If you have ever watched someone frown, then watched the grooves linger between their brows, you understand exactly why Botox became the go-to for dynamic wrinkles. It works by relaxing specific muscles that fold the skin. The art lies in how much to use, where to place it, and how to balance expression with smoothness. I have treated faces of every age and muscle type, and the same truth shows up every day: the right dose is personal, but good ranges keep results predictable and natural.
This guide shares area-by-area dose ranges, the thinking behind those numbers, what changes dose decisions, and how to plan a safe, effective treatment. Consider it a map with room for judgment, because skill and restraint count as much as units.
What a “unit” means, and why brands matter
A unit is the standardized measure for onabotulinumtoxinA, the active ingredient in Botox Cosmetic. Other neuromodulators exist, including abobotulinumtoxinA (Dysport), incobotulinumtoxinA (Xeomin), prabotulinumtoxinA (Jeuveau), and daxibotulinumtoxinA (Daxxify). They work similarly, but unit potency is not interchangeable across brands. Ten units of Botox is not equal to ten units of Dysport. When you read a Botox units chart, it almost always refers to Botox Cosmetic units.
Dose also depends on dilution. Most clinics reconstitute Botox with saline at common ratios like 2.5 mL or 2.0 mL per 100 units. If your injector uses a different dilution, they still deliver the same total units, just in a different volume per injection point. Volume affects spread a little, but units are what drive the result.
The levers that change dose
Before we go area by area, it helps to understand why two people with the same wrinkle might need different units. Muscle strength is the first lever. Forehead and frown muscles can vary widely, especially in men or expressive individuals. Skin thickness and elasticity matter too. Thicker, more sebaceous skin can hide lines longer yet require more units to smooth movement. Thinner skin creases easily, and sometimes you need fewer units to avoid heaviness.
Age influences baseline. Preventative Botox in your late 20s or early 30s typically uses lighter doses to soften patterns and slow etching. In later decades, a blend of neuromodulator and filler, resurfacing, or collagen-stimulating treatments may be needed to smooth etched lines that persist even when the muscle rests.
Finally, your goal drives the plan. A subtle refresh before a wedding invites a different approach than a more dramatic softening of deep 11 lines. If you speak on stage or rely on expressive brows, we might leave a little motion on purpose.
Area-by-area units chart, with practical context
Reading a Botox units chart can feel abstract. These ranges match what many experienced injectors use in daily practice, shaped by muscle anatomy and what patients tend to prefer. They are not prescriptions, but they will help you sense whether a plan sounds sensible during a consultation.
Frown lines, glabella, and 11 lines between the eyebrows
Typical range: 12 to 25 units of Botox
The glabellar complex (corrugators, procerus, and depressor supercilii) pulls the brows inward and down. Heavier frowners, especially those who squint or concentrate at screens, often need closer to 20 to 25 units for consistent softening. Smaller faces or preventative doses might land at 12 to 16 units. Even distribution matters here. Too little can lead to uneven peaks or a “spock brow.” Too much placed incorrectly can lower the brow. When done well, the area smooths while the brow remains supported.
Forehead lines
Typical range: 6 to 20 units
The frontalis lifts the brows and creates horizontal lines. Treat it conservatively, especially if you do not plan to treat the glabella. Over-relaxing the frontalis can drop the brows, particularly in those with low-set brows or moderate eyelid heaviness. I often tell first-time patients, start low, see how you feel about movement, then build by a few units in a touch up. This is where baby Botox or micro Botox concepts apply: smaller increments, focused placement, and a test of your tolerance for reduced motion.
Crow’s feet and lines around the eyes
Typical range: 6 to 24 units total, often 6 to 12 units per side
The orbicularis oculi muscle encircles the eye and forms crow’s feet with smiling. Thicker skin or strong smile lines often need 10 to 12 units per side. If you prefer to keep full smile dynamics, lighter dosing around 6 to 8 units per side can still soften etching. Extra caution helps in those with a wider smile or lax lower eyelids. Lower, medial injections must be precise to avoid eyelid heaviness.
Bunny lines across the nose
Typical range: 4 to 8 units
Those diagonal scrunch lines across the bridge come from the nasalis. A tiny dose reduces the habit without blunting your expression. People who frown frequently often develop bunny lines as a compensatory habit. Treating the glabella sometimes lessens them; if not, a small add-on here cleans up the upper nose.
