Question About Baby Botox for Forehead?

Great question! There is truly an art to Botox and Dysport treatments which is why it's important to go to an experienced injector. I've never used the term "Baby Botox" but it's a catchy way to describe what most of us already do...

For patients your age, I typically use half the number of units in the forehead (10-12 units of Botox or 30-35 units of Dysport) versus what I typically use in the muscles between the eyebrows (glabella) or near the corners of the eyes (crow's feet), each of which usually require 18-20 units (60 units of Dysport). Patients with deep wrinkles or strong forehead muscles certainly may require a greater number of units. 

The goal is to give you a natural look with some residual movement but eliminate or soften the horizontal forehead lines. Over-treating the forehead can cause the eyebrows to feel heavy. An additional benefit is that a lighter treatment is less expensive for patients, as, in our practice, we consider 10-12 units to be just half an area.

I feel another important technique is to inject evenly across the forehead. This gives a nice, consistent, natural effect, avoiding that "Mr. Spock" look when only the outside portions of the eyebrows are moving. In patients with lower brows, I inject a little less Botox or Dysport in the spots right above the outside of the eyebrows. 

As I mentioned, your best bet is to seek a consultation with an experienced facial plastic surgeon, plastic surgeon, or dermatologist and communicate with them exactly what your desires and concerns are. 

Best Regards,

Dr. Mehta

Injecting Botox is an art that takes a great deal of knowledge and practice. The goal is always to soften wrinkles without compromising normal facial expressions. How much Botox is needed for this effect will vary by patient. So while the term “Baby Botox” is clever, it is essentially meaningless.   Find the right dermatologist for your Botox, and you will always have a beautiful, natural-looking face that's been smoothed of wrinkles but is still expressive. You can see a great example of a patient smiling before and after Botox on the link below. Please consult a board-certified dermatologist to get the right amount of Botox to soften your forehead wrinkles.

Most plastic surgeons and cosmetic dermatologists are familiar with dosing for a natural look. Most of us do not refer to this as baby Botox . Keep in mind that the frozen Botox look is outdated. I like for my patients to have some movement and I discuss this with them at consult. If you are trying to treat static lines , know that Botox doesn't do that. Botox softens dynamic lines. I do tell my patients that the advantage of Botox in your situation would be to prevent the worsening of those lines as you age.

What you seem to be describing, is not what the other doctors to-date have addressed. Rather than using 1 or 2 units in each insertion site, you seem to be referring to a physician, in an off-label manner, mixing the Botox with a significantly greater amount of saline than is commonly done. In this way one would be able to give 1/2 or 1/4 a unit per injection and inject wider areas than they had in the past. The result would not be as strong a relaxation, nor the duration of effectiveness as long. I am not aware of any medical studies investigating the effectiveness, nor safety of this. I have heard of it being done.  There is a chance though, that regardless of the greater dilution, and lower number of units, the Botox injected into certain areas might relax an important muscle group which could make you very unhappy, such as if you had problems speaking or eating or looked like you had a stroke because of an unequal facial appearance. 

Be cautious.

 

 

 

 

The information provided in Dr. Shelton's answer is for educational purposes only and is not intended to constitute medical advice.  The information provided should not be relied upon as a substitute for consultations with a qualified health professional who may be familiar with your individual medical needs.

We like to use the term "Botox Light", but I think Baby Botox is a nice catch phrase too. In young patients, or patients with more petite foreheads, it's great to decrease the number of units for the frown lines (11"s between the eyebrows), and for the horizontal creases on the forehead. It does lead to a more natural look, and allows for some movement. I also like to "rotate areas". So instead of injecting the crow's feet, the "11's, and the rest of the forehead in one setting, we may do just one or two of the areas at a time.

My only caution, is that with "Baby Botox", is sometimes leads to patients coming in more frequently than they need to for treatment. I like to tell them to let their foreheads go back to full movement before retreatment. Great question.  

  

There are a number of terms that refer to using less Botox than what was traditionally taught. Baby botox, micro Botox, micro droplet Botox, mini Botox. When we first started using Botox for the forehead it was extrapolated from what we used for the frown lines: 20 to 30 units. Most experienced injectors now use well less than 20 units so the forehead lines are softened but the brow is not flat and expressionless.

Every patient is different and requires different amounts of Botox.  The term "baby botox" is used to describe small amounts that are needed for patients that are younger or have fewer wrinkles.  It is not a "special botox" - just a smaller amount.  It is best to see a cosmetic dermatologist who  is experienced in botox.  They can assess what is the best amount for you.

There is no reason to assign a new name, such as “Baby Botox,” to a Botox procedure that allows natural facial expression. Natural expression is one of the expected results of a well-performed Botox treatment to diminish or remove wrinkles. Creating a good result with Botox is an art that takes training, a strong sense of facial aesthetics and experience. Please consult a board-certified dermatologist who has expertise in Botox injection to help you smooth wrinkles without impairing your natural expressions. 

Thank you for your question 7668anon. Botox is a purified protein used to address wrinkles associated with facial expression. There are various terms used for Botox treatment with low dose. These are requested for those who still want expression without having a frozen face. In my experience, if Botox is placed in the correct anatomical positions movement is preserved, just without the wrinkles. When lower dosing is used, results are not full and they do not last as long. The vast majority of my patients who request low dosing are unhappy with their results and require additional units.

Please consult
with a doctor for specific recommendations. Good luck!

Results on the forehead require a understanding of the forehead muscle (frontalis) and each person dependance on this muscle for eyelid and brow position and shape. I use very little botox in this area to keep natural movement, expression, and to minimize drooping of the brow and eyelid.