Temple Fillers: Best Ones, Cost, Side Effects and More

• Dermal fillers are noninvasive treatments that can temporarily restore lost volume and define and contour the face
• Treating the temple area rejuvenates the entire face through a lifting effect of the cheeks and brows
• Hyaluronic acid and polymethyl methacrylate are two established filler substances that can plump and smooth fine lines and wrinkles
• Temple fillers cost will depend on the number of vials used, your provider and location 

With age, production of collagen and elastin, two proteins responsible for plump, smooth skin

diminishes. This causes skin to thin, become lax, wrinkle and sag. As well, sebaceous glands gradually produce less sebum (oils) which play a key role in protecting and moisturizing skin, leading to dullness, dryness and the formation of wrinkles, folds and lines. Fortunately, temple fillers are a temporary but effective solution to counteract these negative effects.   

Fillers are injected into the skin with a needle or cannula, and can target various areas of the face other than the temple region, including the jawline, cheekbones and forehead. 

Why Get a Temple Filler?

Volume loss in the temple area can cause brows to sag which contributes to a tired or angry and  aged appearance. Often overlooked, this area of the face can play a role in facial symmetry and youthfulness, and can have a significant impact on facial shape and proportion.

Dermal fillers not only plump the temple area to target age-related volume loss but also lift the cheeks and brows to produce a smooth, more youthful, refreshed appearance.  

A temple filler can offer a number of benefits to help minimize or reverse the signs of aging: it can restore lost volume in this area, plump and lift lax skin around the brows and the outer corners of the eyes, and stimulate collagen and elastin production to strengthen and thicken thinning skin.  

Lastly, injectable fillers are an effective alternative to Botox or a facelift as they are minimally invasive, produce immediate results and require no downtime.

Best Fillers to Use for Your Temples  

There are several appropriate fillers that are commonly chosen to rejuvenate the temple area,  each with different formulations and benefits. 

When discussing filler options with your provider, opt for the filler that meets your needs but also consider their longevity, formulation and any potential risks.

Hyaluronic acid fillers are the most widely used type of filler, due to their efficacy and strong safety profile. These fillers are easy to work with and have an enormous ability to bind to water molecules which instantly plumps the skin. As well, hyaluronic acid is a natural component of the skin and as such, rarely causes allergic reactions.  

With time, this acid is absorbed into the body, therefore repeat injections are required to maintain results; if the results are unsatisfactory, they can easily be reversed by dissolving the filler with an injectable enzyme, hyaluronidase.

Juvederm has a gel-like smooth consistency and is one of the leading brands of hyaluronic acid fillers in the United States. Two of its formulations are Juvederm Voluma XC and Juvederm Ultra Plus XC; the latter provides greater volume due to Hylacross technology.

Restylane is another widely used hyaluronic acid filler. Restylane Lyft (formerly Perlane) is formulated with larger particles than other brands, making it effective for age-related temple hollowing and asymmetry correction.

Another option is Bellafill, a polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) filler. PMMA is a synthetic ingredient that produces longer-lasting results because it is not absorbed into the body.  However, complications can occur such as redness, swelling and the formation of nodules and hardened tissue in the treatment areas. 

These fillers are all FDA-approved for the purpose of facial rejuvenation.

How Long Do They Last?

Hyaluronic acid is naturally present in skin and is gradually absorbed into the body; this is also true for injectable hyaluronic acid temple fillers. While results can be dramatic, these effects will wane with time. Juvederm Ultra and Restylane, for instance, will last between 6–18 months on average.

PMMA is considered semipermanent as it is not metabolized and can last up to 5 years.

Cost of Temple Fillers

The cost of temple fillers will vary depending on the type of filler used, your provider and geographical location.

The average cost for one syringe of Juvederm or Restylane is $684. It’s important to note that because hyaluronic acid fillers last an average of 6 months, you will need to consider maintenance costs with these types of dermal filler injections.

Bellafill is more expensive, at about $1,000 per syringe. However, its longevity may make it a more cost-effective approach over time.

Risks and Side Effects

Fillers are considered to be a safe cosmetic treatment; however, they still carry some potential risks and side effects. Common minor side effects include:

• Itching
• Redness
• Swelling and bruising at the injection site

These symptoms will resolve within a few days. Rarer complications from filler injections include:

• Asymmetry or lumps of filler forming under the skin
• Filler migration
• Infection
• Scarring

These complications require professional attention and in some cases, surgical removal. 

Takeaway

Temple fillers are effective anti-aging tools as they have been shown to produce multiple benefits.

Hyaluronic acid provides an immediate plumping effect by binding to water molecules and also promotes the production of collagen which strengthens skin and improves elasticity and hydration.

Fillers applied to the temple area can have a rejuvenating effect on the entire face; they can lift the brow, improve facial contour, restore lost volume, plump skin and smooth fine lines and wrinkles. This all contributes to a youthful appearance. 

Hyaluronic acid fillers are by far the most widely used fillers to treat the temples as they are a natural component of the body, are highly effective, safe and reversible if results are deemed unsatisfactory.  Repeat treatments are necessary to maintain results.

PMMA fillers are a semipermanent option and can last up to 5 years; however, these fillers are more expensive and have a higher risk profile.