Temple Point Restoration

Hair Transplant Cost| Medical Tourism
Temple Point Restoration : Hair transplant is a sophisticated dance that requires the surgeon to have an artful eye as well as advanced technical skill. To the casual onlooker, a full head of hair is just that. But it is comprised of a unique crown whorl, hairline density and position, and temple point shape and angulation. For the millions of balding men who choose hair transplant for permanent restoration, their cosmetic future rests in the hands of the surgeon; whether or not he/she can recreate these intricate pieces to rebuild a natural-looking head of hair. Accurate hair transplantation in the temples is perhaps one of the most important pieces of all, as the temples align with the sides of the face.

Temple Point Restoration : Details

The temple points are the most forward position of scalp hair. They are defined by the place where the hairline protrudes forward from the temples toward the eyebrows. Continuing upward and backward toward the hairline, they meet it at a point called the temporal recesses on either side of the face. Following this point downward and backward, they form a continuum with the front margin of the sideburns.

Considerations in assessing the naturalness of the temple point restoration include:

  • Softness
  • Hair Angles/Transitions
  • Shape

SOFTNESS OF THE TEMPLE POINTS

The caliber/texture of the donor hair used has a major influence on the softness or harshness of the result. Using hair harvested from the traditional donor area (the mid-rear scalp) can produce an adequate temple and temple point. However, the use of nape hair and/or finer non-head hair (such as hair from the legs) can produce a softer, more natural-looking outcome.

Aside from the caliber/texture of the donor hair used, there are other factors that contribute to the subtlety and softness of a temple point restoration. These factors include the distribution of density placement and the temple lines.

HAIR ANGLES/TRANSITIONS OF THE TEMPLE POINTS

The hair at the temple points is angled backward and downward. However, there are variations in nature where this is the case on one side, while on the other side the hairs are not as backward-pointing. The surgeon must discern what degree of symmetry appears most natural for each individual patient receiving temple point restoration.

Furthermore, it is paramount that the decided angles flow without abruptness as they progress from one area to the other. In other words, the surgeon must create a subtle transition from hairline, to temporal recesses, to temple points, to sideburns. The more seamless this progression, the more natural the temple point restoration will appear.

SHAPE OF THE TEMPLE POINTS

The shape of the temple points is customized to the contours and structure of the facial skeleton. Thus, a standardized approach of having a sharply angled temple point will inevitably appear fake for some patients while fitting for others. Additionally, the shape and position of the temples changes depending on the degree of recession one is trying to mimic in the temple point restoration—whether the surgeon is building a juvenile hairline or a mature hairline.

Here is an example of a more rounded temple point angulation:

Temple Point Restoration |Patient Results
Dr. U designed appropriate temple points in balance with this patient’s hairline design*

More pointed temple point angulation looks appropriate for this patient:

Temple Point Restoration |hairline transplant
Markings on patient before surgery which show the placement of the new temple points relative to the hairline*

Without mastering the art and skill of temple point restoration, the surgeon faces a severe restriction in his/her ability to create varying unique hairlines and achieve successful hair restoration overall. The novice practitioner could create either an aesthetically subpar temple point or avoid the area altogether, creating a toupee-like outcome.

Here are two examples of poorly executed temple and hairline work that yielded toupee-like results at the temple-hairline axis:

Temple Point Restoration |FUE results
patient’s temple point after his hair restoration surgery*
Temple Point Restoration | patient before surgery
Patient photo prior to hair restoration surgery showing the absence of temple points

Here are some examples of superior temple point restoration:

To read more about reversing hair loss in the temple region, click here.

Read Dr U’s publication in the ASJ on creation of natural temples using nape and peri-auricular hair

 
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