> At a Glance
> – Bristol Palin posted a Jan. 3 Instagram Story showing day 323 of left-side facial paralysis
> – She plans Botox for her left eye, which narrows when she smiles
> – Doctors believe the condition is Bell’s palsy, which usually resolves within six months
> – Why it matters: The rare, prolonged case highlights that Bell’s palsy can last far longer than expected
Bristol Palin has given a candid update on the facial paralysis that has frozen the left side of her face for nearly a year, telling followers she sees little improvement as the condition stretches well beyond the typical recovery window.
The Update
In a Jan. 3 Instagram Story, the 35-year-old daughter of former Alaska governor Sarah Palin stitched in footage from a Dec. 9 Q&A session in which a follower asked about her progress.
> “If anyone’s wondering, today’s day 323 of my face being paralyzed. Not looking great.”
Palin removed her sunglasses to demonstrate the limited movement, adding: “Not a whole lot of movement” remains on the affected side.
Treatment Plans
Palin said she intends to use Botox injections to help her left eye, explaining:
- The eyelid “gets so small when I smile”
- She views the procedure as a cosmetic fix, not a cure
- She remains upbeat, noting “At least I’ve got cute sunglasses”
Timeline & Diagnosis
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| First symptoms noticed | Early January 2025 |
| Public Bell’s palsy reveal | January 2025 |
| Attempted treatments | Ongoing since February 2025 |
| Latest update | January 3, 2025 |
According to Johns Hopkins Medicine, Bell’s palsy generally resolves within six months; Palin has surpassed that window by several months.
Key Takeaways
- Palin has lived with partial facial paralysis for nearly 11 months
- She has tried “everything imaginable” without full success
- The prolonged case shows Bell’s palsy recovery can extend far beyond medical averages
Palin closed the clip with a mix of realism and optimism: “Could be worse, could be better.”
