Botox: a quick and painless cosmetic solution for your face

What is Botox? 

Botulinum toxin is a compound secreted by a bacteria. It has been used in ophthalmology for over 40 years as a way of reducing eye spasms. Its inhibiting effect on muscle nerves, without any unpleasant side effects, make it the perfect solution for smoothing out wrinkles and relaxing the muscles, giving your face a refreshed appearance. 

Botox has been used in cosmetic medicine since the late 1980s and is a tried and tested solution, offering quick and safe results when the injections are performed by a professional. Thanks to its unrivalled benefits, it has replaced forehead lifts, a surgical procedure that is now rare.

What are the effects of injecting Botox into the face?  

A Botox injection will block the release of a chemical (acetylcholine) involved in muscle contractions, which relaxes the muscle in the area around the injection site and thereby reduces wrinkles. 

The injections cause no damage to the nervous system or the muscles and are often performed in the upper part of the face: the forehead, between the eyebrows (frown lines), at the corners of the eyes (the famous ‘crow’s feet’) and the eyelids. Sometimes, Botox is also injected into the neck, the cheeks and the masseter (a muscle in the lower jaw).

Not only are the results as spectacular as with cosmetic surgery, but there is not even any need for anaesthetic. You may be advised to apply an ointment to your skin before the Botox injection in order to avoid discomfort during the injection. The results are visible within a week after the injection, and can last between 4 and 8 months.  

How does the procedure take place? 

During an initial half-hour appointment with Dr Jean-Thomas Bachelet, at one of the three clinics at which he consults  (Morges, Lausanne or Vevey), the injection programme you have in mind will be explained to you, and you will be given a quote based on the recommended type of Botox for you and the frequency of the injections. You should allow for 2-3 injection sessions per year, depending on the thickness of the muscle. 

Once your programme has been defined, the first injection can take place. This takes only 15 minutes and you will see the results in only 3-4 days. The injection sites will be visible after this session, but only for 3-8 hours after the injection. In other words, if you have your injection done in the evening, it will have disappeared by the following morning.      

A follow-up appointment will be made, one to two weeks after the injection, to ensure that everything is going as planned and that the expected results have materialised. This is also the opportunity to top up certain areas with a small drop of Botox to adjust the balance of your face (sometimes, muscles will not relax in exactly the same way from one side of the face to the other). Nothing more.   

Make an appointment with Dr Jean-Thomas Bachelet

What are the risks posed by Botox injections?

Although the procedure itself is not dangerous, it does involve making an injection to the face. Trusting a specialist who is an expert in the use of Botox, has extensive experience in the field and is familiar with the anatomy of the face is essential in order to obtain quick, visible and safe results. 

Using the right type of Botulinum toxin for your individual facial profile, at the right dose, is crucial for success. Dr Jean-Thomas Bachelet uses a fully purified molecule, with no complexing proteins added, for a completely natural result.  

How much does an injection cost? 

This depends largely on the quantity of Botox required, which will differ for each individual patient. You will receive a quote during your first appointment based on the right quantity for you. You should allow for between CHF 280.- and CHF 600.- per injection session.