Table of contents

• Face Fat Grafting: A Detailed Medical Overview
• Best Clinics in Korea for Temporal Hollow
• Your Journey to Face Fat Grafting in South Korea
• Costs of Face Fat Grafting: South Korea vs. Global Medical Tourism
• Patient Outcomes and Satisfaction with Face Fat Grafting for Temporal Hollowing
• Conclusion
• References

Temporal hollowing, commonly known as "sunken temples" or "hollow temples," refers to a noticeable flattening or concavity on the side of the skull in the temporal region. This condition often gives the face a gaunt, angular, or tired look, making people feel they appear older or constantly fatigued. Patients typically describe the issue as "sunken" or "hollow," while medical professionals use the precise term "temporal hollowing." Knowing both terms helps patients communicate effectively with their healthcare providers and better understand their condition.

The causes of temporal hollowing vary widely. Aging is a primary natural factor, as the fat beneath the skin in the temples gradually diminishes over time. This volume loss is worsened by decreased collagen production and bone resorption. Some people may have hollow temples from a young age due to genetics or facial structure. Rapid or significant weight loss can also reveal the underlying bone by reducing facial fat quickly. Lifestyle factors like chronic stress, poor sleep, or diets lacking essential fats and collagen may contribute as well.

Medically, temporal hollowing often occurs as a complication after injury or cranial surgeries, especially pterional craniotomy. Studies show that iatrogenic causes make up about 63% of cases. Damage or atrophy of the temporalis muscle, which lies beneath the scalp, can cause a depression even after skull reconstruction if the muscle itself isn’t addressed. Additionally, thinning of the scalp over cranioplasty materials like titanium mesh can worsen the hollowing. Because temporal hollowing has many causes, a thorough, personalized evaluation by a surgeon is essential to identify the exact reason and choose the best treatment—whether that’s fat grafting, muscle repositioning, implants, or a combination. Tailoring the approach ensures the treatment fits the patient’s unique anatomy and needs.

Beyond its physical effects, temporal hollowing can deeply affect a person’s self-image. The hollow, angular look often makes people feel prematurely aged or tired, which can lead to psychological distress, lowered self-confidence, and even depression. Many try to hide the condition with hairstyles or makeup, showing how persistent the concern is. Patients who undergo successful treatment often describe it as "life-changing," restoring their self-esteem and happiness. This highlights that aesthetic procedures for facial harmony are not just cosmetic—they can significantly improve mental well-being and quality of life.

Face Fat Grafting: A Detailed Medical Overview

Face fat grafting—also called autologous fat transfer, fat injection, or lipofilling—is a refined cosmetic surgery technique that restores facial volume, enhances contours, and rejuvenates the face. It involves harvesting fat from one part of the patient’s body where excess fat exists and transferring it to the face. Using the patient’s own tissue reduces risks of allergic reactions or rejection, making it a natural and biologically compatible alternative to synthetic fillers.

Fat grafting offers more than just volume restoration. The transferred fat contains growth factors and adipocyte-derived stem cells that can improve skin texture, tone, and appearance. This makes fat grafting a "living filler" that ages naturally with the patient, providing a more organic and harmonious look. This biological benefit makes it an attractive option for those seeking both volume and skin quality improvements.

The Procedure: Step-by-Step Explanation

The fat grafting process involves three carefully coordinated stages:

1. Fat Harvesting (Liposuction): Fat is gently extracted from donor areas like the abdomen, thighs, hips, flanks, or buttocks using thin cannulas to minimize damage to fat cells. Local anesthesia is used for comfort. This step not only provides fat for the face but also contours the donor site, offering a dual aesthetic benefit.

2. Fat Purification and Preparation: The harvested fat is purified, usually by centrifugation, to separate healthy fat cells from fluids, blood, oil, and damaged cells. This ensures only high-quality fat is injected. Advanced methods like Micro Fat Grafting and Nano Fat Grafting refine fat particles for delicate areas or skin texture enhancement.

3. Fat Injection and Sculpting: The purified fat is carefully injected into targeted facial areas such as the temples, cheeks, under-eye hollows, chin, and nasolabial folds. The surgeon layers the fat in different directions and depths using fine needles or cannulas to create natural contours. The surgeon’s skill, anatomical knowledge, and artistic precision are crucial for success. Choosing a board-certified facial cosmetic surgeon with experience is essential to maximize fat survival and achieve optimal results.

Anesthesia Options and Recovery Expectations

Patients can undergo fat grafting under local anesthesia with sedation—remaining awake but relaxed—or general anesthesia for more extensive procedures.

Recovery and Downtime: Bruising, swelling, and discomfort are common in both donor and recipient sites immediately after surgery. Bandages cover liposuction areas. These symptoms usually improve within days to a week. Most patients return to normal activities within one to two weeks, and makeup can often hide bruising after a few days.

Post-Operative Care: Following the surgeon’s instructions is vital for fat graft survival. Patients should avoid pressure on the treated area for at least three weeks, keep their head elevated for about a week, and sleep on their back to reduce swelling. Strenuous activities and sun exposure should be avoided for days to weeks. Massaging or tight coverings over the area are discouraged as they can disrupt fat integration. Proper care supports new blood vessel growth in the grafted fat, which is critical for long-term success. Ignoring these guidelines can lead to fat loss and may require additional procedures.

