How Many Units of Botox Do You Need to Treat Different Areas of Your Body?

How Many Units of Botox Do You Need to Treat Different Areas of Your Body?

Botox may have become synonymous with anti-aging treatments, but the injectible has several other medical uses. When Allergan acquired rights to manufacture Alan Scott’s Oculinum, it was rebranded as Botox and was used to treat limb spasticity, cervical dystonia, and more. 

It was only in 2002 that the FDA approved the use of Botox as a cosmetic injectable for frown lines, glabellar lines, and crow’s feet. The product was named BOTOX® Cosmetic to differentiate it from medical Botox. 

Since then, BOTOX® Cosmetic has been used for multiple skin issues, and different doses of Botox units per area are used. So, if you have ever wondered how many Botox units you need for skin rejuvenation, we answer all of your questions.

Why Is the Treatment Measured by Units?

The primary ingredient of Botox is Botulinum Toxin Type A, the purified and sterile version of a neurotoxin derived from the bacteria Clostridium botulinum. It works by blocking neurotransmissions at neuromuscular junctions. 

Because of its mode of action, Botox can only be used in strictly controlled doses for cosmetic treatments. And it must be measured out by certain units so that it can be administered in the correct dosages.

The number of units you will need to address your skin issues can only safely be determined by certified medical professionals.

How Many Units of Botox Do You Need?

Botox comes in three quantities: 50-unit or 100-unit vials. The ingredients of the vial must be reconstituted with a sterile 0.9% Sodium chloride solution. 

The units given per patient depend on the following factors:

For example, smoothing out glabellar lines in mature skin requires more units than crow’s feet lines because forehead muscles are more rigid than those around the eyes.

This is why it’s hard to predict precisely how many Botox units per area you will need. Consult your doctor for the exact dosage that is effective in preventing premature aging or treating the existing wrinkles and lines.

Why Do Botox Units for the Same Area Differ from Visit to Visit?

You will notice that the number of units administered to treat a skin irregularity differs in subsequent visits. It changes with time. There are two reasons why. 

Your doctor might start with a lower dosage to see how your body reacts to Botox and then gradually increase it over time.

Residual traces of the Botulinum Toxin Type A may still be present in your muscles when you go for a touch-up. In that case, the units of Botox per area will decrease in subsequent visits. You might need less frequent top-ups when you’re on a regular Botox schedule. 

How many units of Botox also depends on the muscle movement and individual anatomy of the treated area. If you’re taking Botox injections to smoothen crow’s feet around your eyes, refills may require different units than the first dosage. Because of the frequency of eye movements, Botox fades faster in that area.

Excessive muscle movement counters the effect of Botox. That’s why your medical professional will advise you against heavy workouts immediately after the treatment has been administered, even though they’d recommend you to move the expression muscles to evenly distribute Botox immediately after injection.

How Many Botox Units Do You Need for Different Parts of Your Face?

Botox treatments depend on the muscles being targeted and the severity of the skin problem. 

Let’s look at how Botox units vary depending on the part of the face:

Allergan recommends a total of 20 units for treating fine lines and wrinkles in the forehead area. The product should not be injected into one area all at once. Four units must be delivered at five different spots, totaling 20. 

Some practitioners use up to 30 units to the forehead if glabellar lines are especially stubborn. 

So, you need anywhere between 20 to 40! units of Botox for forehead.

How Many Units Botox for Frown Lines?

If you have horizontal frown lines across your forehead, your doctor may inject 20 or more units to smoothen out the folds, depending on your age, gender & muscle strength. 

But as mentioned earlier, the elasticity of your muscles and the thickness of your skin in the region will affect the total units of Botox for frown lines.

Smoker’s lines appear above the upper lip. And as you age, these lines become prominent and are visible.

Cosmetic experts usually use 5 to 10 units to smoothen out the unsightly smoker’s lines. Because muscles around the mouth are pliable and soft, you don’t need more than that.

How Many Units of Botox for Lip Lift?

You can use Botox to enhance the fullness and symmetry of your lips. It’s an affordable and quicker alternative to lip fillers. 

Doctors use 2 to 8 units for the upper lip, to slightly elevate or lift the upper lip, creating a key-hole out.

Wondering how many units of Botox for jaw you may need? Masseter muscles in the jaw are quite strong and very active. It takes roughly 20 to 30 units on each side to correct the jawline, creating the much popular V-shaped or heart-shaped face.

If you have a muscular or irregular jawline, talk to your aesthetic doctor to perform corrective treatment using Botox. It is minimally invasive and shows great results. It’s also cheaper, faster, and less complicated than surgical treatments.

How Many Units of Botox for Hyperhidrosis in the Underarm Area?

Botox can help reduce excessive sweating in your underarms. However, you will need a hefty dose for it to work. 

Your medical practitioner may start with 25-30 units per underarm and go up to 50 to reduce sweating by 80% to 87%.

Botox Experts in Your Area

Looking for a medical spa in North Hollywood? LA Beauty Skin Center specializes in injectables in North Hollywood. 

If you’re searching for Botox in Glendale, visit our medical spa in Glendale for reliable treatment by an experienced medical doctor and registered nurses. We specialize in injectables in Glendale.