Your Complete Botox Forehead & Face Guide: Simplified with Illustrations
You may already know that Botox injections are designed to smooth wrinkles by temporarily relaxing facial muscles. But are you familiar with the specific areas Botox can treat? Or how many units are typically needed for the forehead? Do you know how long it takes for Botox to deliver results? Explore our illustrated Botox forehead and face guide for quick answers to these common questions before your appointment.
Botox Injection Sites
Botox has received FDA approval to smooth moderate to severe wrinkles in three key areas: crow’s feet (lateral canthal lines) near the eyes, frown lines between the eyebrows (glabellar lines), and horizontal forehead lines.
Typically, providers administer injections as follows: three spots around each eye for crow’s feet, five spots between the eyebrows for frown lines, and five spots across the forehead for horizontal lines.
Important Note: The areas listed above are FDA- and manufacturer-approved for Botox injections. However, some providers may use Botox "off-label," meaning they inject areas not officially approved. For example, Botox might be used to subtly lift the nasal tip in a non-surgical "faux rhinoplasty."
How Many Units of Botox Are Needed?
Forehead lines: 20 units total (4 units in each of the 5 injection sites across the forehead).
Frown lines: 20 units total (4 units in each of the 5 injection sites between the eyebrows).
Crow’s feet: 24 units total (4 units in each of the 3 injection sites around each eye).
Note: Forehead lines and frown lines are often treated together, requiring a combined total of 40 units.
These numbers serve as general guidelines. The exact number of units required can vary depending on the depth of lines, skin texture, and individual factors. Typically, men may require more units than women. A consultation with your provider will help determine the precise amount of Botox needed to achieve your desired results.
How long does it take for Botox to work? How long do results last?
Botox face injections start working fairly quickly, and patients can typically see results in 24–48 hours. Optimal results are generally seen after 30 days and results last about three to four months.