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.

08/03/2026

Not all facial reanimation procedures work the same way.

Two of the most commonly used techniques to restore smile movement are the cross-facial nerve graft and the masseter nerve transfer — but they serve different purposes and create movement in different ways.

A cross-facial nerve graft uses nerve signals from the healthy side of the face to help power movement on the paralyzed side. The goal is often a more spontaneous, emotionally driven smile over time.

A masseter nerve transfer uses the chewing nerve to restore movement more quickly and reliably. Patients learn to activate their smile through muscle retraining and therapy.

In many cases, these procedures are not competitors — they can actually complement one another depending on the patient’s goals, timing, and degree of paralysis.

In this video, we explain how each technique works and why individualized planning is essential in facial reanimation surgery.

Different nerve sources.
Different strengths.
One shared goal: restoring movement and expression. 💙

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

PlasticSurgery

08/03/2026

Not all facial reanimation procedures work the same way.

Two of the most commonly used techniques to restore smile movement are the cross-facial nerve graft and the masseter nerve transfer — but they serve different purposes and create movement in different ways.

A cross-facial nerve graft uses nerve signals from the healthy side of the face to help power movement on the paralyzed side. The goal is often a more spontaneous, emotionally driven smile over time.

A masseter nerve transfer uses the chewing nerve to restore movement more quickly and reliably. Patients learn to activate their smile through muscle retraining and therapy.

In many cases, these procedures are not competitors — they can actually complement one another depending on the patient’s goals, timing, and degree of paralysis.

In this video, we explain how each technique works and why individualized planning is essential in facial reanimation surgery.

Different nerve sources.
Different strengths.
One shared goal: restoring movement and expression. 💙

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

07/31/2026

Not every synkinesis treatment starts with surgery.

For many patients, meaningful improvement can happen through non-surgical management focused on reducing tension, improving coordination, and helping the face function more comfortably day to day.

In this video, we discuss 3 important non-surgical approaches for synkinesis:

• Physiotherapy
• Botox
• Stress management

Facial physiotherapy helps retrain muscle patterns and improve coordination between movements. Botox can reduce overactive muscle activity and soften involuntary movement caused by misdirected nerve healing.

And stress matters more than many patients realize.

Stress and fatigue can intensify facial tightness, muscle firing, and overall tension — often making synkinesis feel worse. Learning to manage stress can play an important role in reducing flare-ups and improving day-to-day control.

Treatment isn’t always about doing more.
Sometimes it’s about creating balance.

Small adjustments.
Consistent care.
Meaningful progress over time. 💙

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

PlasticSurgery

07/31/2026

Facial paralysis does not always look the same.

Some patients experience little to no movement at all.
Others develop tightness and involuntary movement as the nerve heals.

These are known as flaccid and synkinetic facial paralysis — two very different stages and patterns of facial nerve dysfunction.

Flaccid facial paralysis occurs when the facial muscles are weak and unable to move due to loss of nerve input. The face may appear droopy, expressions may be limited, and eye closure can become difficult.

Synkinetic facial paralysis develops when nerves regenerate in a misdirected way. Instead of muscles working independently, movements become linked together — such as the eye narrowing while smiling or the neck tightening during speech.

In this video, we explain how flaccid and synkinetic facial paralysis differ, and why understanding the distinction is important when creating a treatment plan.

Because treatment depends on the pattern of movement — or lack of it.

Different phases.
Different symptoms.
Different approaches to care. 💙

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

PlasticSurgery

07/15/2026

Sometimes small adjustments can make a meaningful difference.

Facial paralysis doesn’t only affect movement — it can also change the resting position of the lips, the balance of the smile, and how the lower face appears at rest.

A lip lift is a subtle procedure, but in the right patient, it can help improve symmetry, enhance lip position, and support a more balanced appearance — especially when one side of the face is weaker or sits lower than the other.

In this video, we explore how lip lifts can be used as part of a comprehensive treatment plan for facial paralysis.

It’s not about overcorrecting.
It’s about refining.

When combined with other treatments — whether surgical or non-surgical — small, targeted changes can help bring the face into better harmony.

