What is a temporal lift?
Temporal lifting includes approaches addressing the temple, outer brow and lateral eye tissues. Depending on technique, it can target lateral orbital laxity and tissue crowding as well as brow position. An isolated lateral brow lift has a narrower primary aim.
Extended periorbital and midface approaches have also been described. They are not mandatory components of every temporal lift. Anatomy, eyelid function and the intended change determine scope.
Why assess these tissues together?
The lateral orbital area includes the outer bony rim of the eye socket and adjacent soft tissues. The outer brow, lateral upper lid, outer eye corner and temple are related.
The orbicularis oculi muscle contributes to blinking and eyelid closure. Its skin and supporting tissues affect folds, lateral hooding and contour. Published temporal techniques may address these structures together. I therefore assess tissue distribution, expression and comfortable closure, not just millimetres of brow elevation.
What may change around the eye?
Suitable techniques may change outer brow descent, lateral upper-lid hooding and loose tissue around the lateral orbit. Some mobilise or support orbicularis-related structures and may affect folds or the crow’s-feet region. Not every technique includes identical muscle or ligament work.
Extended techniques may influence the lower-lid–cheek junction or malar region. Published series concern selected techniques and patients; equal midface lifting or correction of all eye-area concerns cannot be assumed. Volume loss and movement-related lines may need different treatment.
Is this canthoplasty or “fox-eye” surgery?
Lifting surrounding tissues can change the appearance around the outer eye corner; describing the effect only as brow movement is incomplete.
Canthopexy and canthoplasty directly address canthal support and are separate operations. They may be added to selected plans but are not part of every temporal lift. “Fox eyes” and “almond eyes” do not define one standard operation. Exact eye shape or symmetry cannot be guaranteed.
How do I plan temporal lifting?
I consider temple, outer brow and lateral orbital laxity together. I usually prefer local anaesthesia in suitable patients and do not perform endoscopic brow lifting in my practice. Incision position, hairline and intended tissue movement are planned together; a hair-bearing incision still leaves a permanent scar.
Tissue adjustment, direction of lift, support and additional procedures vary. Published orbicularis flaps, deep approaches or extended dissections do not mean I perform that exact operation in every patient. Brow lift options may be more appropriate for an isolated brow-position concern.
What is assessed?
Assessment includes brow height and curve, lateral orbital laxity, upper and lower lids, temples, cheekbones, blinking and closure at rest and with expression. Extra eyelid skin, brow-related hooding and true eyelid ptosis are different problems.
Report dry eyes, lid laxity or closure problems, previous eye or brow surgery, facial palsy, threads and fillers. Photographs cannot show all functional findings. Infection, uncontrolled illness or significant bleeding and healing risks may require postponement.
Anaesthesia, duration and discharge
Local anaesthesia may cause injection stinging and a pressure or pulling sensation; report pain. It also carries allergy and drug-toxicity risks. If all is well after appropriate observation, light daily activity can resume promptly, although swelling, bruising and care needs may remain.
With general anaesthesia I plan a one-night hospital stay. Extent, combined procedures or unexpected findings can change the monitoring plan. Duration depends on the temporal and orbital work, one or both sides and any eyelid or canthal surgery; isolated brow-lift timings cannot simply be transferred.
Will there be a scar or hair loss?
Incisions leave permanent scars, including those within the hair. Hair density, hairstyles and future hairline change influence visibility. Scars may widen, thicken, remain coloured or tender.
Temporary or permanent local hair loss, hairline changes and temple contour changes can occur. Additional scar or hair-loss treatment may be needed; invisible scars cannot be promised.
Medicines, nicotine and preparation
Report all medicines, supplements, allergies and previous anaesthetic problems. Do not stop blood thinners or other prescribed treatment yourself; changes require coordination with the prescribing clinician.
Nicotine impairs circulation and healing. Stopping plans, fasting, medicines, an escort and travel arrangements are individual. Report new eye symptoms, fever, infection or any health change.
