The amount of Botox needed during a Botox treatment varies depending on a number of factors, such as what exactly is being treated and the size or area of the treatment spot. Botox is measured in units, and the number of units needed for your Botox treatment will determine how much it costs. And one of the most popular areas for Botox treatment is around the eyes.

So how much Botox do you actually need when dealing with areas around the eyes? In cases of treating eye problems, the average dose is 12 to 24 total Botox units, with forehead lines requiring 20 units and crow’s feet requiring 24 units.

How Botox cosmetic treatments work 

Botox is a protein derived from the Botulinum toxin, which is a neurotoxin produced by the bacterium Clostridium botulinum. Because of its strong properties, a plastic surgeon would recommend intramuscular injection (injected into the muscles) in small doses to avoid risks of serious illnesses. Over the past years, Botox injections has been used to treat medical problems such as: 

• Overactive bladder - a condition characterized by increased frequency of urination 
• Hyperhidrosis - excessive sweating caused by overacting sweat glands 
• Dystonia - excessive muscle contractions
• Chronic migraines - headache episodes that occur at least 15 days a month 
• Strabismus - a condition where the eyes look in different directions  
• Blepharospasm - involuntary blinking or twitching of the eyes 

As a cosmetic surgery, Botox is used to minimize and soften the appearance of wrinkles, fine lines, and skin sagging brought by aging. Repeated muscle movements or contractions is the main reason why creases appear prominent in the face. An injection of the botulinum toxin into the skin would block certain nerve signals sent to the facial muscles, causing them to weaken or paralyze. As a result, the skin would remain smooth and avoid unwanted wrinkles. 

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What is a Botox unit? 

A unit of Botox is a measurement of the amount of neurotoxin that is injected into the skin. They are an indicator of the strength of an injection or how effective it will be in relaxing the targeted muscle. A Botox vial produced by Allergan (the company that created and markets Botox) contains 100 units and these are typically divided as required by the procedure. 

An in-person consultation with a plastic surgeon will help to determine how much Botox units a client will receive. In cases of using Botox injectables for the face and eyes area, the following guidelines set by Allergan are observed: 

• Forehead lines - 20 units, with 4 units injected on five sides. When treated in conjunction with glabellar lines, another 20 units are injected for a total of 40 Botox units. 
• Crow’s feet or lateral canthal lines - 4 units are injected into 6 injection sites, totaling for an average of 24 Botox units. 
• Frown lines - 20 units, with five injection sites (one injected between the eyebrows and two injections placed above each eyebrow). 

It is important to consider that every client may react differently to the treatment. Depending on certain risk factors, some women may require more units than others. In cases of males, their facial muscles are stronger and would need more units than normal. For example, they could need 15 units on each side to treat Crow’s feet as opposed to the 4 units per side for females. For frown lines, they may also be injected with 30 units compared to the usual 20 units.  

Aside from the gender, the prescription of Botox injections may also be affected by other considerations including:

• Age - Botox is typically approved for individuals who are 18 years and older. Patients who are in their mid to late 20s or early 30s are also good candidates for preventative Botox injections since most signs of aging begin at that period.
• Metabolism - Differing levels of metabolism affects how long the results of Botox treatment will last. Those with high metabolism may regenerate their nerve muscles faster, causing the toxin to wear off. 
• Facial muscles - People who have repeated facial expressions such as laughing, squinting, or frowning can affect the results of the Botox treatment. Likewise, clients with thick facial muscles may need more units since it may take time to penetrate and affect the nerves. 
• Severity of wrinkles - The deeper the wrinkles, the more Botox unit is required to reduce its appearance. 

Reasons why Botox is needed for eyes 

Among the different parts of the body, the skin on the eyelid is considered the thinnest at less than 1 mm thick. The eyelid has two folds mainly the upper eyelid and lower eyelid. It is connected to the muscle known as orbicularis oculi which is responsible for the movement of the upper and lower lid. 

Despite its thin structure, the eyelid is still made up of complex parts including ligaments, blood vessels, fat pads, and nerves. Over time, changes can occur to these components, making them more vulnerable to different eye disorders and the various signs of aging. Under eye wrinkle and fine lines are among the most common symptoms that naturally occurs as a person ages. Other reasons why clients would seek cosmetic treatment for the eyes include: 

1. Crow’s feet  

Wrinkles can be classified into two main types: static wrinkles and dynamic wrinkles. The former is characterized as creases that show even when the person is immobile and the face is at rest. It appears naturally due to the decline in collagen production loss of normal skin elasticity. Meanwhile, the latter type of wrinkles is formed from muscle contraction due to repeated facial reactions such as smiling, frowning, and laughing. Crow’s feet is a prime example of a dynamic wrinkle. 

