"How many units of Botox do I need?" is the question we hear most often at TRU Integrative Wellness in Downers Grove. It's a great question — and the honest answer is: it depends on your anatomy, your goals, and which areas you're treating.
Here's a real-world, area-by-area guide from injectors who do this every day.
What Is a "Unit" of Botox?
A unit of Botox is a standardized dose of botulinum toxin type A. Dosing is consistent across vials and clinics — meaning 20 units at TRU is the same 20 units anywhere else. (Dysport and Xeomin are dosed differently — more on that below.)
Average Botox Units by Area
These ranges reflect what we use day-to-day on most adult patients. Men typically need more units than women because facial muscles are stronger and larger.
Forehead Lines (Frontalis)
10–20 units — Lower doses preserve a natural brow lift; higher doses for deeper, more etched horizontal lines. Men often run 20–30.
"11s" / Frown Lines (Glabella)
20–25 units — The most-treated area. The muscles here are strong, and underdosing is the #1 reason results fade fast.
Crow's Feet (Orbicularis Oculi)
10–12 units per side (20–24 total) — Lower if you only want softening; higher if you want full smoothing during a smile.
Bunny Lines (Sides of the Nose)
4–6 units — A small tweak that pairs beautifully with crow's feet and 11s.
Lip Flip
4–6 units — Tiny dose along the upper lip border to gently roll the lip outward. Not a substitute for filler.
Gummy Smile
2–4 units per side — Placed near the base of the nose to relax the muscle pulling your upper lip up too high.
Chin Dimpling ("Orange Peel" Chin)
4–8 units — Smooths the pebbly texture some patients get when they relax their chin.
Masseter (Jawline Slimming / TMJ / Bruxism)
20–30 units per side (40–60 total) — One of our most popular treatments. Slims the jawline over time and significantly reduces clenching and grinding.
Platysmal Bands (Neck)
25–50 units — Softens vertical neck bands and gives a subtle "Nefertiti lift" along the jawline.
Trapezius / "Trap-Tox"
40–60 units per side — Trending treatment for tension headaches, shoulder slimming, and posture. Larger area = more units.
Underarm Sweating (Hyperhidrosis)
50 units per underarm (100 total) — FDA-approved dose. Results last 6–12 months.
Chronic Migraines
155 units across 31 injection sites — FDA-approved protocol. Often covered by insurance.
Typical "Full Upper Face" Treatments
- Light maintenance: 20–30 units (just the 11s, or just crow's feet)
- Classic three-area: 40–60 units (forehead + 11s + crow's feet)
- Comprehensive: 60–80 units (three areas + bunny lines + lip flip + chin)
What About Dysport and Xeomin?
Dysport is dosed at roughly 2.5–3 units per 1 unit of Botox, so the "unit count" looks bigger but the cost and effect are comparable. Xeomin is dosed 1:1 with Botox. Read our full breakdown of Dysport vs Xeomin.
What Determines Your Personal Dose?
- Muscle strength. Stronger muscles need more units. Men, athletes, and longtime expressers all run higher.
- Your goals. Full smoothing requires more units than soft, "natural" results.
- Metabolism. Faster metabolizers wear off sooner and may need slightly more next time.
- Past dosing history. Long-term patients often need less over time as muscles relax.
What Happens If You're Underdosed?
This is the most common Botox mistake — and it's expensive in the long run. Underdosing leads to:
- Partial results (lines softened but not smoothed)
- Short duration (6–8 weeks instead of 3–4 months)
- Asymmetry, especially around the brows
- More frequent visits = higher annual spend
If your Botox is "wearing off" in 6 weeks, you're not metabolizing it too fast — you were almost certainly underdosed.
What About Cost?
In the Downers Grove and greater Chicagoland market, expect $12–$18 per unit. See our full Botox cost guide for Downers Grove for a detailed pricing breakdown.
How We Decide Your Dose at TRU
At your free consultation in Downers Grove, we'll have you make a series of expressions so we can watch how your muscles actually move. Then we'll recommend a personalized dose — and tell you honestly if you're better off with Dysport, Xeomin, filler, or a combination.
No upsells, no upselling. Just the dose that gets you the result you want.
Ready for an Honest Quote?
Book a free consultation at TRU Integrative Wellness in Downers Grove, or learn more about our Botox services.