Only one injection for 20 units of botox?

Twenty units injected as a single site injection for cosmetic botox seems a little too high. I routinely inject about 15-20 units of botox in the glabella area, divided into about 5 injections. One injection, 5 units, in the midline between the eyebrows. Then I ask the patient to activate the muscles that create the vertical lines, and then I do 4 injections, about 2.5 units on each side, in a "V" pattern. Total is about 15-20 depending on the patient. 

Thank you for sharing your concerns about your recent Botox experience. 20 units of Botox for the glabella is a reasonable treatment, however these units are usually divided into 3-5 injection points depending on the strength of the muscles. Considering the glabella is quite strong and is made up of a collection of muscles, just one injection point would likely not address all of the wrinkle-causing motion in this area. I recommend following up with your injector to discuss your concerns about your treatment. He/she should be able to evaluate you and assess whether or not you need additional injections for a complete treatment. Best of luck.

Although 20 units of Botox is a normal dose to treat the "11's", It is typically not used in one injection site. It is more common to inject it in 3 to 5 injection sites to target the corrugator and procerus muscles.  I hope you find this information helpful.

I routinely inject 20-25 units in the Glabella and Procerus muscles; It is possible to inject both these muscles from one injection point but this is not the norm; Most injectors use several injection points to achieve optimal results.  

Hello, this is not the standard practice for injecting Botox. There are muscles you need to target in the Glabellar region, a single injection will not do this. In addition to this, 20U of Botox is on the low side and the risk is that it will not lost very long. I posted an article about this below. Dr Bonaparte

Thank you for your question.  20 units in a single injection to treat the glabella is not a technique that I am aware of.  Best to seek care with an experienced injector.  Best of luck.

Hi Ringsted,
The "11" are an area that is commonly treated with Botox and your practitioner is correct in that around 20 units is the recommended dosage.  Bolus injection of 20 units with one single injection is not a practice that I am aware of.  The anatomy of the muscles that cause the "11s" cannot be adequately/effectively treated with one injection.  If I were you, I would follow up with your provider as this single injection technique may not be effective.  All the best

Hi Ring,
There has never been any recommendation in any research, medical literature, medical meetings, or even doc to doc communication supporting a single injection of 20 units of Botox to treat the globular 11's.  Putting 20 units of Botox with a single injection in a single spot is not recommended and would put a patient at risk for Botox complications.  Your "new" practitioner should be your "ex" injector, sounds like the only credible thing about your experience is the extra dollars pocketed by your injector.  Sorry to hear about your experience.  I would seek out a new aesthetic physician.  Good luck and be well.
Dr. P, Encino, CA

Botox treatment of the glabella "11" lines usually involves injection of at least 20 units over 5 injection sites. This technique can be modified as far as dosage and number of injection sites based on each person's needs, however, I have never heard of one injection containing 20 units being given to treat this area. This approach will likely be ineffective for you. Please make sure you are seeing an experienced physician injector for optimal results. Best wishes.

It is possible to receive 20 units in a single injection - however, this is not the best technique. The muscles that create these lines are long and in two separate locations just above the eyes. These muscles require multiple smaller injections (adding up to 15 or 20 units) to be sure that the botox is spread evenly. The risk of a single injection is that the muscle is significantly weakened in one area and unaffected in another.
Hope this helps! Best, Dr. Cabin