Mid Facelift in Turkey

A mid-facelift is a facial rejuvenation procedure designed to restore a more youthful appearance by lifting and repositioning the tissues of the middle third of the face, particularly the cheeks and the area beneath the eyes. As we age, the soft tissues of the midface gradually descend, leading to flattened cheeks, deeper nasolabial folds, and a tired or sunken appearance. A mid-facelift addresses these changes by elevating the underlying facial structures rather than simply tightening the skin.

Unlike a traditional facelift, which primarily focuses on the lower face, jawline, and neck, a mid-facelift specifically targets the cheeks, lower eyelids, and midface. Depending on the patient’s anatomy and aesthetic goals, the procedure may be performed using endoscopic, deep-plane, or other advanced surgical techniques to achieve natural-looking and long-lasting results.

Where Is the Midface?

The midface is the region that extends from the junction between the lower eyelid and the cheek down to the corner of the mouth and the sides of the nose. It includes the cheekbones at the sides and the cheek tissue on either side of the nose. The tear trough (the hollow beneath the eyes), the cheekbone prominence, and the nasolabial fold (the line running from the side of the nose to the corner of the mouth) are the areas that change most with age.

You may come across this operation under several names: midface lift, mid-face lift, midface lifting, cheek lift, or “endoscopic midface lift.” All of them describe surgery on the same area; “endoscopic” simply means the procedure is performed with a small camera.

Mid Facelift Surgery Treatment Summary

Why Does the Midface Sag?

Aging of the midface does not have a single cause. Skin, fat, ligaments, and bone all change together, and which one plays the biggest role differs from person to person:

• Descent of the fat compartments: Cheek fat is not one single pad but a set of separate compartments. CT studies show that with age these compartments slip downward and the volume shifts toward their lower portion.
• Volume loss: In a study comparing CT scans of the same people taken about 11 years apart, total midface fat volume fell from 46.5 cm³ to 40.8 cm³. Another CT study, however, found a slight increase rather than a loss in deep cheek fat, so volume loss is not equal in every face.
• Descent of the tissue: In a 3D study of 53 women measured sitting upright and lying down, an average of 1.2 mL of volume returned to the cheekbone area when they lay down. The authors concluded that midface change is driven mainly by tissue descent rather than by volume loss.
• Changes in the bone: With age, the eye socket opening widens and the angle of the upper jawbone becomes narrower, in both women and men. As bony support decreases, the soft tissue above it descends more easily.
• Loosening of the ligaments: As the ligaments that attach the cheek tissue to the bone relax, the tissues can no longer be held in place and the transition between the lower eyelid and the cheek becomes longer.

This distinction has a practical meaning: if the main problem is tissue descent, a mid-facelift that moves the tissue back up is the logical option; if it is mainly volume loss, filler or fat grafting may be considered; if both are present, a combination of these methods is usually planned.

Who is the Best Candidate for Mid Facelift Surgery?

Mid facelift surgery is an effective facial rejuvenation procedure, but it provides the best results for patients with specific signs of aging. If you are wondering whether you are a suitable candidate for a mid facelift, the following characteristics may indicate that the procedure is right for you:

• You have sagging cheeks or loss of volume in the midface.
• Your nasolabial folds (smile lines) have become deeper over time.
• You have a flattened or tired appearance in the cheek area.
• You want to restore youthful facial contours without dramatically changing your natural appearance.
• You have mild to moderate facial aging but do not yet require a full facelift.
• You are in good general health, do not smoke (or are willing to stop before surgery), and have realistic expectations about the outcome.

The best way to determine whether a mid facelift is appropriate for you is through a comprehensive consultation with an experienced facial plastic surgeon. During your evaluation, Dr. Hasan Duygulu will assess your facial anatomy, discuss your goals, and recommend the most suitable treatment plan for your individual needs.

A mid-facelift is also used to correct a lower eyelid that has been pulled downward (retraction) after earlier eyelid surgery. In a series of 199 patients treated for this reason, objective improvement was reported in 97.9%; the most common cause of eyelid retraction in that series (56.8%) was cosmetic eyelid surgery.

Who May Not Be a Suitable Candidate?

