Soft Tissue Augmentation of the Temple

Introduction

The appearance of soft tissue fullness in the face results from the multifaceted interplay of all facial tissues, including bone, fat, muscle, and skin. Age-related lipoatrophy, the slow, symmetrical loss of subdermal adipose tissue, can result in loss of fullness in many facial areas, although lipoatrophy can also result from low body fat, certain genetic disorders, treatment with antiretroviral therapy, or physical trauma at any age. Disease-related lipoatrophy is often more rapid and asymmetric and may be associated with psychological issues (e.g., body image distortions, social anxiety/withdrawal).

One of the earliest and frequently unaddressed signs of aging is lipoatrophy of the temples (i.e., temple hollowing). With age, the temporal bone progressively becomes more concave, and the overlying temporalis muscle reduces in volume. Deflation of the temple causes the tail of the eyebrow to appear shorter, results in the loss of smooth arcs of light around the temporal orbit, and emphasizes the lateral orbital rim. Importantly, hollow temples may also be a hallmark of thin individuals and not related to aging. Regardless, individuals with substantial soft tissue loss, especially thinner patients, can have a hollowed, gaunt appearance and lose the temporal fullness that is associated with youth. Successful treatment and correction of the temporal region can produce satisfying results for both the patient and the physician.