In recent years, a new concept has emerged in the field of medical aesthetics – “beauty rehabilitation”.
This approach involves using medical aesthetics techniques to address the physical appearance issues that arise from certain medical conditions. Rehabilitation, according to the World Health Organization, is the provision of services to people with disabilities that enables them to attain and maintain optimal physical, sensory, intellectual, psychological, and social function. In cases of neurological damage, rehabilitation is especially important as complete recovery is often difficult to achieve.
A Bell’s palsy patient from Taiwan is a prime example of the potential benefits of beauty rehabilitation. Bell’s palsy is a form of facial paralysis caused by dysfunction of the facial nerve. The condition leads to an inability to control the affected side of the face, causing asymmetry and difficulty in smiling or closing the eye on one side. The patient reported a lack of confidence in his appearance due to the visible effects of Bell’s palsy.
Medical aesthetics, which has advanced considerably in recent years, can use techniques such as botulinum toxin injections to address facial muscle asymmetry and hyaluronic acid injections to address facial depression issues. In this case, the doctor employed a series of botulinum toxin and hyaluronic acid injections to help the patient recover. After several months of treatment, the patient experienced significant improvements – the affected eye could close and the cheeks were no longer depressed, resulting in a natural and symmetrical smile. The patient regained his confidence and was able to return to a normal life.
While still in its early stages, beauty rehabilitation has the potential to help people with medical conditions regain their appearance and self-confidence.