Crow’s feet, also called lateral canthal lines or smile lines, develop near the outside corners of the eyes. When a person expresses their happiness or sadness, there is a tendency to blink the eyes and trigger the muscle to constantly move, which makes wrinkles and lines appear more defined. It may also be worsened by exposure to sun damage (UV rays) and certain lifestyle factors such as smoking. 

Beauty products like topical eye creams and anti-aging moisturizers are easy fixes that can minimize the appearance of facial lines when applied around the eyes. Chemical peels which use chemical solutions such as salicylic acid, glycolic acid, and lactic acid may also restore the skin’s youthfulness and make it look healthier. Botox injections also work to paralyze the muscles surrounding the eye area which cause Crow’s feet to smooth out over time. 

Here is Everything You Need To Know About Getting Botox for Crows Feet.

2. Forehead line 

This condition is characterized by the appearance of horizontal forehead lines which is caused by the contraction of the frontalis muscle. This forehead muscle usually moves when a person raises their eyebrows, pulling the skin up and making lines show. It’s a natural action that most people do when they are conveying shock, fear, and excitement to certain situations. 

Forehead wrinkles may also be referred to as glabellar lines or forehead furrows. Glabella is the skin on the forehead, just between the eyebrows and above the nose. It also manifests when an individual makes repeated expressions that forces muscles to tense. They may also be caused by certain factors such as age, genetics, loss of hormones that keep skin tight, and exposure to free radicals from pollution and UV rays.  

Botox and soft tissue fillers (dermal filler)  are considered as treatment alternatives for most forehead wrinkles. It’s also important to stay moisturized and hydrated, practice frequent usage of sunscreen, and consume nutrient-rich foods to maintain healthy skin and slow down the symptoms of aging. 

3. Frown lines

Frown lines are often mistaken for glabellar lines as it also develops on the forehead. But compared to the glabella line, frown lines are vertical marks that run between the eyes and adjacent to the eyebrows. In some people, they appear as deep creases that stretch from above the side of the nose to above the eyebrows. They are also known as the “11” lines because of their look that resembles the number eleven. 

Like most wrinkles, they form due to repeated exaggerated expressions such as frowning, squinting, or knitting of the brows which causes the corrugator supercilii muscle (small muscle near the eye and located between the end of the eyebrows) to contract. Botox injections are used to soften these muscles that cause frown lines. 

Learn more: Can Botox Help Lines and Wrinkles Between the Eyes?

How long Botox results last 

Since it’s a non-invasive surgery, the treatment usually takes 10 to 15 minutes and clients can return immediately to their normal activities Depending on the seriousness of the eye problem, the results of Botox injection can start to show after a few days and may last for about three to four months for most people. Follow-up sessions may be performed if a client wants to maintain long-lasting benefits of the injection. 

The common aftereffects of Botox include swelling or bruising around the eyelid area, headache, dizziness fatigue, nausea, dry eyes, and temporary muscle weakness. Most of the side effects are minimal and usually go away after a few days. However, immediate medical care is required if the symptoms persist and worsen. 

Book your Botox treatment with Evolve Med Spa 

Botox cosmetic injections are nowadays used for the treatment of under eye wrinkles, forehead lines, and frown lines. Considering that the botulinum toxin is a strong substance, the amount of Botox unit given to the client varies per their condition and is regulated to assure its effectiveness. It must also be performed under the guidance of a licensed dermatologist to minimize possible risks. 

At Evolve Med Spa, we guarantee that we can help solve your facial and skin problems with safe Botox treatments. Our expert Botox providers will guide you in your procedure, guaranteeing painless and hassle-free injections that will relieve obvious symptoms of facial wrinkling, acne, migraines, and more. Schedule a consultation and we’ll find the right Botox plan that will work for your needs. 

Erase Your Fine Lines and Wrinkles Today

Botox has never been easier than it is today, and with Evolve Med Spa, we can inject away your signs of aging in no time.

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