If you think upper eyelid surgery is what you need to “open up” your eyes, you should first consult with a plastic surgeon. Sometimes the issue lies with the forehead and eyebrows, not (just) the eyelid.
The position of your eyebrows defines your face. When the distance between the eyelid crease and the eyebrow is small – i.e., when the eyebrow is low – the face looks more tired and older. Similarly, a drooping eyebrow tail can contribute to this appearance.
Temporal lifting, which typically raises the middle and outer part of the eyebrow, is done to eliminate signs of aging in the brow and forehead region. Over the years, the lack of collagen and elastin in the skin makes it prone to sagging, and gravity worsens the problem. However, younger individuals with genetically low-set eyebrows also undergo this procedure.
Candidates for temporal lifting can be both men and women, with some important differences. Men’s eyebrows should be positioned right on the orbital bone, while women’s should be above it – especially the part ending towards the temples. In both genders, an eyebrow below the orbital bone is not ideal and makes the face look tired, older, and sad.
The key question for the plastic surgeon is which of the two popular surgeries – temporal lifting or eyelid surgery – is needed for you. If the eyebrow position is the problem, it takes priority over removing excess skin on the upper eyelids.
In some cases, after a temporal lift, eyelid surgery might not be necessary or can be delayed for several years. In other cases, both surgeries can be performed simultaneously.
Non-Surgical ”First Aid”
For less pronounced drooping of the brows/forehead, non-surgical treatments are often tried first. Effective options include:
- Botox: Reduces the activity of the muscle that lowers the eyebrows, providing a subtle lift.
- Threads: Used to lift and tighten excess skin above the eyebrow.
- Fillers or Lipotransfer: Injected into the temple area to restore volume and lift the eyelid and outer brow.
These non-surgical methods offer shorter-lasting and subtler results, lasting from 1 to 3 years, depending on the severity of the problem. Hence, surgery, like a temporal lift, is sometimes more advisable.
Results and Recovery
Aside from lifting the eyebrows, a temporal lift significantly tightens the wrinkles around the eyes and forehead. The effect of raised eyebrows and reduced wrinkles around the eyes effectively turns back the clock.
What Can We Achieve with Temporal Lifting?
- A younger, more energetic facial expression
- Elimination or reduction of drooping upper eyelids
- Reduced forehead wrinkles
- Tightened wrinkles around the eyes
- Repositioned and lifted eyebrows, with possible correction of asymmetries
It’s important to note that temporal lifting is a low-risk surgery with a short recovery time when performed by a professional. The incisions are hidden, typically in the hairline, making them invisible. Due to these hidden scars, the lateral method is the most popular. Through these hidden incisions, a layer of skin and subcutaneous tissue is safely pulled up and fixed, achieving the ideal new position for the eyebrows.
When only temporal lifting is performed, anesthesia is usually local or intravenous sedation. However, if combined with another procedure (like a facelift), the anesthesia may differ. Patients typically go home the same day, though for multiple facial zone lifts, the hospital stay may extend to the next day.
For the first 2-3 days, a headband-like dressing is worn, and a horizontal position is avoided. Return to daily activities is possible 2-3 days after surgery, once the bandage is removed. The stitches, hidden in the hair, are visible for about 10 days before being removed. After this, you can resume normal activities.
The final result is a significantly refreshed and rejuvenated appearance. Since the eyes are the focal point of the face, many patients who undergo temporal lifting decide to postpone other non-surgical or surgical interventions because they look much younger, brighter, and fresher just after this surgery.
The achieved look is extremely long-lasting in patients with thinner to medium-thickness skin. Patients with thicker skin are recommended to have regular check-ups and additional non-surgical methods, especially Botox, to maintain the results for as long as possible.