How Many Botox Units Do I Need? Forehead, 11s, Crow’s Feet Guide
I still remember the first time I treated a news anchor who could hold a smile without moving a single forehead line. On camera, she looked airbrushed. Off camera, she confessed she could not lift her brows to emphasize a point. She had chased “no lines” with too many units in the wrong places. That experience cemented something every great injector learns early: the right Botox dose is not a template, it is a conversation between your anatomy and your goals.
This guide explains how clinicians think about Botox units for the forehead, 11s, and crow’s feet, and what that means for your plan. You will see typical ranges, how they are adjusted in the real world, what affects longevity, and how to budget. If you are comparing Botox vs Dysport or weighing Baby Botox, you will find those trade‑offs here too.
What a “unit” really means
A unit is a standardized measure of biological activity for onabotulinumtoxinA, the active ingredient in Botox Cosmetic. It is not a volume like milliliters. Clinics reconstitute each vial with sterile saline, then draw up doses based on units. One unit of Botox is not interchangeable with one unit of Dysport, Xeomin, or Jeuveau. They are different molecules and are dosed differently. That is why you will hear colleagues talk in brand‑specific units.
When you see “10 units to the forehead,” that is 10 Botox units spread across several small injection points. Technique matters as much as the total dose because depth, spacing, and sequence influence how the muscle relaxes.
The three muscles that shape your upper face
Most upper‑face Botox treatment focuses on three muscle groups:
Glabellar complex (the “11s” between the brows): corrugators and procerus pull the brows down and in. Frontalis (forehead): lifts the brows and creates horizontal lines when you look surprised. Orbicularis oculi (crow’s feet): a circular muscle that scrunches the outer eye when smiling.
Treating only one of these in isolation can create odd dynamics. For example, softening the forehead but ignoring the 11s can cause a heavy brow, and relaxing crow’s feet aggressively without balancing the brow elevators can flatten a smile. Good outcomes come from balancing push and pull.
Typical Botox unit ranges by area
The ranges below reflect common dosing I use and what is supported by labeling and literature. They are starting points, not promises.
| Area | Typical Botox units | Notes | |---|---:|---| | Glabellar lines, the “11s” | 16 to 24 | FDA label is 20 units across 5 sites. Strong frowners may need 24 to 30 with careful placement. | | Forehead lines (frontalis) | 6 to 20 | Depends on forehead height, brow heaviness, and whether glabella is treated. Overdosing risks heavy brows. | | Crow’s feet (outer eyes) | 8 to 16 per side | Label is 12 per side at 3 points. Lighter smiles may look best at 8 to 10 per side. | | Bunny lines (nose scrunch) | 4 to 8 total | Small muscle, light dosing to avoid upper lip flattening. | | Brow lift (lateral tail) | 2 to 4 per side | Strategic micro‑doses to unshackle the tail of the brow. | | Lip flip (upper lip) | 2 to 6 total | Subtle roll of the vermilion. Can feel strange for whistling or sipping at first. | | Smokers’ or lip lines | 4 to 10 total | Feathered micro‑dots. Often paired with filler for etched lines. | | Chin dimpling (mentalis) | 6 to 10 total | Softens orange‑peel texture, smooths a pebbly chin. | | DAO (downturned corners) | 4 to 8 total | Lifts the mouth corners slightly, careful to avoid smile asymmetry. | | Masseter (jawline slimming, TMJ) | 20 to 40 per side | Wide range; larger jaws and bruxism often need the higher end. | | Platysmal neck bands | 20 to 50+ total | Multiple bands treated over several points. | | Underarms for hyperhidrosis | 50 per side | Reduces sweating for 4 to 9 months typically. | | Forehead sweating | 10 to 30 total | Light, evenly spaced micro‑dosing. | | Medical migraine protocol | 155 to 195 total | PREEMPT pattern, performed by trained clinicians, usually neurology. |
If your dose lands outside these ranges, ask your injector why. There are reasonable exceptions, but you should understand the plan.
How injectors decide your dose
Two people with identical lines can need different Botox units. The deciding factors sit under the skin.
Muscle strength and size. Some brows barely move, others can bend a baseball cap. Stronger, thicker muscles require more units to achieve the same relaxation. Men, on average, have more robust frontalis and corrugators and often need 20 to 40 percent more than women.
