Best Areas to Have Botox®/Tox Injections

So you’ve finally decided to go for it! You’ve seen the fresh, youthful results from Botox® and other tox brands, and you’ve finally decided to try it for yourself. But now that you’ve chosen, you may wonder: “What are the best areas of the face for Botox?” You’re not the only one with this question, so we’re giving you a quick breakdown of facial areas where you can get the best Botox bang for your buck.

First, Some Tox Background

Before you learn about the prime places for Botox injections, it’s important to know how they work. Botox and other tox brands (including Xeomin®, Dysport ™, Jeuveau®, and Daxxify) are known as neuromodulators—substances that act on facial muscles that cause wrinkles. When injected, they temporarily paralyze the targeted muscles, smoothing the skin and reducing wrinkles. The effects are temporary, and patients typically need retreatments every 3 to 6 months depending on their unique circumstances, desired look, and brand of tox.

Because these tox treatments are strictly for use in muscles, they will only work in wrinkles caused by muscular contraction, also known as dynamic wrinkles. (Other types of wrinkles can be treated with dermal filler.) These muscle-motivated wrinkles include:

The 11s

Also known as glabellar lines, the so-called “11s” are the vertical parallel lines between your eyebrows. If you’re lucky, you may only have one – but most people have two, hence the numerical moniker. These lines are prominent (they’re between your eyes, after all!), but luckily, they’re treatable.

How many units for 11s?

This varies, depending on the type of tox you use and the depth of your wrinkle – but this is a big muscle, so more tox is usually needed. Botox injections can involve up to 40 units, while the other less-concentrated types, including Dysport and Daxxify, will require more. Male patients will likely need more than 40 units as well.

Horizontal Forehead Lines

Every time you move your eyebrows up, you exercise the horizontal muscles across your forehead, which can, over time, become etched with lines. Tox treatments help relax the creases and smooth out the skin on the upper part of your face.

How many units for horizontal forehead lines?

Compared to the 11s, the horizontal forehead muscles are smaller and thinner, so less tox is required. Expect to need 15 to 30 Botox units.

Crow’s Feet

Squinting, smiling, winking – these all use the muscles around your eyes, called the orbicularis oculi. Over time, the skin over these muscles can develop fine lines, also known as “crow’s feet.” Since you obviously can’t (and shouldn’t!) stop smiling, a regular dose of tox can give this area of your face a smoother appearance.

How many units for crow’s feet?

Good news! The muscles that create crow’s feet are tiny, so a small amount of tox is needed. Each side takes about 6 to 10 units of Botox.

Chin

You move the muscles around your chin – the mentalis muscles – every time you talk or eat, so it’s unsurprising that the skin at the bottom of your face can become wrinkled. “Chintox” treatments can help smooth this part of the face, reducing any lines or dimpling. Using tox in the chin is considered an off-label use, meaning that it is not FDA-approved to treat this area. But many people find great results with it anyway.

How many units for the chin?

Small treatments are needed for this area—around 2 to 6 units of Botox, and slightly more for other brands. Your doctor may also suggest getting filler in conjunction with the tox.

Upper Lip

While not exactly a wrinkle treatment, tox in the upper lip can work wonders for a gummy smile or thin upper lip. Also known as a lip flip, this procedure relaxes the upper lip slightly, causing it to “flip” upwards. If your upper gums show, they’ll become less visible, and a thin lip will look fuller.

How many units for a lip flip/upper lip?

Less tox is more for this area. Lip flips require about 4 to 6 Botox units.

For more information and a no-obligation consultation with one of our expert injectors or dermatologists, we encourage you to contact one of our offices.