The short answer: most first-time Botox patients need somewhere between 20 and 40 units for the upper face. If you're treating just the "11s" between your brows, it's closer to 20. Full classic upper face — forehead plus 11s plus crow's feet — runs 40–60. Men typically need more. The final number isn't decided until Helen has seen your face move.
The short version
How "units" actually work
A Botox unit is a standardized dose of onabotulinumtoxinA — the exact same unit every reputable injector in the US uses. One vial of Botox Cosmetic contains 100 units. When you see a clinic advertising "per unit" pricing, they're talking about this same measurement, regardless of location.
This matters because the number of units a given area needs is pretty consistent across the industry. What changes is the per-unit price. So when a Bellevue clinic says "$15 per unit" and a Renton clinic says "$11 per unit," the difference isn't about how much product you're getting — it's about how much you're paying for the same product. At Flawless Aesthetics, I charge $11 per unit for every patient with no membership or upsell.
Typical unit counts by treatment area
These are the ranges I use in my practice. Your exact count may land anywhere inside the range depending on muscle strength, first-time vs returning status, and the result you're going for.
| Treatment | Price | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Forehead lines (horizontal) | 10–20 units | $110–$220 |
| Frown lines — the '11s' (glabella) | 20–30 units | $220–$330 |
| Crow's feet (per side) | 10–15 units | $110–$165 |
| Bunny lines (nose) | 4–8 units | $44–$88 |
| Lip flip | 4–6 units | $44–$66 |
| Chin (mentalis) | 4–10 units | $44–$110 |
| Masseter (per side — jaw slimming or TMJ) | 20–30 units | $220–$330 |
| Eyebrow lift (tail of brow) | 2–5 units per side | $22–$55 |
| Neck bands (platysma) | 20–40 units | $220–$440 |
What a typical first visit looks like
Most first-time patients don't come in and ask for one specific area — they come in saying "my 11s bother me" or "I want to soften the forehead." Once we look in the mirror together and I see your face at rest, concentrating, and smiling, the plan falls into one of a few typical shapes.
- The starter plan (20 units, $220): 11s only. A great entry point — addresses the most noticeable upper-face line without committing to a full session. About a third of my first-time patients choose this.
- The prevention plan (15–20 units, $165–$220): small doses spread across forehead and 11s. Common for patients in their late 20s and early 30s who want to stop lines from setting in rather than erase them.
- The classic upper face (~50 units, $550): forehead (10–15 units) + 11s (20 units) + crow's feet (10 units per side). The most comprehensive first treatment, usually for patients in their 40s+.
- The full face (60–80 units, $660–$880): all of the above plus bunny lines, lip flip, and sometimes a slight brow lift. Most common for returning patients and special events (weddings, photoshoots).
Want a real unit count for your face?
I'll map the exact plan at your appointment — no guessing, no surprise totals. You'll see the number before anything is injected.
Why men usually need more units
Male facial muscles are generally larger and denser than female facial muscles, which means more product is required to calm them to the same degree. A man getting a classic upper-face treatment typically needs 60–70 units instead of the 45–55 a woman of similar age needs. This isn't a pricing trick — it's muscle biology.
The same is true for younger patients with very expressive faces, and for patients who do a lot of contact sports or clench their jaw under stress. Strength of contraction is what drives dose, not age or gender alone. If you've ever been told "Botox doesn't work on you," the most likely explanation is that the dose you received was right for an average patient but too low for your actual muscle.
First-timer vs returning patient
First-time patients often need slightly higher unit counts because the muscle has never been relaxed before. After 2–3 consistent treatments the muscle "learns" to stay calmer, and some returning patients eventually settle into lower doses that give them the same result.
This is why I tell new patients: your first visit is the most expensive, and it's worth doing right. Coming in with a lower-than-needed dose to "test it out" usually backfires — the result looks weak, wears off in six weeks, and you end up rebooking sooner. A real first-visit dose gives the muscle a proper rest and sets you up for longer-lasting results on visit two.
Real examples from my book
To make the ranges more concrete, here are a few real first-visit combinations from recent patients (anonymized, with permission):
- 32-year-old, prevention focus: 12 units forehead + 16 units 11s = 28 units, $308. Goal: stop the 11s from deepening.
- 44-year-old, first Botox ever: 14 units forehead + 22 units 11s + 10 units per side crow's feet = 56 units, $616. Full classic upper face.
- 38-year-old man, jaw clenching: 25 units masseter left + 25 units masseter right = 50 units, $550. Treated for TMJ tension rather than aesthetics.