Recovery, stitch removal and care
Swelling, bruising, tightness, tenderness and temporary altered sensation can affect the temple and outer eye area, sometimes the lids or cheeks. Sides may settle differently, but clearly worsening findings need review.
I usually remove temporal incision stitches after 10–12 days. Additional eyelid surgery may have another schedule, and healing can alter the plan. Do not remove stitches yourself.
Follow wound, medicine and positioning instructions. Avoid pressure, rubbing and traction. Washing depends on the incision and dressing; do not put makeup on open wounds. Hair dye, pulling hairstyles, strenuous activity and weights require healing and clearance. Light activity is not permission for heavy exercise.
How are results assessed?
Results include lateral folds, brow–lid transition, contour, expression and eyelid function, rather than brow elevation alone. Early swelling affects appearance; tissue settling and scar maturation take longer.
Many publications are uncontrolled surgeon series using specific techniques in selected patients. They do not establish an identical effect or lifespan for everyone. Ageing continues; laxity can recur. Exact symmetry, eye shape, lifelong stability or elimination of every line cannot be guaranteed.
Alternatives and combined treatment
No surgery is an option. Isolated brow-position problems, excess upper eyelid skin and lid support problems may require different procedures. Botulinum toxin, threads and volume treatments have different aims and limits.
Even extended temporal techniques do not replace a face and neck lift in every patient. Combining surgery requires separate explanation of need, duration and added risks.
Risks and unwanted outcomes
Every medical intervention, procedure and operation carries risks. Depending on the treatment and individual health, these may include death, disability and temporary or permanent unwanted functional or aesthetic outcomes.
No medical intervention, procedure or operation guarantees the result or results a patient wishes to achieve.
Risk depends on the temporal and lateral orbital work, additional procedures and health. Limited incisions or local anaesthesia do not remove risk.
Bleeding, haematoma and infection
Blood or fluid collections, rapidly increasing tense swelling, infection, abscess or discharge can require urgent assessment, drainage, medicines or further surgery.
Nerves, sensation and movement
Nerve branches controlling forehead, brow or periocular function may be affected. Temporary or permanent weakness, asymmetry, numbness, sensitivity or persistent pain can occur.
Eyelid function and eye surface
Depending on extent, blinking, closure and lid position can change. Dryness, irritation, watering or conjunctival swelling (chemosis) can occur. Added lid/canthal work may add retraction or malposition risks. Near-orbital additional procedures require discussion of rare serious bleeding or injury that can threaten vision.
Scars, hair loss and healing
Permanent conspicuous scars, temporary or permanent hair loss, hairline or contour changes, wound opening, delayed healing or tissue loss may need treatment.
Asymmetry and under- or overcorrection
Brow and outer eye contours may differ. Excessive tension, an unnatural expression, limited improvement or recurrent laxity are possible; eye-shape expectations may not be met.
Anaesthesia and systemic complications
Allergy, local anaesthetic toxicity, arrhythmia and severe reactions can occur. General anaesthesia and individual factors add breathing, cardiovascular and clotting risks, potentially requiring hospital or intensive care, including risk of death.
Additional treatment or revision
Eye-surface care, medicines, scar or hair treatment, surgery and hospitalisation may be required. These have risks and costs; permanent functional or aesthetic problems may remain.
When should you seek urgent help?
Contact the team immediately for rapidly increasing one-sided swelling, escalating pain, persistent bleeding, fever, discharge, marked colour change or new weakness. Significant closure difficulty or severe eye irritation also needs assessment.
For sudden visual change or loss, breathing difficulty, chest pain, fainting, speech difficulty or weakness, call 112 or attend emergency care. Do not wait for review.
This information does not replace an individual examination and informed consent discussion. Reading this page does not constitute consent to treatment or to publication of photographs. Other individual or unforeseen risks may apply.
