BOTOX® is nothing if not versatile. The popular neuromodulator has extensive medical and cosmetic applications, from migraine relief to wrinkle reduction. Dynamic wrinkles—the fine lines and folds that form over a lifetime of animated facial expressions—are prime targets for a BOTOX injection.
If you’re looking in the mirror and wondering, “How many units of BOTOX do I need to look as young as I feel?” this guide to three of the most common treatment areas is for you.
Forehead Lines
Horizontal creases across the forehead are an extremely common cosmetic concern, and the movement of your brow muscles only highlights them more. Even when your face is at rest, you may still look surprised or worried due to the deep folds and crinkling across your forehead.
Fortunately, BOTOX works by temporarily blocking the target muscle from contracting. This allows the muscle to gradually relax, causing the wrinkles to ease along with it. It’s important to note that BOTOX won’t actually “freeze” your face. As a neuromodulator, BOTOX affects the nerve signals to the muscle, not the muscle itself.
- Injection site: the frontalis muscle (the area between the brow line and hairline involved in raising the eyebrows)
- How many units of BOTOX for forehead lines: 10 to 30 units*
“11” Lines
While a wrinkled forehead is generally associated with the horizontal lines described above, vertical wrinkles can also cause concern. These twin “11″ lines appear in the space between the eyes, forming when the eyebrows are furrowed. When a dynamic wrinkle occurs in this region, it can eventually cause you to look like you are always frowning.
- Injection site: the glabellar complex (the group of muscles used to lower the eyebrows)
- How many units of BOTOX for 11 lines: 20 to 30 units*
Crow’s Feet
Smiling and squinting can cause fine lines to appear at the outer corner of the eyes. Commonly referred to as “crow’s feet,” this delicate area can also be affected by sun exposure, dry skin, and the natural loss of collagen and elastin that occurs with age.
- Injection site: the orbicularis-oculi (the muscle surrounding the eye that controls lid movement)
- How many units of BOTOX for crow’s feet: 9 to 12 units per side*
*The exact number of units needed will depend on your unique facial anatomy and the level of correction required. A board-certified plastic surgeon will be able to provide the most natural-looking and subtle results, tailoring your treatment plan to suit your aesthetic needs—from the amount of BOTOX required to a personalized injection map.
What To Expect: Results & Maintenance
BOTOX offers months of relief from facial wrinkles and can even be used preventatively to slow (or stop) dynamic expression lines from forming. You can learn more about what BOTOX can do for you in our related blog post.
Most patients choose to get a maintenance treatment 2 to 3 times a year to preserve their more restful and youthful appearance.
Your BOTOX Experience
At our plastic surgery practice, we are committed to providing the best patient experience possible. We take exceptional pride in our standard of care, from educating you about your treatment options to ensuring your comfort at every stage of the process. We also save your personal BOTOX injection profile so that you can get the same excellent results every time you visit. We would love to discuss how we can help you achieve your cosmetic goals. Please request a consultation or call us at (205) 933-9308 to get in touch.
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