Sunken face? Here’s how a temporal filler works
Does your face look narrower or sunken, especially on the sides of your forehead? If so, volume loss around the temples may be a factor. This area often receives less attention than the cheeks or cheekbones, even though it does affect the contours of your face. A temporal filler can restore volume to a sunken face, creating a softer transition between the forehead and the cheekbones. In this blog, you’ll learn how it works, who the treatment is suitable for, and what to expect.
Loss of volume
Why does your face become gaunt as you get older?
A sunken face isn’t caused solely by sagging skin. The underlying fatty tissue, muscles, and bone structure also change over the years. This can lead to a loss of volume at the temples, creating a hollow between the outer edge of your eyebrow and your hairline.
This change usually occurs gradually. Sometimes you don’t notice it until you compare old photos with how you look now. Your face may appear narrower or more angular, while your cheekbones may stand out more prominently. Not everyone experiences this to the same degree. Genetic predisposition, body type, and weight loss can also play a role.
A good night’s sleep doesn’t just change the side of your face. It can also make the transition between your forehead, eyebrows, and cheekbones look different.
The Treatment
How does a temporal filler restore volume to the temples?
A temporal filler is an injection treatment that uses hyaluronic acid to restore volume locally. Hyaluronic acid is a substance that occurs naturally in the body and can retain water. In a filler, it takes the form of a gel that can provide the treated tissue with added volume and support.
During a temporal filler treatment, the doctor carefully injects the product into the temple area. The goal is not to make your face noticeably fuller, but to restore the natural transition between your forehead, temples, and cheekbones. How much filler is needed and at what depth it is injected depends on your anatomy and the desired result.
How will your facial contours change?
When the hollows at the temples are filled in, the sides of the face may appear less sunken. This sometimes creates a smoother transition toward the cheekbones and can make the upper part of the face look more balanced. The effect depends on the degree of volume loss and the natural shape of your face.
The Differences
Temporal filler, cheekbone filler, or midface filler?
A sunken face doesn’t automatically mean that the temples need to be treated. Volume loss in the cheeks or the midface can also make your face look less full. That’s why it’s important to assess where volume is actually lacking.
| Treatment | Treatment Area | Treatment Goal |
|---|---|---|
| Temporal filler | The temples, next to the forehead | Filling in hollow temples and softening the upper facial contours |
| Cheekbones filler | The cheekbones and upper cheeks | Enhance volume and definition around the cheekbones |
| Midface filler | The midface, particularly the cheeks | Restore volume lost in the midface and support the facial contours |
If you’re primarily lacking volume in the cheek area, a midface filler may be more appropriate. If your cheekbone contour is less defined, a cheekbone filler may be worth considering. Sometimes a combination of treatments is possible, but more filler doesn’t automatically mean a better result.
Suitability
Who is a good candidate for a temporal filler?
A temporal filler may be a good option if you’ve lost volume in your temples, resulting in a hollow or angular facial contour. This can be due to natural aging, but also to factors such as weight loss or your natural facial structure.
The treatment may be considered when:
- Your temples have visibly sunken: a distinct hollow has formed between your eyebrows and hairline.
- Your face has become more angular: due to loss of volume, the transitions between different areas of your face are more pronounced.
- You’ve lost volume after weight loss: your face looks narrower than before, and your temples have become more sunken.
- You want a subtle correction: the goal is to restore lost volume without significantly altering your natural facial shape.
Not every sunken face requires a filler. Also, the treatment is not suitable for everyone. In cases of certain medical conditions, an active infection, or other risk factors, the doctor may decide not to proceed with treatment. If the sunken appearance occurs suddenly or without a clear explanation, it is wise to first have a doctor evaluate the possible medical cause.
The Treatment Process
How does a temporal filler treatment work?
A treatment at Aepril Clinics begins with a personalized consultation. The doctor examines your face from different angles, assesses the loss of volume, and discusses what results are achievable. During this consultation, attention is also given to your medical history, previous filler treatments, and potential risks.
- Consultation: We’ll discuss your wishes, health, and expectations.
- Evaluation: The doctor examines the temples and surrounding facial structures.
- Treatment Plan: We’ll determine whether a filler is suitable and decide on the appropriate amount and injection technique.
- Injections: The hyaluronic acid filler is injected into the selected tissue using an appropriate needle or cannula.
- Aftercare: You’ll receive instructions on recovery, possible side effects, and when to contact us.
