If you're getting forehead Botox for the first time your licensed botox injector will recommend starting with only injecting a low dose of Botox units. The manufacturer of Botox Cosmetic, Allegran recommends starting with 20 units of Botox to inject into your forehead.
Number of units – The basic recommendation from the manufacturer of Botox Cosmetic is four units for each of the injection sites (20 total). Most dermatologists say they administer between 10 and 50 total units, depending on the individual patient's needs and history with the treatment.
Right above the eyebrows and in between the eyes is called the frown lines. According to the recommendations, this requires 20 units. And finally, for the lines further up the forehead, which we just refer to as forehead lines, it takes 20 units of Botox.
The amount of Botox needed to improve crow's feet depends on each individual. An optimal dose should last 3 to 4 months. Two units per side is a very low dose and typically would last about 2 to 3 months. You will need to wait and see what dosage will work for you and give longevity.
For the frown lines, 20 – 30 units of Botox is considered enough to relax the muscles. Similarly, for forehead lines, a woman may require up to 15 units to the desired results. Furthermore, for the crow's feet area, some individuals require up to 30 units for visible results.
If you want to prevent the earliest fine lines from becoming full-blown wrinkles, preventative Botox can be the solution. Botox is approved for patients who are 18 years and older and most experts agree that patients in their mid to late 20s and early 30s are at a good age for preventative Botox treatment.
For horizontal forehead lines, practitioners can inject up to 15–30 units of Botox. For “11” lines between the eyes (or glabellar lines), up to 40 units are indicated, with higher doses needed in male patients .
Another concern that most patients have is not seeing results within the same timeframe as their first treatments. In general, this is not a cause for concern as the Botox may simply need more time to take effect the second time around. Doctors recommend waiting between 10 and 14 days.
Cost varies, as some clinics choose to charge per unit and others per area. The average price is about $20 per unit, and a single treatment might use anywhere from 20 to 60 units per area. Expect to pay about $500 to $800 per session on average.
In general, Botox lasts 3-4 months. There will certainly be patients in which in lasts longer, in that 4-6 month range, or shorter, in that 2-month range. It is also common for first-timers to notice that it may not last as long initially but may last longer after the second treatment.
The only person you never need to tip is a doctor, even for aesthetic treatments like Botox (another reason to only get injections from a dermatologist or plastic surgeon). At the end of the day, all of these stylists, aestheticians, and technicians live off their tips, so be sure to help them after they've helped you.
You should NEVER leave a tip for your PA/NP or nurse injector. Injectables are medications, just like a blood pressure pill or a thyroid medication. You would not tip your primary care provider for doing an EKG on you so no need to tip on our medical services either.
Your Guide to Botox Injections
According to Allergan's guidelines, the following units should be given: Crow's Feet – 10 to 12 Botox Units per eye (2 eyes would mean 20 to 24 units) Frown Lines – 20 Botox Units. Forehead lines – 20 Botox Units.
The first thing you'll notice immediately after Botox injections are little bumps and dots of blood that look just like mosquito bites. These go away in 20 minutes to half an hour. But you won't notice the skin-smoothing effects between three to five days (and up to two weeks).
50 units of Botox would be excessive to fully treat forehead rhytids (horizontal forehead lines), but it may be appropriate to treat both the glabella and forehead. A typical dosage for the forehead is 20 units. 50 units would be more appropriate as a Dysport dosage.
An average Botox procedure uses about 50 units at a time, with the maximum safe amount being 100 units. Typically, you can expect more Botox units if you want to target more dynamic wrinkles like frown lines, forehead lines, or smile lines.
Your body continues producing new neurotransmitters, so the Botox injection's “blocking” effects will eventually wear off. Generally speaking, Botox injections in the forehead last for approximately 4 months.
40 units is not a “large” dose for glabella, forehead, and crows feet but i'd say it's pretty typical. I have many patients that do more without looking frozen.
The first “true” results will be noticeable within 24 to 48 hours – when you'll see a softening of wrinkles. Why does Botox need a couple days to start working? Botox freezes your muscles by stopping the release of acetylcholine. It takes awhile for your body to “use up” the acetylcholine that's already circulating.
In general, you can see the effects of Botox as early as 3 to 4 days after an injection. Dr. Oscar Trujillo, a facial plastic surgeon at Columbia University Irving Medical Center, says most patients will see results within 10 to 14 days but should wait the full 14 days to see the maximum results.
These Botox injections can range from a total price of $200 to $1,500 for 11 lines. A doctor administering the injections will recommend the precise dosage needed. Sometimes, Botox alone can't fully treat 11 lines and so doctors may recommend other dermal fillers.
Forehead lines / horizontal lines: 10-30 units. Frown lines: 10-25 units. Glabellar lines (between the eyes): 10-25 units. Jaw area (masseter): 15-50 units per side.
Both Botox® and Dysport® are great choices for 11 lines, and they last for as much as four months. Botox® has other uses, as well. It's used in other types of wrinkles, like your horizontal forehead lines and crow's feet at the edges of your eyes.