Q: Dear Dr. Dayan,
I always see these specials on different sites for certain quantities of “units of Botox.” I’m not sure how this works. I’m not sure if that amount of Botox is too much or too little. I want to be able to trust my medical provider and understand if they are administering too much or too little Botox. How does my medical provider determine how many units of Botox I need?
-Counting on Botox
A: I determine how many units of Botox that are needed based on the individual patient’s anatomy and desires. Some patients like just a minor softening of their forehead’s and angry line wrinkles, and if this is the case then only a few units are needed. In truth, others actually want a completely frozen forehead, and (while this type of look can be unnatural and not what we prefer to offer) on occasion, we will do it and can deliver such a result upon specific request. Also, how many units are determined by which areas are to be treated. It is very popular for us to beautify a face by reducing the size of the lower one third, In other words giving a female face a more heart-shaped appearance. We can use Botox to do this, by placing it in the jaw muscles (masseters). We see these muscles being very bulky in those who grind their teeth (bruxism). For those who grind their teeth (bruxism) this type of treatment can have multiple benefits as these patients often feel enormous reduction in tension. They often no longer need their bite guards at night. Ofen, if they have headaches, they are reduced.
Botox, of course, has many other applications. We may also use it for hyperhidrosis which is excess sweating in the under arm area, hands, and feet. In this case we may use it in higher doses. Though Botox technically may seem easy to do ( and the product has a very impressive safety record), in order to get reliably good results, it is best to go to someone with a lot of experience in both the treatment and in the understanding of what makes someone beautiful and why.
If you would like to ask a Dr. Dayan a question, email myclinicalteam@drdayan.com with the subject line ” Question for Dr. Dayan’s Blog.”