Temporal Lift

1. What Is Temporal Lift?

A temporal lift is a surgical procedure aimed at rejuvenating the upper outer part of the face, namely:

• The temple (temporal) region,
• The outer corners of the eyes,
• The outer portion of the eyebrows

by gently lifting them upward and outward.

The goal, without giving the person a “different face,” is to:

• Replace a tired, downward-drawn expression
• With a more refreshed, open and lively look,
• Mildly tighten the outer eye wrinkles (crow’s feet) and excess skin on the outer side of the eye area.

It is often planned in combination with procedures such as upper eyelid surgery, brow lift or midface rejuvenation.

2. In Which Situations Is Temporal Lift Preferred?

Temporal lift is generally considered in patients who have:

• Drooping of the outer part of the eyebrows that pulls the outer corner of the eye downward,
• A tired, low and “compressed” appearance at the outer part of the eyes,
• Skin laxity and fine wrinkles in the temple area with loss of upward tension,
• Complaints such as “My eyes look small and tired”, “My eye make up disappears”,
• A desire for a younger, fresher but subtle and natural upper face appearance.

In some patients, when temporal lift is performed together with a brow lift or upper eyelid surgery, the eye area and upper face are treated as a whole.

3. Who Is a Suitable Candidate for Temporal Lift?

Suitable candidates are typically:

• Individuals whose general health allows surgery,
• Those who particularly feel drooping at the outer part of the brows and outer corners of the eyes,
• Those wishing to gain a more rested expression with a small touch to the upper face,
• People who want the result to be perceived as “I look fresher and better” rather than “My face has changed completely,”
• Individuals who can tolerate short term swelling, bruising and temporary withdrawal from work/social life after surgery.

In patients with recent major systemic illness, uncontrolled hypertension or bleeding/clotting disorders, timing and suitability for surgery must be carefully evaluated.

4. Preoperative Evaluation and Planning

Before surgery:

• The patient’s medical history, medications, allergies and previous facial procedures (botox, fillers, prior surgeries) are taken in detail.

The face and brows are assessed both at rest and with expression:

• The height difference between the inner and outer brow,
• The position of the outer corner of the eye,
• Skin quality and wrinkles in the temple region are analysed.

The desired look is discussed with the patient using:

• Example photos,
• Simple manoeuvres such as gently lifting the brow laterally in front of a mirror.

The following are explained transparently:

• How much lifting the surgery can provide,
• That incisions will be hidden within the hair-bearing scalp,
• How the result may affect facial expressions.

Required blood tests and anaesthesia evaluation are performed.

Recommendations are given regarding:

• Smoking cessation or reduction,
• Stopping/reducing blood thinners and certain herbal supplements before surgery.

The goal is to create a realistic plan that provides a natural but noticeable refreshment.

5. How Is Temporal Lift Performed?

(Incisions, Technique and Endoscopic Method)

Temporal lift is most commonly performed through small incisions hidden in the hair-bearing scalp.

In summary:

Incision sites:

• Incisions of about 2–4 cm are planned within the hair-bearing scalp in the temple region,
• The aim is for the scars to remain within the hair and not be visible in daily life.

Tissue release:

• The tissues pulling down the outer brow and temporal skin are gently released,
• The outer corner of the eye and temple region are repositioned upward and outward to a safe degree.

Fixation and closure:

• The tissues are suspended to a higher, more youthful position using special suturing techniques or, in some cases, fixation devices,
• The incision is closed with fine sutures within the hair-bearing scalp.

In some patients, endoscopic (camera-assisted) techniques may be used:

• A small endoscope inserted through tiny incisions allows direct visualisation of the tissues,
• This is especially preferred when a broader lift of the brow and forehead is planned.

Which technique is chosen depends on the patient’s anatomy, the amount of lifting required and the surgeon’s experience.

6. Relationship Between Temporal Lift and Brow Lift

Temporal lift mainly affects:

• The outer part of the brow,
• The outer corner of the eye and the temple area by lifting them upward and outward.

Therefore:

• In some patients, a temporal lift alone may provide the desired lateral brow elevation,
• If there is also noticeable drooping of the inner brow:
  1. A classic brow lift, or
  2. Endoscopic forehead–brow lift techniques may be planned in combination.