Forehead anatomy. A tall forehead with thin skin shows lines early and may accept more units gracefully. A short forehead on a person with heavy lids is prone to brow heaviness if overtreated.
Goals and expression style. If you speak with your brows, a lighter hand on the frontalis preserves emphasis. If you want a glassy finish and rarely emote through the forehead, higher dosing works.
Previous responses. Some people metabolize faster and see Botox longevity closer to 8 to 10 weeks, while others reliably hold 4 to 5 months. Dosing and maintenance adapt to that pattern.
Asymmetry. Almost everyone has one brow that sits higher. Dosing is often asymmetric to create symmetry. This can mean a different number of units or different depth on each side.
Budget and maintenance. Spreading units across too many areas can leave each underdosed. It is better to fully treat one or two priorities than sprinkle everywhere and regret it.
The 11s: how many units help without freezing your frown
The 11s, also called glabellar or frown lines, usually respond to 16 to 24 units of Botox split across five to seven small points. The label treatment is 20 units, four units each at five sites, and for many patients that is a reliable anchor. I often add tiny “helper” drops laterally along a strong corrugator to stop the tail from pulling the brow head inward.
Two practical notes from the chair. First, some people insist on a low dose here to keep a sliver of frown for empathy. That can work, but half‑dosing the 11s without supporting the forehead often sets up a heavy, tired look. Second, chronic scowlers develop etched static lines that remain even when the muscle is quiet. Botox softens the dynamic fold but may not erase the crease. In those cases I photograph at rest and in motion, then discuss pairing neuromodulator treatment with soft filler or energy‑based resurfacing for the etched track.
Forehead dosing: elegant restraint and how to keep brows light
Forehead dosing is a tug‑of‑war with the brow position. The frontalis lifts the brow. Relax it too much and the brow drops. The cure is not “no Botox,” it is balance. If the 11s pull the brow down, address them first or at the same visit. A classic balanced plan might be 20 units to the glabella and 8 to 12 units feathered across the forehead to polish lines.
Where those forehead units land is as important as how many. I keep them above a safe distance from the brow to preserve lift, and I stagger depth to match forehead thickness. People with heavy upper eyelids or a history of feeling “hooded” after Botox get lighter treatment low on the forehead and a touch of lateral brow lift to offset any weight.
Baby Botox on the forehead, typically 6 to 10 units total in micro‑aliquots, can blur faint lines without a frozen look. It will not hold as long, but it buys three nice months for someone filming, getting married, or testing how it feels.
Crow’s feet: how smile strength and eye shape inform the plan
Crow’s feet dosing ranges from 8 to 16 units per side. The label dose of 12 per side, split across three points of 4 units each, works well if you have moderate lines that fan out with a smile. Lighter smiles may glow at 8 to 10 per side, especially if skin is thin and crepey.
The trade‑off to understand here is smile character. A big expressive grin depends on the outer orbicularis. Over‑relax it and the smile looks wider but flatter. On photography days I often keep the lateral‑inferior points lighter, so the upper cheek still lifts. If you are athletic or squint in bright light, sunglasses are your friend during the first week to avoid uneven recruitment while the dose settles.
What changes for men
Male Botox, often called Brotox, follows the same principles with a few adjustments. Men tend to have stronger glabellar complexes and thicker frontalis muscles, so increasing the dose 20 to 40 percent is common. The goal is not to erase every line. A crisp brow and subtle movement reads as healthy and masculine. I also reduce lateral brow lift doses in men unless the goal is a stylized arch, which most do not want.
Beyond the big three: strategic doses for other concerns
Bunny lines respond to 2 to 4 units per side at the upper lateral nose. Avoid going too close to the nostril to prevent lip changes.
A lip flip uses 2 to 6 units across the upper lip border to relax the orbicularis oris just enough to roll the vermilion. Good in candidates with a tucked‑in upper lip at rest. It does not add volume like a filler, and it can make it harder to sip from a straw for a week.
DAO treatment to lift downturned corners takes 2 to 4 units per side. Placing it correctly is key to avoid smile asymmetry.
Chin dimpling from an overactive mentalis softens at 6 to 10 units total. For a deep mental crease, I pair this with a drop of filler.
