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Botox Cost ≈ $500 average cost

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Did I Receive the Correct Amount of Botox?

Hello, I had Botox for the first time and had 14 units between the eyebrows and 6 units in the forehead. I was told less was needed for the forehead because I had more between the brows.

It is day two and I see nothing. I know this is normal but I am beginning to wonder if I received the correct amount. I am 37 and do not have wrinkles but did not like the way my forehead wrinkled when I squinted in the sun. My PS said my forehead should be smooth like glass and that he did not want to overdo it for the first time. He also said that he prefers a more natural look with more movement than a frozen look. Thanks so much!

Asked 35 months ago by bellarosella in Alabama

Right amount of Botox

Hi Bella Rosella, Like Dr. Williams, we ordinarily use between 15 and 25 units for both the glabella and the forehead. It sounds like your dosing in the glabella may be ok given the fact you have no lines currently, but the effect you describe on the forehead will probably not be eliminated with 6 units. Wait about 7 days and if you are not happy with your results, give your injector a call to return for more. Believe it or not, this MD was probably trying to do you a favor. If he had... more

Doctor's Website

Harold J. Kaplan, MD

Los Angeles Facial Plastic Surgeon

Botox usually starts to kick in after 2-7 days

I certainly can understand your concerns. It is important to be patient, as it typically takes between 2-7 days before the action of Botox to kick in. In terms of dosage, the amount injected is understandable as this was your first injection. I usually administer about 15 units for a first time patient with mild to slightly moderate lines and furrows in the glabella region. The amount of Botox used in the forehead region is also titrated, depending upon the patient’s degree of... more

Stephen A. Goldstein, MD

Denver Plastic Surgeon

ASAPS ASPS

Botox for forehead

Thanks for your question - We typically use between 15 - 25 units for the forehead and glabellar region (each). At two days you're still early. You usually begin to see results at 4 days with the final effect at about 2 - 4 weeks. If it seems like you still don't have significant improvement at 2 weeks talk to your injector about a touch-up. I hope this helps.

Steven H. Williams, MD

San Francisco Plastic Surgeon

ASPS

Botox amount

Treatment of the forehead and the glabella area varies from patient to patient. Assessment of what you need is performed during an evaluation.

Steven Wallach, MD

Manhattan Plastic Surgeon

ASAPS ASPS

You Need More

My standard protocol for the glabella is 25 units. For the forehead I'll use anywhere from 75-100 units. Unfortunately, 6 units won't do much. I hope you paid by the unit.

Christopher L. Hess, MD

Fairfax Plastic Surgeon

ASPS

Botox results show after at least 2 weeks

You should give Botox at least 3-5 days to "kick in" and at least 2 weeks up to 2 months to see the results. The Botox package insert typically recommends about 20 units to the frown (glabellar lines). You've been forming these wrinkles for well over 20 years. They just don't disappear. Think about this analogy: if you wear your pants all day long and develop wrinkles and creases and then take them off and put them on a hanger, the wrinkles/creass don't immediately disappear.... more

Otto Joseph Placik, MD

Chicago Plastic Surgeon

ASAPS ASPS

Less is often more with Botox

It is better to do less than more, especially the first time. You describe wrinkling that is dynamic in nature, not resting wrinkles. It is harder to predict the outcome in that situation. Remember, you can always do more Botox. The only way to get less effect is to wait for it to stop working. Give it a few more days.

Richard W. Westreich, MD

Manhattan Facial Plastic Surgeon

Botox can take 7 to 10 days

The 20 units that your Plastic Surgeon started with is OK. I tell my patients that they should expect results in 7 to 10 days. After two weeks, we recheck new patients and add more Botox if needed.

Daniel Reichner, MD

Newport Beach Plastic Surgeon

ASPS

First time botox treatment

The number of units you had was probably in the lower range of what is typically used. 20 units between the eyes and 15 units to the forehead are typical doses. I appreciate your injector's conservative approach. Botox begins to take effect between days 2-5 after injection and peaks at 2 weeks. You can always have more units injected later as needed. I hope you enjoy the results.

Bryan K. Chen, MD

San Diego Dermatologist

This a pretty low dose.

I personally use at least 25 units between the eyebrows and as much as another 25 units in the forehead. But you will not see the peak effect until 2 weeks after treatment. You can always have more then.

George J. Beraka, MD

Manhattan Plastic Surgeon

ASAPS ASPS

Botox takes about 5 days to start working and the final effects are noted in 2 weeks

Thanks for your question. Botox takes about 4-5 days to start taking effect and you will see the final results in approximately 2 weeks. As far as the amount of Botox, as you stated, you don't have wrinkles when you're not moving your forehead muscles. Becuase of that reason, you can use a little less Botox to prevent forming wrinkles in the future. However, 6 units does seem way too little. Most injectors do anywhere from 10-20 units throughout the forehead, and 15-25 units in the area... more

Don Mehrabi, MD

Beverly Hills Dermatologist

BOTOX takes time to work.

Dear Bella The treatment dose you received is in the ballpark and should make a nice difference. However, BOTOX takes time to take effect. Generally people are aware that "something is going on" in the first 24 to 48 hours. However, the effect is much more evident after a week and is maximal at three weeks. I encourage my patients to come back to the office at three weeks so we can see how their treatment worked for them. We take the after picture and directly compare this for the... more

Kenneth D. Steinsapir, MD

Los Angeles Oculoplastic Surgeon

First time Botox

Be patient! It can take 5-7 days to see the effects of Botox treatments, and up to 2 weeks to see the full results. It sounds like you were being treated more to prevent lines than to remove lines that had already formed. It is better to err on the side of less in this situation, especially if it is your first time. You should see your physician 2 weeks after you had the treatment, and if you need a booster or a touch up you can have it then.

Jordana Gilman, MD

New York Dermatologic Surgeon

Be Patient with Botox Treatment

Hi Bella, "You look marvelous!", to quote our friend Billy Crystal. Be patient and let the treatment kick in. Wait at least 10 to 14 days and then have a look at yourself "squinting" in the sun. It sounds like you have a good PS. You should be fine. Be well. Dr. P