How Many Units of Botox is Normal?

If you’re considering rejuvenating cosmetic treatments like Botox or dermal fillers for the first time, you’ve probably already started your google research, taking a look at various beauty treatments to give you that youthful, revitalized look you’ve been dreaming of. You may now be wondering “how much is enough?” or “how much is too much?” – essential questions when considering something like Botox treatment. Though every treatment is dependent upon the desires of the patient, collaboration with an expert cosmetic dermatologist, like Dr. Michele Green, is the key to having the best Botox results. During the consultation with Dr. Green, you will discuss with her the various areas of concern and injection sites, and there are some standard points of reference when it comes to the units of Botox needed per area.

Botox has many cosmetic and medical uses. It is a protein derived from a neurotoxin known as “botulinum toxin” that the bacterium Clostridium botulinum produces. Botox, along with similar cosmetic procedures and Botox alternatives such as Dysport and Xeomin, Revance, and Jeauveau, is an injectable treatment that can help treat fine lines and smooth out wrinkles on different areas of the face. The most popular areas for Botox on the face are the glabella, forehead, crow’s feet (around the eyes), and neck. In addition, Dr. Green injects many patients for Botox for the masseter area, for facial slimming, and for the axillae (underarms) for hyperhidrosis.

In general, Botox is an attractive option for patients who are looking to smooth wrinkles without the unpleasant side effects or risks that can come with plastic surgery. Although Botox isn’t a replacement for procedures a plastic surgeon might oversee, such as rhinoplasty, many patients will combine these more intensive procedures with noninvasive cosmetic injectables like Botox or dermal fillers to give an enhanced, youthful look that doesn’t require significant downtime. If you think you may be interested in a Botox treatment, board-certified Dr. Michele Green can work with you to create a customized treatment plan–contact the office today to learn more.

Botox Units

When it comes to Botox treatments, each patient is unique. The number of Botox units required for each patient varies greatly on how large your muscle is, how strong it is, the position of your muscle, and other factors. The strength of the muscles in your face, particularly the forehead muscles, plays a large part in how many units you will need. For example, if you have stronger facial muscles, you will need more units, whereas weaker facial muscles typically require fewer units. Some areas of the face naturally have stronger muscles than others (such as the muscles of the jaw), while other muscles may be more well-developed depending on use (like the muscles needed to form a smile). Additionally, this is one area where gender makes a significant difference: men generally will have much stronger facial muscles than women and, as a result, require more Botox units to get the desired results.

When you start considering Botox cosmetic treatments, it can be a little daunting sorting through the cost per unit and trying to assess how much you will need. While the right amount of Botox injections can only be determined in a professional consultation with a dermatologist, there are basic measures for the number of units of Botox that are established by the company that produces Botox, Allergan, and are FDA approved.

Here are what the average units of Botox for the different areas of the face are, so you have a baseline of what to expect when doing your first treatment:

• Chin: 2-6 units
• Corners of the mouth: 3-6 units
• Crow’s feet (outer canthal lines): 5-15 units
• Eyebrow lift: 2-5 units
• Forehead lines / horizontal lines: 10-30 units
• Frown lines: 10-25 units
• Glabellar lines (between the eyes): 10-25 units
• Jaw area (masseter): 15-50 units per side
• Lines around the nose: 5-10 units
• Neck (platysmal) bands: 25-50 units

Botox Injections

When it comes to Botox Injections, the most important aspect for success comes from trusting your injector. As many walk-in Botox options, medspas and “Botox parties” do not have injectors with the same certifications and expertise that a dermatologist has, they often do not have familiarity with facial anatomy and the correct amount of Botox that may be needed in each case. This lack of knowledge can lead to unflattering Botox results or, in some cases, increased health risks. Plus, Botox injections can cause an allergic reaction in a small percentage of patients, so it’s crucial to work with someone who can identify any particular medical conditions or allergies of concern before the treatment takes place. As Dr. Green’s top priority when considering any cosmetic treatment is the satisfaction and safety of her patient, we always recommend consulting with a certified dermatologist for Botox treatment. Dr. Green is at your disposal to recommend treatment options that will best fit your needs.

Botox treatments can also be combined with other procedures such as Juvederm, Kybella, Restylane and Coolsculpting, though each case is very different. Oftentimes, when focusing on the appearance of aging along the cheeks, cheek augmentation from Juvederm Voluma or Restylane in combination with Botox can help to both restore volume and lessen the look of deep and fine lines. If a patient is looking to reduce the appearance of fine lines or laugh lines around the mouth, lip augmentation using a combination of Juvederm or Restylane with Botox can not only diminish the appearance of fine lines or wrinkles, but also add a more youthful, plump appearance to the lips. Additionally, if you are looking to reduce the appearance of aging along the jaw and neck, a combination of Botox, Kybella, and Coolsculpting (coolmini for neck) can be transformative, creating a whole new youthful you.

Dr. Michele Green offers Botox and a wide range of dermal fillers in her private NYC office, based in the Upper East Side of Manhattan. Contact us online, or call us at 212-535-3088 today in order to book an appointment with skin care specialist, Dr. Michele Green.