Botox has become increasingly popular in recent years as a non-surgical solution to combat wrinkles and fine lines. But how much Botox do you need for the best results?
We look at a simple guide that will help you understand how Botox works and how much is really need, and how to avoid that frozen look! If you don’t want it!
What is Botox?
Botox is a brand name for botulinum toxin type A, a protein that comes from the bacterium Clostridium botulinum.
Botox works by blocking the nerve signals that cause the muscles to move, which smooths out the fine lines and wrinkles as you aren’t moving the muscles in that area. Once Botox has been injected it can last from three to six months depending on the person.
Determining the Right Amount:
When it comes to Botox, one size does not fit all. The amount of Botox you may need depends on a few factors, such as which area is being treated, how deep the wrinkles are and what sort of look you are after – nature or frozen?
Botox is done in units and just because you have more units doesn’t mean better results. The more units you have the higher chance you will end up looking unnatural.
Here is a general guide to the number of Botox units you may need for common treatment areas:
- Forehead lines: 10-30 units
- Frown lines (also known as ‘glabellar lines’ or ’11 lines’): 15-25 units.
- Crow’s feet (lines around the eyes): 5-15 units per side
Please note that these are only guidelines, and everyone is different. It’s important to have a consultation with a qualified practitioner who can look at your needs and give you the correct dosages.
Factors that can affect Botox
There are a few factors that can determine how much Botox you may need.
- Age: As we get older the skin starts to lose its elasticity and wrinkles start to become more obvious. The older you are the reality is that you will need more Botox units and over a longer period to help smooth out the problem area.
- Gender: Men generally have stronger facial muscles and may need more units of Botox compared to women.
- Muscle strength: Those with stronger facial muscles may require higher doses of Botox to see the desired effect.
- Desired outcome: If you’re looking for a subtle, natural-looking improvement, you may need fewer units compared to someone who wants a more dramatic result.
Finding the Right Practitioner
As we said before it’s important to find a practitioner that has being doing Botox for some time, their experience and knowledge on the product will help you get a better result. As if Botox is injected incorrectly, it could leave you with drooping or areas of the face that can’t move.
With Botox the correct amount depends on the person. Thinks like age, gender, muscle strength and their lifestyle will all impact on the results. You may need to go back to your practitioner for a top-up if you don’t see any results after 2 weeks.
Of course, you want the best outcome when having Botox, as it’s not cheap, so speak to a recommended practitioner. Always good to ask if you can see the bottle of Botox before being injected, make sure you have had a consultation and completed a consent form, and ask the practitioner what their stance is on the 2-week top-up if you believe you need it. With all this in mind, you’ll start looking younger a lot sooner!