Temporal Lift and Rhinoplasty is a holistic rejuvenation strategy that addresses aesthetic and functional concerns of the upper and middle face in a single surgical session. This combined approach restores drooping eyebrows and tired-looking eyes to their ideal position through a temporal lift, while simultaneously optimizing the shape of the nose and breathing capacity with rhinoplasty. By rebalancing the vertical proportions of the face, this procedure aims to achieve a natural facial harmony that is difficult to obtain with isolated surgeries, providing both a refreshed gaze and a perfectly balanced profile within a single recovery period.
Why are balance and harmony so important in facial aesthetics?
When you look in the mirror, what you see is not just your nose, eyes, or lips; our brain perceives the relationship between these elements as a whole and forms a judgment of beauty accordingly. As surgeons, when we evaluate the face, we use the “Rule of Thirds,” a concept also familiar from classical art. This rule divides the face into three main regions using horizontal lines. The area from the hairline to the eyebrows is the upper face, from the eyebrows to the base of the nose is the midface, and from the base of the nose to the tip of the chin is the lower face.
In an ideal and aesthetically pleasing face, we expect the heights of these three regions to be relatively similar. However, due to genetic factors or the effects of gravity over time, these proportions can become distorted. At this point, trying to solve a single problem may sometimes disrupt the overall balance even further. For example, if rhinoplasty is performed alone on someone with a very broad forehead or significantly drooping eyebrows, no matter how well-shaped the nose is, the “tired” or “flat” expression of the face may persist.
The combination of Temporal Lift and Rhinoplasty targets this mathematical balance. While a Temporal Lift corrects the proportions of the upper face (forehead and temples), rhinoplasty improves the proportions of the midface (nose). These two regions are not just neighbors; they complement each other. Even a millimetric change in eyebrow position can completely alter the perception of the nose’s length or size. For this reason, balance is far more valuable than isolated perfection.
What is a Temporal Lift and which anatomical areas does it target?
Temporal Lift, commonly known as a temple lift, is actually a very refined and precise procedure. It is quite different from the old-fashioned, extensive facial lifting surgeries that involved pulling the entire face and required months of recovery. This procedure specifically targets the outer portion of the eyebrows and the temple area.
Over time, gravity pulls the outer parts of the eyebrows downward. This not only creates an aesthetic issue but also causes a sense of heaviness over the upper eyelid. As a result, the person may appear constantly tired, sleepless, or unhappy. This is where the Temporal Lift comes into play. It elevates the outer third of the eyebrow, the part that most significantly influences facial expression.
One of the greatest advantages of this procedure is that it does not interfere with the central portion of the eyebrow. Older techniques that lifted the entire eyebrow often gave patients a permanently “surprised” expression, which looked quite unnatural. In contrast, a Temporal Lift simply opens up the gaze, tightens the accumulation at the outer corners of the eyes, and gives the eyes the slightly almond-shaped, dynamic form often referred to as “almond eyes.” Anatomically, this procedure involves working on the deep tissues (fascia) of the temple region, making it a durable method that reinforces the structure from beneath rather than merely tightening the skin superficially.
Does a Temporal Lift leave scars?
One of the biggest concerns patients naturally have in aesthetic surgery is scarring. Temporal Lift is classified as a “minimally invasive” technique, meaning it causes minimal tissue trauma. The entire surgical planning of this procedure is based on completely concealing scars.
The incisions are hidden within the hair-bearing scalp in the temple area. From the outside, they appear as very fine lines, usually about 3–4 centimeters long, and are concealed among the hair. The incision line is carefully planned according to the natural contours of the face and the direction of hair growth. Once the healing process is complete, even your hairdresser may have difficulty noticing the scar while styling your hair.
As surgeons, our goal is not to create a face that looks “operated on,” but one that looks “rested.” For this reason, the selection of the incision site and suturing techniques are extremely critical. When incisions are made using special techniques that protect hair follicles, there is no hair loss along the scar line, and the scar becomes completely camouflaged.
Which aesthetic concerns can be addressed with a Temporal Lift?
This procedure is not limited to lifting the eyebrows alone. It eliminates the general tired appearance of the upper face and provides a more energetic look. It is particularly effective for tissue laxity that begins in the 30s and becomes more pronounced in the 40s.
