"Mirror Face Lift": Concept, Description, and Evaluation 1 Year Postoperatively

The mirror facelift^1,2 is a new concept of mid-face rejuvenation that we apply during the preoperative consultation to explain and show the patient the possible results that can be achieved postoperatively and have this result stay stable over time and in different positions. It is characterized by (1) the use of a mirror during the preoperation visit and the taking of pictures from different angles, allowing for a precise analysis of the redistribution of the facial soft tissues on each hemi-skeleton; (2) the Divaris et al² locked cheek lift technique (Locked Cheek-Lift), which is done with 2 vectors that achieve a tri-dimensional redistribution of the soft tissues; and (3) postoperative photographs which are very useful in precisely evaluating the results and comparing them with the preoperative pictures.

Two hundred and sixty patients (216 women and 44 men), average age 53 (34 to 73 years old), were operated on between 2010 and 2016, applying the concept of mirror lift in the consultation to show the patients the expected possible results after the surgery. The patients see for themselves the deterioration of the facial condition (looking older) with the anti-mirror position as well as the younger appearance of the face following the mirror position. Surgically, the locked cheek lift technique was performed by the same surgeons. The follow-up 1 year later was done by the same team. The fat compartment positions were evaluated during this period.

The fat compartments' stability was evaluated 3 months and a year postoperatively to assess the stability of the result over time. The mean value is 4.62 out of 5 in anti-mirror position before surgery and 1 year postoperatively. The mean value is 4.34 out of 5 after 1 year measured in both standing and lying positions. Postoperative edema and ecchymosis were limited.

The concept of the Mirror Facelift is to precisely reposition the soft tissues of the face on the bone structure by correcting the fat compartments that have migrated over years. It harmoniously redistributes the soft tissues without any palpebral cutaneous incision, thus allowing for a short recovery period free of any risk of palpebral complications.