What It Is

Temporal hollow fat grafting is a cosmetic procedure that restores volume to sunken temples using a patient’s own fat. With age, weight loss, or genetics, the temples may become hollow or concave, making the face appear gaunt, tired, or aged. Fat grafting involves harvesting fat from another part of the body, processing it, and injecting it into the temples to create a fuller, smoother, and youthful contour.

In Korea, temporal hollow fat grafting is performed with refined microfat or nanofat techniques, ensuring precise placement, natural results, and long-term survival of the transferred fat.

Why It’s Done

Patients choose temporal hollow fat grafting because:

• Hollow temples create an aged, skeletal, or harsh appearance.
• They want a softer, balanced facial contour.
• It provides a natural alternative to fillers with longer-lasting results.
• It can complement other facial procedures such as facelift, cheek fat grafting, or brow lift.

Good candidates include:

• Individuals with moderate to severe temple hollowing.
• Patients in good health with enough donor fat.
• Those who prefer a natural, permanent solution over synthetic fillers.

Alternatives

• Dermal fillers (hyaluronic acid, calcium hydroxylapatite, etc.): Provide immediate improvement but are temporary.
• Sculptra (poly-L-lactic acid): Stimulates collagen for gradual volume restoration.
• No treatment: For patients not significantly concerned about temple appearance.

Preparation

Before temporal hollow fat grafting in Korea, patients will:

• Undergo consultation and facial evaluation.
• Stop smoking and alcohol 2–4 weeks before surgery.
• Avoid blood-thinning medications and supplements.
• Maintain a stable weight for best fat graft survival.

How It’s Done

• Anesthesia: Local anesthesia with sedation or general anesthesia depending on extent.
• Harvesting: Fat is removed via liposuction from areas such as the abdomen, thighs, or flanks.
• Processing: Fat is purified using centrifugation or filtration.
• Injection: Fat is carefully injected into the temples using microcannulas for smooth, even distribution.
• Duration: 1–2 hours, outpatient procedure.

Recovery

• First week: Mild swelling, bruising, and soreness at donor and injection sites.
• Return to activities: Most patients resume normal routines in 2–3 days.
• Final results: Volume settles within 1–2 months as swelling resolves; results are long-lasting though some fat resorption occurs.

Possible Complications

• Partial fat resorption, requiring touch-up procedures.
• Asymmetry or irregular contour.
• Small lumps or nodules.
• Infection (rare with sterile technique).
• Donor site irregularities.

Treatment Options in Korea

Diagnosis

Korean specialists use facial analysis, 3D photography, and patient consultation to design a customized grafting plan.

Medical Treatments

• Dermal fillers or collagen stimulators for temporary temple volume.
• Topical skincare or lasers for skin texture improvement (not volume).

Surgical or Advanced Therapies

• Standard fat grafting for volume restoration.
• Microfat or nanofat grafting for smoother integration and skin quality enhancement.
• Combination with facelift or brow lift for comprehensive rejuvenation.

Rehabilitation and Support

• Compression garments for donor areas.
• Scar and skin care guidance during healing.
• Follow-up visits to evaluate fat survival and symmetry.
• International patients benefit from Korea’s high survival fat grafting techniques, advanced equipment, and experienced surgeons.