Botox is a precise craft, not a paint-by-numbers exercise. The product itself, a purified form of botulinum toxin, is consistent vial to vial, but the faces we treat are not. Muscles vary in strength, depth, and pattern, even from one side of a face to the other. That is why the most important conversation about Botox dosage starts with a person, not a chart. Still, knowing the typical unit ranges for each area helps you prepare for a botox consultation, compare recommendations from a botox provider, and weigh cost against results.
I have treated hundreds of faces over the years, including first-time preventive botox patients and seasoned clients planning long-term botox maintenance. The Holmdel NJ botox options ranges below come from clinical guidelines mixed with real-world adjustments that produce natural looking botox results. Consider them a map, not a destination.
What a “unit” means and why it matters
A unit is a standardized amount of biological activity, defined by the manufacturer. One unit of onabotulinumtoxinA (commonly called BOTOX Cosmetic in the United States) is not the same as a unit of other brands or formulations. Units are not interchangeable across products, so always confirm which brand your botox clinic uses. Most practices clearly state whether they are using BOTOX, Dysport, Xeomin, Jeuveau, or Daxxify, and a certified botox injector will know how to translate dose between brands. If you call for botox price or botox deals, ask which toxin and dilution they use, because that affects your botox cost and your dose.
The injector also decides how many units per injection point and how many points per muscle to place. The dilution, needle gauge, and depth influence spread and effect. All of this affects botox effectiveness and how long botox lasts for you.
The principle of dosing by muscle strength, not calendar age
Two people in their thirties can need very different doses. One lifts the brows constantly when talking and has a strong frontalis. The other barely engages that muscle. The first needs more forehead botox for equal smoothing. Similarly, a runner or frequent weightlifter often has stronger neck and jaw muscles, while someone with petite features often needs fewer units for frown line botox.
Age, gender, ethnicity, sun history, skin thickness, and facial anatomy shape the plan. So do aesthetic goals. Some want wrinkle botox that completely freezes animation in the glabella, others want subtle botox that softens lines but keeps expressiveness.
Typical dosage ranges by area of the upper face
Three areas make up the FDA-approved upper face cosmetic botox zones: glabella (frown lines), crow’s feet, and forehead lines. These are the backbone of most facial botox plans, and the ranges below assume onabotulinumtoxinA units.
Glabella, or the “11s,” sit between the brows and are driven by the corrugators and procerus. A common dose is 15 to 25 units. Most men need closer to 20 to 30 units, especially with strong medial brow pull. If someone frowns habitually and wants a smooth brow at rest, I start at 20 to 25 units. For a first-timer nervous about heaviness, 15 to 18 units can soften without fully erasing.
Crow’s feet involve the lateral orbicularis oculi. Standard dosing runs 6 to 12 units per side. Patients with deep etched lines that crinkle up to the temples usually respond well to 10 to 12 units per side. If someone smiles gently and only the outermost edge creases, 6 to 8 units per side is often enough. Be mindful that too much here can alter the smile’s warmth, so I step up gradually.
Forehead lines typically require 6 to 16 units, sometimes up to 20 in strong foreheads. The frontalis lifts the brows, which means over-treating it can cause a heavy or droopy brow. Most foreheads respond best when the glabella is treated in tandem, because the glabella pulls down while the forehead pulls up. If you relax the forehead without blunting that downward pull, the brows can drop. I rarely treat the forehead alone for this reason unless the patient declines glabellar dosing after a thorough explanation.
An example that illustrates balance: a 42-year-old teacher who lifts her brows all day to emphasize speech had deep horizontal lines. She previously received 12 units in the forehead and 0 in the glabella elsewhere, then complained of a heavy look. We rebalanced with 16 units in the glabella, 8 per side to crow’s feet, and 8 in the forehead. Lines softened, brows stayed lifted, and she looked rested, not frozen.
Lower face and neck dosing, where caution rules
Botox for the lower face and neck can be transformative, but the margin for error is smaller. Smiling, speaking, and chewing rely on these muscles. Lower face doses are generally lower per injection site than the upper face, and placement is highly anatomical.
Bunny lines over the bridge of the nose typically need 2 to 4 units per side. Over-treating can migrate to the elevator muscles of the upper lip and flatten expression, so I prefer conservative dosing and reassessment after two weeks.
