Botox Units Guide: Estimating Dosage by Area

People often ask for a simple answer to a layered question: how many units of Botox do I need? The honest response is a range, shaped by muscle strength, facial anatomy, sex, goals, prior treatments, and brand choice. Dosage is not only about how much, but where and why. A thoughtful plan matches units to muscles and the look you want, then fine tunes for symmetry. I have treated patients who needed half the average dose and others who needed double, both with excellent outcomes, because the units matched the person, not a chart.

This guide walks through typical dosing by area with practical context. It covers aesthetics and common medical uses, how Botox compares to Dysport and Xeomin, and what to expect before and after treatment. If you are considering Botox injections for wrinkles or medical concerns like migraines or TMJ, you will find concrete numbers and the reasoning behind them.

How units work and why they are not all the same

“Units” describe biological activity in a vial of botulinum toxin. In cosmetic Botox products, a unit is standardized within a brand, but not across brands. A 20 unit forehead dose with Botox Cosmetic is not identical to 20 units of Dysport or Xeomin. Most injectors use simple conversion habits: many approximate 2.5 to 3 Dysport units for every 1 Botox unit, and roughly a 1 to 1 exchange for Xeomin. These are clinical rules of thumb, not hard laws. Always discuss the brand used, especially if you are switching between treatments, because that can shift totals and timelines.

Dilution also matters. Most vials are reconstituted with sterile saline. A common dilution for facial aesthetics is 2.5 mL per 100 units, though some injectors prefer 1 to 2 mL for tighter spreads or 3 mL for microdroplet work. The number on the syringe will change with dilution, but the delivered units should not. Ask your provider for units, not only volume.

A practical baseline: typical cosmetic dosing by area

Every face is different, yet certain patterns hold up in practice. The ranges below describe Botox Cosmetic units per area for an average adult. Men usually need more than women due to stronger muscles and greater muscle mass. Thicker skin and athletic facial habits push doses upward. If you prefer an ultra natural look, you may choose the low end of each range.

Forehead lines (frontalis): 6 to 16 units

We balance the forehead against the frown complex below it. Over-treating here can drop the brows. For a first session, I often start with 8 to 10 units placed in a loose grid across the upper two thirds of the forehead, then adjust at the two week follow-up. People who use their brows to lift their lids may prefer lighter dosing and more attention to the glabella.

Frown lines or “11s” (glabella complex: corrugators and procerus): 12 to 25 units

This area shapes your resting expression more than most realize. We usually plan 3 to 5 injection points across the procerus and corrugators. Strong scowlers often sit closer to 20 to 25 units. A brow-heavy frowner with deep glabellar furrows may need reinforcement over a session or two to smooth etched lines.

Crow’s feet (lateral canthus): 8 to 24 units total, 4 to 12 units per side

Here we relax the outer orbicularis oculi without dulling your smile. Thinner skin responds quickly. I often treat 8 to 10 units per side for women and 10 to 12 per side for men, placed in two or three points in a fan.

Brow lift injection: 2 to 6 units total

A subtle botox brow lift relies on selectively releasing downward pullers. Small units placed lateral to the tail of the brow or in the glabella can yield a 1 to 2 millimeter lift. This is a finesse move and works best when forehead dosing is conservative.

Bunny lines (upper nose scrunch): 4 to 8 units

Two to four units per side along the nasalis softens diagonal creases that appear when you smile. Overdoing this area can create odd compensation patterns, so less is more.

Lip flip treatment: 4 to 8 units

Tiny injections at the vermilion border of the upper lip relax the orbicularis oris, making the lip show a bit more at rest. This is not volume. It works best for patients whose top lip inverts when they smile. Expect a slight lightness when sipping from a straw for a few days.

Gummy smile treatment: 2 to 8 units

A few carefully placed units into the elevators of the upper lip reduce gum show on smiling. Results are delicate. Too much can blunt expression, so a conservative start is safer.

Chin dimpling (mentalis): 6 to 10 units

Pebbling on the chin softens nicely with a small dose. This often pairs with lower face balancing and can reduce an orange peel look in motion.

DAO softening (downturned mouth corners): 4 to 10 units total

Relaxing the depressor anguli oris can soften a constant frown and help corners lift. This is a subtle, mood-lifting change when balanced with the chin and lip.

Jawline botox and masseter reduction: 20 to 60 units per side

This is the workhorse for patients who grind their teeth, clench, or want a slimmer lower face. Strong masseters take large doses, often spaced across two or three injection points per side. Chewers and heavy clenchers often need the higher ranges. Expect initial slimming at 6 to 8 weeks and ongoing refinement with maintenance sessions.