Full Recovery and Results: Initial swelling may make the area look fuller than expected. Final results usually appear over about three months as the fat cells establish a stable blood supply and integrate fully.

Key Benefits and Potential Considerations

Benefits:

• Natural Results: Using the patient’s own fat creates seamless, natural-looking outcomes.
• Dual Benefit: Enhances facial volume while slimming the donor site.
• Safety: Minimal risk of allergic reactions or immune responses.
• Long-Lasting Results: Surviving fat cells can provide permanent volume.
• Improved Skin Quality: Growth factors and stem cells improve skin texture.
• Minimally Invasive: Small incisions and fine cannulas mean minimal scarring.
• Corrects Asymmetry: Balances uneven facial contours.

Potential Considerations:

• Variable Fat Retention: Fat survival varies widely (20% to 90% retention), especially in the temporal area, possibly requiring multiple sessions.
• Swelling and Bruising: Common and may last weeks.
• Recovery Time: Usually one to two weeks off work.
• Cost: Can be expensive, especially if multiple treatments are needed.
• Surgical Risks: Includes infection, bleeding, anesthesia reactions, and unsatisfactory results.
• Weight Fluctuations: Grafted fat responds to body weight changes, shrinking with weight loss.

Best Clinics in Korea for Temporal Hollow

Listed below are the best clinics in Korea for temporal hollow:

Lydian Plastic Surgery Clinic

When it comes to addressing temporal hollowness in Korea, Lydian Plastic Surgery Clinic distinguishes itself as the premier destination for achieving beautifully natural and lasting results. Unlike conventional fat grafting—which often results in a bulky, uneven facial appearance and can cause skin sagging within a short period—Lydian Clinic employs an ultra-fine, thread-like grafting technique that delicately distributes fat across the entire face. This advanced method not only enhances facial volume but also preserves natural contours while providing a subtle lifting effect, resulting in sophisticated, balanced, and enduring rejuvenation. Under the leadership of Dr. An Kyung Chun—an internationally recognized expert selected as one of Korea’s Top 18 Aesthetic Plastic Surgery Specialists and Director of the 5D Liposculpture Academy—patients benefit from his two decades of expertise, custom anatomy-based treatment designs, and care that spans celebrities, VIPs, and discerning individuals worldwide. The clinic’s commitment to excellence is further exemplified by its constant investment in the latest medical devices, a meticulous 4-step aftercare system, and a carefully tailored boutique experience in the heart of Seoul’s prestigious Cheongdam district. For those seeking the safest, most refined solution for temporal hollow correction, Lydian Clinic’s blend of innovation, artistry, and personalized care stands unrivaled in Korea.

You can check out their website here: Lydian Plastic Surgery Clinic Website

THEPLUS Plastic Surgery

THE PLUS Plastic Surgery stands out as the premier clinic for the treatment of temporal hollow in Korea, thanks to its distinguished team of specialists, cutting-edge facilities, and a philosophy centered on patient safety and natural beauty. Driven by internationally acclaimed surgeons like Dr. Kim—a board-certified plastic surgeon celebrated for his award-winning research on 3D implants and expertise in facial contouring and rhinoplasty—and Dr. Jeong, the current President of the Korean Society of Plastic Surgeons and a global authority on advanced rhinoplasty techniques, patients receive world-class care rooted in harmony, function, and artistry. Dr. Lee’s extensive background in plastic surgery at Korea’s top-tier hospitals underscores the clinic’s all-encompassing expertise, ensuring every aspect of facial aesthetics is expertly addressed. Housed in a state-of-the-art four-story facility in Gangnam, THE PLUS combines comprehensive services, from personalized consultation to post-operative care, with a strong commitment to ongoing medical education, research, and international academic participation. Above all, THE PLUS’s emphasis on achieving balanced, natural results tailored to each individual’s features—delivered by surgeons who epitomize global leadership in plastic surgery—makes it the destination of choice for anyone seeking outstanding and lasting outcomes for temporal hollow correction in Korea.

You can check out their website here: THEPLUS Plastic Surgery Website

Okay Plastic Surgery Clinic

Okay Plastic Surgery Clinic stands at the forefront of aesthetic medicine in Korea, renowned for its transformative approach to patient care. Guided by a highly skilled team of professionals, including a distinguished female plastic surgeon with extensive experience, the clinic is dedicated to offering individualized treatment plans tailored to each patient's specific needs and goals. From the initial consultation to the final results, Okay Plastic Surgery Clinic emphasizes sincerity, precision, and empathy, ensuring that every patient receives the comprehensive support and advanced medical expertise necessary for a truly personal journey of transformation.

The clinic offers a wide spectrum of specialized procedures, covering everything from body contouring and breast surgery to facial lifting, rhinoplasty, and advanced petit/skincare treatments. Complex procedures like tummy tuck, arm lift, BBL, and fat graft are performed with a commitment to safety and excellence. With additional centers dedicated to hairline correction, scar management, and stem cell therapies, Okay Plastic Surgery Clinic delivers holistic solutions that address both aesthetic desires and medical needs, making it a trusted destination for those seeking expert care for concerns such as Temporal Hollow correction.

