Soft-tissue fillers, neurotoxins and lasers can be used to correct facial deformities caused by a variety of medical conditions, according to information presented at the 2015 American Society for Dermatologic Surgery meeting.

During the session, Washington, DC dermatologist Cheryl M. Burgess, M.D., and Miami, FL dermatologist Jill S. Waibel, M.D., discussed how cosmetic medical treatments can address facial lipoatrophy associated with HIV and localized variants such as morphea, Bell’s palsy, Strabismus, Parry-Romberg syndrome, Lupus profundus, hemangiomas, surgical deformities, scars and burns.

While facial asymmetry is severe in several of these conditions, Dr. Burgess says that  bringing the deficient side of the face to the standard of the normal side is an attainable goal. “We have to think in that frame of mind of how you’re going to make that person symmetrical,” Burgess says in a news release. “It can be challenging, but it is rewarding if you can significantly change their lives.”

For HIV-associated facial lipoatrophy, soft-tissue fillers can help restore facial volume due to loss of deep fat pads, she says. Patients who have lupus profundus –can also benefit from fillers, Dr. Burgess said. Botulinum toxin treatments are effective for Bell’s palsy patients, she adds.

 “When we look at patients who have not formed developmentally correct or if there’s been a disease or an injury, our goal is to help restore their desired facial anatomy,” Dr. Waibel said. “We’re not going to make it perfect. We are going to make it better.” Dr. Waibel uses laser to swiftly seal some ulcerated hemangiomas.