This is a common question that must be answered with a “unit range” of between 15 -30 Units. While this equates to several hundred dollars, which patients usually aren’t thrilled about, it is necessary for the “effect” that a patient wants. I’ll address this later but first let me address the anatomy. Your “11’s” are glabellar frown lines caused directly by contraction of the corrugator muscles (bilateral). The corrugator muscles attach to the skin around the head of the eyebrow, and have fibers that pass through the orbicularis oculi muscle, attaching to bone near the root of the nose (inferior glabella). Individual differences in muscle size, strength of contraction, and supporting muscle recruitment play a significant role in the amount of units required to cause complete relaxation of this region. It’s similar to the painting an object, the larger it is or the more complex the shape, the more paint you will need to cover all of it.

The final result, or “effect” that a patient wants also plays a huge role in the quantity needed. If someone wants a “softer” look but wants to retain the ability to move their corrugators for facial expression, that requires less units than the patient that wants a completely smooth glabella and is completely happy if they cannot make a “frown.”

You will find over time (several injections) what is the “right” amount of botox for your particular preference, especially if you go to the same injector and they record what was done at past encounters (my personal recommendation).