You can check out their website here: Okay Plastic Surgery Clinic Website

Your Journey to Face Fat Grafting in South Korea

South Korea is a top global destination for cosmetic procedures like face fat grafting, attracting many international patients due to several key advantages.

Korean clinics lead in cutting-edge technology and advanced techniques, including 5D sculpting and stem cell fat grafting. The country boasts highly skilled plastic surgeons with decades of experience in facial aesthetics and body contouring, ensuring excellent surgical care.

South Korea’s aesthetic philosophy emphasizes subtlety and natural beauty, enhancing existing features rather than dramatic changes. Surgeons focus on facial balance and harmony, appealing to patients who want refined, natural results. This "soft power" approach sets Korea apart from regions favoring more obvious transformations.

Additionally, Korean clinics provide a comprehensive care system for international patients, offering "medical concierge" services that include pre-surgery consultations, travel assistance, and language support. This personalized care reduces stress and logistical challenges, improving the overall patient experience beyond just the surgery.

The Patient Process: A Step-by-Step Guide for Medical Tourists

The typical journey for international patients includes:

• Initial Consultation and Planning: The surgeon evaluates facial structure, discusses goals, and creates a personalized surgical plan to align expectations and treatment.
• Pre-operative Preparations: Patients receive instructions on medications, health tests, and assessments to ensure safety.
• Surgical Procedure Day: The surgery lasts 1–3 hours depending on treatment extent. Anesthesia is administered, fat is harvested, purified, and injected precisely.
• Immediate Post-operative Care and Release: Patients are monitored post-surgery and usually discharged the same day. A companion is recommended for transportation. Swelling and bruising are expected.
• Follow-up Visits and Home Recovery: Several follow-ups monitor healing. Patients receive care instructions to manage swelling, avoid certain activities, and support fat graft longevity. Final results develop over months as fat integrates.

Costs of Face Fat Grafting: South Korea vs. Global Medical Tourism

Cost is a key factor for patients considering medical tourism. In South Korea, facial fat grafting typically costs between $3,500 and $8,000 USD. Prices vary based on clinic reputation, surgeon experience, procedure complexity, and included services.

Many Korean clinics offer transparent pricing with no hidden fees and all-inclusive packages that bundle consultation, surgery, post-op care, and sometimes accommodation. This simplifies budgeting and adds value beyond the surgery itself.

Cost Comparison with Other Popular Medical Tourism Destinations

• South Korea: Core facial fat grafting ranges from $2,000 to $5,000 USD, with advanced fat grafting (including stem cell techniques) between $3,000 and $7,000 USD.
• United States: Starts around $4,350 USD, with ranges from $2,500 to $7,000 USD; major cities like Houston average about $8,000 USD.
• United Kingdom: Surgical fat transfer costs between £3,000 and £8,000 (~$3,750 to $10,000 USD).
• Turkey: Known for competitive pricing, facial fat transfer ranges from $1,575 to $4,078 USD, averaging $2,562 USD.
• Thailand: Costs range from $1,690 to $5,280 USD, averaging $2,842 USD in Bangkok.

South Korea offers a strong balance of advanced techniques, expert surgeons, and natural aesthetic focus, often at better prices than Western countries. While Turkey and Thailand may have lower base costs, South Korea’s comprehensive care and technology provide significant added value. Patients should weigh cost alongside quality, surgeon skill, and support services.

Patient Outcomes and Satisfaction with Face Fat Grafting for Temporal Hollowing

Face fat grafting effectively treats temporal hollowing by restoring volume to sunken temples, smoothing the transition from forehead to cheekbone, and creating a youthful contour. This softens the harsh, aged look caused by hollow temples.

Patients often describe the procedure as "life-changing," reporting improved self-esteem and confidence. Many who felt self-conscious or depressed before now feel happier and more comfortable with their appearance. Correcting facial asymmetry also boosts satisfaction.

Clinical studies back these experiences. One study of 96 patients showed low complication rates, with all patients improving in appearance and 74% improving by more than two grades on a severity scale. About 91.7% were satisfied with their results. Long-term outcomes suggest natural, lasting temporal augmentation.

However, the temporal area can have lower satisfaction rates compared to other facial regions due to variable fat retention, with 20% to 90% fat loss reported within a year. This variability may require multiple sessions to achieve stable, optimal results. Patients should be counseled about this possibility and have realistic expectations to ensure satisfaction.

Conclusion

Temporal hollowing, or "sunken temples," results from aging, weight loss, or prior surgeries and can significantly affect appearance and self-confidence. Face fat grafting offers a natural, lasting solution by using the patient’s own fat to restore volume and improve skin quality. The procedure’s success depends heavily on the surgeon’s skill and technique. South Korea stands out as a top destination for this treatment, combining advanced technology, expert surgeons, and a patient-focused approach with competitive pricing. While most patients report high satisfaction, understanding the potential need for multiple sessions and following post-operative care are key to achieving the best long-term results.

References

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