Because aesthetics matter too. 💙

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

PlasticSurgery

07/10/2026

This National Cleft and Craniofacial Awareness and Prevention Month, we recognize the strength of individuals and families affected by cleft lip, cleft palate, and other craniofacial differences. 💙

Every journey is unique, and every patient deserves compassionate, individualized care.

Craniofacial conditions can impact both function and appearance, affecting everything from eating and speaking to facial movement and confidence. Through specialized treatment, multidisciplinary care, and ongoing support, meaningful improvements are possible at every stage of life.

At the Facial Paralysis Institute, we’re committed to advancing awareness, education, and treatment while supporting patients with expertise and compassion.

Together, we can help build greater understanding, encourage early intervention, and celebrate the resilience of the craniofacial community.

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

MedicalEducation PatientCare

07/10/2026

Botox is often associated with cosmetic treatments, but it can also play an important role in facial paralysis care.

After facial paralysis, some patients develop facial tightness, muscle overactivity, or unwanted movements known as synkinesis. Carefully placed Botox injections can help relax overactive muscles, improve facial symmetry, and make facial movements feel more natural.

Every treatment plan is personalized because no two patients experience facial paralysis the same way.

In this video, Dr. Babak Azizzadeh demonstrates how Botox can be used as part of a comprehensive approach to facial paralysis treatment—helping patients achieve better facial balance, comfort, and function.

Restoring movement.
Improving balance.
Helping patients feel more like themselves. 💙

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

PlasticSurgery

06/26/2026

Not all facial paralysis comes from the same place.
Some cases begin in the brain.

Others begin in the facial nerve itself.

Understanding the difference between central and peripheral facial paralysis is critical because the cause, urgency, and treatment approach can be very different.

Central facial paralysis is often linked to conditions affecting the brain — such as stroke — and typically impacts the lower portion of the face while preserving forehead movement.

Peripheral facial paralysis occurs when the facial nerve itself is affected, as seen in conditions like Bell’s palsy, tumors, trauma, or infection. In these cases, weakness usually involves the entire side of the face, including the forehead and eye.

In this video, we explain how these two forms of facial paralysis differ and why proper evaluation matters.
Because recognizing the pattern can help guide the next step in care.

Different origins.
Different diagnoses.
Different treatment pathways. 💙

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

06/24/2026

Facial paralysis can sometimes occur unexpectedly — even after surgery.

Because the facial nerve travels through delicate and highly complex areas of the face and neck, certain procedures carry a higher risk of affecting facial movement.

In this video, we discuss three surgeries most commonly associated with facial nerve injury:

• Parotid gland surgery
• Acoustic neuroma (vestibular schwannoma) surgery
• Facelift surgery

These procedures are often performed for important medical or aesthetic reasons, but due to the close proximity of the facial nerve, temporary weakness — and in some cases longer-term paralysis — can occur.

With facelifts specifically, the risk is uncommon, but the facial nerve branches are carefully navigated throughout surgery, making surgical expertise and anatomy knowledge extremely important.

This conversation isn’t about fear — it’s about awareness, education, and understanding the importance of specialized care when facial nerve changes occur.

Early evaluation can make a significant difference in recovery and long-term outcomes.

Knowledge protects patients.
Awareness supports better care. 💙

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

06/11/2026

Before surgery, there’s a story — and every detail matters.

At 36, this patient is preparing for facial reanimation surgery combined with a left brow lift to address long-standing facial asymmetry and weakness.

Her journey began with Bell’s palsy. While some recovery occurred, she later developed synkinesis — where facial muscles move involuntarily — leading to tightness, imbalance, and expressions that no longer felt natural.

Despite non-surgical treatments, her symptoms persisted.

Now, surgery offers the next step forward.

Facial paralysis doesn’t only affect the smile. It can influence brow position, eye symmetry, and how the entire face rests and expresses emotion. This surgical plan is designed to restore movement, improve upper and lower facial balance, and reduce the effects of synkinesis.

This moment is about more than preparation.
It’s about understanding her journey — and building a plan that reflects it.

From onset…
to adaptation…
to a decision for something more. 💙

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

Address

9401 Wilshire Boulevard, Ste 650
Beverly Hills, CA
90212

Telephone

+13106572203

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