Dosing Botox sounds simple until you are in the chair and your injector starts speaking in units, dilution, and muscle vectors. The right number is not plucked from a chart, it is a balance between anatomy, muscle strength, skin quality, treatment goals, and how you personally metabolize the medication. I have treated hundreds of faces, from first timers asking for a “baby Botox” touch to seasoned patients fine tuning a brow line for photography. The ranges below are rooted in clinical guidance and real clinic experience, with context on when to go lighter or heavier, how to combine areas safely, and what to expect across the full timeline from injection day to touch up.
Botox is a brand name for onabotulinumtoxinA, a neuromodulator used for cosmetic smoothing and medical conditions such as migraines and hyperhidrosis. In this guide, I use “Botox” in the cosmetic sense, but similar principles apply to Dysport, Xeomin, and Jeuveau with unit conversion differences.
What a “unit” actually means
A unit is a standardized biological measure tied to the product’s potency. It is not interchangeable across brands. Twenty units of Botox Cosmetic is not equivalent to twenty units of Dysport. Most cosmetic practices reconstitute a 100-unit Botox vial with sterile saline, then draw the specified units per injection point. Altering dilution adjusts the spread and feel but not total dose. The art lies in pairing total units with the right injection points and depth for the specific muscle.
Patients often assume more units equals a “frozen” forehead. That can happen with heavy dosing in the wrong places, but experienced mapping can deliver a smooth, natural look even at moderate doses. Good Botox acts like a well-tuned dimmer switch rather than a light switch.
Typical units per common facial area
Ranges below reflect typical doses for onabotulinumtoxinA (Botox Cosmetic) in adults. A petite patient with fine lines and low muscle bulk may need the low end. A muscular forehead, dense corrugators, or a male patient with thicker skin often needs the upper end. For men, I routinely add 2 to 10 units more across a zone to counter stronger muscle mass.
Forehead lines (frontalis): 6 to 16 units. The frontalis lifts the brow. Over-treating can drop the brows or create a heavy eyelid feel. I start lighter on first-time patients, often 8 to 12 units spread across 6 to 10 injection points, then add 2 to 4 units at a two-week check if needed. Short foreheads or those with preexisting brow ptosis require extra caution.
Frown lines, the “11s” (glabella complex): 12 to 25 units. This includes the corrugators and procerus. A classic pattern is 20 units distributed across five points. Strong knitters, frequent squinters, and men may sit at 22 to 25. If your 11s are etched even at rest, neuromodulator softens movement and prevents deepening, while filler or time is needed for static creases.
Crow’s feet (lateral canthus): 6 to 12 units total, commonly 3 to 6 units per side across two to three points. A heavier dose can widen the smile subtly by relaxing the pull around the eye, but too much can flatten expression or cause a slight cheek smile asymmetry. Photo-focused clients often like the upper half of the range.
Bunny lines (nasalis): 4 to 8 units total across both sides. These crinkles appear when you smile or scrunch your nose. Light dosing prevents an imbalanced look if the glabella and forehead are treated but the nasalis is left hyperactive.
Eyebrow lift: 2 to 4 units total. Rather than a separate area, this is a tiny adjustment to the tail of the brow using the lateral orbicularis oculi or targeted frontalis points. It is a finesse move to even out asymmetry or brighten the eyes without a startled look.
Under eyes: 2 to 6 units total, used sparingly. The infraorbital portion of the orbicularis oculi is delicate. A micro dose can soften crepey lines in select candidates, ideally those with good muscle tone and minimal eye hollowing. Overdoing leads to smile weakness or malar puffiness. In many cases, energy devices or skin treatments do more for under-eye texture.
Lip flip: 4 to 8 units total in the orbicularis oris. This relaxes the top lip slightly so it everts and shows more vermilion. It is subtle, lasts a bit shorter than other areas, and may make straw use or whistling briefly awkward. For volume or structure, a dermal filler remains the primary tool.
Pebbled chin, or chin dimples (mentalis): 6 to 10 units. The mentalis can cause orange-peel texture and a chin crease. Dosing here smooths the chin and, when paired with glabella treatment, can improve facial balance. If the chin is retrusive, fillers address shape while Botox refines motion.
Gummy smile: 2 to 6 units total at the levator labii superioris alaeque nasi region to reduce upper lip elevation on smiling. A conservative start is essential. The goal is to soften gum show without a “heavy” smile.
