Trying Botox for the first time, whether for medical or aesthetic purposes, can be overwhelming, especially when it comes to understanding how much you might need. Allergan, the maker of Botox, recommends varying units for different areas that are common for Botox injections. Our master injectors Zara and Kelly use these recommendations as a guide, while tailoring a treatment plan best suited for your individual needs based on desired results, skin type, age, and other factors.
Of course, everyone is different, so the number of units you require may not be the same as someone else.
A Brief Guide to Botox
Allergan offers a guide to Botox injections that all who administer those injections should adhere to while also considering their patient’s needs and unique circumstances. For example, Allergan recommends twelve units of Botox for wrinkles around the eyes (crow’s feet) but twenty units for frown lines.
It’s important to note that the Allergan guide is just that, a guide. So, while you may require the recommended amount, another person may need more. Some clients, often men, need more Botox than the amount suggested in the guide. Men typically have stronger muscles in the face, meaning more Botox is needed, but this is not always the case.
Start With Less
With Botox injections, our experts usually take a conservative approach and work towards the desired results, especially if you’ve never had Botox before.
We always schedule follow-up appointments, and since Botox accomplishes peak results around two weeks after the initial injection, it’s a good time to check out the results and determine if you may need more at that point.
As a rule of thumb, it’s good to remember that you can always put more Botox into your muscles, but you cannot take it out once injected. Botox results can last anywhere from three to four months, which is a fantastic time frame if you love your results. Suppose you’re unhappy with your initial outcome, which can happen when given too much Botox. In that case, you cannot undo it.
A Botox Breakdown
If you’re curious about the standard amount of Botox injected in specific areas, we’ve broken it down in a list below. You could need more or less than the units mentioned here.
- Frown Lines Between The Brows - 15 to 25 Units
- Forehead Lines - 15 to 25 Units
- Crow's Feet - 5 to 15 Units
- Brow Lift - 2 to 4 Units
- Bunny Lines - 5 to 10 Units
- Smile Life/Lip Flip - 2 to 4 Units
- Dimpled Chin - 3 to 6 Units
- Vertical Neck Bands - 8 to 10 Units
- Underarm Sweating - 50 Units
- Jaw Debulking - 40 to 50 Units
Your doctor might alter the units you require if they administer Botox for medical reasons such as chronic migraines. However, the list above is a good generalization and a superb place to start if you’re considering Botox injections.