Brow lift
Typical range: 2 to 6 units
A subtle chemical brow lift works by weakening the muscles that pull the brow down at the tail (lateral orbicularis), allowing the frontalis to lift a bit. Think of this as a small finesse treatment rather than a standalone fix. A higher or more arched brow often needs careful placement laterally, balancing the frontalis and crow’s feet dosing.
Lip flip
Typical range: 4 to 8 units total
Botox to the upper lip, placed very superficially, relaxes the orbicularis oris and allows the lip to roll slightly outward. It can make the pink part more visible without adding volume, helpful for those who tuck their upper lip when they smile. Side effects can include difficulty using straws or enunciating certain sounds for a few days. Avoid heavy dosing here. If true volumization is the goal, fillers are better.
Gummy smile
Typical range: 2 to 6 units
When smiling reveals too much gum, a tiny dose at the elevators of the upper lip reduces lift. Expect a lighter smile reveal, not full correction. Over-treatment can look flat or affect speech. I typically start with 2 to 4 units and adjust after two weeks if needed.
Chin dimples and orange-peel texture
Typical range: 4 to 10 units
Mentalis overactivity can dimple the chin and create a pebbled look. This small muscle is powerful. Proper placement softens dimpling and can reduce a smirk that pulls the chin upward. Those with chin retrusion or deep mentalis creases often benefit from a small dose combined with filler for structural support.
Jawline slimming and masseter reduction
Typical range: 20 to 60 units per side, often 30 to 50 units per side in average plans
The masseter muscles clench and grind, widen the face when hypertrophic, and can trigger headaches. Medical or cosmetic goals overlap here. Lean faces require caution to avoid hollowing. Expect a gradual slimming over 6 to 10 weeks as the muscle weakens and decreases in bulk. Maintenance tends to be less than the initial dose once the muscle reduces.
Platysmal bands and neck lines
Typical range: 20 to 60 units total depending on the number of bands and distribution
The platysma creates vertical neck bands and pulls the jawline downward. Strategic points along the bands lift subtly and refine the jaw contour. The amount depends on band prominence. Patients with more skin laxity or heavy submental fat will not see dramatic tightening from Botox alone. Combine with skin tightening, liposuction, or energy modalities when structure is the primary issue.
Under eyes
Typical range: 2 to 6 units, used sparingly
Under-eye dosing is delicate. A tiny dose can reduce fine crinkling on animation, but risks include swelling or hollowness appearing more obvious. If you have under-eye volume loss or festoons, neuromodulator may not help. Often, this area responds better to skin quality improvements and carefully placed filler in experienced hands.
Smile lines around the mouth
Typical range: often minimal to none with Botox
Nasolabial folds form mostly from volume descent, not excessive muscle action. Botox has a limited role here and can make the smile look weak if misused. Dermal fillers, collagen stimulators, lifting, and skin tightening usually do the heavy lifting.
Around the jaw and DAO (corners of the mouth)
Typical range: 2 to 8 units per side for DAO
Depressor anguli oris pulls mouth corners down. Small doses can lift corners slightly and harmonize the smile. Combine with mentalis treatment if the chin pulls up as the corners pull down. This area rewards precision, as too much can affect smile function.
Sweating control, hyperhidrosis
Typical ranges:
- Underarms: 50 to 100 units total Palms: 50 to 100 units per hand Soles: 50 to 100 units per foot Scalp or forehead sweating: variable, often 20 to 50 units
For excessive sweating, the doses are higher and more grid-based. Results can last 4 to 7 months, sometimes longer in the underarms. Expect more discomfort in palms and soles, and consider numbing or nerve blocks.
Migraines
Typical range: medical protocols differ from cosmetic dosing
Medical Botox for chronic migraine follows a standardized pattern and total dose, commonly 155 units or more across specific head and neck sites, given every 12 weeks in a neurologist’s office. This differs from cosmetic plans. If you have more than 15 headache days per month, ask about a medical evaluation and coverage options.
Baby Botox, micro Botox, and preventative dosing
Baby Botox and micro Botox are shorthand for lower total units and more micro-dosed injections spread across an area. They help first timers or those sensitive to a frozen look. Preventative Botox targets movement patterns before lines set in. Typical preventative ranges might be 6 to 10 units in the forehead, 10 to 16 in the glabella, and 4 to 8 per side at the crow’s feet. You still need precise placement. Small doses in the wrong spot can create peaks, asymmetry, or brow heaviness just as easily as larger doses.
