Botox at a glance
- Session10 to 15 min
- AnaesthesiaNone, or anaesthetic cream
- Social downtimeNone
- First effectsFrom day 3
- Duration of effect2 to 6 months
- PriceFrom €250
Botulinum toxin, better known as Botox, relaxes the muscles responsible for expression lines: forehead, frown lines, crow’s feet. It smooths these lines and slows their progression while preserving the expressions of the face. The injection is carried out at the practice in Cannes, in 10 to 15 minutes, without anaesthesia or with an anaesthetic cream, with no social downtime. The effect appears from day 3, is optimal between day 10 and day 15, and lasts 2 to 6 months.
Price: from €250 (one area); €420 for the upper third of the face (forehead, frown lines, crow’s feet).
Which areas can be treated with Botox?
Each area corresponds to a specific muscle: Botox relaxes that muscle and smooths the line it creates.
| Area | Lines or concern treated | Muscle relaxed |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Forehead | Horizontal forehead lines | Frontalis |
| 2. Frown lines | Vertical lines between the eyebrows | Corrugator and procerus |
| 3. Crow’s feet | Lines at the corner of the eyes; lifts the tail of the eyebrow and brightens the eyes | Orbicularis oculi (lateral part) |
| 4. Sides of the nose | Lateral nose lines (“bunny lines”) | Levators of the nostril and upper lip |
| 5. Upper lip | Smoker’s lines | Orbicularis oris |
| 6. Corner of the mouth | Drooping corner of the mouth | Depressor anguli oris |
| 7. Chin | “Orange peel” appearance | Mentalis |
| 8. Jaw | Face widened by large masseter muscles | Masseters |
| 9. Neck | Neck bands | Platysma |
The upper face: forehead, frown lines, crow’s feet
This is the main indication. On the forehead, Botox acts on the frontalis muscle; when the line is already marked at rest, a hyaluronic acid injection completes the result. Between the eyebrows, it relaxes the corrugator and procerus muscles. At the corner of the eyes, it acts on the lateral part of the orbicularis oculi muscle: it smooths crow’s feet, lifts the tail of the eyebrow and brightens the eyes.
The lower face and the neck
On the sides of the nose, it softens the lateral lines (“bunny lines”). On the upper lip, it improves smoker’s lines; a lightly cross-linked hyaluronic acid can also treat them. At the corner of the mouth, it lifts a drooping corner; on the chin, it smooths a dimpled (“orange peel”) appearance. In the masseter muscles, it slims a wide jaw, at the cost of repeated injections. On the neck, it improves platysmal bands; however, the best treatment for a sagging neck remains a lift.
Botox also treats excessive sweating of the underarms, hands or feet (€400 to €600): find out more about Botox for excessive sweating.
See the Botox injection before and after photos
The face map
Nine areas, nine muscles
Tap an area to show it on its own, with the muscle that Botox relaxes.
Botox, hyaluronic acid or surgery: what is the difference?
Botox relaxes a muscle; hyaluronic acid fills a line or a volume; a lift repositions sagging tissue.
| Botox (botulinum toxin) | Hyaluronic acid | Lift | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Action | Relaxes the muscle that creates the line | Fills the line or restores volume | Repositions sagging tissue |
| Lines treated | Expression lines (forehead, frown lines, crow’s feet) | Established or gravity-related lines, volumes | Sagging of the jawline and neck |
| Session length | 10 to 15 min | 15 to 45 min | 1 to 4 hours in the operating theatre |
| Social downtime | None | None | 7 to 21 days |
| Duration of result | 2 to 6 months | 8 to 24 months | 4 to 12 years |
| Price | From €250 | From €350 per syringe | €3,000 to €15,000 |
The two injections often complement each other: when a forehead or frown line is already marked at rest, Botox softens it without always erasing it, and hyaluronic acid fills the remaining line. The non-surgical mini facelift combines Botox and hyaluronic acid (€1,500 to €2,500).
Why does a Botox injection require a sound knowledge of anatomy?
Botulinum toxin is injected directly into the muscle responsible for the line, with a micro-needle. The result depends on the choice of muscle, the injection point and the dose: very low doses are enough to relax the muscle while keeping an expressive face (the so-called “baby Botox” technique). A badly placed point can cause an eyebrow or eyelid to droop.