The main issues effectively treated with a Temporal Lift include:
- Drooping eyebrows
- Crow’s feet
- Eyelid heaviness
- Tired-looking eyes
- Temple hollowing
- Asymmetrical eyebrows
Each of these concerns can make a person look older than they actually are. With a Temporal Lift, we can address this entire list in a single intervention. Especially the smoothing of wrinkles at the outer corners of the eyes (crow’s feet) offers a much longer-lasting and more natural result compared to temporary solutions such as Botox. The relief of heaviness on the eyelids can even improve the patient’s field of vision.
Is rhinoplasty performed only for aesthetic reasons?
There is a common misconception in society that rhinoplasty is merely a cosmetic enhancement, with functional issues taking a back seat. However, for us as physicians, the nose is first and foremost a vital respiratory organ. A nose that looks good but does not allow proper breathing is considered unsuccessful.
As an ENT-based facial aesthetic surgeon, my approach has always been based on the “unity of form and function.” Most of our patients come to us with both aesthetic concerns and breathing problems. In many cases, these two issues are interconnected. For example, a bone or cartilage deviation that causes the nose to appear crooked externally may also obstruct the airway internally.
While performing aesthetic corrections during nasal surgery, we always carry out interventions to open the airway in the same session. If there is an internal problem and it is not corrected, changes in nasal structure after aesthetic surgery may actually worsen breathing issues. Therefore, rhinoplasty must be integrated with comprehensive airway surgery.
The functional problems we address simultaneously during rhinoplasty include:
- Septal deviation
- Enlarged turbinates
- Nasal valve collapse
- Polyp formation
- Sinusitis problems
- Traumatic deformities
Resolving these issues positively affects every aspect of a patient’s life, from sleep quality to athletic performance. Therefore, modern rhinoplasty should provide not only a new profile but also high-quality breathing.
What is the Preservation Rhinoplasty technique?
In recent years, there has been a revolutionary change in the philosophy of rhinoplasty. While the traditional “demolish and rebuild” (reconstructive) approach once dominated, the focus has now shifted to “reshaping while preserving what already exists.” This is known as Preservation Rhinoplasty.
In conventional techniques, when removing the nasal hump, the bones and cartilages forming the nasal roof were cut, the nasal dorsum was opened, and then attempts were made to close it again. This could sometimes lead to irregularities or breathing problems. Preservation rhinoplasty, on the other hand, takes a much more delicate approach.
This method can be likened to lowering the roof of a building. Instead of completely removing the roof (nasal dorsum), we reduce a small amount from the building’s foundations (the side walls of the nose), allowing the roof to be lowered as a single unit. In this way, the natural, smooth structure of the nasal dorsum remains completely intact.
The advantages of this technique for patients include:
- Natural appearance
- Fast recovery
- Minimal swelling
- Minimal bruising
- Functional preservation
- No loss of sensation
A similar preservation philosophy is applied in nasal tip aesthetics as well. Instead of cutting and removing cartilage, we shape it using special sutures. This way, the nasal tip support is maintained, and the risk of tip drooping over the years is minimized. Preservation rhinoplasty is a modern surgical art that respects tissue, minimizes trauma, and prioritizes natural results.
Why should Temporal Lift and Rhinoplasty be planned together?
The combination of these two surgeries represents far more than a simple mathematical sum; it creates what we call a “synergistic” effect. In other words, 1 + 1 equals 3. The primary reason for this lies in perceptual illusions of the face.
Drooping eyebrows and a tired forehead structure make the upper face appear flat. This flatness can cause the nose to be perceived as larger, longer, or more protrusive than it actually is. If we only reduce the size of the nose in a patient who has eyebrow drooping, the flattened expression of the face remains, and the nose may still appear disproportionate. In some cases, making the nose too small can even cause the rest of the face to look “heavy.”
However, when we reposition the eyebrows to their ideal location with a Temporal Lift, the upper face suddenly becomes more open and refreshed, and the area known as the nasal radix (nasal root) opens up. This openness automatically makes the nose appear more delicate and smaller. As a result, I do not need to overly reduce the nose or perform aggressive procedures. Even subtle refinements, while respecting the natural structure of the nose, can look exceptional thanks to this new facial balance.
