HEALTHBristol Palin Reveals Where She Stands 1 Year After Developing Frightening Facial Paralysis
Sarah Palin's daughter Bristol Palin revealed where she stands with her facial paralysis after developing the mysterious condition more than a year ago.
Jan. 21 2026, Published 2:08 p.m. ET
Bristol Palin spoke about her progress with her facial paralysis after developing the mysterious condition a year ago.
"Happy one year since my face went paralyzed," Palin, 35, teased in a video posted to her Instagram Stories on Tuesday, January 20.
Bristol Palin Shared Facial Paralysis Update
Bristol Palin listed the ways her life has 'improved' since she developed facial paralysis.
The two-minute video clip began with Palin listing the ways her life has "improved" since developing the paralysis in her face.
Facial paralysis is "the inability to move the muscles on one or both sides of your face due to nerve damage" and can either be temporary or permanent, according to the Cleveland Clinic.
"I have never acted like I was some smokeshow ... I am extremely humble, but something like this really does force you to find inner confidence that I'm just so thankful for," Palin said while pointing to her face. "I know that this just adds some character to my face, it could be way worse. Life happens quick, things change."
Bristol Palin Is 'Tired of Talking About Her Face'
Bristol Palin first revealed her condition in January 2025.
Though Bristol, the daughter of politician Sarah Palin, is "tired of talking about her face," she is thankful for everyone who has supported her during her health battle.
"This has also forced me to live a much healthier life, be more concerned with what I'm consuming, what I'm doing every day," she continued. "And I'm very thankful for the path that has put me on."
- Bristol Palin Shares Photo of Scary Facial Paralysis Nearly 1 Year After Diagnosis: 'Not Looking Great'
- Bristol Palin Reveals Her Face Is 'Slowly Getting Better' Amid Scary Facial Paralysis Condition
- Bristol Palin Admits Facial Paralysis 'Could Be Permanent': 'I Can't Look at Photos of Myself Right Now'
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Bristol Palin Revealed Facial Paralysis Diagnosis in January 2025
Bristol Palin explained the condition began with a 'weird sensation' in her face.
The Teen Mom alum first revealed her medical condition in January 2025 after initially waking up with a "weird sensation" in her face.
"My mouth was pulling this way," Bristol explained. "It just felt like a little off. So I went and looked in the mirror and was like, 'Wow. This is looking a little weird.'"
The reality TV alum explained that within a couple of hours, the "entire left side" of her face was "numb and just paralyzed."
"I couldn’t really blink my eye, definitely had no movement on this side of my face. So crazy," she told her followers.
Bristol Palin's Face Still Doesn't Move Properly
Bristol Palin said her face still does not move properly as of December 2025.
After seeing a doctor and getting a CT scan, Bristol said the results showed nothing abnormal.
"They think it’s just a case of Bell’s Palsy, maybe brought on by stress or lack of sleep. I’m not really sure," she said.
For the next six months, Bristol attempted several techniques to improve her condition, including acupuncture, massage therapy, oxygen chamber treatment and red light therapy. She also changed her diet and stopped eating "most of the processed foods" she would normally consume.
Last month, Bristol shared an update, where she explained that one side of her face still didn't move properly.
"If anyone’s wondering, today’s day 323 of my face being paralyzed … not looking great," she confessed, highlighting there was still "not a whole lot of movement" on one half.
