How Does a Temporal Lift Address the Signs of Aging?9 min read

Caroline Hedges

Caroline Hedges is a critically acclaimed researcher, writer and serial entrepreneur. With a knack for making the obscure plain, she is able to distill her research in writing both fun and engaging posts.

In the world of turning back the clock on our faces, there’s a low-key hero that doesn’t get nearly as much buzz as it should — meet the temporal lift.

Think about all the times you’ve found yourself pulling back your skin slightly in the mirror, mimicking a more youthful you!

The temporal lift does precisely that but in a subtle, natural-looking way that lasts. It works its magic on the telltale signs of aging that creep up around our eyes and brows, which are often the areas we notice first.

Why opt for a temporal lift? Because it’s a game-changer for those who want to restore that youthful arch to their brows, lift the saggy bits around the eyes, and say goodbye to the tired, heavy-lidded look that’s been bumming you out. Plus, it’s less invasive than a full facelift, meaning less downtime and quicker recovery!

So, if the idea of defying gravity sounds appealing to you, sit back and let’s dive deeper into how a temporal lift might just be the rejuvenating remedy you’ve been looking for!

How Does Aging Impact Our Facial Features?

Whether we like it or not, we can’t keep the hands of time from turning. And with each tick, our faces undergo some pretty intriguing changes.

Your Hair

Let’s start from your hair.

Remember the lush mane of your youth?

As we age, our hair has a mind of its own. It can go gray, thin out, or sometimes fall altogether. That’s because the pigment-producing cells in hair follicles slowly start to die off, leading to those distinguished salt-and-pepper strands.

Your Forehead

Every furrowed brow when you were mad, every raised eyebrow when you were surprised — they all add up. These are your expression lines, and over time they can deepen and become more prominent. BOTOX‘s popularity suddenly makes a lot more sense, doesn’t it?

Your Eyes

The eyes don’t just reveal your soul; they also tell tales of your age.

The skin around the eyes is thin, so it’s no surprise that it’s one of the first places where wrinkles settle in. Not to mention, our eyelids can start to droop and under-eye bags can form due to fat and fluid accumulation.

Your Cheeks

Your cheeks aren’t immune to this aging business either.

Remember how your face looked so full and firm in your younger years? You can thank the fat pads in your cheeks for that.

But, as we age, these fat pads start to sag, and the production of collagen — a protein that keeps our skin plump and firm — takes a nosedive. The result? Our cheeks lose volume, making the face look hollow.

Your Lips

Once full and plump, the lips can become thinner and lose their color over time.

The collagen production isn’t just necessary for your cheeks but your lips, too. And when it slows down, your lips can lose their fullness.

Your Jowls and Neck

Over time, the skin loses its elasticity, and gravity starts pulling it down — leading to a ‘turkey neck’. This process can also create a bulge of skin on either side of your jawline.

What Sets the Temporal Lift Apart From Other Anti-Aging Procedures?

Temporal lifts are like that cool, offbeat band that only the truly discerning fans know about, while other anti-aging procedures are the mainstream pop artists everyone’s heard of. They’re a lesser-known, but a truly effective way to freshen up your look.

Here’s what sets a temporal lift apart from other anti-aging procedures:

A Temporal Lift is Less Invasive Than Other Procedures

Temporal lifts are the chill, relaxed cousin in the anti-aging procedure family. They’re less invasive than a full facelift, which means a faster recovery time and fewer risks.

It Focuses on the Brows and the Eyes

While a facelift might give your entire face a tune-up, a temporal lift is a targeted strike on the area that often shows the first signs of aging — your eyes and brows. It’s great for smoothing out those pesky crow’s feet and giving droopy brows a lift.

It is a Subtle Approach to Facial Rejuvenation

The rejuvenation effects from a temporal lift are natural-looking. It’s more like turning the clock back a few years rather than leaping into a time machine and ending up in your teens. You’ll look more like a well-rested, vibrant version of your current self, rather than a different person.

Fewer Scars to Worry About

Since the incisions for a temporal lift are made in the hairline or within the hair itself, the scars are typically well-hidden. So, you don’t have to worry about tell-tale signs of having work done!

Temporal Lifts Can Either Be Used Alone or Part of a Rejuvenation Treatment

Temporal lifts can be a fantastic standalone procedure for those who are just starting to notice signs of aging. But, they can also complement other procedures like eyelid surgery, for patients wanting to level up their rejuvenation game.

How Does a Temporal Lift Differ From a Full Facelift?

Think of a full facelift as an all-out, top-to-bottom home renovation, while a temporal lift is more like a touch-up in the living room.

A full facelift is your ticket if you’re seeking to address aging signs across the whole face — we’re talking forehead lines, crow’s feet, sagging cheeks, jowls, and even a loose neck. It’s a comprehensive procedure that pulls up and tightens the skin and underlying tissues to give a smoother, fresher look all over. But, it’s also pretty intense, often requires general anesthesia, and the recovery time can be significant.