• People with marked jowl and neck sagging: This operation does not correct the lower face and neck on its own; it needs to be planned together with a neck lift or a facelift.
• People with lax lower eyelids, prominent eyes (a “negative vector”), or previous lower eyelid surgery: For techniques that enter through the eyelid, the risk of the eyelid being pulled downward has been shown to be higher in these groups. In such patients the technique is chosen carefully and additional eyelid-supporting steps are planned in advance.
• People whose problem is mainly volume loss: Lifting the tissue does not replace lost volume; fat grafting may need to be added.
• Smokers: In a registry study of 13,346 facelift patients, smoking was among the factors that increased the likelihood of complications. For this reason, patients are asked to stop smoking for weeks before surgery.
• People with uncontrolled systemic disease, those who cannot stop blood-thinning medication, and those who expect an unrealistic change from surgery.

What Is the Ideal Age for a Mid-Facelift?

There is no fixed age limit; the decision depends on the changes in the tissue rather than on age alone. Published series cover a wide range: patients were 34–76 years old in a 200-patient series, the median age was 59 (range 31–79) in a 143-patient long-term study, and the average age was 37 in a 250-patient series reported from Turkey. In younger patients the goal is usually to shape the eye area and the cheekbone line, while in older patients it is to correct sagging.

Advantages of Mid-Facelift Surgery

A mid facelift offers several important benefits, although the exact results vary depending on the patient’s facial anatomy, degree of aging, and aesthetic goals. In general, the advantages of mid facelift surgery include:

• Specifically targets the midface, restoring youthful cheek volume and improving facial contours.
• Elevates sagging cheeks and softens nasolabial folds, creating a naturally refreshed appearance.
• Improves the transition between the lower eyelids and the cheeks, reducing the appearance of midface hollowing.
• Repositions the deeper facial tissues rather than simply tightening the skin, resulting in more natural-looking and longer-lasting outcomes.
• Can be combined with procedures such as neck lift, eyelid surgery, brow lift, or fat grafting for more comprehensive facial rejuvenation.
• Uses carefully planned, well-concealed incisions to minimize visible scarring.
• Helps maintain natural facial expressions while enhancing overall facial harmony and balance.

How Long Do the Results of a Mid-Facelift Last?

The longevity of mid facelift surgery is one of the most frequently asked questions by patients. While it is not possible to predict an exact duration for every individual, the results are generally long-lasting. The longevity of a mid facelift depends on several factors, including the patient’s skin quality, age, genetics, lifestyle habits, and how well postoperative instructions are followed. The surgical technique used and the surgeon’s experience also play an important role in maintaining natural and durable results. Although the aging process continues over time, many patients enjoy a visible benefit for several years, with individual results varying from person to person.

What Does the Research Say About Longevity?

The longest follow-up data come from a study in which a single surgeon followed 143 endoscopic midface lift patients for up to 15 years. After surgery, the height of the midface (which reflects a lengthened lower eyelid) was shortened by a median of 3.4 mm; 5–15 years after surgery, 2.1 mm of that improvement was still maintained. The improvement in the tear trough hollow also continued for more than 5 years. The increase in cheek fullness, however, was maintained for 3–5 years and tended to return to its baseline level after 5 years.

In other words, surgery does not stop aging: changes in bone and fat tissue continue. Exact figures such as “lasts 10–15 years” are not supported by evidence for this region. How well the result is maintained varies from person to person depending on age, skin quality, weight changes, smoking, and sun exposure.

Will a Mid-Facelift Fix Nasolabial Folds?

Partially. The operation can soften the upper part of the nasolabial fold (the line running from the side of the nose to the corner of the mouth), but it should not be expected to erase it completely. In a study in which photographs of 100 randomly selected patients from a 325-operation series were evaluated, marked improvement was seen in the lower eyelid and cheekbone area in 70% of patients, whereas marked improvement of the nasolabial fold was seen in only 4%. Another series also reported that the endoscopic technique was less effective on this line. A 2026 review of 16 publications concluded that there is no objective data showing which facelift technique corrects the nasolabial fold better in the long term. Adding fat injection may provide additional benefit for this line.

How to Find an Experienced Mid-Facelift Surgeon?

Mid facelift surgery is a delicate facial rejuvenation procedure that requires advanced surgical expertise, a thorough understanding of facial anatomy, and meticulous planning. For this reason, choosing an experienced facial plastic surgeon is one of the most important factors influencing both the safety of the procedure and the quality of the results.

