What’s My Botox Dose?
There’s no doubt that Botox can be an excellent anti-aging treatment. But figuring out the right dosage for you is essential to getting the best possible results. Here are some tips on how we determine your proper dose of Botox:
Step 1: Determine what you want the Botox to do.
Before you begin to determine your Botox dose, it's important to understand what the injection can do for you.
Botox is a neurotoxin that blocks nerve impulses from reaching muscles and causes them to relax. It's most commonly used for cosmetic purposes--to smooth out wrinkles and lines on the face by relaxing muscles in those areas. However, Botox can also be used to treat neck pain caused by muscle spasms or migraines (by relaxing certain muscles in the head).
Step 2: Ask how many units you'll need.
The next step is to determine how many units of Botox you'll need. Each unit represents 1 milliliter (ml) of the botulinum toxin. For example, if your Nurse Injector wants to inject 20 ml into your face, that would be 20 units total.
A typical dose for aesthetic purposes can range anywhere 20-60 units for women, and even higher for men; this amount can vary depending on how large or small the area being treated is though, as well as other factors like age and skin type. If you have more wrinkles than normal in an area (like around both eyes or deep forehead creases), then it may take more in order for both sides of your face to be treated equally well with Botox injections
Step 3: Decide what type of Botox is best for you.
There are two types of wrinkle relaxers that we use at CMC Medical Aesthetics: Botox and Dysport. Both are effective for fine lines and wrinkles. Some of our patients prefer one over the other. We like to compare each product like Pepsi vs. Coke!
Step 4: Keep in mind that there are some factors that affect your dose.
Age. As we age, our skin loses elasticity and becomes more fragile. This can make it harder to get the same results from Botox as you did when you were younger.
Gender. Women tend to have less muscle mass in their face, which means they may need less Botox than men do (though this can vary).
The length of time you’ve had Botox.
The more often you get Botox, the less it will work. This is because your body builds up a resistance to the toxin over time. You may find that switching to Dysport after this happens, will help, or vice versa if you've been receiving Dysport regularly, try using Botox instead.
Follow Up appointments
The number and frequency of your appointments will depend on the type (Botox or Dysport) and quantity of neurotoxin that you have received.
The average patient sees their results last for about three months, but some may find that it lasts longer than others. The effects can be easily maintained with regular injections every 3-4 months.
We ALWAYS book a 2 week follow-up appointment with our patients. This allows our Nurse Injector to assess post-injection response, and make any necessary tweaks or add additional units if needed. We cannot stress the importance of your 2 week follow-up to ensure that you receive the results that you want!
For a complimentary consulation, book your appointment with our Nurse Injector today! (403) 380-9926