Will lower eyelid twitching/nerve injury after Kybella along jawline and jowls recover?

Question

I had some kybella done to my jowl and jawline area with a cannula and ever since I’ve had a twitching lower eyelid which I didn’t have before. It’s lasted about 10 days now. I was wondering if the cannula could have damaged or irritated a nerve and that is causing the lower eye lid to twitch? I know that’s were important nerves along and above the jawline area. Will this improve if so? It could be from swelling pressing on a nerve too maybe? Hope it’s not permanent!

Rey N. Bello, MD · Answer

I don't think that your lower lid twitching is related to the kybella injection. The nerve in your  jowl area innervates the angle of the mouth and the lower lip which when damaged could give a person an asymmetric movement of the lower lip or asymmetric smile.  You did not mention that you have issues with you lips which I presume that the functions of the muscles around lips are normal, which means that the nerve is intact. The eyelid muscle is supplied by a branch of facial nerve which is the same origin as the muscle in the jaw/jowl area but there is no direct communication between the nerve in the jaw and the eyelid. You might have read about patients with facial nerve injury such that when they move their mouth or  jaw area their eye twitch or narrow in the same side of the injury (called synkinesis). But this happens when the main trunk of the facial nerve (which supplies the muscles of facial expression) is damaged and all its branches are affected. In the process of nerve regeneration, there maybe aberrant (abnormal) recovery such that there maybe abnormal connections,  which often happens between the mouth and the eye muscles. Synkinesis happens usually at least a year after a severe facial nerve injury. Again, In your case, you did not mention that you have abnormal movement of your mouth/lips which I presume the nerve is normal. This is just my opinion. I suggest to see your injector and get his/her opinion, better still  I would suggest to see a  doctor with experience with facial nerve injury for an opinion. Lower twitching is a common condition, which maybe benign such as myokemia but it is always good to check with a physician for proper evaluation to rule out other causes.

Sheryl D. Clark, MD, FAAD · Answer

hello GB82:Lucky you to be living in London! I had some great times In the few years that I lived in your great city.Eyelid spasms are fairly common, and can occur from a number of different causes, the most benign of which Is simply stress. We can use a bit of a neurimodulator such as Botox or #Jeuveau (just received positive CHMP opinion so EC approval expected soon as Nuceiva in the EU) to quickly relax the spasm. The marginal mandibular nerve passes under the jaw and does not innervate the muscles around the eye but rather the muscles under the mouth, So I would be hard-pressed to postulate how this could be related to your Kybella injection. Things do happen by coincidence, of course! If it persists, you might want to see a neurologist for a quick consult.Warm regards, Sheryl Clark MD FAAD

Michele S. Green, MD · Answer

I do a lot of Kybella in my office and I have definitely not seen this side effect. It is possible that Kybella was injected outside of the proper area and has chase this twitching.  This should hopefully resolve in a few weeks and I would consult a neurologist in the meanwhile to examine you.  For the best results with Kybella please consult an expert.  Best, Dr. Green

Adam E. Singleton, MD · Answer

Hello - the nerves that travel to the muscles of the eyelid do not typically travel along the jawline. The nerve that controls the lower lip is in close proximity to the jawline, therefore per the Kybella guidelines, Kybella should not be placed in the danger area close to where this nerve is usually found. If there is any concern post treatment, your treating provider should be contacted and you should be examined by them. 
Best - Dr. Singleton

Will lower eyelid twitching/nerve injury after Kybella along jawline and jowls recover?

Answers (4)

Answer: Nerve control of eyelids

Answer: Nerve control of eyelids

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Will lower eyelid twitching/nerve injury after Kybella along jawline and jowls recover?

Answers (4)

Answer: Nerve control of eyelids

Answer: Nerve control of eyelids

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Everything you need to know about Kybella

Our mission is to create a world where every investment in modern beauty is Worth It.