When selecting a surgeon, it is advisable to choose one who has specialized training in head and neck surgery and extensive experience in facial aesthetic and reconstructive procedures. A surgeon with advanced education, professional training, and a strong focus on facial rejuvenation techniques is better equipped to create natural-looking results while preserving facial harmony and expressions. In addition, reviewing before-and-after photographs of previous mid facelift patients can provide valuable insight into the surgeon’s experience and aesthetic approach.

How Is Mid-Facelift Surgery Performed?

Preparation

Before mid facelift surgery, the patient’s facial anatomy is carefully evaluated, with particular attention given to the cheeks, midface volume, skin quality, and the degree of tissue descent. A personalized surgical plan is then created based on the patient’s aesthetic goals.

Anesthesia

A comprehensive medical evaluation and the necessary laboratory tests are performed before surgery. Once it is confirmed that there are no contraindications to anesthesia, the procedure is typically carried out under general anesthesia or intravenous sedation, depending on the surgical plan and the patient’s individual needs.

Incisions

Small, carefully planned incisions are made in discreet locations, such as within the hairline, around the temples, or inside the lower eyelid or natural facial creases, depending on the surgical technique used. These incision placements are designed to minimize visible scarring.

Tissue Repositioning

After the incisions are made, the underlying soft tissues of the midface are carefully elevated and repositioned to restore youthful cheek volume, improve facial contours, and soften the nasolabial folds. Rather than simply tightening the skin, the deeper facial structures are repositioned to achieve natural-looking and long-lasting results.

Final Closure

Once the desired facial contours have been achieved, the incisions are meticulously closed with fine sutures. The incision lines are strategically concealed within natural skin creases or the hairline whenever possible, helping to minimize visible scars while promoting optimal healing.

Surgical Approaches: Temporal, Lower Eyelid, and Deep-Plane

There are several routes to the midface. What the techniques have in common is releasing the ligaments that attach the cheek tissue to the bone, moving the tissue upward and outward, and fixing it in its new position. In a cadaver study, releasing these ligaments allowed the midface to be raised by an average of 4.8 mm on the inner side and 5.5 mm on the outer side.

Temporal (endoscopic) approach. The incisions are made within the hair-bearing scalp at the temple. The surgeon enters from here and works toward the cheekbone, either beneath or above the periosteum (the bone membrane) depending on the technique. When the operation is performed with a lighted camera (endoscope), it is called an endoscopic midface lift. The cheek fat pad and the deep fat beneath the eye are lifted and suspended to the firm tissue at the temple. In some techniques, a small incision made inside the mouth above the upper gum is added to the temple incision, and no incision is made on the eyelid at all. The advantage of this route is that the incisions stay within the hair and the lower eyelid is not touched. In a 250-patient series reported from Turkey, in which the midface was lifted vertically through the temple, the outer corner of the eye was supported and the brow tail was lifted, all operations were performed under general anesthesia.

Lower eyelid approach. The incision is made just below the lower lashes. This route may be preferred when under-eye bags and the tear trough are to be corrected in the same operation: the under-eye fat is repositioned and the cheek tissue is suspended upward. In a series of 184 operations performed with this technique, 96% of patients were satisfied; outward turning of the eyelid (ectropion) and downward pulling of the eyelid (retraction) were each seen in 1%. In that series, fixation of the outer corner of the eye (canthopexy) was routinely performed to support the eyelid.

Deep-plane facelift. In a deep-plane facelift, the surgeon works beneath the muscle–connective tissue layer (SMAS) and lifts the cheek and the jawline together. This method has been shown to affect the midface as well: in a 3D imaging study of 43 patients followed for at least 1 year, an average volume gain of 3.2 mL per cheek was measured in the midface area after a vertical-vector deep-plane facelift. When sagging is concentrated in both the midface and the lower face, a deep-plane facelift may be a more comprehensive solution than a mid-facelift alone.

How Long Does Surgery Take and Which Anesthesia Is Used?

The duration depends on the technique and on any added procedures; eyelid surgery, brow lift, neck lift, or fat grafting lengthen the operation. In a 53-patient series using a technique that lifts the brow and the midface together, the average operating time was 123 ± 16 minutes, or about 2 hours.