Gummy smile, where the upper lip lifts high, often responds to 1 to 4 units per side targeting the levator labii superioris alaeque nasi. It is a small muscle with big impact. Start at the low end. Too much can blunt the smile in an awkward way.
Lip flip, which relaxes the orbicularis oris to roll out the lip subtly, uses 4 to 8 units total. This is not a substitute for volume from filler, but it can define the border and improve lipstick lines. Overdosing can affect whistling, drinking through a straw, and pronouncing certain sounds.
Downturned corners of the mouth, often related to depressor anguli oris activity, respond to 2 to 4 units per side. This can brighten the resting expression. In patients with strong platysmal bands that contribute to marionette shadows, combining tiny DAO doses with the neck can lift the whole lower third.
Chin dimpling from an overactive mentalis typically needs 6 to 10 units total. It smooths peau d’orange texture and helps with mild chin retrusion. Precision is key because nearby depressor muscles affect the lower lip.
Masseter reduction for jawline slimming or clenching relief usually requires 20 to 40 units per side, sometimes more in men or in severe bruxism. Palpation is critical. Inject too superficially, and you waste product. Inject too anteriorly or too inferiorly, and you risk affecting the smile or causing chewing fatigue. I recheck masseter thickness at three months and adjust for the next botox appointment based on symmetry and function.
Platysmal banding in the neck, often treated with a “Nefertiti lift” pattern, can require 20 to 50 units distributed across multiple bands and jawline points. Expect subtle lift and smoother neck cords rather than a facelift effect. A careful exam rules out significant skin laxity, where botox therapy alone will not deliver the result.
Forehead and glabella: how we keep brows in the right place
The most common fear among first-time forehead botox patients is brow droop. Heavy brows happen when the lifting muscle (frontalis) is overtreated or the downward pullers (corrugators and procerus) are left too strong. Good dosing balances these forces. I map a patient’s brow position at rest and during animation, then adjust points to maintain their natural arch and save a couple of strategic “tail” lift points near the lateral brow. For a patient with naturally low-set brows, I raise glabellar dosing and lower forehead dosing. For a high-arched brow that spikes when talking, the opposite approach helps reduce that startled look.
Preventive botox and baby botox
Preventive botox and baby botox refer to starting with low doses before lines etch into the skin. Instead of waiting for deep static lines, the idea is to reduce repetitive folding early. A baby botox plan might use half to two-thirds of the typical dose, tailored to just the areas that overwork. For example, 8 to 12 units in the glabella and 4 to 8 units in the forehead can slow the formation of creases without obvious change in expression. I usually advise younger patients to think in terms of light, regular maintenance rather than a single heavy treatment. The goal is natural looking botox that does not advertise itself.
What “natural” looks like, practically speaking
Natural does not mean no movement. It means movement that looks intentional and doesn’t leave makeup creased in a groove at noon. When I show botox before and after photos, the most convincing results have matching expression in both images. Softening the glabellar “11s” while preserving a hint of furrow when concentrating beats a blank slate. For patients on camera, a trace of crow’s feet during a genuine smile reads as warmth. Subtle botox can leave that in place while erasing the etched radiating lines that age the eyes.
How long does Botox last, and what affects longevity
For most people, botox longevity in the upper face is around 3 to 4 months. Some maintain effect closer to 5 months, while very active metabolisms or strong muscles can fade by 8 to 10 weeks. Crow’s feet generally fade faster than the glabella. Masseter reduction can hold for 4 to 6 months once the muscle has atrophied slightly after repeat botox treatments.
The dose, dilution, injection depth, and muscle strength affect duration. Higher doses usually last longer, up to a point, but they also carry a higher risk of stiffness and side effects. If a patient reports a two-month duration consistently, I look at technique, add a few units, or shift to a slightly different pattern rather than simply doubling the dose.
Safety, side effects, and recovery
Botox recovery is minimal. Small red bumps flatten within 10 to 20 minutes. Bruising occurs in a small percentage of patients, often near the crow’s feet where tiny vessels run. It is safe to apply light makeup after several hours, but I advise avoiding exercise, saunas, and facial massage for the rest of the day. The botox procedure itself feels like a series of pinches. Ice, vibration, or a topical numbing cream can help if you are needle shy.