Masseter reduction or jaw slimming: 20 to 50 units per side. This is a functional and aesthetic powerhouse for teeth grinding, TMJ symptoms, and facial width reduction. Thicker jaws often require 30 to 40 units per side initially, then taper on maintenance. Changes develop over weeks as the muscle atrophies. Chewing may feel weaker for crunchy foods at first. A careful map avoids the parotid gland and ensures a natural contour.
Platysmal bands and neck lines (Nefertiti lift): 20 to 60 units total depending on band prominence and neck length. Microdroplet technique along the jawline and vertical bands can soften cords, refine the jaw contour, and reduce necklace lines. Expect subtlety here; skin laxity and fat pads influence results.
Brow asymmetry or micro-adjustments: 1 to 3 units at a time. Small additions are better than big swings.
Forehead, frown, and crow’s feet together, often called the upper-face full treatment, typically land between 34 and 56 units. Many clinics package this as a Botox cosmetic trio because the muscles interplay, and treating one area can unmask movement in another.
When a lower dose makes sense
Some patients do not want a still look, they want softer lines without losing expression. That is where Baby Botox or micro Botox enters. Instead of 10 units to the frontalis, try 6 to 8. Instead of 20 units to the glabella, try 12 to 16. Reducing units and increasing the number of injection points can distribute the effect lightly so you glide rather than halt the muscle.
Preventative Botox for beginners often uses lower ranges, especially in the mid to late twenties when lines are mostly dynamic and skin elasticity is high. Lighter dosing also helps new patients learn how neuromodulators feel and lasts long enough to educate without locking in an unwanted pattern.
What changes dosing from one person to the next
Muscle bulk and strength: Athletes and men often need more. So do expressive people who use their brows all day. You can feel the corrugators on palpation and see the density at maximum frown.
Forehead height and brow position: A short forehead or low-set brows require a lighter frontalis dose to avoid brow drop. If the brows are already heavy, more of the smoothing might come from the glabella and crows, with a lighter forehead pass.
Skin thickness and elasticity: Thicker, sun-damaged skin does not “polish” as dramatically with Botox alone. It benefits from combination therapy like microneedling or peels. Fine, thin skin often shows an elegant result with standard doses.
Metabolism and frequency: A small subset metabolizes Botox faster and needs earlier maintenance, while others enjoy four to five months. Doses can be adjusted across sessions to hit the right longevity without overuse.
Existing asymmetry: Everyone has some. One brow usually sits higher, one crow’s foot etches deeper. Asymmetry calls for small unit differences to balance, not equal numbers on both sides.
A history of eyelid surgery or neurologic conditions requires conservative planning and sometimes deferring treatment.
Results and timeline you can count on
Onset typically begins at day 3 to 4, with most seeing results at day 7 and full effect by day 14. Crow’s feet often show early, glabella follows, forehead sometimes trails a day behind. If there is still strong motion at two weeks, a small touch up of 2 to 6 units in a couple of points can fine tune things. Do not judge at day 2, and do not chase with extra units before day 14.
Botox results last about three to four months in the upper face for most patients. Crow’s feet might fade a touch earlier. Masseter reduction and hyperhidrosis, because of muscle atrophy or gland effect, can last four to six months, sometimes longer with repeat sessions. The first treatment teaches your muscles the pattern, and consistent maintenance can extend the smoother baseline.
Safety, side effects, and what is normal
Redness at injection points and tiny bumps are normal for 10 to 20 minutes. Bruising is uncommon but possible, especially around the eyes. Swelling is usually minimal. A mild headache the day of or after glabella treatment occurs in a small fraction and resolves with hydration and over-the-counter options unless your provider advises otherwise.
The main risks come from diffusion into nearby muscles. Too much forehead dose or placement too low can lower the brows. Treating the lateral brow improperly can cause a Spock arch. Under-eye heaviness, a flatter smile, or asymmetry are usually dose or placement issues and often fade as the product settles. True eyelid ptosis from levator palpebrae involvement is rare, temporary, and may be mitigated with an apraclonidine or oxymetazoline drop while you wait for the affected fibers to recover.
