Everyone’s face is asymmetric to some extent, with the two sides being more sisters than twins. Usually, the differences are subtle but sometimes they’re very noticeable. Luckily there are nonsurgical methods to make the face appear more symmetric.
Relaxing muscles with neuromodulators like Botox, Dysport, or Jeuveau can help lift the brows, mouth corners, and jawline, or make a smaller eye appear larger.
Dermal fillers or a fat transfer can fill out an area that appears smaller on one side and can mimic the look of facial fat or bone.
Facial paralysis occurs when a person is unable to move some of the muscles in the face and it usually affects only one side. The most common cause of facial paralysis is Bell’s Palsy which affects up to 40,000 people a year in the USA. Bell’s Palsy is usually temporary but it occasionally produces permanent paralysis. Other causes of facial paralysis include trauma, surgery, and congenital problems affecting the facial nerve, neurological conditions, and infections like Lyme disease.
When facial paralysis affects only one side, the mouth & eye corners may droop on the side affected and the asymmetry becomes more obvious with animation. The unaffected side may become hyperactive and pull the paralyzed side towards it, creating a distorted effect that exaggerates the asymmetry.
Understandably, people with facial paralysis suffer socially, emotionally, and physically, and thankfully there are treatments that may help it be less obvious.
One of the easiest ways to decrease the asymmetry in movement is to relax the hyperkinetic muscles with a product like Botox or Dysport. It can decrease the degree to which the unaffected side of the mouth pulls up with smiling and keep the brow from raising on just one side.
Absorbable barbed threads can be used to suspend an area that appears lower on one side, such as a brow, cheek, or mouth corner.
Because of the loss of muscle tone on the side affected by the paralysis, one cheek may appear smaller or lower than the other and this can be improved with injectable fillers, fat, and/or absorbable threads.
Obviously, you want an expert when you’re having a treatment to correct facial asymmetry and the practitioners at Skinspirations have the experience to know exactly how to do it best.
If you have facial nerve problems or asymmetry, we want to help. We’ll be happy to discuss with you our recommended treatment options. Call us at (727) 571-1923 or text us at (727) 263 4798 to schedule a consultation.