Dr Médard de Chardon’s experience with injections
Dr Victor Médard de Chardon is a plastic surgeon, a former anatomy prosector and a former Chef de Clinique (university hospital senior registrar) who taught anatomy at the Nice Faculty of Medicine, and holds the university diploma (DU) in injection and filler techniques (Université Paris VIII). He has performed more than 7,000 Botox injections.
Who is it for, and from what age?
Botox is for women and men who want to soften their expression lines while keeping a natural, expressive face. It is ideally started at around 30, before the lines become etched at rest (a “crease” in the skin). Contraindications are rare: pregnancy, breastfeeding, myasthenia gravis, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and treatment with aminoglycosides.
Which products are used?
Three botulinum toxins have a marketing authorisation in France for aesthetic use: Azzalure (Galderma), Vistabel (Allergan) and Bocouture (Merz). “Botox” is the brand name of the toxin made by Allergan, which has become the everyday name for this treatment.
How does a Botox session work?
- ConsultationAt the practice, 101 rue d’Antibes in Cannes: analysis of the lines at rest and in movement, choice of areas and doses.
- InjectionAt the practice, without anaesthesia or after an anaesthetic cream: 10 to 15 minutes, with micro-needles.
- After the sessionImmediate return to social life. Do not massage the treated areas and do not lie down for 5 hours.
- Follow-upAround day 15 if needed: the touch-up is free if there is an imperfection.
When will I see the result and how long does it last?
The first effects are visible from day 3; the result is optimal between day 10 and day 15, with smoothed lines, more open eyes and preserved expressions. The effect lasts 2 to 6 months. To maintain it, a session is recommended every 4 months in the first year, then every 6 months: regular sessions extend the duration of action.
Where will you be?
14 days after the session
What are the side effects and risks?
Side effects are rare and temporary:
- a moderate headache for a few days, relieved by paracetamol;
- slight redness or a small bruise at the injection point;
- slight asymmetry or a temporary drooping of the eyebrow or eyelid, which resolves within a few weeks.
A precise choice of muscles, injection points and doses keeps these risks to a minimum.
Choosing a qualified, experienced and reputable surgeon reduces these risks, and can even eliminate some of them.
How much does a Botox injection cost in Cannes?
| Area | Price |
|---|---|
| One area (for example frown lines) | 250 € |
| Upper third of the face (forehead, frown lines, crow’s feet) | 420 € |
| Neck | 420 € |
| Upper third + neck | 600 € |
| Sweating (underarms, hands or feet) | €400 to €600 |
| Non-surgical mini facelift (Botox + hyaluronic acid) | €1,500 to €2,500 |
From €250
The touch-up is free if there is an imperfection; if the result is insufficient, it costs €0 to €275 (most often €100). Cosmetic injections are not reimbursed by French national health insurance (Assurance Maladie). Book on Doctolib or call +33 (0)4 93 68 86 68.
Frequently asked questions about Botox
Does Botox freeze the face?
No, if it is dosed and placed precisely. Very low doses are enough to relax the muscle responsible for the line while preserving the expressions of the face.
What is the difference between Botox and hyaluronic acid?
Botox relaxes the muscle that creates an expression line; it does not create volume. Hyaluronic acid fills an established line or restores volume. The two are often combined.
How long does the effect of Botox last?
2 to 6 months. A session every 4 months in the first year, then every 6 months, maintains the result and extends the duration of action.
When will I see the result of a Botox injection?
The first effects appear from day 3. The result is optimal between day 10 and day 15.
Is a Botox injection painful?
No. The injections are given with micro-needles, without anaesthesia or after an anaesthetic cream, in 10 to 15 minutes.
Can I return to my activities straight after a Botox injection?
Yes, there is no social downtime. You only need to avoid massaging the treated areas and lying down for 5 hours.
From what age can I have Botox?
The treatment is ideally started at around 30, before the lines become etched at rest. It is contraindicated during pregnancy and breastfeeding.
Can Botox slim the face?
Yes, when the jaw is widened by large masseter muscles. Injections into these muscles slim the lower face, at the cost of repeated sessions.
How much does a Botox injection cost in Cannes?
One area costs €250; the upper third of the face (forehead, frown lines, crow’s feet) €420, the neck €420 and the upper third combined with the neck €600. The touch-up is free if there is an imperfection. Cosmetic injections are not reimbursed by French national health insurance (Assurance Maladie).