The operation is usually performed under general anesthesia; there are also endoscopic series in which intravenous sedation was used. Can a mid-facelift be done under local anesthesia? In limited procedures, local anesthesia with sedation may be possible. The type of anesthesia is decided together with the anesthesiologist according to the extent of the operation and your general health. Depending on the extent of surgery, patients are discharged the same day or after staying one night in the hospital.

Mid-Facelift vs. Temporal Lift: What Is the Difference?

The two operations are often confused because in both of them the incisions are made in the hair-bearing skin at the temple. The difference lies in the area that is lifted:

• Temporal lift: Lifts the temple and the brow tail and affects the outer part of the eye area. Its effect on the midface is limited.
• Mid-facelift: Enters from the same area but continues down to the cheekbone and the cheek; by releasing the ligaments that attach the cheek to the bone, it lifts the cheekbone area and the transition between the lower eyelid and the cheek.

In practice the two procedures are often performed together. In “temporal facelift” series reported from Turkey, the procedure combines lifting of the midface, support of the outer corner of the eye, and lifting of the brow. Which one, or whether both, is needed depends on whether the sagging is concentrated in the brow tail or in the cheek.

Don’t Worry, Here’s What You Want To Know About Mid-Facelift Surgery

Are you considering mid facelift surgery in Istanbul? Our aesthetic clinic is committed to delivering natural-looking, long-lasting results through personalized treatment planning, advanced surgical techniques, and comprehensive patient care before, during, and after your procedure.

Can I have a mid facelift if I don’t have very deep wrinkles?

Yes. A mid facelift is often recommended for patients with mild to moderate signs of aging, particularly those experiencing sagging cheeks, loss of midface volume, or deepening of the nasolabial folds. You do not need to have severe wrinkles to benefit from the procedure.

Can a mid facelift be combined with other facial procedures?

Yes. A mid facelift is frequently combined with procedures such as neck lift, upper or lower blepharoplasty (eyelid surgery), brow lift, fat grafting, or a lower facelift to achieve more comprehensive facial rejuvenation. Your surgeon will recommend the most appropriate combination based on your facial anatomy and aesthetic goals.

What areas does a mid facelift improve?

A mid facelift primarily targets the middle third of the face. It lifts sagging cheeks, restores lost facial volume, softens nasolabial folds, and improves the transition between the lower eyelids and the cheeks. It is designed to restore youthful facial contours while maintaining natural facial expressions.

Will I need to update my passport or ID photo after surgery?

In most cases, no. A mid facelift rejuvenates your appearance without dramatically changing your facial identity. Since the procedure preserves your natural facial features, updating identification documents is generally unnecessary.

How is a mid facelift different from other facelift techniques?

Unlike a traditional facelift, which mainly addresses the jawline and neck, a mid facelift focuses specifically on the cheeks and midface. It restores cheek position, improves facial volume, and softens deep folds around the nose and mouth, making it an excellent option for patients whose primary concerns are in the central portion of the face.

Is there a lot of bleeding during mid facelift surgery?

No. Mid facelift surgery is performed using meticulous surgical techniques to minimize bleeding. While a small amount of bleeding is normal during any surgical procedure, significant bleeding is uncommon when the operation is performed by an experienced facial plastic surgeon.

What You Need to Know About Mid-Facelift Surgery: Before and After

There are several important considerations before and after mid facelift surgery that can help optimize both your surgical outcome and recovery. Following your surgeon’s recommendations throughout the entire treatment process supports proper healing, reduces the risk of complications, and contributes to achieving natural-looking, long-lasting results. By carefully following the guidelines below, you can help ensure a smoother and more comfortable recovery experience.

Things to Consider Before Mid Facelift Aesthetics

Preparing properly before mid facelift surgery can help ensure a safer procedure, support a smoother recovery, and contribute to optimal aesthetic results. Following your surgeon’s recommendations before surgery is an important part of the treatment process.

• Schedule a comprehensive consultation with your surgeon before the procedure to discuss your aesthetic goals, medical history, and whether a mid facelift is the most appropriate treatment for your needs.
• Maintain realistic expectations and make sure you are both physically and mentally prepared for surgery and the recovery process.
• Stop smoking and avoid alcohol for at least 2–4 weeks before surgery, as both can impair circulation and negatively affect wound healing.
• Inform your surgeon about all medications, vitamins, and herbal supplements you take. Blood-thinning medications such as aspirin, certain anti-inflammatory drugs, and some herbal supplements may need to be discontinued before surgery under medical guidance.
• Follow your surgeon’s fasting instructions before the procedure, particularly if the surgery will be performed under general anesthesia or intravenous sedation.
• Limit caffeine intake in the days leading up to surgery if recommended by your surgeon, and stay well hydrated.
• Eat a balanced, nutrient-rich diet before the operation to support your body’s healing capacity and recovery after surgery.
• Arrange for someone to accompany you home after the procedure and assist you during the first 24 hours if necessary.

