Midface Thread-Lifting Swelling and Bruising: Important Points Before and After the Procedure

If your nasolabial folds have become deeper than before, or if your face looks heavy in the center because the front cheeks have descended, the issue may involve more than a single wrinkle. In particular, the midface—from under the eyes to below the cheekbones and around the front cheeks and nasolabial folds—is an area where signs of aging tend to appear relatively quickly.

When the tissue in this area moves downward, the front cheeks may become flatter and the nasolabial folds may appear deeper. In more severe cases, this can also extend to sagging around the corners of the mouth and the lower face.

For this reason, in midface thread lifting, it is important not simply to directly smooth the nasolabial folds, but to determine where the descended tissue should be repositioned.

How does the face change when the midface sags?

A youthful face has natural volume below the cheekbones and in the front cheeks. However, as time passes, skin elasticity decreases and the ability to support the soft tissue weakens, causing the position of the volume to gradually move downward.

The changes that appear during this process are not limited to just one:

• The boundary between the under-eye area and the front cheeks becomes more defined

• The front cheeks descend, making the center of the face look flatter

• The nasolabial folds become deeper than before

• Sagging extends to the deep cheeks and corners of the mouth

• The face looks longer and gives a heavier impression

In particular, nasolabial folds are not caused only by skin folding. In some cases, the midface tissue descends and volume accumulates above the folds, making them appear deeper. Therefore, rather than only filling or pulling the nasolabial area, it is advisable to examine the structure of the entire midface together.

Where does midface thread lifting pull?

Midface thread lifting involves placing medical threads in an appropriate layer beneath the skin to reposition tissue that has moved downward in an upward or outward direction. However, because the location of sagging differs from person to person, the direction of the threads cannot be the same for everyone.

The important point in midface thread lifting is not to raise everything as much as possible. If the tissue is pulled too strongly, volume may become concentrated around the cheekbones, making the face look wider or causing the cheeks to appear hollow, among other unexpected changes.

Therefore, the direction should be considered carefully so that the existing facial volume is maintained while only the sagging tissue is moved naturally.

Why you should not plan thread lifting based only on the nasolabial folds

If nasolabial folds are your concern, it is natural for your attention to focus on that area. However, in many cases, the front cheeks directly above the nasolabial folds have sagged and are pressing down on the folds. In this situation, trying to pull only the nasolabial folds directly may produce limited changes.

It is better to view midface thread lifting as following this progression:

Below the cheekbones → Front cheeks → Around the nasolabial folds → Deep cheeks → Corners of the mouth

This is because these areas are not separate structures but are connected to one another.

Therefore, if sagging that began in the midface extends to the lower face, the direction of sagging across the entire face should be examined rather than focusing on just one area.

How much bruising and swelling can occur after midface thread lifting?

One of the aspects people often worry about when considering thread lifting is bruising and swelling. Because the midface contains blood vessels and soft tissue, a certain amount of swelling or bruising may occur after the procedure. Depending on the individual, swelling may be more noticeable the next day or for several days than immediately after the procedure.

Changes that may occur after the procedure

• Swelling around the cheeks

• Bruising where the threads passed

• A feeling of tightness in the skin

• Discomfort when smiling or opening the mouth wide

• Temporary unevenness of the skin

• A feeling that the two sides look slightly different

Most of these gradually improve during the recovery process, but differences may occur depending on the type and number of threads used, the treatment area, skin thickness, and whether the individual tends to bruise easily.

Therefore, if you have an important upcoming event, it is advisable to plan while allowing for an appropriate recovery period rather than scheduling the procedure immediately before it. In addition, avoid strong massages or actions that put significant pressure on the face after the procedure, and follow the precautions provided by the medical staff.

The direction is more important than the number of threads

When looking into midface thread lifting, the first thing that may catch your attention is how many threads are used. Of course, the number of threads needed varies depending on the extent of sagging. However, even with the same number of threads, the force delivered to the tissue may differ depending on where they begin, the direction in which they pass, and where they are fixed.

In particular, because the midface is where the volume of the cheekbones and front cheeks creates the three-dimensional appearance of the face, it is important to design the treatment so that the volume does not become excessively concentrated upward.

Before thread lifting, it is advisable to check the following aspects together:

• The degree of cheekbone prominence

• The position of the front-cheek volume

• The thickness of the skin and fat

• The depth of the nasolabial folds

• Sagging of the deep cheeks and corners of the mouth

• Facial asymmetry between the two sides

Ultimately, midface thread lifting is less about pulling as much as possible and more like reorganizing the position of tissue that has descended.

The midface occupies a relatively broad area of the face while also serving as the central area connecting the under-eye region, nasolabial folds, and corners of the mouth. Therefore, the position of the volume in this area can significantly affect the overall impression of the face.

Rather than focusing only on the nasolabial folds because they are deep, or pulling the cheeks strongly simply because they have sagged, it is important to first determine where the current sagging began and how far it extends.

After examining the position of the front cheeks, the shape of the cheekbones, and the sagging of the deep cheeks and lower face together, moving the tissue in an appropriate direction may help in planning a more natural midface contour.

| This post was written for the purpose of providing information in compliance with Article 56, Paragraphs 1–15 of the Medical Service Act. All treatments carry a risk of side effects and complications that may vary from person to person. Before treatment, be sure to have a thorough consultation with a medical professional with extensive experience before making a decision. |