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.

05/16/2026

Some journeys begin without movement — and are built over time.

Moebius syndrome is a congenital condition where the facial nerves do not fully develop, limiting the ability to smile or show expression from birth.

For this patient, facial reanimation surgery created the foundation for movement that was never there before.

Now, one year post-op, these before-and-after results reflect more than change — they reflect adaptation, learning, and growth. A smile that once wasn’t possible is now becoming part of everyday expression.

Facial reanimation in Moebius syndrome is not immediate. It takes time for the brain and muscles to work together, for new pathways to develop, and for movement to feel natural.

This is what one year of healing, effort, and resilience can look like.

Not just restored movement —
but a new way to express emotion. 💙

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

PlasticSurgery

05/14/2026

Not all facial paralysis starts in the nerve itself — sometimes, it’s caused by what surrounds it.

The facial nerve travels directly through the parotid gland, a major salivary gland located near the jaw and ear. Because of this close relationship, tumors in the parotid gland can affect the nerve in several ways.

Some tumors may press against the nerve, disrupting its ability to send signals. Others may grow around or, in more serious cases, involve the nerve itself. Even when tumors are benign, their location alone can impact facial movement.

In this video, we explain how parotid tumors can lead to facial nerve damage — and why early evaluation is so important.

Understanding the cause of facial weakness is critical, because not all paralysis is the same — and the right diagnosis guides the right treatment.

Awareness leads to earlier detection.
Earlier detection protects function. 💙

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

PlasticSurgery

Sometimes the best results are built in stages.At 32 years old, this patient began her journey with selective neurolysis...
05/06/2026

Sometimes the best results are built in stages.

At 32 years old, this patient began her journey with selective neurolysis 5 years ago — with great outcomes that helped restore more coordinated facial movement and reduce synkinesis.

That first step created meaningful improvement in balance and control. Subtle areas of downward pull remained, and this year, a DAO (depressor anguli oris) resection was performed to further refine the lower face and soften that persistent tension.

These before-and-after results reflect a layered, thoughtful approach to care. Not everything is corrected at once — and in many cases, it shouldn’t be.

By allowing time between procedures, we can better understand how the face heals, adapts, and where additional refinement will have the greatest impact.

The goal is never overcorrection — but harmony.

Step one: restore coordination.
Step two: refine balance.
A process guided by precision and patience. 💙

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

PlasticSurgery

05/01/2026

Not all facial paralysis begins the same way — some cases start with a tick bite.

Lyme disease is an infection that can affect the nervous system, and in some patients, it presents as facial paralysis. What may initially seem like sudden weakness or Bell’s palsy can actually be linked to an underlying infection that requires a different course of treatment.

During Lyme Disease Awareness Month, it’s important to recognize the connection between Lyme disease and facial nerve dysfunction — especially in areas where exposure risk is higher.

Symptoms can vary, but early signs may include facial weakness, fatigue, fever, or a rash. When diagnosed early, Lyme disease is treatable, and prompt care can help prevent long-term complications.

Understanding the cause of facial paralysis is critical — because the right diagnosis leads to the right treatment.

Awareness leads to earlier recognition.
Earlier recognition leads to better outcomes. 💙

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

PlasticSurgery

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

Address

9401 Wilshire Boulevard, Ste 650
Beverly Hills, CA
90212

Telephone

+13106572203

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