The Evolution of facial rejuvenation

The evolution of facial rejuvenation is not about doing less — but achieving more through insight, anatomy, and precision. The MIVEL Technique was born from that vision — a new frontier in facial rejuvenation that restores deep structure through endoscopic precision, without visible scars. A method built on anatomical truth, surgical safety, and natural beauty. Here, at Mivel Academy, you’ll learn the technique directly from the surgeon who standardized and published it — through the same lens that shaped its creation. Combined with the regenerative power of SEFFI, this approach redefines what modern aesthetic surgery can be: less invasive, truly transformative, and deeply human.

— Alessandro Gennai, MD
Founder & Scientific Director, Mivel Academy

International Recognition

The evolution of endoscopic facial rejuvenation has been guided by a select group of surgeons worldwide.
In a scientific editorial, Dr. Nicanor Isse, recognized as a pioneer of endoscopic facial lifting, included Dr. Alessandro Gennai among the surgeons who contributed to the development and refinement of this technique.
This acknowledgment highlights a continuous commitment to innovation and to the advancement of safer, more natural, and anatomically driven facial rejuvenation.
The MIVEL technique represents a further step in this evolution.

Read the ISAPS article

Welcome to the first and only Mivel Endoscopic Facelifting Academy in Italy. With my friend Alessandro Gennai, we are putting together a training center where participants can learn the philosophy, the first steps, and evolve in the facelifting endoscopic surgery. The participants will be able to perform surgery on their own patient with our supervision, or practice on a cadaver, or learn every single step on a slide deck presented for them specifically. So, there is a lot to learn, there is a lot to practice, but we offer you a great training center if you are interested in developing your skill in this new facelifting technique.

— Francesco P. Bernardini, MD
Mivel Academy

The Art of Vertical Lifting

Experience the pinnacle of endoscopic facial surgery. MIVEL (Minimal Incisions Vertical Endoscopic Lifting) is a standardized technique designed for deep, natural, and stable rejuvenation through a scarless approach.

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Regenerative Integration

Beyond lifting. The MIVEL approach integrates SEFFI (Superficial Enhanced Fluid Fat Injection) therapy to enhance tissue quality and ensure long-lasting surgical results through autologous fat transplantation.

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Master Your Expertise

From theoretical foundations to supervised surgical practice. Our Academy offers three progressive levels of certification tailored for Plastic Surgeons, Maxillofacial specialists and aesthetic professionals.

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Selected
Surgeons

Completing the MIVEL training pathway and entering the Academy grants access to a selected international group of surgeons who perform advanced endoscopic facial lifting according to shared principles, techniques, and standards.

Select Your Training Level

Level I
Basic Course

Focus

Comprehensive theoretical overview, anatomical rationale, and scientific review.

Duration

6 hours (3 sessions of 2 hours each).

Format

In-person or Online (Video Conference).

Investment

€ 6,000 + VAT (if applicable).

Level II
Intermediate Course

Focus

Clinical observation of 3 MIVEL procedures performed by dr. Gennai or dr. Bernardini.

Location

Clinics in Milan Genoa or Bologna.

Investment

€ 18,000 + VAT (if applicable).

A 50% educational discount is reserved for residents and fellows attending LEVEL I and LEVEL II courses.

Note: Dates and locations will be confirmed at least 30 days in advance.

Level III
Advanced Course

Focus

Hands-on surgery. You perform the procedure on your patient under the direct supervision of dr. Gennai or dr. Bernardini.

Location Options

  • Your own clinici (subject to suitability check): € 26,000 + VAT (if appicable)

Access to LEVEL III is limited to fully qualified surgeons who have previously attended LEVEL II or who can demonstrate adequate experience and proficiency in endoscopic facial surgery.

Note: Travel, accomodation and lodging expenses for the instructor are not included.

AN INTERNATIONAL
SURGICAL ACADEMY

Completing the MIVEL training pathway and entering the Academy grants access to a selected international group of surgeons who perform advanced endoscopic facial lifting according to shared principles, techniques, and standards.

The MIVEL Endoscopic Lifting Academy is not only a place for education, but a professional environment of excellence, where surgeons are connected by:

  • A common endoscopic approach
  • Reproducible surgical standards
  • ⁠A vision of facial rejuvenation that is scarless, deep, natural, and stable over time

Admission to the Academy and progression through advanced levels are progressive and selective, reinforcing quality, consistency, and long-term professional growth.

The MIVEL technique is built
on four fundamental pillars:

Systematic
use of endoscopy

for precision and safety.

Vertical vector
restoration

of the face’s deep structures.

Respect for functional
anatomy

to ensure natural movement.

Harmonious and
long-lasting results

through a scarless procedure.

Our mission is to provide specialists with the expertise to achieve deep, natural, and stable facial rejuvenation through a minimally invasive, scarless approach.
By combining systematic endoscopy with the SEFFI (Superficial Enhanced Fluid Fat Injection) regenerative therapy, we ensure harmonious results and superior tissue quality.

Alessandro
Gennai

Plastic, Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgeon, specialist in General Surgery and graduated in Aesthetic Medicine. He is Medical Director of the STUDIO GENNAI Plastic Surgery and Aesthetic Medicine Center in Bologna, Professor and lecturer at the University of Rome Tor Vergata, the University of Pisa and the University of Modena and Reggio Emilia – Italy, Scientific Director of the Italian Association for Autologous Regenerative Therapy (AITAR) and full member of: AICPE (Italian Society of Plastic and Aesthetic Surgery), EAFPS (European Academy of Facial Plastic Surgery), SIME (Italian Society of Aesthetic Medicine), AAAM (American Academy of Aesthetic Medicine).

Creator of original techniques in the field of plastic and aesthetic surgery such as: MIVEL (Minimal Incisions Vertical Endoscopic Lifting), NAL (Neck Artificial Ligament lift) and SEFFI and MicroSEFFI (Superficial Enhanced Fluid Fat Injection). The development of Seffiline medical devices originated from the SEFFI technique. He is also the inventor of the patented guide present in all Seffiline medical devices to perform tissue harvesting in a standardized, superficial and safe way, allowing regenerative therapy to be performed even by doctors without experience in the field of adipose tissue extraction.
He holds the position of Scientific Director of SEFFILINE ACADEMY which, through courses, conferences and workshops, takes care of the dissemination of SEFFILINE medical devices in the various medical specialties.

Francesco Bernardini

Specialist in Ophthalmology, Prof. Francesco Bernardini trained professionally in the United States where he carried out a two-year Surgical Fellowship at the University of Cincinnati, Ohio. There he obtained the prestigious certification of the Ultra Specialist in Oculofacial Plastic Surgery in 2000; since then, he carries out over 200 interventions a year dedicated to the aesthetic rejuvenation of the face and gaze as well as non-invasive treatments.
The ultra-specialization in this area of ​​the face has allowed Dr. Bernardini to develop innovative surgical and non-invasive techniques that are now performed by specialists all over the world. Dr. Bernardini is currently a member of important international professional associations including the American Society of Oculofacial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery (ASOPRS), the Italian Association of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery (AICPE), and The Orbital Society.
 
Dr. Bernardini is an Adjunct Professor at I.R.C.C.S. San Raffaele Hospital – School of Specialization in Ophthalmology HSR – Milan.
He has published over 40 scientific articles in international literature and is the author of several chapters of international and Italian textbooks.
He is a member of the Editorial Board of the leading international scientific journal in the sector, Ophthalmic Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery Journal (OPRS). For over 15 years, he has been teaching courses for the American Academy of Ophthalmology (AAO).