Temporal Lift

Who is a temporal lift for

A temporal lift may be recommended for patients whose age-related or anatomical changes in the upper face show up as brow descent, heaviness around the outer corners of the eyes or loss of definition in the temple area.

The main indications are:

• descent of the outer third of the brows;
• hooding of tissue around the outer corners of the eyes;
• a heavy or tired look;
• age-related changes in the temple area;
• excess skin and soft tissue descent in the upper third of the face;
• a wish to lift the outer brows and open up the look;
• brow asymmetry;
• loss of definition in the forehead and temple area.

A fronto-temporal lift is especially appropriate when the problem extends beyond the temple area and includes descent or hooding of the middle forehead.

Types of temporal lift

The clinic uses different options for lifting the upper third of the face. The choice depends on the patient’s anatomy, brow position, skin condition and the nature of tissue descent.

Endoscopic temporal lift

An endoscopic temporal lift mainly targets the temple area and the outer third of the brows.

Through small incisions in the hair-bearing scalp, the surgeon works with the deep tissues, repositions them and fixes them in a new position. This changes the position of the lateral brow and visually opens the outer part of the eyes.

The technique may be especially suitable when the main problem is located in the temple and brow area, without marked descent of the central forehead.

Fronto-temporal lift

A fronto-temporal lift works on a larger area: it covers not only the temples and the outer brows but also the middle of the forehead.

It is particularly indicated for patients with hooded brows, when working on the lateral brow alone is not enough. During surgery, the surgeon adjusts the position of the forehead and temple tissues, creating a more harmonious brow position and an open look.

In this way, a fronto-temporal lift addresses not only the consequence, the descent of the outer brow, but a larger area of tissue that determines brow position.

Temporal lift combined with blepharoplasty

In some cases a temporal lift is combined with upper blepharoplasty. These operations solve different problems: the lift changes the position of the brows and upper-face tissues, while blepharoplasty deals with excess upper eyelid skin.

The combination of techniques is chosen individually, depending on anatomy and what exactly creates the heaviness in the upper face.

Contraindications

Temporal and fronto-temporal lifts have the standard medical limitations of elective surgery. These include:

• acute infectious or inflammatory diseases;
• uncontrolled systemic diseases that may increase surgical risks;
• blood clotting disorders;
• active skin diseases in the surgical area;
• oncological diseases that require appropriate medical supervision;
• pregnancy and breastfeeding.

Whether surgery is possible is finally decided after a consultation and pre-operative tests.

How the surgery is performed

1. Consultation and planning. The surgeon assesses brow position, the condition of the skin and soft tissues of the forehead and temples, facial symmetry and the nature of age-related changes. At this stage it is decided whether a temporal lift is enough or a fronto-temporal approach is indicated.
2. Choice of anaesthesia. Depending on the extent of surgery and the technique, local anaesthesia with sedation or general anaesthesia is used.
3. Surgical access. Incisions are placed in the hair-bearing scalp. The endoscopic technique uses small incisions through which an optical system and special instruments are inserted.
4. Tissue repositioning and fixation. The surgeon works with the tissues of the temple and, if needed, forehead area, moves them into a more natural position and fixes them.
5. Completion. After checking symmetry, fine sutures are placed. Because they lie in the hair-bearing scalp, post-operative marks are concealed.

Recovery and results

After a temporal lift, swelling and bruising around the temples and eyes are possible. How pronounced they are depends on the extent of surgery and the patient’s individual features.

The main swelling usually subsides gradually over 10–14 days. Sutures are removed when the surgeon decides, most often after 7–10 days.

After surgery, the position of the brows and tissues stabilises gradually. So the final result is assessed not immediately but after the swelling resolves and the main healing is complete.

In the first weeks it is recommended to avoid intense physical activity, overheating, saunas and other factors that may increase swelling.

Temporal lift cost

The cost of surgery depends on the technique, the extent of correction and whether it is combined with other procedures.

The final surgical plan and cost are determined after a consultation with the surgeon.

Our doctor

A temporal lift is not simply a mechanical brow lift. For the result to look natural, the surgeon has to take into account the anatomy of the temple and forehead areas, brow position, the shape of the eye opening and individual facial proportions.

Oculoplastic surgeon Anna Barinova works with both the aesthetics of the upper face and the anatomy of the periorbital area. This is particularly important when a temporal lift is combined with blepharoplasty, or when it is necessary to determine which area (temple, forehead or periorbital) creates the heavy look.

In more complex cases a fronto-temporal lift may be appropriate, as it addresses not only the outer brows but also the middle of the forehead.