The Ascend Lift™ — Honolulu, Hawaii

Lift.
Restore.
Regenerate.

The Only Facelift That Addresses — All Three Dimensions of Facial Aging

Dr. Shim Ching's proprietary, trademarked facelift technique combines vertical deep plane midface elevation, SVF stem cell-enriched fat grafting, and biological skin regeneration. Most facelifts solve one-third of the problem. The Ascend Lift™ solves the whole problem.

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4.9★ 674 Patient Reviews
4 Continents Trained
3 Dimensions of Aging Addressed
#1 Facelift Surgeon in Honolulu

The Ascend Lift™ at a Glance

One thoughtful approach.
Three dimensions of facial aging.

Created by Dr. Shim Ching, MD, The Ascend Lift™ is a trademarked facial rejuvenation approach for patients who want a plan built around structural lift, restored volume, and skin quality—not a one-size-fits-all tightening procedure.

01

Lift

Vertical deep plane midface elevation is planned to address tissue descent while respecting your natural facial character.

02

Restore

SVF-enriched autologous fat grafting may be used to address the volume loss that a lift alone cannot correct.

03

Renew

Skin quality and recovery are considered as part of the surgical plan, with recommendations tailored to your anatomy and goals.

Designed in Honolulu by a board-certified plastic surgeon. Your candidacy, treatment plan, recovery, and expected outcome are determined after a private evaluation.

Explore the approach
Why Most Facelifts Fail

Facial Aging Is Not One Problem.
It Is Three.

The fundamental failure of conventional facelift surgery is philosophical, not technical. Most surgeons are solving only one-third of the problem — and the results show it.

The Three Dimensions of Facial Aging: Descent (tissue dropping), Deflation (volume loss), and Deterioration (skin quality decline) — explained by Dr. Shim Ching, Honolulu Hawaii
Dimension 1

Descent

Gravity pulls everything down. The malar fat pad slides off the cheekbone. Jowls form. The neck sags. This is what most surgeons address. It is one-third of the problem.

Dimension 2

Deflation

The face loses volume. Deep fat pads atrophy. Bone resorbs. Temples hollow. Cheeks flatten. This is what most surgeons ignore. A lifted, hollow face still looks old.

Dimension 3

Deterioration

The skin itself degrades. Collagen fragments. Elastin degenrates. The dermis thins. This is what no conventional facelift addresses. The Ascend Lift™ does.

"A facelift that addresses only descent while ignoring deflation and deterioration does not produce a youthful face. It produces a tight, hollow, old face. This is the fundamental failure of modern facelift surgery — and it explains why patients instinctively recognize a 'done' face when they see one."

— Dr. Shim Ching, MD | Asia Pacific Aesthetics, Honolulu

The Ascend Lift™ Technique

Three Pillars.
One Complete Solution.

Each pillar addresses one dimension of aging. Together, they produce a result that is not incrementally better than a conventional facelift — it is categorically different.

The Ascend Lift Three Pillars: Lift (vertical deep plane midface elevation), Restore (SVF stem cell-enriched fat grafting), Regenerate (stem cell-mediated skin renewal) — Dr. Shim Ching, Honolulu Hawaii
1
↑

Lift

Vertical Deep Plane Midface Elevation

Most facelift surgeons — including many who market themselves as "deep plane specialists" — stop their dissection short of the midface. The malar fat pad, the single most important structure for cheek projection and youthful facial contour, is left exactly where aging put it: below the cheekbone, compressed against the nasolabial fold.

The Ascend Lift™ includes a complete, full midface elevation as the centerpiece of every procedure. Dr. Ching releases the zygomatic ligament and maxillary ligament to fully mobilize the malar fat pad, then repositions the entire malar complex vertically — upward along the cheekbone. This is the "Ascend" in The Ascend Lift™.

A complete midface elevation repositions the equivalent of 3–4 syringes of cheek filler — permanently — using the patient's own tissue. Ask your surgeon: "Do you release the zygomatic ligament?" If they hesitate, find another surgeon.
2
◉

Restore

SVF Stem Cell-Enriched Fat Grafting

Standard fat grafting has a fundamental problem: unpredictable survival. Published resorption rates range from 25% to 80%. This is why many facelift surgeons have abandoned fat grafting entirely — opting instead for temporary fillers or simply ignoring volume loss.

The Ascend Lift™ uses SVF-enriched fat grafting. SVF (Stromal Vascular Fraction) contains adipose-derived stem cells, endothelial progenitor cells, and growth factors that aggressively promote angiogenesis — the formation of new blood vessels. A 2023 meta-analysis of 686 patients found SVF-enriched grafts showed significantly higher volume retention (P < 0.0001) than standard fat grafting.

