Walk into five clinics for a Botox consultation and you may hear five different numbers. Twenty units for forehead lines. Thirty for frown lines. Twelve per eye for crow’s feet. Or a total “full face” price with no breakdown at all. The variation confuses people, and understandably so. The truth is that Botox dosing is both science and judgment. The product has clear pharmacology and widely taught ranges, yet the art comes from reading a face, reading a muscle, and matching dose to your goals, not your neighbor’s.
I have treated thousands of faces, from first time patients nervous about a heavy brow, to long time regulars who know their exact unit count and the week their results start to soften. The notes that follow reflect what works in practice: real dosing ranges, why body type and muscle patterns matter, how we approach special areas like the masseter, and how to plan a Botox maintenance schedule that avoids peaks and valleys.
What a “unit” actually means
A unit is a standardized measure of biologic activity, not a volume. You cannot compare units across different neuromodulators one-to-one. OnabotulinumtoxinA is the molecule most people know as Botox Cosmetic, and it is dosed in units specific to that brand. Dysport, Xeomin, and Daxxify each have their own unit scales and diffusion characteristics. If a friend says she had 60 units of Dysport, that is not equivalent to 60 units of Botox. For most standard comparisons, 2.5 to 3 units of Dysport are roughly considered equivalent to 1 unit of Botox, though injectors vary and product choice can change technique.
Units are diluted in saline. A common dilution for Botox is 2.5 mL of preservative-free saline per 100-unit vial, which makes each 0.1 mL equal to 4 units. Some injectors prefer a slightly more concentrated or more dilute reconstitution to fine tune spread. That choice affects comfort and the geography of effect, not the biologic potency. What matters to you is the total units placed into each muscle.
How Botox actually works in a muscle
Botox blocks the release of acetylcholine at the neuromuscular junction. Think of it as temporarily uncoupling the nerve’s signal to the muscle. The muscle weakens, and the overlying skin stops folding so intensely. That softens existing lines and helps prevent new ones. The effect does not happen instantly. Most people feel onset around day 3 to 5, with peak at day 10 to 14. The nerve sprouting and receptor recycling that restore function unfold over weeks, which explains why results wear off gradually, not overnight.
The depth and strength of the muscle, the pattern of its fibers, and how your face moves under emotion influence how many units you need. A small corrugator muscle in a petite, fine-boned woman may be calm with 12 units between the brows. A thick, hyperactive corrugator in a man who squints all day outdoors might need 24 to 30 in the same region to prevent the “11s.”
Typical dosing ranges by area
Consider these ranges a starting map, not a rulebook. They reflect what many experienced injectors use for Botox Cosmetic in adults. Individual dosing will shift based on anatomy, sex, muscle strength, previous response, and goals.
Frown lines (glabellar complex). Most people land between 12 and 30 units. The glabellar complex includes the corrugators, procerus, and sometimes the depressor supercilii. A classic pattern uses five injection points with 2 to 6 units per site. Higher doses reduce the chance of a partial relaxation that can look uneven.
Forehead lines (frontalis). Expect 6 to 20 units, occasionally more. The frontalis elevates the brows, so dosing has to respect your natural brow position. In those with low brows or hooded lids, heavy dosing can cause a drop that looks tired. I often start conservative in the forehead, especially if it is your first time, and balance it with adequate glabellar dosing to avoid the see-saw effect.
Crow’s feet (lateral canthal lines). Usually 6 to 12 units per side. The orbicularis oculi muscle spreads like a fan. How many lines you have at rest matters less than how strongly you squeeze when you laugh or smile. Well-placed dosing should keep your smile genuine while quieting the radiating creases around the eyes.
Bunny lines (upper nose scrunch). Often 4 to 8 units total, placed along the nasalis. Useful if you see diagonal creases when you smile.
Brow lift. Subtle lateral brow elevation can be achieved by weakening depressors at the tail of the brow and sparing or lightly treating the frontalis. Think 2 to 4 units per side in carefully chosen spots. This is a finesse move and depends on your baseline brow shape.
Gummy smile. Dosing 2 to 4 units per side into the muscles that elevate the upper lip can reduce gingival show. Precise placement matters to avoid a flat smile.
Lip flip. Typically 4 to 8 units total to the orbicularis oris. It everts the upper lip slightly, creating the appearance of more show without adding volume. It can make whistling or using a straw feel different for a week or two.
Chin dimpling and pebbling. The mentalis often responds well to 4 to 10 units. Overdosing can affect lower lip movement, so I err on the side of refinement rather than complete stillness.