The patient’s overall profile also benefits greatly from this combination. When viewed from the side, the forehead contour, nasal projection, and chin tip should be in harmony. Elevating the eyebrows enhances the profile of the forehead and facilitates the nose’s harmony with this profile. This holistic approach allows the patient to look not “operated on,” but as if they were genetically fortunate.
Who are the ideal candidates and what should be considered?
As with any aesthetic procedure, patient selection is the key to success in this combined surgery. Not everyone may be suitable for this approach. The ideal candidate is someone who has signs of aging or structural drooping in the upper face along with aesthetic or functional issues of the nose.
During consultations, we evaluate not only physical features but also expectations and overall health status. Having realistic expectations is crucial. Our goal is not to transform you into someone else, but to reveal the best version of yourself.
The suitability criteria for this combined surgery include:
- Drooping eyebrows
- Nasal deformity
- Breathing problems
- Realistic expectations
- Non-smoking
- Good general health
We are particularly strict regarding smoking. Smoking is one of the greatest enemies of wound healing and significantly increases the risk of complications. In comprehensive facial surgeries like this, adequate blood supply to the skin is vital, and smoking impairs this circulation. Therefore, it is essential for patients to refrain from smoking both before and after surgery.
What is the recovery process like after combined surgery?
At first, the idea of having two surgeries at the same time may sound challenging, and you may wonder, “Will I swell too much? Will the pain be severe?” However, in practice, the opposite is often true; combining the procedures is much more advantageous in terms of patient comfort.
Undergoing two separate surgeries at different times means receiving anesthesia twice, staying in the hospital twice, taking time off work twice, and experiencing the stress of recovery twice. With combined surgery, you achieve “two results with one procedure.” You go through a single recovery period, and once it is complete, your entire face has healed.
Of course, since both the eyes and the nose are involved, swelling and bruising may be slightly more noticeable in the first few days compared to isolated procedures. However, thanks to modern techniques and preservation surgery methods, this resolves very quickly.
Factors that help speed up recovery include:
- Keeping the head elevated
- Regular ice application
- Adequate water intake
- Low-sodium diet
- Using prescribed medications
- Walking
Most patients can return to their social lives within 7–10 days after surgery. Achieving the final result, with complete resolution of swelling and the face settling into its final shape, may take several months. However, even by the end of the first month, patients can clearly see the significant change and rejuvenation when they look in the mirror.
What should be known about safety and risks?
In medicine, there is no such thing as “zero risk,” but there are “manageable risks” and “maximum safety.” The combination of Temporal Lift and Rhinoplasty is an extremely safe procedure when performed by experienced hands in a fully equipped hospital setting.
During a Temporal Lift, the most critical structure we pay attention to is the branch of the facial nerve that supplies the forehead region. This nerve controls eyebrow movement. A surgeon with deep anatomical knowledge knows exactly which layer this nerve travels in and works within a safe plane without entering that layer. Temporary numbness or reduced movement, as mentioned in the literature, is very rare and usually resolves spontaneously within a short time if it occurs.
On the rhinoplasty side, the greatest risks are failing to achieve the desired shape or persistent breathing problems. However, with the Preservation Rhinoplasty techniques and detailed planning discussed above, these risks are minimized.
One of the greatest advantages of combined surgery is that the body’s healing capacity is utilized holistically in a single session. Instead of managing two separate traumas, a single, controlled recovery process is undertaken.
Op. Dr. Yunus Kaplan is a ENT surgeon with over 15 years of experience specializing in facial aesthetics and rhinoplasty in Istanbul, Turkey. A graduate of Gaziantep University Faculty of Medicine, he completed his ENT specialization at the same institution in 2009 and has since practiced in several prominent private hospitals before founding his own clinic in 2016. Dr. Kaplan focuses on primary, revision, ethnic, and piezo rhinoplasty procedures, combining precision and natural results. He is an active member of the European Academy of Facial Plastic Surgery (EAFPS), the Turkish Facial Plastic Surgery Society, and the Head and Neck Surgery Society, maintaining high standards of medical ethics, artistry, and patient trust.
