How Many Units of Botox Do You Need? An Area-by-Area Guide
Typical doses: 20 units for frown lines, 10–30 for the forehead, 12–24for crow's feet, and 40–60for masseter slimming. First-timers usually start lower and add at a 2-week check. At Neoderma's $12.95 per unit, that makes a frown-line treatment about $259 — and knowing your unit range is how you compare any clinic's quote honestly.
Medically reviewed by Sal Nadkarni, DO · Last updated July 22, 2026
Why units — not “areas” — are the honest measure
A unitis the standardized measure of botulinum toxin, and it's the only apples-to-apples way to compare treatments. Clinics that advertise a cheap flat price “per area” often quietly underdose — you get 12 units where 20 belong, results fade in six weeks, and the “cheap” treatment costs more per month of results. When you know the typical range for your area, a quote either adds up or it doesn't.
Botox units by treatment area
Ranges below are the industry-typical doses we see in practice; your exact number depends on muscle strength, line depth, and how much natural movement you want to keep. Costs are calculated at Neoderma's $12.95/unit.
| Area | Typical units | At $12.95/unit |
|---|---|---|
| Frown lines / “11s” (glabella) | 20 (FDA-studied dose) | ~$259 |
| Forehead lines | 10–30 (first-timers 10–20) | $130–$389 |
| Crow's feet (both sides) | 12–24 | $155–$311 |
| Brow lift | 4–8 | $52–$104 |
| Bunny lines (nose) | 4–8 | $52–$104 |
| Lip flip | 4–8 | $52–$104 |
| Gummy smile | 2–6 | $26–$78 |
| Chin (dimpling) | 4–10 | $52–$130 |
| Masseter / jaw slimming (both sides) | 40–60 | $518–$777 |
| Underarms (excess sweating) | ~100 | ~$1,295 |
Planning jaw slimming? Read our full guide to masseter Botox for jawline slimming and TMJ relief.
First time? Start low, then fine-tune
Muscles respond differently person to person, so for a first treatment we'd rather start you at the conservative end of the range — often 10–20 units in the forehead — and see you at two weeks. If any movement needs more relaxing, a few units are added then. That titration visit is how you land on yournumber, which most patients then repeat every 3–4 months. It's also why the forehead is almost never treated alone: relaxing it without balancing the frown-line muscles can drop the brows, so the two are dosed together.
Botox vs. Dysport vs. Daxxify units
Units are not interchangeable between brands. Roughly 3 Dysport units ≈ 1 Botox unit, and about 2 Daxxify units ≈ 1 Botox unit — which is why Dysport at $4.25/unit and Daxxify at $6.50/unit aren't automatically “cheaper” than Botox at $12.95. Compare the total treatment cost. We carry all three neuromodulators so the product is matched to your goals — Daxxify when you want up to 6 months of duration, Dysport for fast onset over larger areas, Botox as the 20-year gold standard.
The real cost math — and current offers
A typical upper-face treatment (frown + forehead + crow's feet, ~50 units) runs about $648 at our $12.95/unit and lasts 3–4 months. First-time Botox patients save $50 via the free Allē rewards program, and through July 31 we're taking an extra $50 off treatments of 40+ units — the two stack. Injections are performed by injectors trained under a former Allergan Global Medical Director, and every plan is reviewed with our medical team.
Financing available through Cherry and CareCredit — split your treatment into flexible monthly payments. Learn more →
Botox units FAQ
How many units of Botox do first-timers usually need?
Most first-timers start conservatively — often 10–20 units for the forehead — so your injector can see how your muscles respond. At your 2-week check, a few more units can be added if needed. Starting low and titrating up is how you avoid the frozen look; you can always add, but you can't subtract.
How many units of Botox for the forehead?
Typically 10–30 units for horizontal forehead lines, and it's almost always paired with treating the frown lines (glabella) so the brows stay balanced. First-timers usually start in the 10–20 range. Strong muscles or deeper lines can need more.
How many units for frown lines and crow's feet?
The FDA-studied dose for the frown lines between the brows (the '11s') is 20 units. Crow's feet typically take 6–12 units per side, so 12–24 total. Your exact dose depends on your muscle strength and how much movement you want to keep.
How much does Botox cost at Neoderma in Anaheim?
Botox is $12.95 per unit at Neoderma — so a typical 20-unit frown-line treatment runs about $259, and a 50-unit upper-face treatment about $648. We also carry Dysport ($4.25/unit) and Daxxify ($6.50/unit); units measure differently between products, so always compare total treatment cost. First-time Botox patients get $50 off via the free Allē rewards program.
Is it better to get fewer units to save money?
Underdosing is the most common reason people say 'Botox didn't work on me.' Too few units relax the muscle only partially and briefly — you'll be back in 6 weeks instead of 3–4 months, spending more overall. The right dose for your anatomy, placed precisely, is what actually saves money per month of smooth skin.
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