Clinical validation of the temporal lifting technique using soft tissue fillers.

Background: While the temporal lifting technique has gained increasing attention, there is a dearth of objective and reliable evidence of its effects.

Aim: The objective of the present study is to analyze the ability of the temporal lifting technique to reduce the midfacial volume by soft tissue repositioning and to achieve an improved pan-facial appearance by targeting exclusively the subdermal plane of the posterior and superior temple with soft tissue fillers.

Methods: A total of 12 patients (1 male and 11 females) with a mean age of 36.75 ± 6.6 years and a mean body mass index of 23.04 ± 1.3 kg/m were included in this prospective clinical single-center interventional study. Injection-related outcome was evaluated utilizing 3D skin vector displacement and surface volume analyses and scoring based on five different evaluators.

Results: Three months after the treatment, the global esthetic improvement scale rating showed an improved outcome (3.08) when evaluated by the independent observers, very improved outcome when evaluated by the treating physician (4.33), and exceptional improvement when rated by the patient (4.83). Temporal volume improved by 0.36 (P < .001), lower cheek fullness by 0.47 (P < .001), and jawline contouring by 0.51 (P < .001). No major adverse events were reported during the 3-month observational period.

Conclusion: Objective outcome measures have provided evidence that by augmenting the posterior superior temple the volume of the middle face can be reduced and the contour of the jawline can be accentuated; this is due to the underlying fascial anatomy and the resulting soft tissue re-position.