Temple fillers

Temple fillers are dermal fillers placed in the temple area: the hollow between the side of the forehead, the outer eye area and the upper cheekbone. They may be considered when this area looks noticeably hollow or when there is a pronounced transition between the forehead and cheek.

The aim is usually subtle volume restoration, rather than making the temples look noticeably fuller. A practitioner should first assess whether the hollowing is actually coming from the temple area and whether adding volume there is appropriate for your individual anatomy.

Temple filler is only one type of facial filler treatment. For a broader introduction to treatment options, see our guide to dermal fillers.

Temple filler at a glance

Treatment area
The temple between the side of the forehead and the upper cheekbone.

Treatment goal
To soften a noticeable hollow or sharp transition in the temple area.

Product
The filler type and amount should be chosen individually following assessment.

Result
The temple contour may look fuller soon after treatment, but initial swelling can affect how the area looks.

Recovery
Temporary tenderness, swelling, redness or bruising may occur around the injection area.

Important
Ask about the practitioner's specific experience with treating the temple area, not only their general experience with fillers.

What are temple fillers?

Temple fillers are injectable dermal fillers used to add volume specifically to the temple area. Treatment may soften a visible hollow and create a more gradual transition between the forehead, temple and cheekbone.

A temporary filler such as a hyaluronic acid filler may be considered, depending on the practitioner's assessment, the planned injection technique and the required degree of volume correction.

A filler mainly adds or restores volume. It does not automatically correct skin quality, bone structure or volume changes elsewhere in the face.

For a broader explanation of the treatment category, see what dermal fillers are.

When may temple fillers be considered?

Temple fillers may be considered when there is a visible hollow or loss of fullness in the temple area. Some people naturally have a more hollow temple shape, while the contour may also become more noticeable over time.

Treatment may be discussed when the aim is to:

• soften a pronounced hollow at the side of the forehead;

• make the transition between the forehead and cheekbone appear less abrupt;

• account for a visible difference between the left and right temple.

A hollow temple does not automatically require treatment. A practitioner should assess whether the temple itself is the main source of the contour you would like to change and whether filler is likely to provide a proportionate result.

Why can temples look hollow?

Temple fillers or another treatment area?

A hollow appearance at the side of the upper face does not always come from the temples alone. The temples, upper cheeks and cheekbones contribute to the overall transition across this part of the face.

During assessment, the practitioner should identify where the volume difference is actually located. If the main change is lower around the cheek or cheekbone, adding more volume to the temple may not address the contour you are concerned about.

The reverse is also important: having hollow temples does not automatically mean several areas of the face need filler.

If the concern is primarily around the upper cheeks, see our separate guide to cheekbone fillers.

What should be assessed before temple fillers?

Before treating the temples, the practitioner should assess whether the visible hollow is actually coming from the temple area and whether adding filler there could reasonably contribute to the result you want.

Relevant assessment points may include:

• where the hollow begins and ends;

• how pronounced it is;

• differences between the left and right side;

• the transition between the forehead, temple and cheekbone;

• previous fillers or other cosmetic procedures in the area;

• the proposed filler product;

• the intended amount and placement;

• the planned injection technique;

• relevant medical information;

• treatment limitations and possible complications.

Tell the practitioner if you have previously had filler in or close to the temples, even if that treatment took place some time ago.

Professional registration or a job title alone does not show how much experience someone has with this specific anatomical area. You can also ask about relevant treatment experience, assessment, aftercare and complication management.

For more detail on practitioner comparison, see our guide to choosing a filler practitioner.

Technique and treatment planning

What results can temple fillers achieve?

Temple fillers may make a pronounced temple hollow less noticeable and create a smoother transition between the forehead, temple and cheekbone. The intended result is generally controlled volume restoration, rather than making the side of the face visibly fuller.

A change may be visible soon after treatment. However, swelling, tenderness or temporary differences between the two sides can affect the initial appearance, so the first result should not automatically be treated as the final outcome.

Results vary between individuals and depend on anatomy, product choice, placement and the treatment plan.

Adding more filler does not automatically produce a better result. Excess volume can change the natural proportions of the temple and surrounding areas.

How long do temple fillers last?

Temple fillers provide a temporary result. How long the change remains visible varies between individuals and can be influenced by the product used, the amount placed, the treatment area and individual differences in how filler breaks down.

There is therefore no single duration that applies to every temple filler treatment.

If a clinic provides an expected duration, ask which product and treatment plan that estimate relates to.

For broader information about treatment duration, see how long dermal fillers last.

How much do temple fillers cost?

The total cost of temple fillers depends on the individual treatment plan. Important factors can include the amount of product used, the filler selected, the practitioner or clinic and what is included in the consultation or follow-up.

Check whether a clinic presents its filler price:

• per ml;

• per treatment area;

• or as part of an individual treatment plan.

A lower listed filler price does not by itself tell you how much a complete temple treatment will cost or what level of aftercare is included.

For dedicated pricing information, see our dermal filler cost comparison.

What are the risks of temple fillers?

Temple fillers are an injectable medical treatment and are not risk-free. Temporary reactions such as swelling, redness, tenderness, discomfort or bruising can occur around the treated area.

Other possible problems can include persistent unevenness, lumps, inflammatory reactions or infection. A complaint that becomes more severe, appears unusual or does not improve as expected should be assessed by the treating clinic.

A rare but serious filler complication is accidental injection into, or obstruction of, a blood vessel. The temple contains important blood vessels and its anatomy varies between individuals. Relevant anatomical knowledge, careful treatment planning and appropriate complication management are therefore particularly important in this treatment area.

For more general information, see dermal filler side effects.

When should you seek urgent medical assessment?

Aftercare after temple fillers

Aftercare can vary according to the filler product, injection technique and individual treatment plan. Follow the instructions provided by the treating practitioner or clinic.

You may be advised to avoid pressing, rubbing or massaging the treated temple unless specifically instructed otherwise. Temporary advice may also apply to strenuous exercise, strong heat or other activities that could aggravate swelling.

Before leaving the clinic, make sure you know:

• what reactions the clinic considers expected;

• whether there are activities you should temporarily avoid;

• when the area should be reviewed;

• and how to contact the clinic if you are concerned.

If symptoms are unusual, worsening or different from what you were told to expect, contact the treating clinic for advice.

How do you compare practitioners for temple fillers?

The temples are a specific anatomical treatment area, so comparing practitioners only by filler price gives limited information.

Consider asking about:

• appropriate professional qualifications and registration where relevant;

• training in injectable treatments;

• specific experience treating the temple area;

• how the practitioner assesses temple anatomy before treatment;

• why a particular product and technique are being proposed;

• how risks and limitations are explained;

• what follow-up is offered;

• how the clinic handles possible complications;

• how you can contact the clinic if you have concerns afterwards.

Registration can help you check a practitioner's professional background where relevant, but it does not show how frequently that person treats temples or how much experience they have with this particular procedure.

For broader provider-comparison guidance, see how to choose a filler clinic.

Compare clinics for temple fillers

If you are considering temple fillers, compare more than the treatment price. Look at the practitioner's relevant experience, the information provided during consultation, treatment planning, product transparency, reviews, aftercare and how the clinic can be contacted if a problem develops.

Use the consultation to discuss where the hollow is located, what degree of change may be realistic and why treatment of the temple itself is being proposed.

A consultation does not commit you to treatment. You can decide not to proceed, request more information or compare another practitioner first.

For a broader comparison framework, see how to compare dermal fillers and providers.

Frequently asked questions about temple fillers