Botox for Facial Paralysis

Facial paralysis is a condition that many people believe isn’t responsive to treatment. Patients will simply wait for symptoms to resolve because this is what they’ve done in the past. Unfortunately, not all symptoms resolve on their own, and even when they do, the intervening time can cause people to feel self-conscious. Some also experience discomfort or have diminished control of facial movement. In recent years, medical professionals have realized that Botox can be an effective treatment option to improve symptoms of facial paralysis. On this page, you can learn more about Botox for facial paralysis, what to expect, and why the team at Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery – a division of U.S. Dermatology Partners may recommend this treatment option.

What Is Botox for Facial Paralysis?

Botox is an injectable treatment formulated from controlled doses of botulinum toxin. It’s approved for use to improve the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, alleviate chronic pain, stop muscle spasms, and more. Facial paralysis causes part of the face to be lax while the other part of the face remains the same. This leaves the face looking uneven. Botox can be used to relax the side of the face that is not experiencing paralysis, which improves facial symmetry as both sides of the face will have reduced movement. Additionally, some patients suffer from synkinesis or unintentional movement of the face, and Botox is key in alleviating these unwanted movements or muscular spasms.

Benefits of Botox for Facial Paralysis

For many people who experience facial paralysis, the symptoms will subside on their own, so it’s not always recommended that they seek out treatment. Those who struggle with long-term facial paralysis symptoms may decide to move forward with surgical interventions or other solutions. Botox injections offer a conservative treatment option that significantly improves facial paralysis symptoms for a short time. Retreatment will be necessary to maintain the results. Regular Botox injections can also alleviate tightness and spasms related to facial paralysis. When combined with physical therapy, Botox injections improve muscle movement and facial expression.

Recovery After Botox for Facial Paralysis

Botox injections are often referred to as “lunch hour procedures” because you can receive these injections and return to your daily routine with little to no downtime. Your cosmetic surgeon may recommend some simple aftercare steps, but for the most part, side effects are minimal. You may need to avoid certain cosmetics and skincare products for a day or two after treatment to avoid irritation and inflammation.

Risks Associated with Botox for Facial Paralysis

There may be some skin redness, sensitivity, discomfort, and inflammation immediately following treatment. Symptoms are usually mild and diminish within a few hours. There may be some bruising at the injection sites, but this is typically mild. Three to five days after treatment, patients should see a noticeable improvement in facial paralysis symptoms. These improvements should continue for 3-4 months.

Apart from these mild side effects, there are relatively few risks associated with Botox for facial paralysis. However, it’s important to know the risks before beginning treatment. To mitigate risks, your surgeon should perform a thorough analysis and review all options before moving forward with treatment. The goal is to ensure that the benefits of Botox treatment for facial paralysis will outweigh any potential adverse effects. Each person will respond differently to treatment, and most patients only experience the mild symptoms described above.