Jawline slimming and masseter hypertrophy. This is a different category. The masseters are powerful, thick muscles. For cosmetic slimming or relief of clenching and TMJ symptoms, common starting ranges are 20 to 30 units per side for Botox, sometimes more in stronger jaws, with reassessment at 8 to 12 weeks. Plan on a series for structural thinning.
Neck bands (platysmal bands). Often 12 to 40 units total spread across selective bands. Technique matters more than raw unit count here. Treating the neck can also support a subtle Nefertiti lift by decreasing downward pull at the jawline.
Under eye creasing. Small microdoses, often 2 to 4 units per side, can soften fine lines but carry a higher risk of diffusion into the lower lid. Not everyone is a candidate, particularly those with laxity or a tendency toward hollowing.
Migraine, hyperhidrosis, and medical uses. Dosing and patterns are condition specific and higher than cosmetic patterns. For example, chronic migraine protocols use 155 to 195 units across the head and neck. Axillary hyperhidrosis commonly needs 50 to 100 units per side. These are medical treatments with distinct maps and follow-up.
Why the same face can need different units over time
A new patient often starts at a midrange dose. After two cycles, we can see your unique metabolism and muscle response. Some people metabolize faster, and results fade at two months. Others hold a smooth result for five months. If you like a natural look with some movement, we stay in the midrange and accept a slightly shorter duration. If your lines are deeply etched and you prefer a more controlled look, we may lift the dose. Over months, consistent treatment can de-train a muscle. It thins a touch, relaxes sooner, and may need fewer units to maintain the effect.
Conversely, life changes can prompt higher dosing. Strength training, bruxism during stressful periods, or more time in the sun squinting can increase muscle activity. Men often need more units than women for the same area because they tend to have denser muscles.
The relationship between dose and duration
All else equal, higher doses last longer. That is not open-ended, and it has limits. There is a sweet spot where the muscle is quiet enough to smooth lines, but you still look like yourself. Most faces do best with a dosing strategy that balances duration with expression. As a reference:
- A modest forehead treatment might last 8 to 10 weeks. A robust glabellar dose can last 12 to 16 weeks. Masseter reduction often takes two to three sessions spaced 12 weeks apart, then maintenance two or three times a year.
If you prefer a “set and forget” routine, we design a higher dose in the most expressive areas and schedule Botox sessions every three to four months. If budget or preference calls for lighter dosing, expect shorter longevity and plan earlier touch ups.
Safety and precision: what keeps results predictable
When Botox is used correctly, it has a wide safety margin. Side effects tend to be mild and temporary. Small bruises, tenderness, or a headache day happen. Diffusion into unintended muscles can lead to a heavy brow or an asymmetric smile. Those events are less likely with experienced technique, proper dilution, and a frank review of your anatomy. Some risk grows with treating areas like under eyes or the neck, which is why careful selection matters.
Certain conditions change the risk calculus. Pregnancy and breastfeeding are standard contraindications. Active infections at the injection site, neuromuscular disorders, and some medications can complicate treatment. A thorough Botox consultation should cover your medical history, previous neuromodulator use, and any Botox side effects you have had. Good injectors keep notes on your exact map and unit count at each visit. That record is gold when fine-tuning.
Dose for natural look vs. dose for maximal smoothing
Not everyone wants the same finish. Two people standing at a mirror can define “natural” differently. If you are a performer, teacher, or someone who relies on expressive brows, a lighter frontalis dose and focused treatment of frown lines can look fresh without flattening your face. If you are tackling etched lines that remain at rest, it often takes an honest conversation about realistic Botox results. Static lines soften with consistent treatment, but they may not vanish without adjuncts like resurfacing or fillers.
For crow’s feet, the line between soft and frozen is measured in tiny increments. It is common to start with 8 units per side and evaluate at two weeks. If you still see more motion than you want in the lateral fan, a small touch up can finish the job without the “smile stops at the eyes” look that people fear.
Cost, pricing models, and value
Clinics price Botox by the unit or by the area. Paying per unit gives transparency. If your frown takes 18 units and your partner’s takes 26, your bills reflect that. Area pricing is simpler but masks the count, which can be fine if you trust the provider and love the Botox before and after photos in their portfolio. Nationally, unit prices vary widely, often 10 to 20 dollars per unit depending on geography, provider skill, and clinic overhead. Special events, Botox deals, or Botox offers may lower the Botox price occasionally, but be wary of discounts so deep they undercut product cost. Authentic Botox Cosmetic comes in sealed Allergan vials. A reputable Botox clinic or medspa stores, reconstitutes, and tracks lot numbers. If you are searching “botox near me,” prioritize expertise over the lowest number.
