William J. Schweitzer, MD, FAAD

Botox and Dysport are both excellent neuromodulator medications that can be injected to soften frown lines. Results usually last 3 to 4.5 months. Botox and Dysport can benefit an adult regardless of age. Be cautious, make sure the treatment is performed by a licensed and experienced injector.

The forehead muscle is a large muscle that covers most of the forehead. It has fibers on the lower part of the forehead by the outer part of the eyebrows that did not take the medication or were not injected. They became overactive and are pulling the eyebrow up. It is common to have a minor touch-up a week or two after an initial injection to "fine tune" the area. Usually a carefully placed injection into this area will fix the issue by relaxing these muscle fibers.

Most women have 5 points that are injected in this area of the face. 15 to 25 units of Botox is commonly used.  Depending on each individual patient, if the muscles are thick and strong a higher dose may be used and if the muscles are thin and weak a lower dose may be used. The dose chosen also depends on how relaxed the patient wants the muscles to be. A higher dose will relax more and last longer than a lower dose. To help avoid the side effect of eyelid drop, do not touch the area injected for at least 4 hours after injection.

Eyelid drooping can be caused by injection of the muscle that elevates the eyelid or a patient may have rubbed the injection area soon after the injection, moving the Botox to an unintended area.  It is recommended not to touch the area of injection for four hours after treatment.