Things to Consider After Mid Face Lift Aesthetics

There are several important precautions to follow after a mid facelift procedure to support proper healing and achieve the best possible results. Following your surgeon’s postoperative instructions carefully can help reduce the risk of complications and promote a smoother recovery.

• Keep your head elevated, especially while sleeping, during the first few days after surgery. This helps reduce swelling and improves circulation in the treated area.
• Avoid heavy lifting, strenuous exercise, and activities that increase blood pressure for several weeks, as these may interfere with the healing of the midface tissues.
• Follow your surgeon’s instructions regarding wound care, and keep the incision areas clean and dry until you are advised that normal washing is safe.
• Avoid excessive facial movements, rubbing your cheeks, or sleeping directly on your face, as unnecessary pressure on the midface can affect tissue healing.
• Do not smoke or consume alcohol during the recovery period. Smoking can reduce blood flow to healing tissues, while alcohol may increase swelling and delay recovery.
• Attend all scheduled follow-up appointments so your surgeon can monitor your healing progress and ensure optimal results.
• Apply cold compresses only if recommended by your surgeon to help minimize swelling and bruising during the first few days.
• Protect your skin from direct sunlight and wear sunscreen after healing, as UV exposure may affect scar maturation and skin recovery.

Mid-Facelift Recovery: What to Expect

Swelling in the lower eyelid and cheek area can last longer than in other parts of the face. Timelines reported in studies are as follows:

• With a technique using temple and mouth incisions, patients typically returned to work after 2 weeks.
• In a series of 35 operations performed through the eyelid, swelling lasted longer than 1.5 months in 10 patients; the visible lower white of the eye (scleral show) seen in 7 patients resolved within 3–6 months without any additional procedure.
• Among 89 patients operated on for cheek bags, swelling in the cheekbone area lasted longer than 6 weeks in 14 of them.
• After an operation performed with the endoscopic technique, tenderness in the cheekbone area decreased markedly between the 1st and 3rd months.

The times in the table are averages; they vary according to the technique, any added procedures, and your tissue structure. Contact your surgeon without waiting for your scheduled check-up if you notice any of the following:

• Swelling, tightness, or pain on one side of the face that increases rapidly
• Increasing redness, discharge, or fever around the incision line
• Blurred vision or difficulty closing the eyelid
• Inability to raise the brow or marked asymmetry when smiling

Will a Mid-Facelift Leave Scars?

As with any operation, scars remain, but the incisions are planned in places where they are not visible: within the hair-bearing scalp for the temple approach, above the gum for the incision inside the mouth, and just below the lower lashes for the eyelid approach. Hair thinning around the scar is rarely seen with incisions in the scalp: in a 325-operation series, 5 patients had hair loss that required scar revision, and in another series of 40 women, 1 patient had hair loss along the temple suture line that could be covered by hair. In the 250-patient series with the temporal approach, small skin dimples seen in 2.8% of patients resolved within 5 months.

Risks and Side Effects of Mid-Facelift Surgery

There is no systematic review that pools complication rates for mid-facelift surgery; the data mostly come from single-center series and vary according to the technique. The main risks reported in studies are as follows:

To reduce these risks, eyelid laxity and eye position are assessed before surgery and the outer corner of the eye is supported when necessary; smoking is stopped, and blood-thinning medications are adjusted under a physician’s supervision.

Procedures Often Combined with a Mid-Facelift

• Fat grafting: In a study of 56 patients whose eyeball sits forward relative to the cheekbone (a negative vector), who were randomly divided into two groups, the group that had fat grafting added to the mid-facelift achieved significantly better results in all evaluated areas; those who had only the lift later needed more additional procedures. In another study, adding fat provided extra benefit in the tear trough and the nasolabial fold, but made no difference in cheekbone prominence.
• Lower eyelid surgery: If there are under-eye bags, the under-eye fat can be repositioned in the same operation. In this combination, supporting the eyelid is especially important.
• Brow and temple lift: If the brow tail is also low, a temporal lift can be added through the same incision.
• Facelift and neck lift: If there is also sagging in the jawline and neck, the operation is planned together with a facelift and neck lift. In the 325-operation series, patients who had a facelift together with the mid-facelift showed better lifting of the jawline.

