I had a stroke 8 years ago. I am 50 years old. Will Botox help in the facial drooping or paralysis?

Thank you for sharing your question. It is unlikely that injections of Botox will give you any significant improvement of facial paralysis. You might need surgery to elevate the droopy parts of the face.Good luck,

Botox can be used my an experienced injector to balance out or soften asymmetries related to facial nerve paralysis. Botox, however, will not correct loss of sensation. 

In patients with facial paralysis, Botox can be carefully placed into the normal side to even out the major asymmetries.Botox does not help you regain any feeling, but it will help balance your muscles.

Botox is a neuroleptic agent, meaning that it causes muscle paralysis. Since you already have paralysis on one side, injecting that side with Botox would provide no change and injecting the opposite side would cause both sides of the face to be paralyzed. Not a good idea. Please consult a facial plastic and reconstructive surgeon for a static sling or possible re-animation procedure.

Botox injections may help improve asymmetries in the face. Often, this is done by injecting more units on one side of the face vs. the other or by injecting different muscles on one side vs. the other.  It is difficult to confirm whether Botox will help you in your specific situation without a consultation so your doctor can evaluate you at rest and while you can animate your face. I have been able to help some facial paralysis patients and not others. Sometimes, a better answer lies in a different procedure. I think it is worth your time to get a consult from an experienced Botox injector.

Botox actially relaxes muscles and I doubt from your description that it would be helpful. If you have loose skin and volume loss as a result of natural aging it is quite possible that a combination of Ultherapy and dermal filler could restore better Balance to your facial features.BestLisa Vuich, MD

Botox could possibly help improve your overall facial symmetry with injections to the side of your face that does NOT have paralysis. Botox paralyzes muscles. You'd have decreased to no movement in your face. Having said that, it's quite difficult to give personalized advice without a picture to evaluate your particular situation. I would recommend a visit to a plastic surgeon who specializes in facial plastic surgery and/or reinneevation of facial nerves. Best of luck.