If the lines on your forehead and around your eyes have started to bother you, BOTOX® is one of the most versatile treatments we offer, working for dynamic wrinkles caused by muscle activity and for migraines and excessive sweating.
The Science
BOTOX® is made from a purified protein that relaxes muscle activity in specific areas of the face. Injected in small amounts, it softens lines caused by repeated facial expressions like frowning or squinting.
The treatment works by temporarily interrupting the signal between nerves and the muscles they control, so the muscle stays relaxed instead of contracting strongly. Once that happens, expression lines appear smoother within a few days.
BOTOX® isn’t only cosmetic. It also has FDA-approved medical applications, including chronic migraines and excessive sweating. Because it’s a botulinum toxin treatment, it’s important for an expert injector to administer it. Results aren’t permanent, but the effect typically lasts several months before muscle movement gradually returns.
BOTOX® is used in many areas of the face and neck, with both cosmetic and medical applications. Every treatment is customized, with injection location and dosage tailored to you.
Horizontal forehead lines often develop from repeatedly lifting the brows, something you might do without realizing it whenever you’re surprised, concentrating, or just talking. BOTOX® relaxes the underlying muscle so your skin looks smoother and less creased.
Softens horizontal forehead creases while preserving natural movement.
6 to 8 units in a younger patient, up to 20 units or occasionally more.
The brows can drop lower, creating a heavy feeling in the brow area.
Frown lines, sometimes called “11s,” form between the eyebrows when you furrow them together. BOTOX® softens the pull of those muscles so the lines don’t dominate your expression.
Relaxes the muscles causing the furrow, allowing the skin to heal and the lines to soften over time.
Varies significantly by patient, from as few as 9 units up to 40 units.
Eyelid ptosis can occur if BOTOX® affects the small muscle that raises the upper eyelid, causing the central brow to drop and giving an angry look. “Spock brow,” where the outer brow raises too high, can also occur if the muscle that lifts the outer brow becomes overactive.
The outer corners of the eyes are one of the first areas to show fine lines. Squinting in bright sunlight, laughing, and smiling all contribute to these wrinkles.
Relaxes the muscle at the lateral eye to decrease crow’s feet.
As few as 4 units per side up to 16 units per side.
Uncommon in this area, but injecting incorrectly or using too much product can affect your smile.
As we age, we lose muscle strength and volume in the face, including bone, which allows the brow to sit lower than it did when we were younger.
Relaxes the muscle that pulls the corner of the eyebrow down, allowing the muscles above to lift it. Changes are subtle, typically 2 to 5 millimeters.
2 to 6 units per side.
A low-risk area, but incorrect technique could cause the brow or eyelid to fall.
Two primary muscles pull down on the corners of the mouth, which can turn the mouth’s corners downward and deepen marionette, or “puppet,” lines.
Injecting the depressor anguli oris (DAO) allows the corners of the mouth to lift and may decrease the depth of marionette lines.
3 to 8 units per side.
Affecting the muscle next to the DAO can create an asymmetric smile.
Scrunch your nose and you’ll see these lines form. Repeated laughing and smiling can etch them permanently into your skin.
Relaxes the nasalis muscle to decrease bunny lines when you smile.
Generally 4 to 8 units.
A safe area with low risk of complications.
When a significant portion of the gums show while smiling because the upper lip raises too high. Many patients prefer the aesthetics of 2 millimeters or less of gum showing.
Weakening the muscles that raise the upper lip reduces how much gum shows when you smile.
Generally 4 to 8 units.
Asymmetry is possible, which could create a crooked smile.
The chin can develop a pebbled or dimpled look, sometimes called golf ball chin or peau d’orange, when the mentalis muscle beneath it contracts. A few carefully placed injections can smooth this area and balance the lower face.
Relaxing the mentalis muscle allows the skin to smooth out.
4 to 12 units.
Poor injection technique can affect the muscle that pulls down on the mouth when smiling, creating a lopsided smile.
The lines that form in the upper and lower lip with age, often called smoker’s lines even though most patients treated here have never smoked.
Relaxing these muscles softens the wrinkles from puckering, though deeper wrinkles will not fully resolve.
2 to 8 units for the upper lip, and the same range for the lower lip.
This area requires an experienced injector. Too little product won’t work, and too much can affect speech and even how you drink through a straw.
The large muscle along the back of the jawline. In some patients, it creates a square facial shape that can be softened with BOTOX®. Others use BOTOX® here for teeth grinding or TMJ relief.
Weakening the muscle causes it to shrink in size over time.
15 to 25 units per side.
A low-risk area. Incorrect injection can affect the parotid gland, which produces saliva, leading to dry mouth.
For patients who want more visible fullness in the upper lip without the volume of a filler.
Weakening the muscle at the edge of the lip allows it to roll outward for the appearance of a fuller lip. This will not provide the same volume as a dermal filler.
Generally 2 to 6 units.