Masseter slimming or TMJ bruxism treatment starts around 20 units per side for petite jaws and goes to 30 to 40 per side for larger muscles. Expect a two to three visit build‑in. Chewing fatigue is common briefly. The face tapers subtly over 6 to 10 weeks as the muscle reduces in bulk.
Platysmal bands in the neck can be softened with 20 to 50 units across the vertical bands. It improves neck texture and can sharpen the mandibular angle slightly. Deep laxity still belongs to threads, devices, or surgery.
For hyperhidrosis, underarms take about 50 units per axilla. Palms and soles can need 50 to 100 per side, with more sensitivity during injections. Relief often lasts longer here than in the face.
Migraines and bladder indications are medical treatments with specific patterns and doses. If you are exploring Botox for migraines, ask a neurologist about the PREEMPT protocol, typically 155 units across head and neck every 12 weeks.
How long Botox lasts, and what determines longevity
Expect onset at day 3 to 5, full effect at two weeks, and an average duration of three to four months for facial lines. Some people hold 5 to 6 months in the crow’s feet, while masseter or hyperhidrosis relief can last even longer after a few rounds as the muscle or gland activity calms.
What shortens or lengthens the arc:
Dose. Underdosing looks natural but fades faster. There is a middle zone where movement is soft and the result holds. Metabolism and activity. Intense exercise does not “wash out” Botox, but fast metabolizers and heavy muscle users tend to feel it wane sooner. Area. Smaller, thinner muscles like the orbicularis can fade sooner than big muscles like the masseter. Frequency. Consistent maintenance can train muscles to relax more easily, sometimes extending longevity.
I see patients at two weeks for a touch‑up window if needed. A couple of extra units can correct a small asymmetry far better than guessing on day 5.
Safety, side effects, and who should skip it
Common Botox side effects include pin‑prick swelling for 20 minutes, mild redness, small bruises, and a transient headache or pressure in treated areas. Less common effects are brow heaviness or a droopy eyelid, often from dose migration or anatomy that was not respected. These resolve as the product wears off, but prevention is the goal: right dose, right depth, and smart aftercare.
If you are pregnant, breastfeeding, or have certain neuromuscular disorders, postpone treatment. Share all medications and supplements at your Botox consultation, particularly blood thinners and high‑dose fish oil, which can increase bruising.
Aftercare that matters the first day
The first four to six hours are about keeping the product where it belongs. Here is the short, high‑yield list I give my patients.
Stay upright for four hours after your Botox appointment. Skip naps and deep massages. Avoid strenuous exercise, hot yoga, saunas, and facials that day. Do not rub, press, or use facial tools on treated areas for 24 hours. If a small bruise appears, use a cold compress intermittently. Arnica can help. Makeup is fine after an hour if the skin is intact, dab rather than rub.
If you notice eyelid heaviness or double vision within the first week, call your provider. Tiny positional tweaks in future sessions, not just more units, often prevent recurrence.
Baby Botox, Micro Botox, and preventative strategies
Baby Botox and Micro Botox refer to smaller, more superficial doses, often placed in a wider grid to gently soften pores and micro‑lines while preserving motion. It is popular in the forehead and crow’s feet for camera‑friendly skin texture. The trade‑off is longevity, often eight to ten weeks.
Preventative Botox is most useful when you have early, consistent dynamic lines that are starting to etch at rest, typically in the late 20s or early 30s. The aim is not to numb expression, but to reduce the repeated folding that carves grooves. A couple of light sessions per year can delay deeper etching. If your face is line‑free at rest and you do not habitually frown, prevention can be as simple as learning not to scowl at screens and wearing SPF.
How much does Botox cost, realistically
Most clinics price by the unit. In the United States, you will commonly see 10 to 20 dollars per unit, with geographic variation and injector experience driving much of the spread. Packages and memberships can bring the per‑unit price down or include Botox maintenance touch‑ups.
For budgeting, multiply your estimated units by the per‑unit price. A typical balanced upper face might be 20 units for the 11s, 10 units for the forehead, and 24 units for crow’s feet, a total of 54 units. At 14 dollars per unit, that is 756 dollars. You will find offers for “Affordable Botox,” “Botox specials,” or “Cheap Botox” online. Be careful. Rock‑bottom pricing can indicate over‑dilution, rushed technique, or inexperience. The best Botox provider safeguards your brow shape and expression, which saves you from expensive fixes later.
