The Facial Paralysis Institute

The Facial Paralysis Institute The premier center for facial nerve disorders including facial paralysis and bell's palsy. Feel free to ask a question or call anytime, we will be glad to help.

The Facial Paralysis Institute is the premier center for facial nerve disorders including facial paralysis, bell's palsy, hemifacial spasm, acoustic neuroma and parotid tumors. The Institute is comprised of world-renowned experts from various specialties that are singularly focused on facial nerve disorders - including facial plastic surgeons, neuro-otologists, physical therapists, head and neck s

urgeons, radiologists, neurosurgeons and psychologists. Dr. Babak Azizzadeh, the Director of The Facial Paralysis Institute, is a Reconstructive Surgeon who is deeply committed to the treatment of individuals with facial paralysis and Bells palsy. Facial paralysis and Bell's Palsy are devastating disorders that can significantly impact an individuals quality of life and appearance. This is the reason that we believe a multi-specialty approach is required to address your needs with physicians and therapists who have extensive experience in facial nerve disorders. The Institute has some of the highest success rates in the nation for the treatment of Bells Palsy and facial paralysis. Highly respected by peers and patients alike, The Facial Paralysis Institute is the premier facility in the nation for the treatment of facial paralysis.

04/30/2026

Synkinesis doesn’t stay the same — it can worsen over time.

After facial paralysis, nerves can heal in a misdirected way, causing muscles to fire when they shouldn’t. What may start as mild tightness or subtle pulling can gradually become more noticeable, more restrictive, and more difficult to ignore.

Left untreated, synkinesis can lead to increasing facial tension, worsening asymmetry, and patterns of movement that feel forced or uncomfortable. Smiling may trigger eye closure. Speaking may cause neck tightness. Even at rest, the face can feel strained.

Over time, these patterns can impact not only physical function, but also confidence and emotional expression.

In this video, we explain why early management matters — and how treatment can help prevent long-term progression.

Because the sooner it’s addressed, the more control patients can regain.

Small changes can become bigger over time.
But with the right care, balance can be restored. 💙

📍 Beverly Hills | 📞 (310) 657-2203
🌐 www.facialparalysisinstitute.com

PlasticSurgery

04/23/2026

Not all facial paralysis begins the same way.

Some patients are born with it.
Others develop it later in life.

Congenital facial paralysis is present at birth, often due to underdevelopment or absence of the facial nerve. From the very beginning, movement is limited, and the face develops around that difference over time.

Acquired facial paralysis, on the other hand, occurs after a period of normal function — caused by factors such as infection, trauma, tumors, or nerve injury. In these cases, patients experience a sudden or gradual loss of movement, often accompanied by changes like synkinesis or muscle imbalance as the nerve heals.

In this video, we explain how these two types differ — not just in cause, but in how they are evaluated, treated, and managed long-term.

Because understanding the origin of facial paralysis is essential to creating the right plan forward.

Different beginnings.
Different pathways.
Individualized care for every patient. 💙

📍 Beverly Hills | 📞 (310) 657-2203
🌐 www.facialparalysisinstitute.com

PlasticSurgery

Twelve years later — and care still matters.This patient underwent selective neurolysis over a decade ago to address syn...
04/18/2026

Twelve years later — and care still matters.

This patient underwent selective neurolysis over a decade ago to address synkinesis and restore more natural facial movement. Today, 12 years post-op, she continues to come in for Botox management — not because the surgery didn’t work, but because long-term balance requires ongoing care.

Facial nerves heal, adapt, and change over time. Even after successful surgery, subtle patterns of muscle overactivity can return or evolve, especially with aging and natural facial movement.

Botox allows for continued refinement — softening tension, maintaining symmetry, and supporting the results achieved years earlier.

This is what long-term facial paralysis care looks like.

Not a single moment — but a continued partnership.
Not just correction — but maintenance.

Twelve years later, her results are still being supported with precision and intention. 💙

📍 Beverly Hills | 📞 (310) 657-2203
🌐 www.facialparalysisinstitute.com

PlasticSurgery

04/08/2026

Choosing surgery once takes courage.
Choosing it again takes trust.

At 28, Karen is preparing for her second selective neurolysis — a decision shaped by her lived experience, her goals, and her belief that further refinement is possible.

