Botox Treatment for Facial Paralysis and Bell’s Palsy

You may have heard this saying when you were younger.

If you sleep on a cold floor, you might get ‘facial paralysis’ or ‘Guanwasa’ (a twisted mouth).

The accurate clinical term for this condition is Bell’s palsy.

As shown in the illustration above, the facial nerve branches into five paths. Although only four are visible in the diagram, there is an additional nerve that extends toward the neck.

When paralysis occurs, as seen on the right side of the face in the image, the corner of the mouth appears to droop, there is difficulty closing the eye, and the forehead cannot be lifted.

While most cases improve naturally, there are instances where recovery is incomplete following total paralysis, or where the nerves become overactive, leading to synkinesis (involuntary muscle movements).

In such cases, ‘Botox’ treatments can be used to restore symmetry and create a more balanced appearance.

The treatment involves using low-dose Botox on the side that has recovered from paralysis, specifically targeting areas where the muscles are pulling too strongly.

The progress is recorded in the patient’s chart, and the dosage is gradually adjusted through consultation to find the optimal balance.

Patients typically visit every 3 to 6 months to manage and maintain the results.