- 29-year-old, upper lip only: 5 units lip flip = $55. The entire visit was under 15 minutes.
- 51-year-old returning patient: 10 units forehead + 18 units 11s + 12 units per side crow's feet + 6 units bunny lines = 58 units, $638. Full upper face maintenance after three years of consistent visits.
When a unit count should make you stop and ask
Most legitimate treatment plans fall inside the ranges above. A few patterns are worth questioning before you agree:
- A "full face" special for under 20 units. This is not a full face — it's a starter dose being marketed deceptively.
- A plan that hides the unit count entirely. If a clinic won't tell you how many units you're receiving, you have no way to compare or evaluate whether you were under-dosed.
- 100+ units in one sitting for an upper face. This is rare and should only happen with a detailed medical reason (e.g. combined hyperhidrosis treatment). For normal aesthetics, 80 units is already a generous first visit.
Quick cost snapshot
To tie unit count to real money at $11 per unit:
- 20 units = $220 — 11s only, or a very light first visit
- 30 units = $330 — forehead + 11s, light plan
- 40 units = $440 — forehead + 11s + a touch of something else
- 50 units = $550 — classic upper face with crow's feet
- 60 units = $660 — full upper face, male patient or deeper lines
- 80 units = $880 — full face maintenance for a returning patient
Ready to book?
No consultation visit is required before your first Botox at Flawless Aesthetics — Helen does the mapping and planning at the start of your appointment. You'll see your exact unit count and total on the tablet before anything is injected. For pricing specifics, see the Botox cost guide. For what the visit actually looks like, see your first appointment walkthrough. For the full service page, Botox at Flawless.
One injector. Transparent pricing. Every visit.
Helen Petrov, BSN, RN treats every patient personally in Renton, WA. Same price for every client — no membership, no upsell menus, no surprise fees.
Common questions
How many units of Botox do I need for my forehead?
Most patients need 10-20 units for forehead lines alone. This is usually combined with 20-30 units for the frown lines (the '11s'), bringing a typical forehead + 11s treatment to 30-50 units total. At $11 per unit at Flawless Aesthetics, that's $330-$550. Exact count depends on muscle strength and whether it's your first treatment.
How many units for the 11s (frown lines)?
The glabella (the '11s' between your brows) typically takes 20-30 units for a full effect. This is the strongest, most commonly treated area because it's responsible for the tension lines most people notice first. At $11 per unit, treating the 11s alone costs $220-$330 and is one of the most common 'starter' Botox visits.
How many units for crow's feet?
Crow's feet typically need 10-15 units per side, so 20-30 units total for both eyes. They're treated with smaller doses than forehead or 11s because the muscles around the eye are smaller and more delicate. Patients often add crow's feet to their forehead + 11s plan on visit two once they're comfortable with how Botox works on their face.
Do men need more units than women?
Yes — typically 20-30% more. Male facial muscles are generally larger and denser than female facial muscles, requiring more product to achieve the same level of muscle relaxation. A man getting a classic upper-face treatment usually needs 60-70 units where a woman of similar age would need 45-55 units.
How many units does a lip flip take?
A lip flip takes just 4-6 units — the smallest Botox treatment I offer. It relaxes the upper lip muscle so it rolls out slightly, giving a subtle 'fuller lip' appearance without actual filler. At $11 per unit, that's $44-$66. Duration is shorter than other areas (6-8 weeks instead of 3-4 months) because the lip muscle is very active.
How many units for masseter (jaw slimming)?
Masseter Botox for jaw slimming or TMJ relief typically needs 20-30 units per side — so 40-60 units total. Results develop over 4-8 weeks (slower than upper-face Botox) because the effect is more about gradual muscle atrophy than immediate relaxation. At $11 per unit, that's $440-$660 for the full bilateral treatment.
Can I just try a few units to see if I like it?
You can, but I usually recommend against it. Under-dosing is the number one reason first-time patients say 'Botox didn't work for me.' A dose that's too low will produce a weak result that fades in 6-8 weeks, not the 3-4 months you'd get from a real first-visit plan. A better approach is to start with a single area at the correct dose (like just the 11s at 20 units) rather than a too-small dose spread across the whole face.
About the author
Helen Petrov, BSN, RN is a certified nurse injector and the owner of Flawless Aesthetics in Renton, WA. She treats every patient personally under the medical direction of our medical director, serving Renton, Bellevue, Kirkland, Redmond, and the East Side. More about Helen →