In this pre-op video, she shares her thoughts before surgery. The anticipation, the honesty, and the quiet strength it takes to move forward again — not because the journey failed, but because healing can happen in stages.

For some patients, the first procedure creates meaningful change. For others, subtle areas of imbalance or synkinesis remain, and a second, more targeted approach can help bring further balance and control.

This moment is about more than surgery.
It’s about trust in the process.
And trust in herself.

Her story is still being written — and this is the next chapter. 💙

📍 Beverly Hills | 📞 (310) 657-2203
🌐 www.facialparalysisinstitute.com

PlasticSurgery

04/03/2026

Botox is often misunderstood in facial paralysis care.

Some see it as a temporary, cosmetic fix — a “bandaid.” Others wonder if it can fully repair facial paralysis on its own.

The truth is more nuanced.

Botox does not restore nerve function or reverse paralysis. But when used strategically, it can play a powerful role in improving facial balance, reducing synkinesis, and softening the tension caused by overactive muscles.

In this video, we break down what Botox can — and cannot — do for patients with facial paralysis.

It’s not about masking the problem.
It’s about managing it thoughtfully.

For many patients, Botox becomes part of a larger, long-term treatment plan — working alongside physical therapy, surgical intervention, or other modalities to improve overall function and comfort.

Understanding the role of Botox helps set the right expectations — and leads to better outcomes.

Not a bandaid.
Not a cure.
But an important tool in the right hands. 💙

📍 Beverly Hills | 📞 (310) 657-2203
🌐 www.facialparalysisinstitute.com

PlasticSurgery

03/30/2026

Sometimes the strongest patients are the smallest.

At just 7 years old, this patient has already faced more than most — a diagnosis of lymphoma, and the lasting impact it left on her facial nerve.

Facial paralysis after cancer treatment can affect more than movement. It can influence how a child expresses emotion, connects with others, and experiences the world around them during some of their most formative years.

Now, her journey continues with the next step: surgery.

The goal is not just movement — it’s restoring balance, supporting function, and giving her the ability to express herself more freely as she grows.

Pediatric facial reanimation requires more than surgical precision. It requires patience, planning, and a deep understanding of how a child’s face will develop over time.

Her story is one of resilience, courage, and hope.

And this is just the beginning of what’s ahead. 💙

📍 Beverly Hills | 📞 (310) 657-2203
🌐 www.facialparalysisinstitute.com

PlasticSurgery

03/25/2026

When results need refinement, precision matters even more.

Selective neurolysis is designed to reduce unwanted muscle movement by addressing misdirected nerve signals. But in some cases, residual synkinesis or imbalance may remain — and that’s where revision selective neurolysis comes in.

Revision procedures are not about starting over. They are about fine-tuning.

In this video, we explain what revision selective neurolysis involves and why some patients may benefit from a secondary, highly targeted approach. Over time, nerve healing patterns can evolve, and subtle areas of overactivity may persist or become more noticeable.

Pioneered by Dr. Azizzadeh over a decade ago, selective neurolysis has transformed the way synkinesis is treated — with studies showing significant improvement in smile function, facial balance, and reduction of unwanted muscle activity.

Revision surgery builds on that foundation, focusing on the remaining areas to further improve coordination, reduce tension, and enhance overall facial harmony.

This level of treatment requires experience, restraint, and a deep understanding of facial nerve anatomy.

Because sometimes, the final result is achieved not in one step — but through thoughtful refinement. 💙

📍 Beverly Hills | 📞 (310) 657-2203
🌐 www.facialparalysisinstitute.com

PlasticSurgery

03/19/2026

Early changes can reveal the beginning of real balance.

At 33 years old, this patient underwent selective neurolysis to address facial asymmetry and involuntary muscle movement caused by synkinesis.

Before surgery, misdirected nerve signals caused certain muscles to activate when they shouldn’t — creating tightness, pulling, and expressions that felt out of sync. Selective neurolysis works by carefully identifying and releasing those abnormal nerve pathways, allowing for more controlled and coordinated movement.

Now, at one month post-op, healing is still in its early stages. Swelling continues to settle, and movement will continue to evolve. Even so, there is already a noticeable shift — less tension, improved balance, and a face that is beginning to move more naturally.

These early results are not the final outcome — they are the foundation.

Precision in surgery.
Patience in healing.
Progress that builds over time. 💙

📍 Beverly Hills | 📞 (310) 657-2203
🌐 www.facialparalysisinstitute.com

PlasticSurgery

03/14/2026

Not every patient is ready for surgery right away — and that’s okay.