Platysma neck bands: 20 to 60 units total

Treating vertical neck bands can sharpen the jawline and soften neck lines. We map bands with active contraction, then seed small aliquots along each. This is technique dependent and should be handled by a provider experienced in neck anatomy.

Nefertiti lift (lower face and neck contour): 20 to 40 units

By relaxing platysma fibers along the jawline and lower face, this approach can refine contours, especially in patients who tense their neck when talking or exercising.

Under-eye “jelly roll”: 2 to 6 units per side

Very light dosing targets the hypertrophic orbicularis roll that appears during a big smile. Conservative dosing is essential to avoid lid heaviness or smile changes.

Microbotox or Botox facial: 20 to 60 units spread across the face

Microdroplets placed intradermally can reduce oil, refine pores, and give a polished texture. This does not lift or fill. It is best framed as skin finish rather than wrinkle control. In my hands, 30 to 40 units across the T zone and cheeks is a good start for patients with visible pores and shine.

Preventative or baby Botox: 8 to 24 units distributed

For younger patients with early fine lines or dynamic creasing, small units in the glabella, crow’s, and light forehead dosing slows progression. The goal is to guide movement, not freeze it. This approach works best with consistent maintenance and sunscreen.

Medical and therapeutic dosing patterns

Therapeutic botox often uses higher totals and mapped injections. Insurance protocols vary, and the treatment plan may be led by a neurologist, dermatologist, or facial pain specialist. Here are practical ranges that patients commonly encounter, understanding that specific protocols depend on diagnosis and product labeling.

TMJ botox and jaw clenching: 20 to 40 units per side in the masseter, sometimes with 10 to 20 units per side in the temporalis

Patients with bruxism often describe morning headaches, worn enamel, and tenderness at the angle of the jaw. Relief typically begins within 1 to 2 weeks, with stronger results at 4 to 6 weeks. If you rely on heavy chewing for sports nutrition or music performance, discuss staged dosing to avoid sudden strength loss.

Migraine botox: approximately 155 to 195 units across standardized sites

The PREEMPT protocol, widely used for chronic migraine, divides dosing across the frontalis, corrugators, procerus, temporalis, occipitalis, cervical paraspinals, and trapezius. Patients often notice reduced frequency and severity after the second session. This is different from aesthetic dosing and should follow neurologic guidance.

Hyperhidrosis botox for underarms: 50 to 100 units per axilla

Mapping is usually done with a starch-iodine test, then a grid of intradermal injections covers the sweating zone. Hands and feet require similar mapping, though dosing and pain management differ. Expect reduced sweating for 4 to 6 months, sometimes longer.

Other therapeutic uses, such as spasticity or cervical dystonia, involve large unit counts and are outside the scope of a cosmetic visit. Those must be handled in a medical setting with detailed functional goals.

Factors that push dosing up or down

The numbers above are starting points. Skilled injectors watch how you move, then adjust. Several variables consistently influence unit count.

Muscle strength and bulk

Athletes, frequent expressive talkers, and people who habitually knit their brows tend to need more units. Men often require more due to baseline muscle mass.

Anatomy and brow position

A low-set brow or hooded lid influences forehead dosing. If the forehead is the primary elevator for the brow, we tread lightly to avoid droop, and instead treat the frown complex more robustly.

Skin thickness and sun damage

Thick or sebaceous skin may need slightly higher dosing for the crow’s feet or forehead to achieve visible smoothing. Heavily etched static lines may need a series of sessions plus skin treatments to catch up.

Previous treatments and interval

If you arrive still partially active from prior botox sessions, topping up to full dose may require fewer units. If it has been over a year, expect to return to baseline dosing.

Brand choice

Botox Cosmetic, Dysport, and Xeomin all work. Patients sometimes report faster onset with Dysport in large muscle groups and a slightly softer feel with Xeomin in expressive areas, but these are nuances. What matters most is consistent technique and the injector’s experience with that brand.

Dosing with finesse: symmetry and micro-adjustments

Faces are asymmetrical. Most people frown harder on their dominant side. One brow sits higher than the other. I often plan asymmetric dosing, for example 6 units on the stronger corrugator and 4 on the other, with even smaller adjustments on the forehead. A clean result depends on resisting the urge to split doses perfectly. At the two week review, a small 2 unit tweak can correct a late-appearing eyebrow flare or a subtle smirk change.