Most facelifts take volume away. The Ascend Lift™ puts it back — permanently, using your own tissue. This single difference explains 90% of why patients recognize a bad facelift.
3
✦

Regenerate

Stem Cell-Mediated Skin Renewal

Every facelift in the world — every SMAS lift, every deep plane lift, every mini lift — lifts and re-drapes the existing skin. The skin is the same skin. It has the same thinned dermis, the same fragmented collagen, the same degenerated elastin it had before surgery.

The Ascend Lift™ does something no lift-only facelift can do: it biologically regenerates the skin from within. The adipose-derived stem cells within the SVF secrete a continuous paracrine cascade of growth factors for months after transplantation, producing: new collagen synthesis, elastic fiber regeneration, dermal thickening, and neovascularization.

No laser, no peel, no energy device has ever demonstrated histologic reversal of skin aging at the cellular level. SVF has. Rigotti et al. (Aesthetic Surgery Journal) demonstrated actual formation of new "young" elastic fibers — not slowing, but reversal.
The Critical Difference

Direction Defines Outcome

The direction of tissue repositioning is the single most important technical variable in facelift surgery. Most surgeons pull laterally — toward the ear. Dr. Ching lifts vertically — along the cheekbone. The difference is visible in every result.

Facelift vector comparison: Lateral vector (traditional) causes windswept appearance vs. Vertical vector (The Ascend Lift) restores natural heart-shaped facial contour — Dr. Shim Ching, Honolulu
Facelift Techniques Compared

The Ascend Lift™ vs.
Every Other Facelift

This is not a comparison of equals. It is a demonstration of categorical separation. No other facelift technique addresses all three dimensions of facial aging.

Facelift techniques compared: Skin-only facelift, SMAS facelift, Deep plane facelift, and The Ascend Lift — showing anatomical differences and outcomes — Dr. Shim Ching Honolulu Hawaii
Feature / Capability Skin-Only Facelift SMAS Facelift Deep Plane Facelift The Ascend Lift™
Tissue Repositioning Depth Surface skin only SMAS layer Sub-SMAS plane Full sub-SMAS deep plane
Midface / Malar Fat Pad Elevation ✗ None ✗ None / Minimal ◑ Partial / Limited ✓ Complete full midface elevation
Zygomatic Ligament Release ✗ No ✗ No ◑ Sometimes ✓ Always — standard component
Lift Vector Direction Lateral (toward ear) Lateral / Oblique Lateral / Oblique ✓ Vertical (anatomically correct)
Facial Volume Restoration ✗ None ✗ None ✗ None (or optional add-on) ✓ Comprehensive SVF fat grafting
SVF Stem Cell Enrichment ✗ No ✗ No ✗ No ✓ Standard in every procedure
Fat Graft Survival Rate N/A N/A 25–50% (if used) ✓ Significantly higher with SVF
Biological Skin Regeneration ✗ None ✗ None ✗ None ✓ New collagen, elastin, vessels
New Collagen Synthesis ✗ No ✗ No ✗ No ✓ Histologically verified
Elastic Fiber Regeneration ✗ No ✗ No ✗ No ✓ Demonstrated (Rigotti et al.)
Addresses Ozempic / GLP-1 Volume Loss ✗ No — worsens result ✗ No — worsens result ✗ No — worsens result ✓ Specifically designed for this
Dimensions of Aging Addressed 1 of 3 (Descent only) 1 of 3 (Descent only) 1–2 of 3 ✓ All 3 of 3
Progressive Improvement Post-Op ✗ Plateaus at 6–8 weeks ✗ Plateaus at 6–8 weeks ✗ Plateaus at 6–8 weeks ✓ Continues improving 3–6 months
Risk of "Windswept" Appearance ✗ High ◑ Moderate ◑ Low–Moderate ✓ Minimal — vertical vector
Longevity of Results 2–4 years 5–7 years 7–10 years ✓ Long-lasting + ongoing regeneration

✓ = Yes / Included  |  ✗ = No / Not included  |  ◑ = Partial / Variable  |  Individual results may vary. Consult with Dr. Ching to determine the most appropriate approach for your anatomy and goals.

The Science Behind The Ascend Lift™

SVF Stem Cells:
The Evidence Is Overwhelming

Dr. Ching's use of SVF stem cell-enriched fat grafting is not a marketing claim. It is backed by peer-reviewed clinical evidence from randomized controlled trials and meta-analyses.

