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How many units would you typically use for between the eyes?

For the glabella—the frown lines between the eyes—an average starting dose is around 20 units of Botox, or roughly 50 units of Dysport. That's an average, not a formula. Men with heavier corrugator and procerus muscles (the muscles that pull your brows together) often need more to get full effect, while patients with lighter muscle mass or thinner skin may need less. Since I can't examine your muscle strength or movement pattern from a description alone, an in-person assessment is really what determines your dose. A board-certified plastic surgeon or experienced injector will have you frown, squeeze your brows, and raise them to map out exactly which muscles are overactive before injecting. Underdosing just means a touch-up in a couple weeks; overdosing risks eyelid or brow droop, so most experienced injectors start conservatively for new patients and adjust upward on future visits.

Clinical Context

The glabella area includes two muscles: the corrugators, which pull the brows together, and the procerus, which pulls the midline down. Together they create the vertical and horizontal lines between the eyes. Botox works by relaxing these muscles so they can't contract as strongly. Muscle strength and skin thickness vary from person to person, which is why an in-person exam—watching you frown and raise your brows—is the most reliable way to determine an accurate starting dose.

Answered By

Dr. Steven Williams

President Emeritus of ASPS

Dr. Steven Williams is a board-certified plastic and reconstructive surgeon, a diplomate of the American Board of Plastic Surgery, the Past President of the prestigious American Society of Plastic Surgeons, and a charitable person who dedicates his life to those in need of his unique expertise.

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