New York Eye & Face Oculoplastic Surgery in Westchester County specializes exclusively in the eyes and face. Our ASOPRS-certified oculofacial plastic surgeon, Dr. Anaïs Carniciu, has advanced fellowship training dedicated to the eyelids, midface, and periorbital structures, experience that matters when you’re deciding whether surgery or nonsurgical options are the best way to restore midface volume and lift.
Below, we’ll help you understand what causes “sunken cheeks,” how a Mid-Face Lift works, who’s a good candidate, and when alternatives like fillers or fat grafting may be the smarter choice.
What Actually Causes “Sunken Cheeks”?
Over time, the midface naturally loses its youthful fullness due to several interconnected changes:
- Soft-tissue descent: The malar fat pad and sub-orbicularis oculi fat gradually shift downward with age, deepening the tear trough and nasolabial folds.
- Ligament laxity: The tiny ligaments that anchor facial tissues loosen, allowing the cheek to drift lower and creating more pronounced shadows.
- Bony remodeling: The facial bones that once supported the cheeks, especially the maxilla and zygomatic areas, subtly recede, leaving less structure beneath the skin.
In short, sunken cheeks are rarely caused by a single issue; they’re usually the result of tissue descent, volume loss, and structural changes working together. The best solution depends on which of these factors is most responsible for your facial hollowing.
What a Mid-Face Lift Can
(And Can’t) Do
A Mid-Face Lift reshapes descended cheek tissues vertically, restoring the cheek-lid junction and softening the midface without an "overdone" appearance when done with precision. It is especially beneficial when tissue descent is the primary concern.
What a Mid-Face Lift is great for:
- Elevating a descended malar fat pad to reduce a tired or “hollow under-eye” look and ease nasolabial heaviness
- Restoring the natural cheek contour when laxity, not just volume loss, drives the problem
- Improving lower-lid support in carefully selected patients when performed by surgeons trained around the eyelid–midface interface
What a Mid-Face Lift won’t do alone:
- Replace global volume lost with age
- If deflation is primary, adjunct fat grafting or hyaluronic acid (HA) fillers may be recommended
Is A Mid-Face Lift Right For Your Sunken Cheeks?
You may be a stronger candidate if you have one or more of the following:
- A distinct “cheek has dropped” look with heaviness along the nasolabial fold and a long lower-lid–cheek junction
- Good skin quality, but visible ligament laxity and midface ptosis
- Stable weight and realistic goals, preferring a durable repositioning rather than frequent volumizing touch-ups
You might be better served by fillers or fat grafting (sometimes combined with a conservative lift) if:
- Your main issue is actual volume loss rather than descent, like flat cheek projection without much jowl/nasolabial heavy crease
- You want reversible or staged changes, as HA fillers are dissolvable
- Tear-trough hollowing is mild, and skin excess is minimal
Our approach at New York Eye & Face begins with a meticulous facial analysis that considers soft tissue, ligament support, and skeletal projection. Then, we design a plan—surgical, nonsurgical, or a blended approach—that respects your natural proportions and eyelid safety.
Mid-Face Lift Vs. Fillers Vs. Fat Grafting: Quick Comparison
Concern |
Best Initial Approach |
Why |
|
Tissue descent with a long lid–cheek junction |
Mid-face lift (± conservative volume) | Repositions the descended malar fat pad and supports the lower lid for a natural contour. |
|
True volume loss with decent tissue position |
HA fillers (reversible) or fat grafting (longer-lasting) | Restores projection; HA is adjustable/dissolvable, fat provides structural fullness when appropriate. |
|
Skeletal deficiency (flat cheekbones) |
Volume + possible skeletal augmentation | Addresses bony support when skeletal remodeling is significant. |
You Deserve a Specialist’s Framework for Natural Midface Rejuvenation
At New York Eye & Face Oculoplastic Surgery, your care is guided by the highest standards of specialization and safety. As an ASOPRS-certified oculofacial plastic surgeon, Dr. Anaïs Carniciu brings advanced fellowship training focused exclusively on the delicate anatomy of the eyelids and midface, an area where precision truly matters.
Our approach is grounded in evidence-based medicine and informed by artistic judgment. Midface rejuvenation isn’t a one-size-fits-all approach; it requires an understanding of how soft tissue, bone structure, and volume interact over time. Whether that means repositioning descended tissue through a Mid-face lift, restoring fullness with fillers or fat grafting, or thoughtfully combining techniques, each plan is customized to achieve natural, balanced results that enhance—not alter—your features.
Every consultation includes a thorough facial analysis, a transparent discussion of treatment options, and recommendations grounded in both clinical research and aesthetic harmony. You’ll leave with a clear understanding of what’s best for your anatomy, goals, and comfort level.
If you’ve noticed hollowing or sagging in your cheeks and are ready to explore the most natural path to facial rejuvenation, or a Mid-Face Lift, we invite you to schedule a private consultation with Dr. Carniciu at New York Eye and Face in West Harrison, NY.
Sources
Malar / Midface Descent - EyeWiki
Changes in the Facial Skeleton With Aging: Implications and Clinical Applications in Facial Rejuvenation | Aesthetic Plastic Surgery
The Aging Midfacial Skeleton: Implications for Rejuvenation and Reconstruction Using Implants
Midface Lifting Complications
FDA-Approved Dermal Fillers
Surgical and Non-Surgical Approach for Tear Trough Correction: Fat Repositioning Versus Hyaluronic Acid Fillers