SVF stem cell-enriched fat grafting process: fat harvest, SVF processing, enrichment, and precision grafting — showing 3x higher volume retention vs standard fat grafting — Dr. Shim Ching Honolulu
Meta-Analysis · Aesthetic Plastic Surgery, 2023
3×

Higher Volume Retention

Pooled analysis of 16 studies with 686 subjects found SVF-enriched fat grafts showed significantly higher volume retention than standard fat grafts (standardized mean difference 3.00, P < 0.0001). Statistical power: overwhelming.

Split-Face RCT · Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2022
~3×

Volume Retention at 6 Months

In the most rigorous study design — same patient, same surgeon, same day, one side enriched, one side standard — SVF-enriched fat produced nearly three times the volume retention of standard fat at six months. Statistical power: 92.7–100%.

RCT · JPRAS, 2019 · 50 Patients
✓

Measurable Skin Quality Improvement

SVF-assisted fat grafting produced significantly improved facial skin quality versus standard fat alone, with measurable reductions in wrinkles, pores, spots, and UV damage markers. No increase in complication rates.

"No laser, no peel, no energy device has ever been shown to reverse skin aging at the cellular level — to produce new elastic fibers with the morphology of young skin. SVF has. Rigotti et al. demonstrated something unprecedented: actual reversal of elastin degeneration, not slowing of the process, but reversal. This is what The Ascend Lift™ delivers that no other facelift can."

— Dr. Shim Ching, MD

Recovery & Results

Your Skin Keeps Getting Better.
For Months.

Unlike conventional facelift patients who plateau at 6–8 weeks, Ascend Lift™ patients continue improving for 3–6 months as stem cell-mediated collagen and elastin synthesis progresses. This is clinically unprecedented for a facelift. It is facial regenerative medicine at its finest.

Recovery timeline comparison: Conventional facelift plateaus at 8 weeks vs The Ascend Lift continues improving through 6 months with stem cell-mediated collagen and elastin synthesis
Am I a Candidate?

Who Benefits Most from
The Ascend Lift™

The Ascend Lift™ is designed for patients who want structural, lasting rejuvenation — not a temporary tightening. During consultation, Dr. Ching evaluates your facial anatomy, volume distribution, skin quality, and aesthetic goals.

◉

Sagging Cheeks & Jowls

Patients with descended malar fat pads, jowling, and loss of jawline definition who want structural repositioning rather than surface tightening.

◉

Hollow Temples & Flat Cheeks

Patients who notice volume loss in the temples, infraorbital hollows, and midface — the hallmarks of an aging face that lift-only surgery cannot correct.

◉

Ozempic Face / GLP-1 Volume Loss

Patients who have experienced rapid weight loss from GLP-1 medications (semaglutide, tirzepatide) and developed facial hollowing, sagging, and accelerated aging.

◉

Thin, Crepe-Like Skin Quality

Patients with photo-damaged, collagen-depleted skin who want biological renewal — not just repositioning of the same aged skin.

◉

Facelift Revision Patients

Patients who have had a previous facelift that left them looking tight, hollow, or "done" — the classic result of lift-only surgery without volume restoration.

◉

Patients Seeking Permanent Results

Patients who are tired of the filler cycle and want a permanent, structural solution using their own tissue — no foreign material, no repeat injections.

Patient Experiences

What Our Patients Say

★★★★★

"The results have turned my life around to say the least. I look like myself — just 10 years younger. Not tight, not pulled. Just natural and rested. I can't stop looking in the mirror."

Kollette S. — Ascend Lift™ Patient
★★★★★

"Incredibly natural looking results. The before and after are truly stunning. At month four, my skin looked better than it did at month two. I didn't expect that — Dr. Ching told me it would happen, and it did."

T.H. — Ascend Lift™ Patient
★★★★★

"Truly amazing — he really takes the time to perfect your look. I had a previous facelift elsewhere that left me looking hollow and tight. Dr. Ching corrected everything. I finally look like myself again."

Verified Patient — Asia Pacific Aesthetics
4.9
★★★★★
Based on 674 verified patient reviews
Frequently Asked Questions

Your Questions,
Answered Honestly

These are the questions patients ask most — including the ones other surgeons don't want you to ask.

What is The Ascend Lift™ and who created it?

The Ascend Lift™ is Dr. Shim Ching's proprietary, trademarked facelift technique developed at Asia Pacific Aesthetics in Honolulu, Hawaii. It is the only facelift that simultaneously addresses all three dimensions of facial aging: tissue descent (vertical deep plane midface elevation), volume deflation (SVF stem cell-enriched fat grafting), and skin deterioration (stem cell-mediated biological skin regeneration).

