Midface sagging and laxity are common signs of facial aging. They are characterized by cheek fat loss and sinking, deepened submalar triangle, and obvious nasolabial folds at the early stage, which if left untreated, would rapidly progress to heaviness below the cheeks, deep pre-jowl sulcus (Marionette line), loose jawline, or even a square-shaped face and other irreversible signs. Therefore, the appropriate resolution of skin laxity at such a site is also a major concern with regard to restoring a rejuvenated and refreshed appearance. Generally, early midface aging could be redressed by non-surgical methods such as a 3D poly L-lactic acid injection (injectable lift with Sculptra), Ulthera, or Thermage therapy to tighten the skin. However, obvious skin laxity must be addressed by facelifts to achieve drastic and long-lasting effects. Therefore, the minimally invasive endoscopic midface (submalar triangle) lift that leaves no scars on the face has become more popular for numerous women pursuing youth and beauty.

Endoscopic midface lift is similar to forehead lift but only requires one 2cm incision in both frontotemporal sides of the scalp. Dr. Chuang first accesses dissections made by endoscopes and conducts limited forehead subcutaneous separation before opening up the space connecting the superior facial cheekbone. Subsequently, another incision of approximately 1.5 cm is made at the upper gingiva for subperiosteal detachment from the cheekbone skin and connected upward with the channel to the forehead. Next, a long Endotine implant specific for midface lift is inserted through the mouth incision to the scalp via the cheekbone channel. The special design of five pins on this implant is functional to suspend and support the midface sagging skin, which is stretched upward to an appropriate tightness. Then, the end of the Endotine implant is secured at the deep fascia of the scalp.

This surgery aims to lift midface sagging and loosened skin via the tough adhesive force of the Endotine implant and simultaneously raise the submalar triangle to restore the fullness and S-shaped curve of a young face at 45° as well as to partially improve the nasolabial folds or even the fat pads at the corner of the mouth. Compared with autologous fat transfer in the malar cheeks, there is no concern about obesity or plumpness, less likelihood of cheek sagging due to fat weight load, and no unstable results such as autologous absorption. Therefore, the results of this surgery last for 6–8 years or longer on average and are more stable than those of conventional surgeries performed with barbed thread lift. Moreover, endoscopic midface lift allows patients to have a rejuvenated midface in a subtle manner, without a long period of recovery.