Frequently asked questions
Is a temporal lift only a lateral brow lift?
No. It may include outer brow elevation and, depending on technique, broader temple and lateral orbital treatment.
Can it affect lateral orbital tissues?
Yes, when included in the plan. The depth, tissue work and lift direction determine the effect.
Can crow’s-feet appearance change?
Some techniques affect this region, but complete or permanent elimination of movement-related lines is not expected.
Can the outer eye corner look different?
Lifting surrounding tissues can affect its appearance. Direct canthal support or repositioning is separately planned when needed.
Is it the same as canthoplasty or canthopexy?
No. They are distinct procedures that may be combined in selected patients.
Does it lift the midface?
Extended temporal approaches can reach the midface, but this is not a standard effect of every temporal lift.
Does the entire brow rise equally?
The inner, central and outer brow need not change equally. Eyelid function and lateral eye tissues are also assessed.
Does it replace upper eyelid surgery?
It may influence lateral hooding, but extra skin and true lid ptosis need separate assessment.
Do you use an endoscopic technique?
I do not perform endoscopic brow lifting. The individual temporal plan follows examination.
Can it be performed under local anaesthesia?
I usually prefer this for suitable patients. Wider or combined work and health may change the plan.
How long is the general-anaesthetic stay?
I plan one night, with longer observation if clinical findings require it.
When are stitches removed?
Temporal stitches are generally removed at 10–12 days in my plan. Added lid procedures or healing issues may change timing.
When can daily activities resume?
Light activities can resume promptly after local anaesthesia if all is well. Bruising, swelling and restrictions may persist.
How many hours does it take?
Extent, sides and added eyelid, canthal or facial surgery determine duration; isolated brow-lift times are not transferable.
Will the scar disappear in the hair?
No guarantee. The scar is permanent and may remain visible as hair density or the hairline changes.
Can hair loss occur?
Temporary or permanent local hair loss, hairline change or altered temple contour is possible.
Is it the same as thread lifting?
No. Incisional surgery and threads differ in tissue movement, materials, limitations and risks.
When can I wash or dye my hair?
Washing depends on dressings and the wound. Dye and traction-producing hair treatments should wait for healing and approval.
Does the result last for life?
Ageing continues and laxity can recur. Stable lifelong appearance, exact eye shape and symmetry cannot be guaranteed.
Could another operation be needed?
Asymmetry, over- or undercorrection, scars, hair loss, lid problems or recurrent laxity may require further treatment.
What affects the cost?
Extent of temporal and lateral orbital surgery, anaesthesia, hospital stay and added eyelid, canthal or facial procedures determine cost. Confirm the target tissues, additional operations, follow-up and stitch plan before an individual quotation.
Sources
This patient information is based on the current Turkish page, the surgeon’s stated practice and the sources below. Study findings apply to the products, techniques and populations studied; they do not guarantee an individual result. Reviewed: 29 October 2026.
Published deep temporal, orbicularis-flap, midface and canthal techniques show different possible scopes; they do not mean every technique is used in this practice. The stated local-anaesthetic preference, non-endoscopic practice, 10–12-day stitch plan and one-night general-anaesthetic stay are the surgeon’s clinical statements.
- Byrd and Andochick — Deep temporal lift, 1996 ↗
- Pascali and Massarelli — Temporal lift with an orbicularis flap, 2023; online 2022 ↗
- Pascali et al. — TemporalMORE: extending temporal lifting, 2025; online 2024 ↗
- Şirinoğlu and Güvercin — Temporal and midface lift, 2023 ↗
- ASPS — General brow lift risks and safety ↗
- ASPS — General brow lift recovery ↗
- ASPS — Brow lift preparation ↗
- Pascali et al. — TemporalMORE with canthal support and fat grafting for lower-lid malposition, 2025 ↗
- The Aesthetic Society — Brow lift safety ↗
- Surgeon-provided brow lift consent document: general surgical and anaesthetic risk framework