For individuals living with facial paralysis or synkinesis, treatment doesn’t always begin in the operating room. Sometimes the first step is understanding how the facial muscles are working and how they interact with one another.

That’s where Botox mapping can play an important role.

By carefully placing small, targeted injections, we can temporarily adjust specific muscle groups and observe how the face responds. This allows both the patient and the physician to better understand patterns of imbalance, compensation, and movement before considering a surgical plan.

For patients who cannot move forward with surgery in the immediate future, Botox mapping can provide meaningful relief while also serving as a guide for future treatment decisions.

Care doesn’t have to be rushed.
Sometimes the best approach is thoughtful, step-by-step planning. 💙

📍 Beverly Hills | 📞 (310) 657-2203
🌐 www.facialparalysisinstitute.com

PlasticSurgery

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TikTok Caption (Short + Educational)

Not ready for surgery yet?

Botox mapping can help us understand facial muscle patterns and guide future treatment — while also improving balance in the meantime.

📍 Beverly Hills | 📞 (310) 657-2203
🌐 www.facialparalysisinstitute.com

BotoxMapping FacialParalysis Synkinesis MedicalEducation PlasticSurgery

03/13/2026

Pregnancy brings many changes to the body — but few expect it to affect the facial nerve.

Bell’s palsy is a sudden form of facial paralysis that can cause weakness or loss of movement on one side of the face. For many patients, the onset feels alarming and unexpected.

What many people don’t realize is that Bell’s palsy has been observed more frequently during pregnancy, particularly in the third trimester and early postpartum period.

Why? Pregnancy creates significant changes in the body — from fluid retention and circulation shifts to hormonal and immune system changes. These factors may increase vulnerability of the facial nerve, making temporary paralysis more likely in some individuals.

In this video, we discuss the relationship between pregnancy and Bell’s palsy, and why early recognition and evaluation are so important.

For patients experiencing sudden facial weakness, prompt care can help guide treatment and protect long-term facial function.

Understanding leads to reassurance — and reassurance leads to better care. 💙

📍 Beverly Hills | 📞 (310) 657-2203
🌐 www.facialparalysisinstitute.com

PlasticSurgery

03/06/2026

Synkinesis isn’t just tightness — it’s miscommunication between nerves and muscles.

After facial paralysis, regenerating nerves can heal in unintended pathways. The result is involuntary movement: the eye narrowing when smiling, the neck tightening when speaking, the cheek pulling without control.

Botox plays an important role in restoring balance.

Dr. Azizzadeh carefully injects targeted areas affected by synkinesis. The goal isn’t to freeze expression — it’s to quiet overactive muscles, reduce unwanted movement, and allow more natural coordination to emerge.

Treatment requires precision. Each injection is placed with an understanding of facial nerve anatomy, compensation patterns, and long-term symmetry.

For many patients, Botox is not cosmetic — it is functional therapy that improves comfort, control, and confidence.

Subtle adjustments.
Intentional placement.
Meaningful relief. 💙

📍 Beverly Hills | 📞 (310) 657-2203
🌐 www.facialparalysisinstitute.com

03/05/2026

Facial paralysis affects more than movement — it affects identity, confidence, and connection.

During Facial Paralysis Awareness Week, we pause to recognize the millions of individuals living with facial nerve disorders. Behind every asymmetrical smile or still expression is a person navigating challenges that extend far beyond what is visible.

Facial paralysis can impact speech, eye closure, eating, and emotional expression. It can change how someone is perceived before they even have the chance to speak. And for many patients, the emotional weight of being misunderstood can be just as significant as the physical symptoms.

Awareness matters because early recognition leads to timely care.

Understanding reduces stigma.
Education creates empowerment.

At the Facial Paralysis Institute, we are committed to advancing specialized facial nerve treatment, supporting patients at every stage of recovery, and continuing to raise awareness about this often-overlooked condition.

This week, we stand with the facial paralysis community.

To listen.
To educate.

And to remind every patient that they are not alone. 💙

📍 Beverly Hills | 📞 (310) 657-2203
🌐 www.facialparalysisinstitute.com

Address

9401 Wilshire Boulevard, Ste 650
Beverly Hills, CA
90212

Telephone

+13106572203

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