Budget planning helps. If you average 40 to 60 units every three to four months for the upper face and eyes, you can forecast an annual spend. Masseter work adds to that in the first year and often decreases in subsequent maintenance. Some practices offer Botox maintenance plans that bundle treatments or add loyalty points. Ask, but never let a membership push you into a cycle that does not fit your goals.
How to think about the “full face” request
“Botox botox options nearby for face” can mean different things. True full-face neuromodulation includes the upper third, the lip lines, chin, DAO muscles that pull the corners down, and the platysma in the neck. That can total 60 to 100 units in some cases, especially if the jawline or neck are included. More commonly, people mean the upper face trio: forehead, frown, and crow’s feet, which often falls in the 30 to 60 unit range. Add a lip flip or a chin tweak, and a handful of units finishes the polish.
Matching the dose to your face shape helps. A person with a long, elegant forehead and naturally lifted lateral brows may tolerate more frontalis units without droop. A person with short, heavy brows needs more restraint. The eye set matters too. Deep set eyes can catch diffusion around the crow’s feet more easily, so micro-adjustments in injection depth and volume keep things crisp.
What happens at the appointment
After a proper Botox consultation, the Botox injection process is short. Most visits take 10 to 20 minutes. Makeup is removed where needed, the skin is cleaned, and injection points are marked based on your animation patterns. Fine needles deliver small aliquots that feel like tiny pinches. Ice or a topical anesthetic can help, though most people do fine without numbing.
Botox procedure steps in brief: assess animation, mark targets, verify unit count and dilution, inject with attention to depth and vector, apply pressure if a vessel bleeds, and review aftercare. If we are adjusting a prior map, I will have you frown, raise, and smile again mid appointment to check symmetry as we go.
Aftercare, touch ups, and the first two weeks
Plan for a quiet day. Avoid strenuous exercise, saunas, and heavy face massage for the rest of the day. Heat and increased blood flow could shift diffusion. You can apply light makeup after a few hours. Do not sleep face down that night. Mild swelling or tiny raised bumps settle within an hour.
Most people notice early change at day three. At day 10 to 14, we assess the peak. If a brow edge still lifts more than you like or a line persists, this is the window for a Botox touch up. Small additions, often 2 to 6 units, can perfect symmetry. I prefer a measured touch up to an aggressive first pass, especially in new patients. Once we see how you respond, future maps get closer to your ideal at the first round.
How long it lasts, and how often to schedule
Botox longevity varies, but a practical rhythm is every 12 to 16 weeks for the upper face. Some stretch to five months. Others, particularly athletes with faster metabolism, land closer to ten weeks. There is no harm in retreating when movement returns and lines begin to fold again. Waiting until it fully wears off does not “reset” anything. On the other hand, re-injecting too early gives no benefit because receptors are still saturated. Your injector’s eye and your own preference for feel and function will guide timing.
If you stack Botox with other treatments, plan the sequence. For example, do Botox first, then laser or microneedling a week or two later, not the same day. If you are combining Botox and dermal fillers, it often helps to soften muscle pull first so the filler placement is stable.
Special cases and advanced areas
Under eyes. Microdosing here is for select patients. If you have strong muscle bunching close to the lash line and good tissue support, 2 units per side can help. In patients with thin skin, laxity, or hollowing, it can worsen creasing or cause a subtle rounding of the lower lid. Alternatives include skin tightening, resurfacing, or a careful tear trough filler when appropriate.
DAO and corners of the mouth. Softening the depressor anguli oris can reduce a persistent downturn at rest. Doses are small, often 2 to 4 units per side, with precise placement to avoid impacting speech and lower lip control.
Neck and Nefertiti lift. Treating platysmal bands can sharpen the jawline by reducing downward pull. Unit counts vary widely because band number and strength differ dramatically. A light hand avoids swallowing difficulty. If you are new to neuromodulators, start with the upper face before tackling the neck, learn how your body responds, then step into advanced areas.
Masseter for TMJ and clenching. If you pursue Botox for TMJ symptoms, set expectations early. Pain relief can begin in 1 to 2 weeks, but the slimming effect is gradual. Photos at baseline, 8 weeks, and 6 months help you see the arc. Chewing fatigue is possible early on. Adjust diet for the first week, then return to normal.
Myths, facts, and what patient reviews often miss
Online Botox reviews often judge success by how smooth the forehead looks at day seven. That is understandable, but incomplete. Good results include brow position, eye openness, and natural expression. Heavy hands can create a static forehead that photographs well but feels flat and can drop the brows. Under-dosing can leave you chasing wrinkles with frequent touch ups. The sweet spot depends on what bothers you most. Some patients would rather keep more motion and accept a faint line at rest to preserve character.
