How Many Units of Botox Will I Need?
Individuals who are just beginning Botox treatments often ask, “How many units of Botox will I need for my crow’s feet, and how much will it cost?” or “How much will it cost to get Botox for my smile lines?” Pricing for Botox injections can be a bit tricky because it will depend on your practitioner, the area you are treating, and how many units it will take to get the results you want.
This article will give a quick overview of Botox, how it works, the areas on your face that it can improve, and how many units of Botox you might need for each treated area.
A Bit About Botox
Botox is an FDA-approved treatment that is used for both cosmetic and medical purposes. It is made from a naturally occurring bacteria called botulinum toxin and in large amounts is very poisonous, but in very small doses it has been proven beneficial and safe to use. When it is injected into a muscle, it causes temporary paralysis so the muscle does not move and cause wrinkles to form, so you appear more youthful-looking.
In addition to helping to reduce the signs of aging, Botox is often used for medical purposes and can calm eyelid spasms or issues with an overactive bladder that are affecting someone’s quality of life, as well as help with migraine headaches and teeth grinding while asleep. Medical uses for Botox include:
- Eyelid spasms
- Crossed eyes
- Excessive sweating
- Neck and shoulder spasms
- Overactive bladder
- Migraine headaches
- Jaw clenching and teeth grinding
What Cosmetic Issues Can Botox Treat?
The FDA originally approved Botox for use in treating medical conditions involving the eye. The injections used for medical purposes and cosmetic purposes are the exact same substance, but when approved by the FDA to treat the visible signs of aging, like lines and wrinkles, it was given the name “Botox Cosmetic.”
Botox Cosmetic can lessen the appearance of:
- Forehead lines
- Lines around the nose (“bunny lines”)
- Frown lines (eleven lines between the eyes)
- Neck lines
- Crow’s feet (lines on the outer corner of the eyes)
- Chin (pebble chin)
- Smile lines
How Many Units of Botox Do I Need?
Botox is sold in units, and most providers price their treatments according to the number of units needed to create the results you desire.
The number of Botox units you will need to treat a particular area can be slightly different for everyone. Your Beauté Aesthetics specialist will evaluate your facial features, the areas you desire to treat, your facial muscle strength, etc., to determine the approximate number of Botox units that will be needed. Usually, men require more units to get the same results than women because their facial muscles tend to be stronger than their female counterparts.
The following chart is a general guide that can give you an idea of the number of units that it will take to reach your desired results in each area.
| Treatment Area | How many units of Botox are needed? | Approximate Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Crow feet | 6-12 per eye | $84-$168 per eye |
| Between the eyes, or frown lines | 15-25 | $210-$350 |
| Forehead lines | 10-20 | $140-$280 |
| Chin | 2-6 | $28-$84 |
| Eyebrow lift | 2-5 on each side | $56-$70 total |
| Bunny Lines (lines around the nose) | 5-10 on each side | $140-$280 |
| Smile lines | 3-6 on each side | $84-$168 |
| Neck Lines | 25-50 | $350-$700 |
| Jowls | 2-5 on each side | $56-$140 |
| Masseter | 20-40 each side | $280-$560 |
Your Beauté Aesthetics Specialist Is a Highly Trained Expert
Our Botox injectors have extensive experience in using Botox to treat cosmetic concerns. We will talk with you at your consultation to learn a bit about your health history and discuss the areas that are of concern to you. The number of Botox units needed to deliver the desired results will be different for each person and will depend upon many things, including:
The Results You Are Looking For
Some people may think that they do not want to see even the slightest hint of a wrinkle, but there is a fine line between looking relaxed and youthful and looking frozen in place. Your Beauté Aesthetics specialist will help guide you in choosing the best option for your needs and circumstances.
When you are first starting Botox treatments, we normally are a bit conservative in how many units we use, because we can always add a few more here and there if needed.
The Strength Of Your Muscles
If your facial muscles are stronger, you may need a higher number of Botox units to smooth out your forehead wrinkles than another person who has weaker muscles. Women normally do not need as many units as men because their facial muscles tend to be weaker.
How Fast Your Metabolism Runs
Botox only works temporarily and gradually wears off because your body naturally breaks it down and eliminates it. If you have a fast metabolism, you will need to have Botox injections more frequently to maintain the results you want, and if your metabolism works a bit slower, your results may last longer. Usually the results of Botox will last between 3 and 4 months. Men usually need more frequent touch-ups of Botox than women because their metabolism naturally tends to run faster, so in addition to needing more units to get the results they desire, they will need to get injections more frequently.
How Much You Would Like To Invest
Botox is not normally covered by health insurance when it is used for cosmetic purposes and is a self-pay procedure, which can affect how many units you choose to use.
If you are on a strict budget, we recommend that you treat at least one full area during your session and not divide up the units over a larger area so you get the best results. We can create a treatment plan and rotate treatment areas and maintenance areas so you get the most benefits from the units you purchase.
Watch for our monthly specials, as we periodically run deals on many of our amazing treatments, including Botox injections. We also offer several financing options that can help you obtain optimal results from your Botox treatments.
How Do You Know How Many Units of Botox You Will Need?
Most patients need to have Botox maintenance injections every three to six months to keep their face looking relaxed and less wrinkled. After using Botox for several months, your facial muscles may slightly “train themselves” to relax a bit, and it will take fewer units to maintain your results, and they may last a longer time.
How Long Will My Botox Units Last?
- Handle your treatment areas with care and use a gentle touch when washing, rinsing, or touching these areas. Always use clean hands when applying your moisturizer and clean linens when drying the areas to avoid irritation or exposing the healing skin to bacteria.
- Continue to use the moisturizer approved by your Beauté Aesthetics specialist as directed until you are told you can stop.
- Make sure to drink plenty of water each day to stay properly hydrated.
- Wear sunscreen every day and avoid sun exposure completely for at least two weeks.
- Avoid wearing makeup for at least the first day and only use light makeup for about three or four days. When you do choose to apply makeup, make sure your brushes and applicators are clean and sanitized to avoid exposing the areas to bacteria.
Where Can I Get Botox Injections in NYC?
The amazing team at Beauté Aesthetics offers Botox injections in New York City for men and women in our well-appointed and convenient locations. Our skilled practitioners offer a variety of treatments, including dermal fillers, Botox, Morpheus8, and more to help refresh your appearance and restore a more youthful glow.
Set up your personal consultation to learn more about Botox injections and our full menu of treatments designed to help you look and feel your best.
