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How Many Botox Units for 11's or Frown Lines?

I received 20 units of Botox yesterday. Now I think I may have been cheated, he just wanted to get his $256 and the 20 units he injected were not nearly enough to get "rid" of the moderate/severe "11's" on my forehead. What is the average amount of units needed for this?

Asked 39 months ago by Angyismn in Chicago

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Botox Expectations

Generally, most patients benefit from a standard dose of 20 units of Botox to treat frown lines. The reason being, to create the frown, there are several muscles involved that need to be dosed. To use less than ideal will result in little or no effect which would definitely be wasted time and money combined with disappointment.As mentioned by the panel members, most people will not begin to see the effects for 24 to 48 hours. Thereafter, it may take up to 14 days to see the full benefits. It... more

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Harold J. Kaplan, MD

Los Angeles Facial Plastic Surgeon

One day after injection is not enough time to see Botox results.

If you just received your Botox injection yesterday, you would not expect to see any results yet as it has only been one day since your treatment. To see the effects of the Botox it takes on average 3-5 days from the injection day. The complete results are usually noted at about 7 days. The average amount of Botox used for the “11” lines between the eyebrows is around 20-25 units for a female. Males will usually require more units as their facial muscles are often thicker and... more

Dan Mills, MD

Orange County Plastic Surgeon

ASAPS ASPS

Botox takes several days to start working

I can understand your frustration. However, you state that you just had the Botox yesterday. It will take 3 to 7 stays for it to start working and sometimes up to 2 weeks for the final effect. So, please be patient to see the effect. However, it does usually take between 20 to 30 units for the glabella (your "11's") area. It takes another 15 to 25 units for your forehead and another 2.5 to 5 units for around each eye (crow's feet). I hope this is helpful.

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David Shafer, MD

New York Plastic Surgeon

ASPS

Botox today gone tomorrow.

Angy, You seem to have a real distrust for your injecting physician. There is no reason for a practitioner to "cheat" you. The effects of Botox are temporary, lasting only 3 or 4 months, so you will undoubtedly need future treatments. Your injector certainly wants you to be a satisfied customer, to keep you coming back for more treatments. Don't be so skeptical, trust your physician, especially if he/she is a board certified plastic surgeon. Twenty units is a perfectly... more

Kenneth R. Francis, MD

Manhattan Plastic Surgeon

ASAPS ASPS

It takes 2 weeks to see the maximum benefit from Botox.

I assume you are talking about the vertical lines between your eyebrows. We call this the glabella. I personally use 25 units for women in this area and more for men. But many doctors use 20 units, so this is perfectly proper. Of course, exactly where along the muscles the Botox is injected makes a big difference. You will probably be quite happy in a few days.

George J. Beraka, MD

Manhattan Plastic Surgeon

ASAPS ASPS

Botox dosing for "11"s

The usual starting dose for the lines between the eyebrows in an average woman is 20 units. I like to use that dose and have my patient return in 2 weeks to assess and add additional Botox if needed. Then I know the exact dose appropriate to that patient and in the future she will not need a touch up visit. Another thing to consider is that if after 2 weeks the movement is gone but the wrinkle is still there you may need a little filler.

Susan Van Dyke, MD

Paradise Valley Dermatologist

Yesterday? Botox doesn't work that fast!

Botox takes several days to start to kick in and the maximal results are seen in 7-10 days. If you got it yesterday it is waay to early to judge if it is too much or too little. Any effect you see today is probably largely placebo effect.

Chris Thiagarajah, MD

Washington DC Oculoplastic Surgeon

Botox injection for forhead

It may take up to two weeks to have the full effect of the Botox on your frown lines. You will most likely see more improvement If you can still re-create the lines, all it means is that you either needed more units of Botox injected or you did not have it injected in the right location. I routinely see patients two weeks post injection to determine if a "touch up" is needed and also to learn how I can do it better for that particular patient the next time... more

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Ali Sajjadian, MD

Orange County Plastic Surgeon

ASPS

Botox does not kick in overnight

Botox takes a few days before you see the effects, so results would not be expected on the day after your injection. It is perfectly normal that you have not noticed anything yet. It usually takes 3 days for the results to appear, and can even take up to 10-14 days to really see the full effect of a particular dose in some patients. That is why touch-ups are not recommended until 2 weeks after the initial injection. 20 units of Botox is a reasonable amount to inject for the glabellar region... more

Anita Patel, MD

Beverly Hills Plastic Surgeon

The amount is correct, but it doesn't work until 4-7 days.

The amount of Botox injected in that area is normally around 20 units. I would hope the doctor explained to you that the affect doesn't occur for at least 4 days and even sometimes 7 days. Botox works by blocking the receptors in the muscle, so it doesn't respond or contract. These receptors need at least 4 days to bind to the Botox. Just be patient, and you should see a result in a few days. If after 7-10 days, it doesn't look better, call the doctor for a touch up.

David A. Dreyfuss, MD

Chicago Plastic Surgeon

ASPS

Not So Fast! Botox Doesn't Work Overnight.

