Are 15 Units of Botox Enough for Frown Lines?

asked 3 years ago by magg813 in Chicago
Latest answer by Steven Wallach, MD
Question viewed 3,715 times
Tags: frown lines, units

I received 15 units of Botox 2 days ago for my frown lines ('11"). I still frown and don't feel much paralysis to the muscels and frown lines are still there.

11 answers to Are 15 Units of Botox Enough for Frown Lines?

15 units of Botox for frown lines

Hi Magg, 15 units of Botox for the "11" lines between the eyes is on the low side. Depending on the depth of the wrinkles and the amount of muscle movement, it's possible that this is enough for proper correction. It's also possible that your results will be short lived because the amount is on the low side. We typically inject between 15-25 units, but tend to err on the high side of that range because the duration is better which leads to higher patient satisfaction with the... more

Harold J. Kaplan, MD
Los Angeles Facial Plastic Surgeon

www.celibre.com

More Time

2 Days is awfully short a time for Botox to work. Occasionally it might even take two weeks. So in this regard I would be patient. As far as 15 units working for the 11's, it would work, provided they are not too deep. I would say that this would be the minimum, however, to cause any true effect.

Arnold R. Oppenheim, MD
Virginia Beach Dermatologist

15 units for glabellar frown lines

15 units may be adequate for your glabellar frown lines but the effects of Botox typically are not seen until 4-7 days after the injection so for you not to have noticed anything at 2 days is normal. The effects of Botox peak at about 2 weeks so that would be a good time to assess whether you feel you would like more units. The effects last on average 3-4 months. Botox first works on the "dynamic lines" (present with muscle movement); with a series of injections, the... more

Bryan K. Chen, MD
San Diego Dermatologist

15 units of Botox is a good dose for the 11's

Dear Magg813 First let me commend you for actually knowing the dose of BOTOX you were treated with. Ethical offices will make it a point of informing their patients of the dose of BOTOX they are getting. This makes it much easier to compare services between offices. Often I find that the dose is not know and even more bizarre the information may not be in the medical record. For most women, 15 units is a good starting dose for the worry line area. However, how the BOTOX is placed will... more

Kenneth D. Steinsapir, MD
Los Angeles Oculoplastic Surgeon

Botox starts working in 4-5 days, and 15 units should give you some effect.

Thanks for your question. Botox usually takes 4-5 days to even start working, and approximately 2 weeks to see the final effect. Two days is too early to notice the beneficial effects of Botox. In another 3 days you'll see and feel it working, and in two weeks, you can completely assess how well it worked for you. In regards to the amount, 15 units will cause some degree of relaxation and may be the perfect amount for you. Personally speaking, I usually do 20 units (5 injections of 4 units)... more

Don Mehrabi, MD
Beverly Hills Dermatologist

You may need more Botox

Give the present dose of Botox a full week before you make any judgements. Having said that, we use anywhere between 20-25 units for significant frown lines ( 11s). We have occasionally used 16 units on a very mild set of lines, also with success. However, if you go by averages, it is likely you may need more.

Francisco Canales, MD
Santa Rosa Plastic Surgeon

Botox in frown lines

2 days is way to early to see a good effect from Botox. It takes about 5 -7 days for the full effect.

Steven Wallach, MD
Manhattan Plastic Surgeon

Which Lines are You Referring Too?

First of all 2 days is too soon to get paralysis from Botox. The minimum time for paralysis to set in is 3 days and we usually tell patients 3-5 days. If you're talking about the lines between your eyes then 15 units will suffice. I typically use 25 now but used 15 for years with fine results. If you're talking about the forehead than 15 units is absolutely not enough. For foreheads I recommend 30-50 units depending on the severity. Wait the 5 days then decide what to do.... more

Christopher L. Hess, MD
Fairfax Plastic Surgeon

15 units of Botox is too little to make a difference

For the glabella area i usually use 24-30 units to get a WOW effect. The response to Botox generally starts in 1-2 days however the imrovement continues up to 30 days after the injection, So if you like you can wait for a month and then see your physician for more injection if its needed

Nissan Pilest, MD
Irvine Dermatologic Surgeon

It takes 2 weeks to see the full effect.

To magg813, Hi! 15 units is a little low, I think. I usually use 25 units in women and more in men (bigger muscles). But wait 2 weeks. You might look great, and you don't want to look frozen anyway. If you are not happy then, go ahead and get more.

George J. Beraka, MD
Manhattan Plastic Surgeon

Too soon to tell Botox effects

15 units could be sufficient in the frown area, but every patient is different and some people need more. Two days is too soon to consider the effect in full force. I would be patient and wait 10 to 14 days. If you are not satisfied at that point consider returning for an additional dose, for which there would likely be an additional charge.