In today's pursuit of ageless beauty and the desire for youthful, wrinkle-free skin, Botox has emerged as a popular and effective non-surgical cosmetic treatment. The exact number of Botox units a patient needs depends on many factors, including age, skin type, severity of wrinkles, the area being treated, and the desired outcome.
For successful and lasting Botox results, it is essential that your treatment is performed by a skilled medical practitioner. They will also guide you through the entire process and advise you on appropriate Botox aftercare for a painless experience.
This article explains how many units of Botox you need according to experts, depending on the area you want to treat.
How Many Units of Botox Do You Need Per Area?
The number of units your medical practitioner will recommend depends on the severity of wrinkles, the treated area, and the goals you wish to achieve.
If it’s your first time receiving Botox, the medical practitioner may administer a lower dosage (around 1 to 3 units) to any area just to test your response and check if you experience any Botox side effects. Then, they will advise on another treatment in a couple of months if everything is fine after this testing phase.
How Many Units of Botox Are Needed for the Forehead?
The forehead is one of the most treated Botox areas, particularly to treat horizontal and vertical (glabellar) lines. Estheticians typically recommend between 10 and 20 units of Botox for forehead lines, depending on how pronounced they are. When it comes to Botox for frown lines, they usually administer between 20 and 30 units.
Note: Learn about the best treatments for forehead lines.
How Many Units of Botox Are Needed Around the Mouth?
The area around the mouth is more prone to developing premature aging signs due to repeated facial movements such as smiling, laughing, smoking, drinking from straws and bottles, puckering your lips, etc. Your medical practitioner will recommend a specific number of units depending on the conditions you want to treat:
- Nasolabial folds – 5 to 10 units
- Lipstick lines – 2 to 10 units
- Lip flip – 4 to 6 units
- Gummy smile – 2 to 5 units
- Marionette lines – 2 to 6 units
Note: Learn about the best treatments for wrinkles above the lips.
How Many Units of Botox Are Needed Around the Eyes?
The skin around the eyes is particularly sensitive, which makes it more prone to bruising or swelling after injections. However, these side effects are very common and subside within a couple of days. Most Botox areas around the eyes include:
- Brow lift – 5 to 10 units
- Droopy eyelids – 12 to 24 units
- Crow’s feet – 5 to 15 units
- Under eye area – 8 to 10 units
- Bunny lines – 5 to 10 units
How Many Units of Botox Are Needed for the Neck?
The neck is a frequently targeted Botox area. Due to aging, the skin on the neck develops vertical lines that are typically more pronounced than lines on the face. This is why it’s common for your medical practitioner to recommend a higher number of units – from 25 to 100 units in some cases. They often even recommend some preventative Botox for this area.
Note: Find out how neck Botox works and what are the benefits of this quick and minimally invasive procedure.
How Many Units of Botox Are Needed for the Jaw and Chin?
When it comes to our jaw and chin, Botox targets wrinkles, sagging skin, and loose muscles to provide a better tone and definition of this area. It successfully treats the following:
- Chin wrinkles – 4 to 10 units
- Chin projection (dimpled chin) – 4 to 10 units
- Jaw slimming – 25 units per side
- Jaw definition (masseter) – 20 to 30 units
How Many Units of Botox Are Needed for the Hands?
The hand area is typically treated with Botox for two reasons – hand wrinkles on the back of the hands and excessive palm sweating (hyperhidrosis). Providers typically use these amounts of Botox:
- Hand wrinkles - up to 20 Botox units for both hands
- Palm hyperhidrosis - between 50 and 100 Botox units for both palms
How Many Units of Botox Are Needed for Underarms?
Typically, medical practitioners will administer 50 units of Botox under each arm to decrease sweating. Botox successfully resolves excessive sweating in various areas of the body without stopping it entirely. Since sweating is one of the best ways to cleanse the body from toxins, it is not a good idea to completely suppress sweating. Botox should be used only to keep it under control.
Conclusion
Botox treatments are not a one-size-fits-all solution. The number of Botox units you need depends on various factors, including facial anatomy, muscle strength, severity of wrinkles, and desired outcomes. Seeking the advice of a qualified medical professional, such as a cosmetic dermatologist or plastic surgeon, is crucial for achieving optimal, natural-looking, and lasting results.
For Botox in Phoenix area, reach out to our medical professionals at Vibrant Skin Bar to schedule your consultation.