Patients who crave a natural look should say so. Natural look botox prioritizes selective relaxation over blanket paralysis. You will keep expression and avoid the “overdone” forehead at the cost of shaving a couple of weeks off the duration. If you are a public speaker, teacher, or on camera, that trade often feels right.

Onset, peak, and duration

Most patients feel early softening at day 3 to 5, with peak effect at day 10 to 14. Crow’s feet and forehead respond faster, masseters and neck a little slower. How long botox lasts depends on area, metabolism, and dose. Typical ranges:

Forehead, glabella, crow’s feet: 3 to 4 months

Lip flip and gummy smile: 6 to 10 weeks

Chin and DAO: 3 to 4 months

Masseter reduction: 4 to 6 months for function, with slimmer contour building over several sessions

Underarm hyperhidrosis: 4 to 6 months, sometimes longer

Migraine protocols: generally injected every 12 weeks

A few patients metabolize faster, especially endurance athletes or those with high baseline muscle tone. If your botox results fade consistently at 8 to 10 weeks, talk with your injector about targeted increases or shortened maintenance intervals.

What to expect during a botox appointment

A typical botox consultation takes 15 to 30 minutes, especially for a first-time botox patient. You will discuss areas of concern, medical history, and previous treatments. Your provider will watch you animate, mark injection sites, and estimate units per area. The botox injection process itself usually takes under 10 minutes for the upper face, longer for masseter or neck work.

Most patients describe the injections as quick pinches. Makeup is removed in treated areas to reduce contamination risk. Pressure or ice may be used briefly for comfort. Small bumps at injection sites settle within 15 to 30 minutes in most cases.

Safety, risk, and what good aftercare looks like

Botox therapy is widely used and generally safe when performed by trained professionals. Side effects tend to be mild and temporary, such as pinpoint bruising, tenderness, or a dull headache the first evening. Less common risks include eyelid or brow ptosis, smile asymmetry, or chewing weakness with masseter treatment. Technique and precise placement reduce these risks, but they can still occur.

Immediate aftercare is simple. Skip vigorous exercise for the rest of the day, avoid massaging treated areas, and stay upright for several hours. Skincare can resume that evening, with retinoids and acids restarted the following day unless your provider advises otherwise. If you bruise easily, consider arnica or bromelain. For important events, plan treatment 2 to 3 weeks ahead.

Cost and how units influence the price

How much is botox depends on geography, injector expertise, and clinic model. In many cities, Botox price per unit ranges from affordable botox at 10 to 14 dollars per unit in high-volume settings to 16 to 22 dollars in boutique practices, with some coastal markets higher. Some clinics offer area pricing or botox deals and specials, particularly for first time botox sessions. Ask whether pricing is per unit or per area, whether you can see the exact unit count, and what touch-up policies look like. The cheapest botox options are not always the best value if dosing is consistently too light or technique is inconsistent.

If you are weighing botox vs fillers, remember that they do different jobs. Botox relaxes muscles to smooth dynamic lines or rebalance pull. Fillers replace volume or contour structure. Deep etched lines or hollow temples are better suited to fillers, while frown lines and crow’s respond to botox. Many patients benefit from both, planned in a sequence that suits their goals and budget.

When less is more, and when more is needed

You can overdo botox. Overdosed foreheads look plastic, and heavy lower face dosing can flatten expression. On the other hand, too little can feel like a waste if strong muscles shrug off a baby dose in four weeks. For the upper face, I often recommend building to a stable dose over two sessions for first-timers. For the lower face, cautious staging avoids functional changes you might not like.

Real-world example: a 34-year-old woman with strong glabellar lines and mild forehead creasing. She wants a softer look without a brow drop. We plan 18 units for the glabella and 8 across the upper forehead, then see her at day 12. The scowl is controlled, and the forehead raises naturally. The next session, she repeats the same plan at three months and finds the duration extends closer to four months.

Another example: a 28-year-old man with jaw clenching and square masseters. We start at 30 units per side, revisit at eight weeks, and add 10 units per side if needed. By the second session, his night guard shows less wear, and photographs hint at a slimmer angle of the jaw. Chewing feels normal for him because we staged the dose.

Comparing brands: Botox, Dysport, and Xeomin

All three brands are FDA approved for facial lines, and all are used off-label for the areas noted above. Differences are mostly in diffusion profile, onset, and patient preference.

Botox Cosmetic

The best-known brand with broad adoption. Reliable onset around day 3 to 5 and a familiar feel. For people who have had good results before, there is little reason to switch.