How long Botox lasts, and how often to get it
Onset usually starts at day 3 to 5, with full effect at day 10 to 14. Longevity varies by area and metabolism. Typical duration ranges 3 to 4 months for facial lines. Smaller doses fade sooner. Masseter reduction often lasts longer, especially after a few cycles when the muscle deconditions. Hyperhidrosis control can last 4 to 7 months.
A maintenance rhythm of every 12 to 16 weeks suits most people. If your lines etch back faster, your dose may be too light for your muscle strength. If they last much longer, you might be a good candidate for slightly lower dosing or less frequent visits. Daxxify, a newer option, can last longer in some patients, yet dosing and cost differ. Discuss with your injector if extended duration is a priority.
Botox vs fillers: which does what
Botox relaxes muscle. Fillers replace or reposition volume and support structure. When a wrinkle remains at rest, especially in the nasolabial fold, marionette area, or etched forehead lines, neuromodulator alone may disappoint. A paired approach, plus skin quality treatments such as microneedling, lasers, or biostimulators, often yields the “before and after” people expect. If you want a lip flip that actually plumps, that is filler territory, sometimes combined with a conservative lip flip for balance.
What to expect at your appointment
A good Botox consultation feels like a short exam and a strategy session. An experienced injector will watch your expressions from multiple angles, test brow position, assess eyelid skin, feel the masseters if jawline or grinding concerns exist, and ask about headaches or sweating. They will photograph for medical records and track your personal “units chart” so future visits build on what worked.
The procedure itself takes 10 to 20 minutes for most faces. Makeup is removed and the skin is cleaned. Topical numbing is rarely necessary for facial lines but may be used for hyperhidrosis or palms. Injections feel like tiny pinches or pressure. You walk out with minimal marks, sometimes small bumps that flatten within minutes. A few red dots can linger for a couple of hours.
Aftercare that actually matters
The old rules said no lying flat and no working out for 4 hours. Many injectors still follow this conservative window to minimize diffusion and bruising. Skip massage or facials the same day. Avoid tight hats immediately after forehead or scalp treatment. If you bruise easily, consider arnica or bromelain, though evidence is mixed. A small bruise, if it occurs, fades within a week.
Expect motion to begin softening by day 3, settle fully by day 10 to 14, and hold for several months. If something looks uneven at day 7 to 10, call your clinic for a touch up. Tiny asymmetries can be corrected with a few strategically placed units.
Cost, price ranges, and how to think about value
Botox cost is quoted per unit or per area. Per unit pricing varies by region, experience level, and setting, often in the 10 to 20 USD per unit range in many US markets, sometimes higher in premium clinics. Per area pricing smooths over the unit count but can make comparisons tricky. The most honest pricing models show units and document your dose per area. That record helps you understand your maintenance plan and budget without guesswork.
Packages, memberships, and loyalty programs can lower the per unit cost over time. A clinic that tracks your doses and honors touch ups when appropriate tends to deliver consistent value. Avoid chasing the lowest price or pop-up “botox deals” if sterile technique, product authenticity, and injector experience are uncertain. Safe Botox procedures depend on genuine product, proper storage, a qualified injector, and thoughtful dosing.
Side effects and safety
Most side effects are mild and temporary: redness, slight swelling, pinpoint bruising, a heaviness that fades as the treatment settles. Headache can occur the first day or two. Rare effects include brow or eyelid ptosis, smile asymmetry, or mouth weakness depending on the area. These are dose and placement related and usually resolve as the product wears off. If you experience visual changes, difficulty swallowing, or significant weakness, contact your provider promptly.
People who are pregnant or breastfeeding should defer cosmetic neuromodulators. Those with certain neuromuscular disorders require detailed discussion with a physician. Share your full medical history, including any planned procedures, medications affecting clotting, or prior reactions.
First time Botox: setting expectations
Your first treatment is a baseline. An experienced injector will often start conservatively in motion-sensitive zones like the forehead, then fine tune at day 10 to 14. This two-step approach builds trust and reduces the chance of a look you do not like. Photographs before and after help you appreciate subtle improvements that friends may simply describe as well rested.