Non-Surgical Alternatives: How Much Do Fillers, Fat, and Threads Help?

“Can a mid-facelift be done without surgery?” and “midface filler” are among the most searched topics. Non-surgical methods do not reposition the tissue; they replace lost volume or suspend the tissue temporarily. They can be a good option for mild changes, but their effects and limits differ:

In marked tissue sagging, none of these methods achieves the same change as surgery. Increasing the amount of filler is not the solution either: in the under-eye series, the risk of swelling and contour irregularity increased as the amount of filler used increased.

Mid-Facelift for Men

The operation is also performed on men, but the great majority of patients in published series are women: there were 8 men in the 143-patient long-term study, and 2 men in the 250-patient series from Turkey. A receding hairline can make it harder to hide the temple incision. In a study comparing 5,801 men who underwent cosmetic surgery with women, the major complication rate was 2.1% in both sexes, but hematoma was seen more often in men. In men, the goal is to leave the cheekbone line straighter and more natural, without feminizing the face.

Mid Face Lift Cost in Turkey

The mid facelift procedure is a cost-effective option in Turkey compared to many other countries. One of the main reasons is Turkey’s favorable exchange rate, which allows international patients to access high-quality surgical care at more affordable prices. Combined with experienced facial plastic surgeons and modern medical facilities, this makes Turkey a popular destination for mid facelift surgery.

When comparing cities, Istanbul offers some of the most competitive prices for mid facelift procedures while providing excellent accessibility through its international airports and well-developed healthcare infrastructure. For patients seeking a combination of surgical expertise, convenience, and value, Istanbul is one of the leading choices for undergoing a mid facelift.

Mid-Facelift in Turkey with Dr. Hasan Duygulu

Dr. Hasan Duygulu: The premier destination for all your medical and plastic surgery needs.

Completely eliminating the signs of skin aging, Dr. Hasan Duygulu promises you smooth, youthful skin. At his private clinic, the team—dedicated to the unconditional satisfaction and happiness of their patients—listens to your wishes and determines the mid-facelift treatment method best suited to your needs.

What Determines the Cost of a Mid-Facelift?

The price ranges above are general estimates. The final fee is determined after a personal examination and depends on the following:

• Technique: Whether the operation is performed through the temple, endoscopically, through the lower eyelid, or together with a deep-plane facelift changes the operating time and the equipment used.
• Added procedures: Whether eyelid surgery, brow lift, fat grafting, or neck lift is added.
• Anesthesia and hospital stay: General anesthesia or sedation, and same-day discharge or a one-night stay.
• Postoperative follow-up: Check-up visits, stitch removal, and any additional treatments for swelling when needed.

When comparing prices, do not look only at the figure. Also look at who performs the surgery, which technique and which additional procedures are included in the price, who administers the anesthesia, and how follow-up will be managed in the event of a complication.

Mid Facelift Surgery Before After

To obtain detailed information about the mid facelift, you can view our patients’ before-and-after photos.

How to Evaluate Before-and-After Photos

Searches such as “mid facelift before and after” show that people considering surgery are curious about other patients’ experiences. When looking at photos and experiences shared online, it helps to keep the following in mind:

• When was the photo taken? The fullness seen in the first weeks is mostly swelling. You need to wait at least 3–6 months to judge the result.
• Was it taken under the same conditions? Differences in lighting, angle, makeup, facial expression, and filters can create a large visual difference independent of the surgery.
• Was another procedure performed as well? Eyelid surgery, brow lift, or fat grafting are often added to a mid-facelift. In the 325-operation series, better lifting of the jawline was seen in those who also had a facelift; that is, the change in a photo may not belong to a single procedure.
• How many years after surgery was it taken? Considering that the increase in cheek fullness tends to decline after 5 years, a photo taken a few months after surgery does not show the long-term result.

Discussing realistic expectations for your own face during the consultation is a more reliable way than comparing yourself with other people’s photos.