At Aepril Clinics, a temporal filler treatment typically takes about 20 to 30 minutes. The exact treatment time depends on the correction needed and the chosen treatment plan. The doctor assesses in advance whether the treatment can be performed safely.
The Results
When will you see results, and how long will they last?
A hyaluronic acid filler usually provides immediate volume enhancement. However, the results aren’t final right after the treatment. Due to temporary swelling or small bruises, the treated area may look different initially than it does after recovery. After about two to four weeks, it’s usually easier to assess how the filler has settled into the tissue.
How long does a temporal filler last?
According to Aepril Clinics’ treatment information, the results of a temporal filler can last approximately 6 to 18 months. This is an estimate, not a guarantee. The exact duration of the results depends on the product used, the amount of filler, the treatment area, and how your body breaks down the hyaluronic acid.
The effects usually fade gradually. This does not mean that all the filler will be completely gone by a specific time. Therefore, if a follow-up treatment is needed, the doctor will first assess how much volume remains and whether a touch-up is necessary.
The purpose of a temporal filler is not to make the temples as full as possible, but to restore the lost volume in proportion to the rest of the face.
Safety and Aftercare
What are the risks of fillers in the temples?
The temples are an anatomically complex injection site containing major blood vessels. A temporal filler therefore requires extensive knowledge of facial anatomy and a meticulous injection technique. Common side effects include temporary swelling, tenderness, redness, and bruising. Irregularities or lumps may also develop.
A rare but serious complication is the blockage of a blood vessel by a filler. This can lead to skin damage and, in exceptional cases, to permanent vision problems. Therefore, the treatment must be performed by a licensed and experienced physician who can quickly recognize and treat complications.
When Should You Contact a Doctor Immediately?
If you experience severe or worsening pain, noticeably pale or discolored skin, or other sudden abnormalities, you should seek medical help immediately. If you notice changes in your vision, you must go to the emergency room right away. Do not wait for a regular checkup appointment if you have these symptoms.
What should you keep in mind after treatment?
Follow the personalized aftercare instructions provided by your treating physician. It is usually recommended that you avoid vigorous massage of the treated area initially, temporarily avoid intense exercise, and be cautious with heat, such as saunas. At Aepril Clinics, we generally recommend avoiding strenuous exercise for the first 24 hours and waiting about two weeks before using a sauna or undergoing other cosmetic treatments in the treated area.
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions About Temporal Fillers
Yes, sunken temples can be treated with a hyaluronic acid filler in certain cases. This can restore lost volume and create a softer transition between the forehead and the cheekbones. The doctor will first assess whether the volume loss is actually in the temples and whether the treatment is medically justified.
No, a temporal filler and a cheekbone filler treat different areas. A temporal filler focuses on volume loss in the temples, while a cheekbone filler can enhance the contours around the cheekbones. Sometimes both treatments can complement each other, but that isn’t always necessary.
According to Aepril Clinics’ treatment information, the results can last approximately 6 to 18 months. The exact duration varies from person to person and depends on the hyaluronic acid product used, the amount of filler, and the body’s natural breakdown of the substance. If a follow-up treatment is needed, the doctor will assess how much volume remains.
Yes, the temples are considered an injection site with an increased risk of vascular complications. Although serious complications are rare, a blood vessel occlusion can have serious consequences. Treatment therefore requires extensive anatomical knowledge, a meticulous technique, and the ability to manage complications immediately.
Yes, a hyaluronic acid filler can be dissolved with hyaluronidase in certain situations. Whether this is appropriate depends on the product used, the location, and the reason for dissolving it. If a vascular complication is suspected, immediate medical evaluation is necessary. Dissolving a filler is itself a medical procedure with potential risks.
Cost
How much does a temporal filler treatment cost?
The cost of a temporal filler treatment depends on the amount of product needed and the type of filler used. At Aepril Clinics, the starting price for this treatment is €350. During the consultation, the doctor will assess how much volume can be safely added and what results can be achieved.
The current costs of our filler treatments are listed on the pricing page. We’ll discuss the treatment plan and the associated price with you in advance, so you’ll know exactly what to expect.
Schedule a consultation
Do you feel like you’ve gained weight while sleeping, or have you noticed that the contours of your face are changing? During a no-obligation consultation at Aepril Clinics in Utrecht or Hengelo , we’ll assess the cause of your volume loss and discuss which treatments are right for you.
