Use Injectables To Battle Bell’s Palsy

botox3Bell’s palsy, a form of temporary facial paralysis, can cause a person to feel very self-conscious. Today’s extensive line of facial injectables like Botox and dermal fillers can actually help those with Bell’s palsy to achieve a more symmetrical facial appearance.

A Brief Explanation of Bell’s Palsy

Bell’s palsy usually results from damage or trauma to facial nerves, which direct muscles on the face that control eye blinking, smiling, frowning, and many other tasks. As soon as a facial nerve is disrupted, the brain can’t effectively send messages to the facial muscles, and facial weakness or paralysis occurs. A person with Bell’s palsy can be recognized by the drooping of certain features on one side, or rarely both sides, of the face. There are about 40,000 Americans each year that struggle with Bell’s palsy, mostly between the ages of 15 and 60.

How Does Botox Help?
As you probably know, Botox is an injectable that helps minimize and reverse wrinkles that become etched into the skin over many years of frowning, smiling, and squinting. In the cosmetic realm, it is most popular for eliminating crow’s feet, horizontal forehead lines, and vertical frown lines. Botox works its magic using a highly purified toxin that actually temporarily paralyzes the targeted muscles in the face. The same principle can be applied on the side of a person’s face that is not affected by Bell’s palsy. By subduing movement on the unharmed side of the face, a person with Bell’s palsy can enjoy a more symmetrical appearance when making facial movements and expressions.

How do Dermal Fillers Help?

As soon as Botox becomes effective, the face might begin to look like it has lost volume, and the lips may look asymmetrical. Facial fillers like Juvederm, Restylane, and Radiesse can solve that problem by adding that volume back into the skin. These dermal fillers are made with different ingredients that temporarily plump the skin and the lips for a fuller appearance.

With a careful trial and error system, any Bell’s palsy patient can reclaim a symmetrical appearance and feel more confident going out in public.