Can I Get My Temporal Muscles Reduced?

Q: Dr. Eppley, I am looking to get my temporal muscles reduced. (see pictures)

A:You have distinct pattern of temporal muscle enlargement that involves both the anterior and posterior temporal zones. The relevance of that distinction is that each zone is treated differently as the thickness of the muscle and the shape of the bone underneath it are different. (see attached diagram) The posterior temporal area is treated by complete removal due to the direct access from behind the ear. This is where the muscle is the thinnest and the underlying has a convex shape. The anterior temporal area has very thick muscle and a deep bony concavity underneath it as a result. It is not possible to completely or even partially cut out the muscle in this zone nor would you want due to negative impact it would have on jaw function. The anterior muscle zone is treated with a transposition technique rather than excision which helps reduce its fullness to some degree but not as effectively as the posterior zone excision does in that area.

Dr. Barry Eppley

World-Renowned Plastic Surgeon