How Many Units of Botox Do I Need? A Sarasota Injector's Guide by Area
By Alison Chafin, APRN-C, owner and injector at Injections & Co., Sarasota, FL. Updated October 2026.
Quick answer: Most first-time Botox patients need 20 to 60 units total. A typical full upper-face treatment (forehead, frown lines, and crow's feet) uses about 40 to 64 units. A single area usually takes 4 to 24 units, depending on the area and your muscle strength. At $13 per unit, most upper-face treatments cost between about $520 and $830.
The ranges below are typical starting points. Your actual dose depends on how strong your muscles are, how much movement you want to keep, and how you've responded to Botox before. Alison sets your exact number at your consultation.
Botox Units Chart: How Many Units Per Area
| Treatment area | Typical Botox units | Cost at $13/unit |
|---|---|---|
| Frown lines ("11s") | 20 (range 20–25) | $260–$325 |
| Forehead lines | 10–20 | $130–$260 |
| Crow's feet | 12–24 total (both sides) | $156–$312 |
| Full upper face (all three above) | 40–64 | $520–$832 |
| Brow lift | 2–6 | $26–$78 |
| Bunny lines (nose) | 4–8 | $52–$104 |
| Lip flip | 4–6 | $52–$78 |
| Gummy smile | 2–4 | $26–$52 |
| Chin dimpling | 4–10 | $52–$130 |
| Downturned mouth corners (DAO) | 4–8 total | $52–$104 |
| Jawline slimming / clenching (masseter) | 20–30 per side | $520–$780 |
| Neck bands (platysma) | 26–36 | $338–$468 |
| Underarm sweating | 50 per underarm | $1,300 |
Members pay less. Botox is $12 per unit on our Essential membership and $11 per unit on Signature. A full upper face (40–64 units) runs about $440–$704 for Signature members, compared with $520–$832 at the regular price. See membership options →
How many units of Botox for the forehead?
Most patients need 10 to 20 units for forehead lines. Forehead Botox is usually paired with the frown lines, because treating the forehead alone can make the brows feel heavy. Alison doses the forehead lightly first and adjusts at your follow-up.
How many units of Botox for 11 lines (frown lines)?
The FDA-approved dose for frown lines is 20 units. Patients with strong frown muscles, often men, may need up to 25 or more.
How many units of Botox for crow's feet and around the eyes?
Crow's feet usually take 6 to 12 units per side, or 12 to 24 total. The FDA-approved dose is 24 units total. Botox doesn't treat under-eye hollows or bags; those need a different treatment, such as under-eye PRP.
How many units for a lip flip?
A lip flip uses 4 to 6 units. It relaxes the muscle above the upper lip so more of the lip shows when you smile. It does not add volume. For volume, see lip filler.
How many units of Botox for the DAO (downturned mouth)?
The depressor anguli oris (DAO) usually takes 2 to 4 units per side, or 4 to 8 total. Small doses matter here, because too much can affect your smile.
How many units of Botox for the masseter (jaw)?
Jaw slimming and teeth clenching usually take 20 to 30 units per side, or 40 to 60 total. Some patients with very strong masseters need more. Slimming results build over 6 to 8 weeks.
How many units of Botox for neck bands?
Botox Cosmetic is FDA approved for platysma bands, at a dose of 26 or 36 units depending on band severity.
How Units Compare: Botox vs. Dysport vs. Xeomin vs. Daxxify
Units aren't interchangeable between brands, so a quote in "units" only means something for a specific product.
| Product | Units vs. Botox | Frown lines (label dose) |
|---|---|---|
| Botox | 1 unit | 20 units |
| Xeomin | About 1 to 1 | 20 units |
| Dysport | About 2.5 to 3 per Botox unit | 50 units |
| Daxxify | About 2 per Botox unit | 40 units |
So 20 units of Botox is roughly 50 to 60 units of Dysport. That's why Dysport is priced lower per unit. Compare the total cost per area, not the price per unit. See Botox, Dysport & Xeomin for more.
How Many Units of Botox Are in a Vial (or "Syringe")?
Botox comes in vials, not pre-filled syringes. Cosmetic vials hold 50 or 100 units. Your injector mixes the powder with sterile saline and draws your dose into small syringes. There's no standard number of units per syringe, because it depends on how the vial was mixed. Ask how many units you're getting, not how many syringes.
How Much Does Botox Cost Per Area in Sarasota?
At Injections & Co., Botox is $13 per unit. Members pay $12 (Essential plan) or $11 (Signature plan). Your cost is simply the number of units times the price per unit.
| Example | Units | Regular ($13) | Signature member ($11) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Frown lines only | 20 | $260 | $220 |
| Forehead + frown lines | 30–40 | $390–$520 | $330–$440 |
| Full upper face | 40–64 | $520–$832 | $440–$704 |
| Masseter (both sides) | 40–60 | $520–$780 | $440–$660 |
Be cautious with "per area" pricing elsewhere. A flat area price can hide a low dose, which wears off sooner. See memberships and current specials.
When Botox Isn't the Right Answer
Jowls: Botox doesn't lift jowls. A small dose along the jawline (sometimes called a Nefertiti lift) can soften neck pull, but sagging jowls usually need volume or collagen support, such as Radiesse or Sculptra.
Nasolabial folds (smile lines): These come from volume loss, not muscle movement, so Botox isn't used for them. Dermal filler is the usual treatment.
Lines visible at rest: Deep static lines may soften with Botox over a few treatments, but often also need skin treatments like microneedling.
Who Sets Your Dose at Injections & Co.
Every Botox treatment at Injections & Co. is performed by Alison Chafin, APRN-C, the practice's owner. She has been a nurse practitioner since 2016 and has more than 20 years in health care. She uses the ranges on this page as starting points, then doses to your anatomy. First-time patients usually start at the conservative end, with a follow-up at about two weeks to fine-tune. Meet Alison.
Botox Units FAQ
How many units of Botox should a first-timer get?
Most first-timers get 20 to 40 units, often frown lines plus a light forehead dose. Starting conservatively lets you see how you respond before adding more.
Is 20 units of Botox enough?
20 units is the FDA-approved dose for frown lines alone. For forehead, frown lines, and crow's feet together, 20 units is usually too little and wears off sooner.
How many units of Botox do men need?
Men typically need 20% to 50% more units than women in the same area, because their facial muscles are usually larger and stronger.
Does more Botox last longer?
Up to a point. An adequate dose for the muscle tends to last 3 to 4 months. Under-dosing often wears off in 6 to 8 weeks.
How many units of Xeomin do I need?
Xeomin is dosed close to 1 to 1 with Botox, so the ranges in the chart above apply. Frown lines are typically 20 units.
Get Your Exact Number
The chart gives you a starting point. Your consultation gives you your number. Book with Alison at our Sarasota office at 6405 Initiative Blvd, Suite 120, or call (941) 226-4811.