Similar considerations to lip line treatment, using a different injection technique.
Some patients develop sagging along the jawline as the platysma muscle pulls down on the jowls.
Relaxing the platysma muscle improves jowling and can create a stronger, more defined jawline. This will not meaningfully benefit patients with heavy or significant jowling.
12 to 18 units per side.
A low-risk area. The biggest risk is that results may be subtle.
Vertical neckbands form when the platysma muscle becomes more prominent, creating the appearance of cord-like lines across the neck. Sun exposure, natural aging, and strong muscle movement can all make these more visible.
Relaxing the muscle makes neck bands less prominent and, for some patients, improves lax skin under the jaw.
6 to 20 units per band.
Low risk when done correctly, though there have been reports of difficulty swallowing in rare cases.
For patients who experience chronic migraines and haven’t found enough relief from other treatments, BOTOX® is injected at specific points around the head and neck to help calm the muscle activity and nerve signals that contribute to headache frequency.
Excess underarm sweating can cause real discomfort in social or professional settings. BOTOX® blocks the chemical signals that trigger sweat glands, reducing perspiration in the treated area. The underarms are the most common treatment site.
BOTOX® decreases excessive sweating in the treated area.
50 units per side.
A low-risk area for side effects.
Most healthy adults who want to soften lines caused by muscle movement are good candidates for BOTOX®. A good candidate understands that results are temporary and will need follow-up sessions to maintain. BOTOX® may not be suitable for patients who are pregnant or breastfeeding, or for those with certain neurological conditions.
1
We’ll sit down, talk through the areas you’d like to address, and give you an honest recommendation. No pressure, no obligation, just a conversation.
2
A few small, precise injections. Most patients are surprised by how quick and comfortable the appointment is. No anesthesia and no downtime, so you can go right back to your day.
3
Most patients start noticing initial changes within a few days. Full details on the timeline are just below.
Avoid products containing aspirin or ibuprofen for ten days prior to treatment to minimize the chance of bruising. If aspirin has been prescribed by your physician, do not stop taking it without their guidance.
During your appointment, your provider will examine your targeted areas and confirm the best plan for you. The injections are quick and well tolerated.
For the first six hours after treatment, remain upright. Avoid bending down, rubbing the injection sites, exercising, wearing a hat or headband, or washing and styling your hair during this window. We also recommend avoiding air travel for two days after treatment.
For the first hour after your appointment, gently exercise the treated muscles about 10 times every 15 minutes by squinting, frowning, or wrinkling your forehead, depending on the area treated. This helps work the BOTOX® into the muscle and supports the effectiveness of your treatment.
New to BOTOX®? Read our BOTOX tips for beginners on the Lazaderm blog.
View results from Actual Patients
BOTOX® and Dysport® are both formulated from botulinum toxin type A and work the same way in the muscle to soften expression lines. If you’re weighing the two, the practical differences come down to spread and onset: Dysport® tends to spread a bit further once injected, which can work well in larger areas like the forehead, while BOTOX®’s more contained spread often suits precision areas like the glabella. Dysport® may also take effect slightly faster. For most patients, either option delivers similar results, and your provider can help you decide which fits your anatomy and goals.
BOTOX® is one of the most widely used aesthetic treatments because it offers noticeable results without surgery or a long recovery. It can be adapted to different areas of the face and is often chosen by patients who want improvements that still look natural and subtle.
The most common side effects include injection-site reactions, such as soreness or bruising. Other possible side effects include headache, respiratory infection, flu-like symptoms, temporary eyelid droop, and nausea.
During your initial consultation, your provider will examine your targeted areas and recommend the best plan for you. The injections are performed with a small needle and typically take 10-15 minutes, with visible results in three to 10 days. If you’re new to BOTOX® or have had concerns with previous injections, we’ll typically schedule a follow-up about two weeks out. Full before-and-after care guidance is outlined above.
You may begin to see results within 48 to 72 hours, with optimal results at seven to 14 days. Duration varies by patient, but averages around four months with consistent treatment. New to BOTOX®? Read our tips for beginners.
Yes. BOTOX® reduces the muscle activity that causes lines, but it won’t radically change your facial expressions or make it obvious you’ve had treatment. You’ll still be able to frown or look surprised, just without the wrinkles left behind. Discuss how much movement you’d like to retain with your provider and they will tailor your treatment accordingly.
The lines will gradually return and look as they did before treatment.
Cost depends on how many areas you’re treating and how many units are used, since some areas need more product than others. Pricing is calculated per unit. We’ll provide an estimate based on your specific treatment plan at your consultation.
At Lazaderm, experience and artistry come together for natural-looking results. We’re a physician-led medspa with over 20 years of experience in non-surgical aesthetics. Led by Dr. Hansen, among the top four percent of injectors nationwide, our skilled team uses FDA-approved products in a comfortable, welcoming setting.
We see patients across five clinics — pick a city to view providers, hours, and book a free consultation.
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