While a lot of people know that Botox is often used to smooth the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, they don’t know much about the actual treatment process. In fact, one of the most frequently asked questions that practitioners hear is this: how many units of Botox will I need?
It’s a fair question! Botox is priced per unit, so it can give people an idea of how much they’re going to need to spend to achieve their desired results. However, there’s unfortunately no straight answer here. Every individual is different, so without a consultation it’s difficult to come up with an exact number.
That being said, it is possible to give you a general idea based on a few different factors. Let’s take a look at these below.
Before we get into the specifics, let’s briefly discuss what makes up a unit of Botox. It’s main ingredient is botulinum toxin type A, or more specifically, OnabotulinumtoxinA. It’s a neurotoxin that can be used to temporarily paralyze muscles to reduce the appearance of wrinkles.
There is usually between 50 and 100 units per vial of Botox. Your practitioner may start with lower doses to see its effects before moving up to bigger ones.
Again, it’s hard to give exact answers here, but the following should give you an idea of how many Botox units you would need for common treatment areas. If you want even more details, check out the manufacturer’s recommendations here.
Note that these are currently the only FDA-approved cosmetic uses for Botox. However, practitioners will also often use Botox in other areas. Here’s an idea of how many units you may need for these treatment sites:
The areas for treatment are only one piece of the puzzle. There are several other factors that can affect how much Botox you’ll need, such as the following:
Generally, the larger your facial muscles are and the more frequently you use them, the more Botox you’ll need for treatment. Since men often have larger facial muscles than women, they typically require more units.
The rate that your body processes Botox can play a part in how much you need and how often you need it. Therefore, those with faster metabolisms may require larger or more frequent injections.
You’re looking to smooth out wrinkles, of course, but do you still want to be able to move your facial muscles after treatment? If so, you may want less Botox. Some wrinkles may still remain, but you’ll at least have some range of movement.
Want to get a better idea of how many units of Botox you’ll need? Contact Lyft Medical Aesthetics today for a consultation!
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