The average number of Botox units I use to treat the glabellar frown lines (the so-called "11's") is 20 units. For most patients, the effects begin to show within 48-72 hours. Some patients may get the same results with less Botox, other patients require slightly more. I caution patients to wait at least 3-4 days before judging the outcome. If the level of paralysis or areas of paralysis are insufficient at that point, I will re-examine the patient to see whether a... more

Athleo Louis Cambre, MD

Los Angeles Plastic Surgeon

ASAPS ASPS

Losing our "11's" With Botox

The furrows that form over time between the eyebrows (also known as the "11's" or glabella area) is one of the most common indications for Botox, and often gives the best results. The amount of Botox required depends on you and the size of your muscles. Doses of 20-30 units can achieve excellent results in this area in women, while men often require more. It takes about 2 weeks to see the full effect, and sometimes a touch up is required to make sure you are getting the best... more

Adam J. Mamelak, MD

Austin Dermatologic Surgeon

Botox Dosage

Angyismn, 20 units of botox in the Glabella region is a standard/average dosing for the "11s" between your brows. However, this number can vary person to person depending on the strength of your muscles and severity of the lines. Having moderate/severe lines, you may require additional units to get the desired response, however at only 1 day post-treatment, it would be difficult to tell since the Botox has not even begun to work yet. Give it one week then... more

Grant Stevens, MD

Los Angeles Plastic Surgeon

ASAPS ASPS

Botox works well on the "11's" on a forehead.

I typically injected 20 to 25 units to treat the glabella area. I am unsure of why your area didn't work. If the lines are severe, you may need to have some of your forehead injected as well. In addition, you may need a filler and over time, the Botox will freeze this area with repeated injections. It is always important to go to an experienced injector.

Michele S. Green, MD

New York Dermatologist

2 weeks for best results with botox

20 units is considered the normal starting dose by many doctors. Therefore, I wouldn't jump to the conclusion that you weren't given enough. Remember, it's easy to put more in but impossible to take out if too much is injected. You really need to wait 1-2 weeks for maximum results with botox. Results are a bit faster with dysport. After the 2 weeks, see the doctor back if you feel like you need more product.

Gary Goldenberg, MD

New York Dermatologist

How much Botox is enough?

Firstly, be patient. It takes a few days for Botox to start working and two weeks to see the final results. Twenty units in this area is a commonly used amount. Depending on the severity of the lines as few as 12 units may be effective. Some people require more. Again, you need to wait two weeks before you know what the results will be.

Dina D. Strachan, MD

New York Dermatologist

Botox doesn't work overnight

The full effect of Botox may not be demonstrable for up to two weeks so, before you rush to judgment, give it a bit of time. Twenty units is not an unreasonable dose. If your lines are not improved after 14 days, then you should return to the physician to discuss the result. It may be possible that you also need some filler in the area which is not mutually exclusive of the Botox.

Robert L. Kraft, MD

New York Plastic Surgeon

ASPS

Botox and the 11's

Botox is not a filler, it works on weakening the muscles that cause the 11's and can take 7-10 days to kick in. If you have the 11's at rest, with no muscle flexion in your glabella, you might need a filler along with the Botox. if there were no lines there at rest, then just give it a week or so and they should get better. having said that, there are patients that need more than 20 units to weaken the muscle, the stronger the muscles are, the more Botox they need. more

Julio Garcia, MD

Las Vegas Plastic Surgeon

ASAPS ASPS

Not cheated. You must wait for it to kick in.

The dose of Botox you received for the "11"s is the average dose for this area in females. Someone forgot to inform you that it takes Botox 7-14 days to kick in. Even with Dysport, it takes 2-3 days to kick in. If you still have lines after 14 days, revisit the doctor for a touch-up. This was obviously the first time you have ever had Botox so it may take a bit of tweeking your dose the first time you receive it as everyones muscles are slightly... more

Carla R. Retief, MD

Nashville Dermatologic Surgeon

Cheated on the Botox?

I agree that the average femail requires at least 25 units to treat the vertical forehead lines. But some require more than this. Chances are that you were not short changed by your doctor.

Lawrence Kass, MD

Saint Petersburg Oculoplastic Surgeon

Botox works for eyebrow worry lines

20-25 units in women and sometimes more in men. However, Botox takes 2-3 days to kick in and up to 10-14 days to see the full effects. Botox relaxes under the skin muscles that cause glabellar (i.e. between the brows) frown lines and thereby, soften the appearance of these wrinkles. You should notice a significant reduction or inability to cause wrinkling of your glabella area (by moving these facial muscles) if your Botox is working well... more

Robert Strimling, MD

Las Vegas Dermatologist

Unit's for the 11's or frown lines

A certified doctor should not be trying to cheat you out due to the fact that Botox is NOT permanent and we want you to come back to keep you happy with the results you want. Results cannot and will not be seen the day after use of Botox. Dysport does have an earlier onset then Botox and its results may be visible 1-2 days after treatment. Usually they appear around 5-7 days, however, the peak of the product’s potential will be seen around week 2. It is totally normal to use about 20... more

Yael Halaas, MD

Manhattan Facial Plastic Surgeon

It takes 3-5 days for botox results to show

If you received Botox injection just yesterday, it is normal to see no effect until 3-5 days later and then it takes about 10 days for Botox to reach its full effect. The effect will wear off in 3 months. So to answer your questions, it is way too early to know whether or not you have been cheated. Sincerely, Martin Jugenburg, MD

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Martin Jugenburg, MD

Toronto Plastic Surgeon

ASPS

Botox Is Great for the Glabella "11's"

Hey, you weren't cheated !! The recommended dose is 20 units but you should wait 10 days to judge the effectiveness of your botox. If you do not have a great amount of "weakening" of you 11's you may want to go back and see about getting more !!! Be carefull too much botox and be disfiguring a sure sign of having "too much done."

Paul E. Goco, MD

Nashville Facial Plastic Surgeon

Botox for the "11"s or Glablellar Furrows

Botox for the "11" lines or glabellar furrows is an excellent treatment. This was actually the first area where the cosmetic use of Botox was discovered. Most patients require 24-28 units in this area, but some may require more and some may require less. If you didn't get significant improvement after 2 weeks, I would call the doctor and have him evaluate the response. Perhaps you need a small touch up. And generally, over time and additional treatments the improvement should... more