical treatments that can refresh the mid-face area. These use noninvasive techniques to reduce signs of aging. However, they have two limitations regarding the results.

First, they work best for milder signs of aging or as “prejuvenation” treatments. We typically recommend them for younger patients who want to get a head start before signs of aging appear. Secondly, their results last shorter than surgery. Fillers can last for several months to over a year, while laser-based treatments provide results for a few years. The right option for you will depend on your goals and the concerns you want to address. Nonsurgical options do offer an excellent way to prolong the results of a cheek lift.

Dr. Brent provides each patient with a personalized quote following the consultation. This factors in the different cost elements of the procedure, including facility fees and anesthesia. You will know the full price of your procedure before committing to it, with no surprises along the way.

Since a cheek lift is purely for cosmetic purposes, medical insurance does not cover the procedure. However, financing options exist that allow patients flexible options for paying for their procedure. Dr. Brent can recommend options that suit your goals during the consultation.

Schedule Your Consultation Visit Today

Dr. Brent believes that art and biology combine to form the best results and safest surgery possible. When you consult with Dr. Brent, you will receive a personalized surgical plan customized to your needs and expectations. He encourages you to seek several consultations and research the physicians’ credentials thoroughly before deciding on the right plastic surgeon. If you believe you are ready, schedule a consultation with Dr. Brent today.

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