If you are nervous about a frozen look, say so. If you have a big event, plan your Botox appointment 3 to 4 weeks ahead so there is time for a touch up if needed. For migraines or hyperhidrosis, align timing with your symptom cycle and work or athletic schedule.
A practical units snapshot you can bring to a consultation
- Glabella (frown lines, 11s): 12 to 25 units Forehead lines: 6 to 20 units Crow’s feet: 6 to 12 units per side Brow lift tweak: 2 to 6 units Bunny lines: 4 to 8 units
These where to get botox in Holmdel NJ are starting points, not rigid rules. If your injector proposes more or less, ask about the rationale. Strong muscles, male anatomy, and prior dose history often justify the upper end. Preventative Botox or baby Botox plans often sit at the lower end.
How injectors think about balance
Good Botox is not about freezing a single muscle. It is about balancing opposing forces so your face rests in a more youthful, open position. Relax the frown too much without supporting the forehead and you risk a heavy brow. Treat the forehead without softening the Holmdel, NJ botox frown and lines will migrate upward or the brows may spike. Ease the chin without addressing DAO pull at the corners of the mouth, and the lower face still looks tense. When the whole upper face works together, you keep expression without the etched lines.
An example: a 38-year-old woman with strong 11 lines, early forehead lines, and deep crow’s feet when she laughs. A plan might look like 20 units to the glabella, 8 units across the forehead, and 10 units per side for the crow’s feet, with 2 units per side for a slight lateral brow lift. At two weeks, we might add 2 to 4 units to fine tune the forehead if movement remains stronger centrally. The result is smooth at rest, expressive on camera, and comfortable to maintain every 3 to 4 months.
Another example: a 29-year-old man who clenches his jaw at night and dislikes how his face looks wider. Masseter treatment might begin at 30 units per side and repeat at 12 weeks. In six to eight weeks, he notices reduced clenching and less bulk at the angle of the jaw. On the second session, we might hold at 25 to 30 units per side, then extend the interval as the muscle deconditions.
The role of brand choice
Botox or Dysport is a common fork in the road. Some patients feel one sets in a touch faster or feels smoother in motion. Others cannot tell the difference. Xeomin lacks complexing proteins, which some prefer for theoretical reasons, though clinical differences are subtle for most. Daxxify has a longer average duration in some settings, with a different price and maintenance cadence. If your past experience with a brand has been positive, consistency helps. If you want to experiment, do so in a controlled way, tracking dose, dilution, and timing so you can compare results fairly.
Results timeline and when to call
You should see the first changes within days, with the full picture at two weeks. If you feel uneven or under-treated at that point, reach out. Most clinics offer a brief touch up window. If the effect feels heavy, it will ease, but your injector can note the pattern for next time. If your results fade in six weeks, your metabolism or activity level might be higher than average, or your initial dose was simply too light for your muscle strength. Your documented units chart becomes your guide for the second visit.
Who should treat you
Training and experience matter. The best outcomes come from injectors who understand anatomy deeply and have an eye for how small changes alter your overall expression. Look for a qualified Botox provider, whether a board-certified physician or an advanced practice nurse or physician associate with formal aesthetic training. Ask how they handle complications, what product they use, how they document units, and how they approach touch ups. A thorough consultation, realistic plan, and consistent technique beat a grab-and-go appointment every time.
Planning your maintenance without overdoing it
Patients often ask how to avoid looking overdone. Leave planned motion where it suits your face, and do not chase every micro-line. Cycle treatments every 3 to 4 months, adjust doses gradually, and mix in skin quality treatments. Daily sunscreen, a retinoid if tolerated, and well-formulated moisturizers do as much for the canvas as Botox does for the brush strokes. If you skip a session, you have not ruined anything. You simply return to your baseline over time.
My take on natural-looking results
The most convincing Botox results are quiet. Friends say you look rested, not frozen. Your brows sit a few millimeters higher, your eyes look more open, and your makeup settles better. You still smile with your eyes, but the deep etching has softened. If you compare before and after photos, the difference is obvious. Across a dinner table, it just looks like you slept well, hydrated, and caught a break at work.
That is the target. It starts with honest goals, a clear plan, and dosing that fits your face, not someone else’s chart. Keep your own units chart, ask questions, and treat your results like a partnership with your injector. With that approach, Botox becomes a reliable, safe tool for smoothing and contouring, not a gamble.