Botox vs Dysport vs Xeomin vs Jeuveau
All four are neuromodulators that relax wrinkle‑forming muscles. They differ in accessory proteins, onset perception, spread, and unit conversion. Dysport units are numerically larger, and many injectors use roughly 2.5 to 3 Dysport units per 1 Botox unit as a working estimate, but products are not interchangeable vial for vial. Xeomin lacks accessory proteins and can be a good option for people who prefer a “cleaner” formulation. Jeuveau performs similarly to Botox in many practices. Rather than chasing a brand, focus on the injector’s comfort with the product they use most and how they customize placement for your face.
The first‑time experience, from consult to two‑week check
At a proper Botox consultation, your injector asks about your work and social calendar, migraines or TMJ, previous neuromodulator treatment, and what bothered you in past sessions. Expect a set of standardized photos at rest and in motion. I have you frown, lift the brows, and smile big so I can map where the muscle bulges and where lines concentrate.
The Botox procedure itself is brief. After cleansing, I mark points with a skin pencil and use a tiny needle to place units in specific depths. Most people rate the Botox injections as a 2 to 3 out of 10 on discomfort. You can return to work, and there is almost no downtime. Two weeks later, we review results and make micro‑adjustments if needed. This two‑step approach is particularly helpful for Botox beginners who worry about overdoing it.
Who should inject you, and what to look for when searching “Botox near me”
You will see excellent injectors across disciplines, including dermatologists, plastic surgeons, physician associates, and nurse injectors who have deep experience. Training and case volume matter more than the letters after a name. A med spa can be a great Botox clinic if the supervising provider is engaged and the team prioritizes safety and education. Filler and neurotoxin are different skill sets, so ask to see examples in the areas you want treated.
Review unfiltered before and after photos that match your age, skin type, and goals. Ask how many Botox sessions the injector performs weekly and which product they use most. Listen for a plan that balances the forehead, 11s, and crow’s feet instead of chasing one wrinkle. Confirm you will have a two‑week follow‑up and access if something feels off. Be wary of pressure to add areas you did not ask for at the first visit.
A good injector will say no if you request a dose that risks brow ptosis or a flattened smile. That guardrail is part of what you are paying for.
Setting expectations: before and after, and what “natural” really looks like
“Natural” usually means smoother skin at rest, some movement in expression, a rested brow that does not pull down aggressively, and crow’s feet that crinkle lightly but do not knife outward. Compare your Botox before and after at rest and in motion under the same lighting. The biggest compliments sound like “You look rested,” not “What did you do?”
If you are treating deep, long‑standing grooves, remember Botox addresses the engine, not the track. You Orlando, FL botox https://solumaaesthetics.com/about/ may need a staged plan with resurfacing or filler to erase those lines. If you feel “too frozen,” say so early. Small reductions at the next session or skipping the lower forehead can restore expression quickly.
When Botox is not the answer
Heavy upper eyelid skin, true brow ptosis from aging, and etched lip lines with volume loss often need a combination approach. Botox can polish, but it will not lift redundant skin or replace lost structure. This is where Botox and filler together can shine, or where a referral to oculoplastic or facial plastic surgery protects your long‑term result.
Maintaining results without overdoing it
Most people book Botox maintenance every three to four months for facial lines and twice yearly for masseter or hyperhidrosis treatment once stable. I prefer a steady rhythm over chasing reanimation. A touch‑up at two weeks if a tiny line escaped is smarter than bumping your base dose everywhere. Over a year, this approach keeps photos consistent and avoids that “good month, bad month” swing.
If your lifestyle or budget means you can only treat twice a year, pick your highest‑impact area. For many that is the 11s, which softens a scowl and lifts the brow subtly. Crow’s feet are a close second for people who squint or laugh a lot.
Final thoughts from the chair
The right Botox dose feels like you on a great night’s sleep. It means the forehead looks calm without a heavy brow, the 11s do not knit when you concentrate, and the crow’s feet join your smile without shouting. That result comes from precise placement, realistic unit ranges, and a plan tuned to your anatomy and habits. Bring curiosity to your Botox consultation, share what you like about your own expressions, and expect your injector to explain the “why” behind every drop. The conversation is where natural results begin.