The most common botox side effects are transient: headache, tenderness, mild swelling. Less common but more bothersome effects are asymmetry, droopy brow or eyelid, heavy smile, and chewing fatigue, depending on the area treated. These usually improve as the product wears off, and a skilled injector can often provide a botox touch up with strategic counter-injections to balance things out. Avoid alcohol, blood thinners if your doctor approves, and high-dose fish oil for a few days before treatment to reduce bruising risk.
If you’re considering medical botox for conditions like migraines, bruxism, hyperhidrosis, or cervical dystonia, the dosing and patterns differ and are typically higher or more extensive, with a different risk profile. Make sure your botox specialist has experience in the specific indication.
Estimating cost and planning maintenance
Botox cost varies by geography, provider credentials, and product used. Some practices charge per unit, others by area. Per-unit pricing may range widely, and promotions like botox specials can influence your botox price at a given time of year. Be cautious about bargain hunting for the lowest sticker price. With botulinum toxin injections, professional botox injections and safe botox treatment matter more than a few dollars difference per unit. Dilution tricks and rushed technique can cost you more in the long run.
A typical upper-face treatment might involve 40 to 60 units split among the glabella, forehead, and crow’s feet. A lighter plan for preventive botox can run 20 to 35 units. Masseter treatment ranges from 40 to 80 units total. Neck treatments vary widely. If you maintain every 3 to 4 months, some areas can be dosed slightly lower over time as the muscles weaken. Others, like the orbicularis around the eyes, tend to return fully and need consistent maintenance.
How injectors adjust for real faces
Faces are dynamic. One eyebrow might ride higher than the other, one eye might be more open, one side of the mouth might pull more strongly. A trusted botox provider will ask you to animate as they plan your points. If your left brow spikes during speech, placing a touch more botox on the left forehead and slightly less on the right can even things out. If your smile lifts more on one side, your injector may soften the hyperactive side with a microdose rather than matching doses across the board.
There is also the question of skin versus muscle. Fine lines etched into the epidermis sometimes need skin-focused support along with muscle relaxation. Skincare, fractional lasers, microneedling, or light filler can smooth residual creases that botox alone can’t erase. A results-focused botox clinic will say so plainly rather than chasing every line with more toxin.
Timelines: onset, peak, and when to check results
You will not walk out smooth. Botox begins to work within 2 to 4 days, with a steady ramp to peak effect by about day 10 to 14. I schedule a two-week check for new patients or anyone with a changed plan. That is when you can judge symmetry, discuss botox effectiveness, and decide whether a small touch up is warranted. Do not rush back after three days claiming it isn’t working. Give it time to settle. For masseters and platysma, I schedule follow-ups at four to six weeks to assess functional changes and contour.
The role of consultation and informed consent
A good botox consultation includes a medical history, medication review, and a frank discussion about goals and trade-offs. If you have a big event, do not plan a first-time botox cosmetic treatment the week before. Aim for at least three weeks lead time. If you have had previous issues such as eyelid droop, tell your injector. Small adjustments in point placement can reduce risk. If you are pregnant, breastfeeding, or planning either, postpone botox injection therapy. Any reputable botox specialist will advise the same.
When less is more, and when it is not
“Baby botox” has its place. In expressive, camera-facing professionals who value natural looking botox above all, using the bottom end of dosing ranges can preserve micro-expressions that read well on screen. On the flip side, underdosing the glabella in someone with deep 11s often returns with a stubborn furrow within weeks, creating a false impression that botox doesn’t work. Strategic full dosing in the glabella, with lighter forehead dosing, usually produces the most satisfying balance and longer botox longevity.
For masseters, going too low can be a waste. If the muscle is thick and the goal is contouring or bruxism relief, start within the effective range and adjust later. You will do better with professional dosing up front than with repeated ineffective microdoses.
A practical dosing snapshot by area
The following typical ranges refer to onabotulinumtoxinA units and assume an experienced hand placing them:
- Glabella (frown lines): 15 to 25 units total, sometimes up to 30 for very strong muscles. Crow’s feet: 6 to 12 units per side. Forehead lines: 6 to 16 units total, sometimes up to 20 in strong foreheads, usually paired with glabella dosing. Bunny lines: 2 to 4 units per side. Lip flip: 4 to 8 units total around the upper lip. Gummy smile: 1 to 4 units per side. Downturned corners (DAO): 2 to 4 units per side. Chin dimpling (mentalis): 6 to 10 units total. Masseter reduction: 20 to 40 units per side, occasionally higher. Platysmal bands and jawline lift: 20 to 50 units distributed, tailored to bands.