Common myths: higher dilution means “watered down Botox.” Not exactly. Dilution affects spread per injection but not total units. Another myth is that skin tightens because Botox lifts. The product relaxes muscle; it does not directly tighten skin. Over time, smoother motion reduces mechanical stress, and the skin can look more polished, but laxity itself needs other tools.
Planning your maintenance without overdoing it
The best Botox maintenance plan has three traits: predictable intervals, small adjustments based on seasonal behavior, and respect for your facial identity. If you squint more in summer, nudge the crow’s feet up by a few units. If you notice your brows dropping mid cycle, shift units from the forehead to the glabella. Keep notes on how many units, where they went, and how long they lasted. A year later, those notes are the map of your ideal.
One of the strongest predictors of satisfaction is the match between your goals and your injector’s aesthetic. Study their Botox before and after photos. Look at brow shapes, not just wrinkle counts. Ask them to explain their plan: how many units per area, why that number, and what trade offs they expect. A thoughtful explanation beats a generic “We always do 50.”
A simple way to discuss goals at your consult
Use this five-minute checklist to align on dosing and results:
- Identify the top two areas that bother you most: frown lines, forehead lines, crow’s feet, jaw clenching, or neck bands. Describe your expression priorities: keep eyebrow movement, keep full smile, minimize squint lines. Share your last experience if relevant: units used, what you liked, what felt heavy. Confirm timeline needs: event date, photos, travel, or medical considerations. Agree on a touch up window and how many units are reserved for refinement.
When less is more, and when more is appropriate
In first timers, especially those worried about a “frozen” look, less is more in the forehead and perioral region. We can always add. For deep glabellar grooves that make you look stern when you are not, more is reasonable. The same is true for a strong masseter when jawline slimming or TMJ relief is the goal. Precision placement lets higher dosing look natural because the right muscles are quiet while elevators and expression muscles are spared.
Botox vs. other options when units alone won’t fix it
If a line is deeply etched at rest, Botox reduces the motion that causes it but may not erase the line. In those cases, pairing neuromodulation with resurfacing, microneedling, or a conservative dermal filler can restore the surface. For volume loss around the temples or cheeks that makes the upper face look heavy, filler or collagen stimulation does the lifting that Botox cannot. For advanced skin laxity in the neck or jawline, neuromodulators soften bands but do not replace what a surgical lift accomplishes. Knowing where Botox fits in the toolbox helps you choose the right path.
What to ask when you search for a provider
Credentials matter. Look for a Botox specialist who treats faces all day, not once a week. Training, certification, and an eye for proportion count. Ask how they handle asymmetry, touch ups, and adverse events. Ask to see Botox patient reviews for people with similar features to yours. A good Botox doctor will talk about risks, not just Botox benefits, and will turn you away from areas where the trade offs are poor for your anatomy.
A realistic snapshot of a “typical” plan
Consider a 38-year-old woman with noticeable frown lines, early forehead lines, and fine crow’s feet. She wants a natural look, keeps her brows expressive for presentations, and has an event in four weeks. We might plan 18 to 22 units in the glabella, 8 to 10 in the forehead, and 8 units per side at the crow’s feet. That totals 42 to 48 units. We schedule a brief check at day 12 with up to 6 units reserved for touch up if needed. She returns at three and a half months when movement is back and lines begin to show again.
Now a 45-year-old man with dense glabellar muscles and heavy squinting outdoors. He prefers a stronger result. The plan may be 24 to 30 units in the glabella, 12 to 16 in the forehead, and 10 to 12 per side in the crow’s feet. We discuss the risk of brow heaviness, place the forehead units high and sparingly, and cue him to return at 12 weeks for re-assessment.
Final thoughts on “how many units you really need”
There is no magic universal number. The right dose reflects your anatomy, expression priorities, and tolerance for trade offs. Start with honest goals, choose a provider who can translate them into a precise map, and expect a bit of fine-tuning in the first cycle. Once the map fits, Botox sessions become predictable, Botox maintenance straightforward, and results that look like you on the best day become your everyday.
Whether you are curious about Botox for forehead lines, smoothing crow’s feet around the eyes, jawline contouring through the masseter, or relief from sweating with hyperhidrosis protocols, thoughtful dosing is the thread that ties it all together. If you carry only one rule from this guide, make it this: measure success not by unit count alone, but by how comfortably you recognize yourself in the mirror two weeks later. Then write down the numbers that got you there.