Botox injections

Among the various treatments available for reducing wrinkles, Botox works uniquely by relaxing muscles. It acts at the neuromuscular junction of striated muscles by blocking the release of acetylcholine, a chemical that triggers muscle contractions. By preventing the muscles from contracting, Botox helps smooth out wrinkles in the areas where it is injected.

The most commonly treated expression lines include :

• Forehead wrinkles : Horizontal lines that appear when you raise your eyebrows can be reduced with Botox injections.
• Frown lines : The vertical lines between the eyebrows (glabellar lines), which often give a tired or stern look, can be softened with Botox for a more relaxed appearance.
• Crow’s feet : The small lines around the eyes that form when smiling can be smoothed out, resulting in a more rested look.
• Bunny lines : Fine lines on either side of the nose that appear when scrunching the nose can also be reduced with Botox.

The position of the eyebrows is maintained by a balance between the depressor muscles near the brows (orbicularis, corrugator, and procerus muscles) and the elevator muscle (frontal muscle). Horizontal forehead wrinkles result from the frontal muscle’s contraction, while vertical frown lines are caused by the action of the depressor muscles. For optimal results, both muscle groups should be treated to maintain balance in the upper face.

No special preparation is needed for the treatment, though it’s advised to avoid aspirin and anti-inflammatory medications for a week beforehand to minimize bleeding.

Before treatment, Dr. Aimé will check for contraindications such as myasthenia gravis, Lambert-Eaton syndrome, or other peripheral neuromuscular disorders. Pregnant or breastfeeding women and those with allergies or intolerance to previous injections should not undergo Botox treatment. It’s essential to disclose any current medications to avoid interactions, such as with aminoglycoside antibiotics.

After a static and dynamic examination of the area, Dr. Aimé will administer multiple intramuscular Botox injections to your face. The needle is very fine, and the procedure takes only a few minutes.
To avoid the “frozen” look, which some patients fear, the dose is carefully adjusted according to each patient’s muscle strength.

Post-treatment, you can immediately resume your regular activities. However, it’s recommended to avoid intensive exercise for a few hours and refrain from massaging the treated areas for 24 hours. Minor redness or swelling at the injection points may occur but typically subsides within 30 minutes.

Botulinum toxin injections are also used to reduce excessive underarm sweating (hyperhidrosis). The treatment effectively stops sweating for several months (typically 6 to 8 months) by blocking the muscles that stimulate the sweat glands. Dr. Aimé uses the Minor test (application of iodine and cornstarch) to identify areas of hyperhidrosis, which then turn black. Injections are targeted in these areas, with 50 units of botulinum toxin per side (one Vistabel vial per side).

Results take a few days to develop and last for about 5 to 8 months. The procedure is quick, simple, and effective, with minimal side effects like redness or rare bruising. The cost for a session is €720.

The effects of Botox are not immediate. Muscle paralysis begins between 24 hours and 4 days post-injection, depending on the patient and muscle volume. Wrinkle smoothing becomes visible after a few days, with optimal results seen by day 15. It’s important to wait until this point to evaluate the final outcome, as some asymmetry or incomplete wrinkle reduction may occur during this time.

Results last an average of 3 to 6 months. It is recommended to space injections at least 3 months apart to avoid developing resistance to the product. After the second injection, results may last longer (6 to 8 months), and wrinkles may improve further with continued sessions, especially if they were initially deep. Typically, between 3 and 8 sessions are needed to stabilize results.

Botulinum toxin A (Botox) is one of the safest and most widely practiced aesthetic treatments worldwide. Complications are rare and generally reversible. However, it’s important to inform your doctor of any adverse effects or unusual reactions.
Potential complications include:

• Sensitivity changes or tension in the treated area for a few days
• Transient facial or ocular pain
• Headaches after injection, usually resolving within hours
• Eyebrow drooping: A sense of heaviness in the eyelids or actual eyebrow drooping may occur after forehead injections. This is more common in patients with naturally low-set brows or if an excessive amount of product was used. It resolves spontaneously in days or weeks.
• Eyelid drooping: Rare (less than 1%), but temporary and always resolves within a few weeks.
• Temporary difficulty smiling or swallowing after injections in the lip corners or neck
• Allergic reactions (skin rash, hives, difficulty breathing), dry eyes, nausea, dizziness, fever.
  In addition to these risks, an insufficient result or asymmetry may require a touch-up Botox injection approximately 3 weeks later, but only your doctor can assess the need for this.

The price for a Botox (botulinum toxin) injection ranges from €260 to €450, including VAT.

This fee also covers a potential follow-up consultation.

The injection is performed at the clinic in Antibes, near Cannes and Monaco.