On the other hand, a temporal lift focuses on a specific area — the temples and the sides of your eyes. The goal is to lift sagging brows and smooth out those smile lines that aren’t making you smile anymore. It’s less invasive, usually done under local anesthesia, and the recovery time is nowhere near as demanding as a full facelift.

Why Choose a Temporal Lift Over Eyelid Surgery or Brow Lift?

A temporal lift is like a multitasking friend. It focuses not just on your eyebrows but also the area around your eyes. This means it can address sagging eyebrows and those bothersome crow’s feet in one go!

Eyelid surgery, on the other hand, mostly focuses on fixing droopy eyelids or removing excess skin or fat from the eye area. It does a fantastic job at that, but it doesn’t directly target sagging brows or crow’s feet. Likewise, a brow lift is awesome at hoisting up those droopy brows, but it doesn’t tackle wrinkles around the eyes.

How is a Temporal Lift Procedure Conducted?

First, the cosmetic surgeon is going to give you some anesthesia. This could be local anesthesia, where they numb the treatment area, or you may be put to sleep with general anesthesia. This is something you’ll discuss with your surgeon beforehand.

Once you’re comfortable, the surgeon makes a small incision just above your hairline on the side of your head.

After the incision is made, they’ll use specialized surgical tools to lift and tighten the tissue beneath the skin. This is where the magic happens. The surgeon is essentially giving the sides of your face a gentle pull upwards, which will help smooth out those wrinkles and lift sagging eyebrows.

When all that lifting and tightening is done, the incisions are stitched up, usually with dissolvable sutures so you won’t need to go back to have them removed. The whole procedure takes about 1-2 hours, depending on your specific case.

How Does a Temporal Lift Restore the Youthful Position of Your Brows?

A temporal lift specifically targets the side portions of your eyebrows, right where they’ve been slowly slipping down your face. Your surgeon makes a tiny cut above your hairline, then they tighten the underlying tissues and gently hoist those brows back up where they used to be in your younger years.

The beauty of a temporal lift is that it’s not about creating a totally new look. It’s about restoring the old look, the ‘you’ of your memories. It’s about repositioning your eyebrows to where they naturally sat before gravity and age had their fun. So, you come out looking refreshed and rejuvenated, but still like you!

How Does a Temporal Lift Ease the Strain on Your Upper Eyelids?

As we age and our brows start to drop a bit, they can push excess skin into the upper eyelids. This extra skin can give your eyes a tired, droopy appearance and even make it harder for you to see in some cases. Your upper eyelids might be working overtime just trying to stay open!

A temporal lift basically lifts those sagging brows back up where they belong. And, like magic, this ‘upward shift’ eases the strain on your upper eyelids! No more battling with extra skin — your eyelids can relax, and your eyes get to look and feel wide awake again.

What is the Recovery Process After a Temporal Lift?

After the procedure, your surgeon will bandage you up to minimize swelling and bruising, and you’ll probably be advised to keep your head elevated even when sleeping for the first few days.

It’s normal to feel a bit of discomfort, but don’t worry, you’ll be given painkillers to keep you comfy. And while some swelling or bruising is normal, it generally subsides within a week or two.

Don’t be alarmed if you notice some slight changes in your sensation, like numbness or tingling around the area — this is completely normal and will gradually improve.

Most patients feel up to getting back to their regular activities within a week or so. But as with all surgeries, it’s super important to listen to your body and not push yourself too hard.

The final results of your temporal lift will start to show after a few weeks, once the swelling has completely gone down. It’s like a slow, magical transformation back to your youthful self!

Ready to Turn Back the Clock? Schedule Your Temporal Lift Consultation Today!

Ready to embark on your temporal lift journey? Meet us at 19500 Sandridge Way, Suite 350, Leesburg, VA 20176, or call us at (703) 574-4342 for a complimentary consultation with Board-Certified Plastic Surgeon Dr. Phillip Chang before moving forward with your procedure! If everything matches up, our team will help you navigate the entire process from beginning to end! Also, remember to check out our blog and social media for more information on plastic surgery and plastic surgery trends!

References

“Brow Lift: Temporal, Coronal &, Endoscopic: Medstar Health.” Temporal, Coronal &, Endoscopic | MedStar Health, www.medstarhealth.org/services/brow-lift. Accessed 7 July 2023.
“Temporal Brow Lift (Lateral Temporal Brow Lift).” Facial Plastic Surgery, 29 Mar. 2023, www.newyorkfacialplasticsurgery.com/plastic-surgery-results/eyelift/lateral-temporal-lift. Accessed 7 July 2023.
“Temporal Brow Lift (Lateral Temporal Brow Lift).” Facial Plastic Surgery, 29 Mar. 2023, www.newyorkfacialplasticsurgery.com/plastic-surgery-results/eyelift/lateral-temporal-lift. Accessed 7 July 2023.

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