The goal is not to create a “surprised” or exaggerated look, but to give the brows a more rested and slightly uplifted position in harmony with the rest of the face.

7. The First Postoperative Days: Pain, Swelling, Bruising and Sensory Changes

In the first days:

• Swelling, a feeling of tightness and pressure in the temple area and around the eyes are normal,
• Mild bruising may occur, especially near the outer corners of the eyes; these usually start to fade within 7–10 days.

Around the incisions in the hair-bearing scalp:

• Temporary numbness,
• Sensitivity,
• Itching sensations may occur; these sensory changes usually lessen over time.

Pain:

• Is typically mild to moderate,
• Can be controlled with painkillers prescribed by the surgeon.

For most patients, basic daily needs become more comfortable after the first few days.

8. Staying in Istanbul, Follow Ups and Returning Home

For patients travelling from abroad or other cities:

• A stay of about 3–5 days in Istanbul is generally sufficient for:
  1. The first dressing change and suture line check,
  2. Monitoring of swelling and bruising,
  3. Instructions on care of the hair-bearing scalp.

During this period, patients are informed in detail about:

• When and how to shower and wash their hair,
• How to care for the incision lines,
• What to do in case of unexpected swelling, redness or pain around the eyes or temple.

If flying is planned, especially long-haul flights, basic recommendations are given such as:

• Avoiding lifting very heavy luggage in the early days,
• Taking short walks and drinking fluids at intervals during the flight.

9. Returning to Social Life, Work and Sports

At home:

• Due to mild headache, tightness and swelling, rest is important in the first days,
• Within 1–3 days, most patients can perform simple daily activities.

Return to work:

• Desk-based workers can generally return to work within 5–7 days, depending on the degree of visible bruising and workload,
• For those whose work is very face-focused or camera-facing, the timeline may be adjusted according to the level of bruising and swelling.

Social life:

• Light make up and hair styling can hide some bruising and scars,
• For most patients, socialising becomes more comfortable from around days 7–10.

Sports:

• Light walking, with the doctor’s approval, is encouraged in the early period,
• Running, weight training and sports that pose a risk of impact to the head usually require a waiting period of 4–6 weeks.

10. Hair, Make Up and Concealing Scars

Since incision sites are mostly within the hair-bearing scalp, if the hair is long, scars are largely concealed by the hair.

• Hair washing and combing should be done more carefully in the first few days.

Bruising around the eyes:

• Can often be camouflaged with appropriate concealers and eye area make up products.

Scars:

• Lighten in colour over time,
• Are more noticeable in the first months,
• Usually become finer and paler over 6–12 months.

The surgeon plans the incision lines taking into account:

• The natural hairline pattern,
• Hair density,
• The patient’s typical hairstyle.

11. Possible Risks and Complications

Like other facial aesthetic surgeries, temporal lift carries certain risks:

• Bleeding, haematoma (blood collection under the skin),
• Infection,
• Delayed wound healing, wound dehiscence,
• Temporary or, more rarely, long-lasting:
  1. Numbness,
  2. Increased or decreased sensitivity,
  3. Changes in touch sensation,
• Mild asymmetries between the two sides,
• Visible scarring along the incision line (related to the person’s scar-healing tendency).

To reduce these risks, it is crucial to have:

• Appropriate patient selection,
• An experienced surgeon and a suitable medical facility,
• Smoking reduction/cessation,
• Good adherence to postoperative care and follow up.

All potential scenarios should be discussed transparently with the patient before surgery.

12. Results and Expectation Management

The aims of temporal lift are to:

• Gently move the outer brow and outer corner of the eye upward and outward to create a more refreshed and open gaze,
• Improve fine wrinkles and laxity in the temple area,
• Create a sense of upper-face rejuvenation of several years, without freezing facial expressions.

In the first weeks:

• Swelling,
• A feeling of tightness,
• Temporary asymmetry around the eyes

may not reflect the final result.

• Most swelling and bruising subsides significantly within 2–3 weeks,
• A more natural, settled appearance of the brows and temple area typically emerges within about 2–3 months.

The most satisfying outcomes are seen in patients who:

• Expect natural results,
• Do not desire a “frozen” or expressionless face,
• Have realistic and patient expectations.