A trained, certified injector reduces these risks dramatically through muscle mapping, proper dilution, and conservative first dosing. If you had a problem result elsewhere, bring photos and let your new provider design a customized plan to avoid a repeat.
Botox vs Dysport, Xeomin, and Jeuveau
Different brands share the same goal, light differences in diffusion and onset. Dysport often shows a faster takeoff at day 2 to 3 and can spread a bit more, which some injectors like for large zones such as the forehead. Jeuveau performs similarly to Botox in many patients. Xeomin lacks accessory proteins, which may reduce antibody formation, though antibody resistance remains rare in cosmetic dosing.
Units are not interchangeable. For example, a glabella dose that is 20 units of Botox might translate to roughly 50 to 60 units of Dysport depending on the clinic. Your injector will handle the conversion. When reading reviews or looking at before and after images, always check which product and units were used.
Special cases beyond wrinkles
Migraines: The FDA-approved protocol for chronic migraine uses 155 units across 31 sites on the head and neck every 12 weeks. For patients with both cosmetic and migraine concerns, planning the schedule with your neurologist and injector prevents overlap or confusion. A subset notices cosmetic benefits as a welcome side effect.
Hyperhidrosis and scalp sweating: Axillary dosing commonly ranges from 50 to 100 units per side, mapped in a grid after a starch-iodine test. Palmar or plantar treatments can help excessive sweating but may require numbing techniques due to sensitivity. Scalp sweating responds to microdroplets, useful for athletes, performers, or anyone in humid climates.
Teeth grinding and TMJ: Masseter dosing in the 20 to 40 unit per side range relieves clenching and softens jawline bulk over time. Combine with a night guard for joint protection. Expect a learning curve with chewing in the first couple of weeks.
Neck bands and tech-neck lines: Platysmal band treatment and microdroplet techniques along horizontal creases can improve the neck’s appearance. Significant laxity needs skin tightening or surgery for full correction.
Cost, appointments, and how to find the right provider
Pricing varies by market. In many US cities, Botox costs 10 to 20 dollars per unit. A standard glabella treatment around 20 units might cost 200 to 400 dollars. An upper-face trio around 40 units runs 400 to 800 dollars. Masseter reduction often ranges higher due to unit volume. Some clinics price per area, others per unit. Per unit pricing provides transparency for small adjustments and asymmetric dosing.
Treatment sessions are quick. Expect a 15 to 30 minute visit, including consent, mapping, and injections. Numbing cream is rarely necessary for Botox injections in the face, though we use ice and gentle pressure for comfort and to reduce bruising risk. For palms or soles, topical anesthesia or nerve blocks help.
If you are searching “botox near me,” prioritize credentials and results over coupon hunting. Look for a board-certified physician or a certified injector working under a physician’s supervision. Ask to see consistent before and after photos for the areas you care about. Real reviews that discuss communication, aftercare, and natural outcomes matter more than a single dramatic photo.
First time? What to discuss at your consultation
Bring a photo of your face animated and at rest. Point to what bothers you most. Share your job demands and hobbies; a TV host may need a different degree of motion than someone who wants maximum smoothing. Mention any recent vaccines, antibiotics, supplements like fish oil or ginkgo that can increase bruising, and any history of neuromodulator treatments.
Good injectors ask you to move through expressions, palpate muscles, and may mark injection points based on where the muscle is most active. Expect a discussion of trade-offs: a smoother forehead might slightly lower the brow in certain anatomies unless we modify the plan. If you prefer a “refreshed, not frozen” look, say it plainly. If you need a touch up before a specific event, we will plan the timeline with a two-week buffer.
Aftercare that actually matters
For the first four to six hours, avoid heavy sweating, saunas, and rubbing or massaging the treated areas. Keep your head upright for about four hours. Makeup is fine after a few minutes once the pinpoints close, but pat gently. Skip facials, microcurrent, or aggressive treatments for the next day or two. Alcohol that evening can increase bruising; if you can wait, do.
Soreness at injection points fades quickly. If a small bruise appears, a cold compress and topical arnica can help. Most patients go straight back to work. Visible improvement shows up on a normal timeline without downtime.
Maintenance without overuse
Botox works best as a rhythm rather than a one-off. Every three to four months for upper-face lines is a typical cadence. Some rotate between areas: glabella and forehead at one visit, crow’s and chin next time, as long as facial balance is preserved. The masseters may stretch to five or six months, then settle into a lighter maintenance dose. Overlapping too soon can stack product and invite heaviness or unnatural motion patterns.