These are starting points. Your injector will refine based on asymmetries, goals, and previous response. The best botox is personalized botox.
Making the most of your appointment
Preparation helps. Arrive without heavy makeup over the treatment areas so your botox specialist can see your natural lines. Bring notes about what you liked and did not like from past botox injections. If you photographed your botox before and after at home, show them. If you bruise easily, consider pausing nonessential blood-thinning supplements after discussing with your primary provider. And do not schedule vigorous workouts, massages, or facial treatments right after your botox cosmetic procedure.
If your injector recommends combining areas, listen to the rationale. Patients often request “just the forehead.” In many cases, treating only the frontalis invites brow heaviness. A slight investment in glabellar units can save you weeks of wanting to push your brows up with your fingers.
Answering common questions briefly
How soon will I see results? You may notice softening at 2 to 4 days, with peak at two weeks.
How long does it last? Typically 3 to 4 months in the upper face, longer for masseters after repeat sessions.
Will I look frozen? Not if dosing and placement are tailored. Subtle botox is achievable when you communicate your comfort with movement.
What if I do not like the result? Botox wears off. Small imbalances can be corrected with a touch up. Choose a trusted botox provider who offers follow-up.
Is there downtime? Minimal. You can return to work the same day. Avoid heavy exercise until the next day.
Choosing the right injector
Credentials and experience matter. Look for a certified botox injector with a track record of professional botox injections. Ask how they handle asymmetry, how they approach dosing for your specific anatomy, and what their plan is if you need a follow-up. Read reviews, but interpret them through the lens of your goals. “Best botox” for someone who loves a motionless forehead may not be your ideal if you prefer micro-movement. A clinic that prioritizes safe botox treatment and honest guidance over pushing units will become a long-term partner in your aesthetic care.
When a table helps
Below is a quick reference that can help you discuss botox dosage with your provider. It is not a substitute for clinical judgment.
| Area | Typical units (onabotulinumtoxinA) | Notes | | --- | --- | --- | | Glabella | 15 to 25 total | Often anchor area; balances brow position | | Forehead | 6 to 16 total | Paired with glabella to avoid heaviness | | Crow’s feet | 6 to 12 per side | Higher end for etched lines | | Bunny lines | 2 to 4 per side | Go light to avoid upper lip changes | | Lip flip | 4 to 8 total | Subtle definition, not volume | | Gummy smile | 1 to 4 per side | Start low, reassess at 2 weeks | | DAO (mouth corners) | 2 to 4 per side | Improves downturn | | Chin (mentalis) | 6 to 10 total | Smooths dimpling | | Masseter | 20 to 40 per side | Function and slimming; reassess at 3 months | | Platysmal bands | 20 to 50 total | Subtle lift; technique heavy |
The long game: building a plan you can live with
Botox cosmetic treatment works best when you treat it as a steady rhythm rather than sporadic bursts. Track your personal timeline: the day you notice onset, the day you feel peak, and the first day you feel movement returning. Bring that timeline to your next botox appointment. Over the first year, you and your injector will find the smallest effective dose that gives the result you want. Some areas may shift seasonally. Teachers who lecture, salespeople who smile all day, and those who train intensely may need slightly different patterns to stay ahead of lines.
If your budget is tight, prioritize the area that bothers you most, usually the glabella or crow’s feet. Skip add-ons like a lip flip until you know how your core plan performs. Affordable botox is not just about price per unit, it is about choosing the right units in the right place so you are not paying for ineffective doses. Top rated botox practices will guide you toward that efficiency.
Final thoughts from the treatment chair
Dosing by treatment area is a framework. Dosing for a person is an art, supported by anatomy and experience. If you show your natural expressions, share your routines, and bring real expectations to the table, you will likely leave with results that look like you, just better rested. And when you come back for repeat botox treatments, those notes from last time will help your injector fine-tune further.
If you’re ready to start, book a botox consultation, ask honest questions about units and placement, and make sure the plan aligns with how you want to look on your best days. The needle work takes Holmdel botox minutes. The thoughtfulness behind it makes all the difference.