Dysport

Often discussed for a slightly faster onset and a softer spread in larger fields like the forehead. Many injectors use a brand-specific ratio, commonly 2.5 to 3 Dysport units per 1 Botox unit. Patients with quick social timelines sometimes favor Dysport for that early glow.

Xeomin

A “naked” toxin without complexing proteins. Some patients who feel they build tolerance over time report steadier results with Xeomin, though true resistance is rare. Onset and duration are comparable to Botox.

If a provider recommends a change, ask about the reasoning. In some cases, brand availability and price will guide the choice. In others, the injector’s comfort and technique with a specific product should carry more weight.

Setting expectations and planning maintenance

Good Botox care is not a one-off procedure, it is a rhythm. Your first session establishes how your muscles respond. The second dials in the plan. After that, most patients settle into a schedule of every three to four months for the upper face and every four to six months for masseters or underarms. Maintenance beats rescue. If you consistently wait until everything wears off completely, you may need higher totals and a couple of weeks to regain the look you like.

If you are preparing for photos or events, schedule with the full timeline in mind: injection at three weeks botox ny prior, review at ten to fourteen days, and micro-adjust if needed. If travel or work keeps you from a check-in, share that at the appointment. Your injector can bias dosing toward stability with small changes in placement.

Two smart checklists for patients

Pre-appointment questions to ask

Which brand will you use, and how many units do you estimate per area? How do you adjust for my asymmetry or brow position? What is your touch-up policy at two weeks? Do you price per unit or per area, and can I see the unit count? What side effects should I expect for the areas we are treating?

Aftercare basics for better results

Stay upright for several hours and skip strenuous exercise until the next day. Do not massage or apply firm pressure to treated areas the same day. Expect onset in a few days and peak at week two, then schedule a review if needed. Use sunscreen daily to protect skin and preserve results. For masseter or neck treatments, plan meals and workouts to accommodate mild chewing or neck fatigue in the first week.

Special cases and nuanced calls

Heavy lids or low brows

A low brow can masquerade as forehead lines. In such cases, over-treating the frontalis can drop the brow further. Prioritize glabella control and keep forehead units light, often at 6 to 8, placed higher.

Long-standing etched lines

Static lines etched into the skin do not vanish overnight. Consistent botox therapy prevents the muscle from stamping the crease deeper, and resurfacing or microneedling can help remodel the skin. Set a three to six month horizon for visible change.

Photo-heavy lives

People who shoot weekly content often like a gentler baseline dose every 10 to 12 weeks rather than a strong dose that fades in month three. This approach softens the peaks and valleys.

Men’s botox

Men usually need 20 to 30 percent more units for the same effect. The aesthetic target often leans rugged rather than glassy. Keeping crow’s feet dynamic and the forehead gently mobile preserves a masculine look.

Putting it together: a sample plan by goals

Goal: natural look botox for a first-timer in her early thirties

Glabella 14 units, forehead 8, crow’s 6 per side. Recheck at day 12 for a 2 unit brow tweak if needed. Expect three to four months.

Goal: anti aging botox for prominent frown and early static lines

Glabella 20 to 22 units, forehead 10 to 12, crow’s 8 to 10 per side. Layer skin treatments between sessions. Expect four months.

Goal: jawline softening with masseter botox

Masseter 25 to 30 units per side initially. Reassess at eight weeks, add 10 units per side if strong clenching persists. Maintain every five to six months.

Goal: gummy smile treatment plus lip flip

Gummy smile 2 to 4 units at each levator focus, lip flip 6 units total. Start conservatively. Reassess smiling dynamics at two weeks.

Goal: hyperhidrosis botox for underarms

Map with starch-iodine and treat 50 units per axilla in a grid. Plan next session at four to six months depending on return of sweating.

When to reconsider or seek a different approach

If your brows are heavy or your lids feel tired even without treatment, an oculoplastic evaluation for brow position or lid skin redundancy may help. If you have deep volume loss around the temples or cheeks, filler or fat transfer can do more than Botox alone. If you are pregnant or breastfeeding, postpone botox injections; we do not treat during those periods. If you have a neuromuscular disorder, involve your medical team in the decision.

Final thoughts

Estimating botox dosage by area works best as a collaborative exercise. Use the ranges here as a map, then let your injector tailor the route to your anatomy and preferences. Reliable results come from measured dosing, respect for facial balance, and a willingness to adjust. Whether you are exploring cosmetic botox for fine lines, therapeutic botox for migraines, or masseter reduction for jaw clenching, the units that matter most are the ones that match your face and your goals.