Personalized Botox: why your dose shouldn't be one-size-fits-all
Written by Dr. Bank · Our approach · 4 min read
"Frozen" or "too strong" Botox usually isn't a problem with the product. It happens when everyone gets the same number of units in the same spots. Your muscles, face shape and expressions are your own, so your Botox plan should be too.
What we look at before injecting
- Muscle strength: stronger muscles, which are common in men and in very expressive faces, need more units. Lighter muscles need fewer.
- How you move: we ask you to frown, raise your brows and smile, to see exactly which muscles make your lines.
- Face shape and balance: for example, how high your brows sit, or whether one side of the jaw is stronger.
- The look you want: soft and natural with movement kept, or a smoother finish.
- Your history: past Botox, how long it lasted, and any events coming up.
Common areas
| Area | What it helps with |
|---|---|
| Forehead | Horizontal lines when you raise your brows |
| Between the brows | Frown lines ("11" lines) |
| Around the eyes | Crow's feet when you smile |
| Jaw (masseter) | A slimmer, softer jawline and less clenching |
| Nose, chin, gums | Bunny lines, a dimpled chin, a gummy smile |
| Neck and jawline | Neck bands and a sharper jawline |
| Skin (micro-Botox) | Tiny, shallow doses for oily skin and the look of pores |
Our co-founder, Dr. Phattharaphon Khamdi, has published research on the efficacy and safety of botulinum toxin in treating acne, so we take care to match the technique to the skin, not just the wrinkle.
Dose and timing
- Units vary. Two people treating the same area can need quite different amounts. The doctor explains the number of units and price before starting.
- Results: start in 3–7 days, full effect at about 2 weeks.
- Review at 2 weeks: if one side moves more, a small top-up can balance it.
- How long it lasts: about 3–4 months for lines, 4–6 months for jaw slimming.
- Don't repeat too soon. Spacing treatments at least about 3 months apart and using the lowest effective dose is generally advised, to lower the chance of the body becoming resistant to it.
Aftercare
- Stay upright for about 4 hours and don't rub the area.
- Skip exercise, saunas and facials on the day.
- Tell the doctor if you're pregnant, breastfeeding, or have a neuromuscular condition.
See prices and details on our Botox page.
Results vary from person to person. This article is general information, not medical advice. Botox is a trademark of Allergan; we use "Botox" here to mean botulinum toxin treatment in general.