Hollow Temples Treatment in Cheongdam & Apgujeong, Seoul

Why the temples hollow

The temple is a layered area. Beneath the skin lie a thin superficial fat layer, a tough sheet of fascia, a deeper pad of fat and the broad, fan-shaped temporalis muscle that helps us chew, all resting on the side of the skull. A youthful temple is flat or very slightly full, creating a smooth curve from forehead to cheekbone.

With time, that curve can turn inward — 관자놀이 꺼짐 in Korean:

• Fat loss. Both the superficial and deep temporal fat pads shrink, often among the earliest areas of the face to deflate.
• Muscle and bone change. The temporalis can thin and the bony contour around the eye socket changes, deepening the hollow behind the outer brow.
• Lean build and weight loss. Endurance athletes, people who have lost significant weight and those with naturally low facial fat often notice hollow temples early.

Hollow temples change the face more than their size suggests. They narrow the upper face, make the cheekbones look sharper and more skeletal, can reveal visible veins, and remove support from the tail of the brow, which may then sit lower. Many people do not identify their temples as the problem; they simply notice that they look thinner, older or more tired.

How Doje Clinic assesses the temples

In a 1:1 consultation, Dr. Byun Jeik — a Merz Advisory Board member and Merz Golden Record Award recipient — looks at the temple from the front and in three-quarter view, where hollowing shows most clearly. He considers the temples as part of the upper-face frame rather than in isolation.

• How deep is the hollow, and does it extend to the brow or cheekbone?
• Is the outer brow sitting lower because of reduced support?
• How thin is the skin, and are veins visible?
• Is volume loss limited to the temples, or part of wider facial deflation?

The temple contains important blood vessels, so a thorough understanding of the anatomy and careful choice of depth are central to treatment planning.

Options from mild to advanced

Mild, diffuse thinning

When the temple has only begun to soften, collagen boosters such as GOURI or Re2O can improve the firmness and fullness of the overlying tissue gradually. Changes are subtle and build over weeks to months.

A defined hollow

Hyaluronic acid filler restores the contour. Depending on the anatomy, Doje may place a firmer structural filler deep against the bone or a softer product in a more superficial plane. The choice of depth and technique is guided by the location of the temporal vessels and the thickness of your skin, and volumes are kept conservative so the result looks like a natural curve rather than added fullness.

Thin skin over the hollow

Radiesse can provide support with a collagen-stimulating effect, which may suit thinner skin where visible veins or texture are a concern.

Temples and the brow together

Restoring temple volume can subtly improve support for the tail of the brow. When the brow has clearly descended, the Doje signature upper-face thread lift lifts it more directly, and the two approaches may be combined.

Which Doje program fits

When temple hollowing is part of a broader change in facial volume, the Signature Program lets Dr. Byun combine filler, collagen boosters, thread lifting and energy devices only as needed. When the main concern is a heavy outer brow and upper eyelid, the Eye Program — with its lifting, volume and skin axes — may be the better framework.

When a surgical opinion is more appropriate

For people seeking a larger or longer-lasting volume change using their own tissue, fat grafting is a surgical option that requires assessment by a qualified surgeon. If a significantly descended brow is the main problem, a surgical brow lift may be considered. Dr. Byun will tell you when these would serve you better.

Cost

Fees depend on the product, amount and whether other areas are treated, and are quoted after the 1:1 consultation. Ask for a written quote; Korean non-covered (비급여) aesthetic fees are set per plan.

Frequently asked questions

Why are my temples hollow?

Temporal fat and muscle thin with age, and a lean build or weight loss can make hollowing appear early.

Can temple filler lift my brows?

It can improve support for the tail of the brow, giving a subtle lift in some people. A clearly descended brow usually needs a thread lift.

Is temple filler safe?

The temple contains important blood vessels, so filler is placed with careful attention to depth and technique. Risks such as bruising and, rarely, vascular complications are discussed in consultation.

Will temple filler look unnatural?

Not when volumes are conservative. The goal is a smooth curve from forehead to cheekbone, not visible fullness.

How long does temple filler last?

It varies with the product and the individual; deep temple filler often lasts relatively long.

What is the downtime?

Mild swelling or tenderness for a few days is common, and some people notice slight discomfort when chewing for a short time.

Related at Doje Clinic

• Structural Filler
• Hyaluronic Acid Filler
• Radiesse
• Hooded Eyes & Brow Descent
• Facial Volume Loss
• Signature Program
• Filler Aftercare

Medical information on this page is general education, not a diagnosis. Suitability, risks and the final plan are confirmed in a 1:1 consultation with Dr. Byun Jeik. Last updated 17 October 2026.