Injection of botulinum toxin

Botulinum toxin type A is a protein naturally produced by the bacterium Clostridium botulinum. In aesthetic medicine, its injection causes a temporary relaxation of the targeted muscles, visibly reducing expression lines.

The treatment is recognised and approved for glabellar wrinkles (frown lines), crow's feet, forehead wrinkles, platysma (neck wrinkles) and hyperhidrosis (excess perspiration). At Forever Institut, aesthetic doctors use products that are recognised and selected for their effectiveness and safety, according to each patient's profile.

With 30 years' expertise in aesthetic medicine in French-speaking Switzerland, Forever Institut applies a rigorous medical approach to botulinum injections: each treatment is preceded by a detailed morphological analysis and tailored to the specific facial features of each patient.

Botulinum toxin is injected into the upper third of the face, where repeated muscular contractions of the muscles responsible for facial expressions end up creating permanent furrows. Three areas are treated in current practice:

Lion's wrinkles (glabella)

Vertical wrinkles between the eyebrows, linked to the corrugator and procerus muscles. Botulinum toxin injection for frown lines is the oldest clinically validated area - it is often the entry point for first-time patients.

Forehead wrinkles

Horizontal wrinkles that appear when the eyebrows are raised. At Forever Institut, we understand that muscular forces and movements are synergistic. So, to ensure a harmonious result, forehead wrinkles are considered to be «3 zones» because their treatment almost always includes the glabella and crow's feet.

Crow's feet (lateral canthal wrinkles)

Fan-shaped wrinkles that start at the outer corner of the eyes when smiling. Botulinum toxin injection for eye wrinkles is particularly appreciated for its natural result and discreet rejuvenating effect.

Forever Institut's doctors generally recommend the 3-zone treatment to obtain a harmonious result over the entire upper third of the face. The dosage and injection points are adapted to the anatomy, muscle tone and individual objectives of each patient.

Platysma (neck wrinkles)

Botulinum toxin can also be used to treat vertical neck wrinkles linked to the platysma muscle, often called «platysmal bands». Over time, this muscle becomes more visible and contributes to the appearance of a slack, marked neck. Botulinum toxin injections relax these muscle contractions, softening the vertical cords of the neck and redefining the oval of the face. The treatment offers a natural rejuvenating effect, with a visibly smoother, tighter neck and a better-defined jawline. Results appear gradually over a few days and generally last 3 to 4 months. 

The first effects of botulinum injections appear between the 5th and 7th day following treatment. The final results are visible between the 10th and 15th day. The effectiveness of the treatment is maintained for an average of 3 to 5 months, depending on the patient. Clinical trials document an average duration of around 3 months, but the effect often lasts slightly longer.

With repeated sessions, the targeted muscles gradually develop the habit of contracting less, which tends to prolong the interval between treatments. Forever Institut recommends around 3 sessions a year to maintain the benefits of the treatment.

One notable advantage: botulinum toxin injections also act preventively, limiting the worsening of expression lines before they crystallise in the tissues with age.

Before the session

To minimise the risk of bruising, avoid taking anti-inflammatory drugs, aspirin and blood-thinning supplements (omega-3, turmeric, vitamin C) in the days leading up to your appointment. If you are taking anticoagulants, tell your doctor.

After the session

• Avoid compressing (helmet, headband...) or massaging the injected area for 48 to 72 hours.
• Avoid saunas, steam baths and strenuous sports during the hours following treatment.
• Contact Forever Institut if skin reactions persist beyond 24 hours.

Contraindications

• Pregnancy and breastfeeding
• Allergy or hypersensitivity to botulinum toxin type A
• Infection or inflammation of the skin near the injection site
• Muscle disorders or neurological disease (myasthenia gravis, Lambert-Eaton syndrome, ALS)

Possible side effects

Undesirable effects are generally transient and not serious: localised redness or papules (disappearing in less than an hour), bruising (resolved within a week), headaches in the hours or days following the injection, a feeling of heaviness or slight asymmetry during the stabilisation period (2 weeks). These effects are not systematic and vary from one patient to another. In the event of asymmetry, a correction can be made at the follow-up appointment.

Forever Institut has been a leading medical aesthetic centre in French-speaking Switzerland since 1997. Founded by internationally renowned dermatologist Dr Luigi L. Polla, Forever Institut boasts a team of experienced aesthetic doctors.

Forever Institut's approach is based on three principles: medical precision, natural results and personalised support. The 15-20 day check-up is free of charge, and bears witness to this commitment to quality. With clinics in Geneva, Nyon and Lausanne, French-speaking Switzerland has easy access to Forever Institut's recognised expertise.