When patients ask, “How many units of BOTOX do I need,” they are really wondering how much the treatment will cost. That’s because BOTOX is priced per unit at most practices, including ours. How many units of BOTOX is normal depends on the treatment area and a few factors, which we will discuss in this blog post.
Factors Affecting How Many Units of BOTOX You Need
Age, skin type, facial muscle strength, and previous BOTOX treatment affect the number of units needed to accomplish your goals. Older patients with more advanced signs of aging may require more units than younger individuals who want to prevent wrinkles and lines. Patients with thicker skin might also need more units to see a noticeable difference. Of course, the BOTOX injection site is the most important consideration when determining the number of units needed.
How Does BOTOX Work?
BOTOX effectively minimizes the appearance of wrinkles and fine lines caused by repetitive muscle movements made when changing expressions. These expression lines include crow’s feet at the corners of the eyes, vertical frown lines between the eyes, and horizontal forehead wrinkles. BOTOX is a neurotoxin that relaxes the muscles, resulting in smoother, more youthful-looking skin. That’s why the strength or weakness of the targeted muscles can affect the number of units needed.
BOTOX Units by Treatment Area
Now, let’s look at the number of units needed for each treatment area. You can get multiple BOTOX injections during a single appointment.
Forehead
How many units of BOTOX are needed for the forehead? It usually ranges from 10 to 20. Forehead lines are one of the most common targets for BOTOX injections, and the muscles in this area tend to be quite strong, so it usually requires more units to produce the desired results.
Treating forehead lines usually involves multiple injection sites to distribute the botulinum toxin evenly and provide a smooth, natural-looking result. But it’s not just about the number of units; the injector’s technique plays a crucial role in achieving optimal results without compromising your ability to make natural facial expressions.
Crow’s feet
Squinting and smiling are the primary causes of crow’s feet. These lines generally require fewer units of BOTOX because the muscles in this area are weaker than those in the forehead. The typical range for treating crow’s feet could be 5 to 15 units per side.
Since the skin is thinner and more delicate, the injector may use a finer needle to administer BOTOX, ensuring precise placement and minimizing discomfort.
Glabellar lines
The area between your eyebrows (the glabella) is another familiar spot for BOTOX injections. How many units are needed for the “11s” or frown lines ranges from 12 to 25. Glabellar lines can be stubborn and require additional treatments to accomplish your cosmetic goals.
Bunny lines
Bunny lines, which appear on the sides of your nose when you laugh or smile, also require a careful approach. The units needed for these areas can range from 4 to 10. Our injectors often treat bunny and frown lines to create a uniform appearance.
Smile lines and corners of the mouth
Even though BOTOX can treat smile lines and marionette lines (which run from the corners of the mouth down to the chin), dermal fillers are often more effective for these areas. Fillers add volume and provide immediate results. Small amounts of BOTOX can create subtler effects.
All of the ranges described above reflect our injectors’ conservative approach, which produces results that look more natural and allow some muscle movement.
How Much Does BOTOX Cost Per Unit?
Each practice sets its prices for BOTOX. At our office, we charge $13 per unit for BOTOX. The cost for Dysport® is $13 per 3 units because that’s the equivalent of 1 unit of BOTOX. (Pricing is subject to change.)
Schedule Your BOTOX Treatment
If you’re interested in reducing the appearance of dynamic wrinkles such as forehead lines, crow’s feet, and worry lines, you can use the online form to request a consultation or call our office in Burbank at (818) 500-0823 to schedule an appointment.
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