Botulinum toxin is a biological muscle relaxant that works by inhibiting the release of acetylcholine, blocking neuromuscular transmission, and causing flaccid paralysis. This suppresses muscle contraction, thereby achieving wrinkle reduction.
Botox dosage units are unique—packaging lists "units" regardless of brand, whether American Botox, Korean products, or domestic Chinese brands like Hengli (Lanzhou). Clinicians typically refer to "how many units of Botox" or "how many u of Botox" administered.
Simply put:
- Masseter muscles (both sides): Typically 40–60 units per session, depending on individual needs;
- Wrinkle reduction (e.g., forehead lines, crow's feet): 12–16 units per session, depending on individual needs;
- Leg slimming: Generally requires two vials per session for both legs.
Studies show that regular, multi-point injections of small doses can provide long-term improvement for both static and dynamic wrinkles.
With sporadic injections, static forehead lines, glabellar lines, and crow's feet become more pronounced.
Greed is a major pitfall—too much is worse than too little.
When injecting both masseter muscles, the total dose per session must not exceed 100 units. The interval between injections must be at least one month. Exceeding these limits can cause severe facial stiffness.
Excessive dosage leads to full-face paralysis.
Many who undergo Botox injections for wrinkle reduction end up with completely paralyzed faces, utterly expressionless—as if wearing a mask.
The goal of Botox is not total muscle paralysis, but achieving relative dynamic balance to soften wrinkles, not erase them entirely.
If a doctor lacks familiarity with facial nerve and muscle anatomy, uses imprecise injection sites, or administers excessive concentration or dosage, it can lead to full-face paralysis—a situation where the cure is worse than the disease.
Botox injections must be performed at a reputable cosmetic hospital. It's not as simple as a single shot—doctors must carefully control injection layers, dosage, and depth throughout the procedure.
Seek an experienced practitioner who can assess your facial muscle size and determine the appropriate Botox dosage to ensure safety and prevent facial stiffness.
What You Can Do
Avoid massaging the injection site to prevent toxin diffusion.
Refrain from facial massages, heat applications, or rubbing for one month.
Stay upright for 4-6 hours post-injection to minimize toxin migration.
Avoid hard-shelled foods and abstain from spicy dishes, seafood, tobacco, and alcohol for one week.