A practical approach is a maintenance plan tailored to your goals. If you are camera-facing, keep a steady interval. If you are budget conscious, prioritize the zone that ages you most, often the glabella in your 30s or the crow’s feet in your 40s. As static lines soften with repeated treatments, doses can sometimes come down while maintaining results.
Static lines, fillers, and when Botox is not enough
Botox treats motion. Deep creases that persist at rest are static. Over time, neuromodulator use can let the skin remodel and soften those grooves, but entrenched lines may need adjuncts. Hyaluronic acid fillers can lift a deep glabellar groove or chin crease under careful hands. Microneedling, radiofrequency, and laser resurfacing improve texture and collagen. Collagen banking in your 30s and early 40s pays dividends later, particularly around the eyes and mouth.
Smile lines around the mouth are largely driven by volume loss and tissue descent, not just muscle pull. Botox near the mouth is used cautiously to avoid speech or smile changes, so fillers and skin tightening often carry the load there.
Myths that derail good decisions
Botox will make wrinkles worse when it wears off. No. When it fades, your baseline Southgate Michigan botox returns. If anything, consistent treatment slows the crease formation because you have not been folding the skin as much.
Creams can replace injections. No topical product relaxes muscle at the neuromuscular junction like Botox does. A good regimen supports skin health, but it does not substitute for a neuromodulator.
Only women get Botox. Men benefit significantly, especially for frown lines and masseter hypertrophy. Dosing is adjusted for stronger muscles to keep a natural look.
Frozen equals effective. The best work looks like you on your best day, not a mask. Precision with units and placement beats more product.
Sample dosing scenarios that mirror real life
A 28-year-old first timer with faint forehead lines and active 11s wants a natural look. Start with 8 units in the frontalis and 16 units in the glabella, skip the crow’s feet. Reassess at two weeks. Often the patient returns happy, with maybe a 2-unit tweak in the central frontalis.
A 42-year-old runner with etched crow’s feet and a strong brow furrow before a high school reunion. Treat the glabella with 20 to 22 units, crows with 10 to 12 total, and a cautious 6 to 8 in the frontalis to avoid brow drop. Provide two-week follow up Home page for a 2 to 4 unit polish if photos are upcoming.
A 35-year-old male executive with tension headaches and square jaw. Combine glabella at 20 units with masseter treatment at 30 units per side. Discuss that jaw contour change appears over 4 to 8 weeks and chewing intensity will feel reduced for crunchy foods temporarily.
A 50-year-old with platysmal bands and a pebbled chin. Use 8 units to the mentalis and 30 to 40 units across the neck in microdroplets. Recommend skincare and consider energy-based tightening for maximal improvement.
A compact checklist for your next visit
- Be clear about your goal: movement softened or movement minimized. Share prior doses and any unwanted effects; bring photos if available. Allow 14 days before a major event for full settling and a touch up if needed. Avoid vigorous exercise and massage of treated areas for four to six hours post-injection. Schedule maintenance every three to four months for consistent results.
How much will you need, really
Think in ranges rather than absolutes. Most upper-face patients land in the 30 to 50 unit range total across forehead, frown, and crow’s feet. Add-ons like a lip flip or chin dimples raise that by a few units. Masseter work is its own category with 40 to 100 units total. If you have a small frame, light animation, and prefer the softest touch, you might thrive at the low end. If you are expressive, male, or accustomed to full correction, expect the upper end.
Quality of injection trumps quantity. Placement, depth, and an eye for facial symmetry separate a passable outcome from a polished one. If you are weighing Botox vs fillers, ask your provider to map the plan on your face and walk you through what each product will and will not do. A thoughtful sequence often wins: relax muscles first, reassess static lines, then add filler only where structure or volume is missing.
Final word on units and natural results
The right Botox dosage is less about chasing a number and more about matching your anatomy to your goals. Start conservatively, learn how your face responds, and adjust within the safe ranges listed here. Respect the two-week timeline before judging results. Trust a certified injector who values function and facial harmony as much as smooth skin. With that approach, Botox becomes a reliable, low-downtime part of facial rejuvenation, delivering visible improvement and a refreshed look without broadcasting that you had anything done.