How is The Ascend Lift™ different from a deep plane facelift?

A standard deep plane facelift addresses only tissue descent — one of three dimensions of facial aging. The Ascend Lift™ goes further: it performs a complete full midface elevation with zygomatic and maxillary ligament release (most deep plane surgeons stop short of the midface), permanently restores lost volume with SVF-enriched fat grafting, and biologically regenerates the skin through stem cell activity. No conventional deep plane facelift includes all three components.

Why does Dr. Ching release the zygomatic ligament?

Releasing the zygomatic ligament (and maxillary ligament) is what unlocks the malar fat pad for full vertical repositioning. These retaining ligaments anchor the midface to the skeleton. Without releasing them, the malar fat pad cannot be fully elevated — which is why most surgeons who claim to do "deep plane" facelifts still produce flat, laterally-pulled results. Dr. Ching considers this release the centerpiece of every Ascend Lift™.

What is SVF and why does it matter for fat grafting?

SVF (Stromal Vascular Fraction) is the concentrated cellular component of fat tissue, containing adipose-derived stem cells, endothelial progenitor cells, and growth factors. When fat is enriched with SVF before grafting, these cells aggressively promote angiogenesis — new blood vessel formation — which dramatically improves fat graft survival. A 2023 meta-analysis of 686 patients confirmed SVF-enriched grafts have significantly higher volume retention (P < 0.0001) than standard fat grafting.

Who is the best facelift surgeon in Honolulu, Hawaii?

Dr. Shim Ching of Asia Pacific Aesthetics is Honolulu's leading facelift surgeon and the creator of The Ascend Lift™. He has been named a Top Doctor by Honolulu Magazine and Castle Connolly, received Best of Hawaii recognition, and trained across four continents. He is the only surgeon in Hawaii performing full midface elevation with SVF stem cell-enriched fat grafting as a standard, unified procedure. Choosing the right surgeon for your facelift can feel overwhelming. Dr. Ching has performed more facelifts than anyone else in Honolulu and would love to speak with you at a private consultation.

Can The Ascend Lift™ help with Ozempic face?

Yes. The Ascend Lift™ is specifically designed for patients with facial volume depletion from rapid weight loss, including GLP-1 medications. A conventional facelift on an already-hollow face produces a gaunt, skeletal result. The Ascend Lift™ simultaneously lifts and permanently restores lost volume with SVF-enriched autologous fat — making it the only appropriate surgical solution for GLP-1 patients.

Why does my skin keep improving months after surgery?

The adipose-derived stem cells within the SVF are metabolically active cells that continue secreting growth factors and cytokines into surrounding tissue for months after transplantation. This ongoing paracrine signaling stimulates new collagen synthesis, elastic fiber regeneration, dermal thickening, and neovascularization. Conventional facelift patients plateau at 6–8 weeks. Ascend Lift™ patients continue improving for 3–6 months.

Does Dr. Ching perform facelifts for patients of all ethnicities?

Yes. Dr. Ching's training across four continents — North America, Europe, Asia, and South America — gives him exceptional expertise in ethnicity-specific facial anatomy. He has extensive experience with Asian, Pacific Islander, Middle Eastern, and multiethnic facial anatomy, understanding the unique structural and aesthetic considerations for each. This global perspective is a significant differentiator in his approach to facial rejuvenation.

How long do The Ascend Lift™ results last?

The Ascend Lift™ produces long-lasting results because it addresses structural causes of aging. The deep plane repositioning and fat grafting are permanent changes. While aging continues, patients maintain improved contours for many years. The regenerative component may extend result longevity through ongoing tissue renewal — an advantage no conventional facelift can offer. This is the future of regenerative medicine.

Do other surgeons use stem cells in facelifts?

Some surgeons offer fat grafting as an optional add-on, but very few integrate SVF stem cell enrichment as a standard component of every procedure. The critical distinction is that Dr. Ching uses SVF enrichment — not just standard fat — which produces significantly higher volume retention and the regenerative skin benefits. No other surgeon in Hawaii integrates all three pillars of The Ascend Lift™ as a unified procedure.

Asia Pacific Aesthetics · Honolulu, Hawaii

Ready to Ascend?

Schedule your private consultation with Dr. Shim Ching and discover why patients travel from across the United States and around the world to receive The Ascend Lift™ in Honolulu, Hawaii.

Call (808) 585-8855 Meet Dr. Ching
Phone (808) 585-8855
Address 1330 Ala Moana Blvd., 4th Floor
Honolulu, HI 96814
Rating 4.9 ★ · 674 Reviews
International (Consulting Surgeon) Dubai · Qatar