Before Botox for forehead lines, it helps to know four things. The FDA label treats forehead lines together with the frown lines between the brows. Results usually show within a week and last about 3 to 4 months. A heavy or drooping brow is an uncommon, temporary side effect that injectors plan around. And the injections feel like quick pinches. Your injector will look at how your brows sit and move before choosing where and how much to inject, and individual results vary.
How many units does forehead Botox use?
The number of units is a prescribing decision, so we don't list doses here. What the FDA prescribing information for Botox Cosmetic does make clear is the pattern: forehead lines are treated at five injection points, and the label says to treat them together with the frown lines between the brows, which are treated at five points of their own. The reason it gives: treating both areas together helps reduce the chance of the brows drooping.
A few things to keep in mind:
- Your dose is set for you. Your injector decides how much to use after examining your face, and it is fair to ask at your consultation how much is planned and why.
- Units are brand-specific. The label states that Botox units can't be compared with, or converted into, units of other botulinum toxin products. A unit count from one brand doesn't carry over to another.
- Your anatomy shapes the plan. The height of your forehead, where your brows sit and how strongly you use the muscle all factor in.
Can forehead Botox make your eyebrows feel heavy or droop?
It can, but it is uncommon and temporary. The muscle that creates forehead lines, the frontalis, is also the main muscle that lifts your brows. If it relaxes more than intended, or if a neighboring muscle is affected, the brows can sit lower or feel heavy.
In the clinical trials behind the FDA label, brow drooping was reported in 2% of people treated for forehead and frown lines, compared with 0% of people given a placebo. Eyelid drooping was also reported in 2%, and headache in 9% (compared with 5% on placebo). The American Academy of Dermatology (AAD) describes a droopy brow or eyelid as rare and temporary.
Injectors plan for this by:
- looking at where your brows sit at rest and whether your upper eyelids already feel heavy
- noticing whether you lift your forehead to help keep your eyes open
- treating the frown lines along with the forehead, as the label describes
- choosing injection points and amounts with your brow position in mind
If your brows do feel heavy, the feeling fades as the Botox wears off. Let your injector know so it can be noted for next time.
When will you see results, and how long do they last?
Most people see results within 3 to 7 days, according to the AAD, with full effect at about 10 to 14 days, according to Cleveland Clinic. The effect usually lasts about 3 to 4 months, sometimes longer (AAD), and movement returns gradually rather than all at once.
How long it lasts for you depends on your dose, the strength of your muscles and your treatment history, so individual results vary.
What do the injections feel like?
Cleveland Clinic describes the injections as a slight pinch or sting that is over quickly. Bay Ridge Dermatology does not use topical numbing cream for Botox, so it helps to know what to expect. Treatment involves a series of quick injections, and your injector can tell you beforehand how many are planned and where.
If needles make you nervous, say so at the start. Your clinician can talk you through each step as it happens.
How to prepare
The AAD suggests telling your dermatologist about:
- every medicine you take, including pain relievers and blood thinners
- medicines you buy without a prescription, such as aspirin
- herbs, vitamins and supplements, even ones you stopped a while ago
- past cosmetic treatments and surgeries
- whether you are pregnant or planning a pregnancy, since it isn't known whether Botox can harm an unborn child
Don't stop a prescribed medicine on your own before treatment. If you have a question about one, ask the doctor who prescribed it.
After your appointment, and when to call
Most people return to work and their usual activities right away. Cleveland Clinic's general aftercare advice is to avoid rubbing or pressing the area for 12 hours, stay upright for 3 to 4 hours, and avoid strenuous exercise for 24 hours. Follow the instructions your own injector gives you.
Call your injector if you notice drooping eyelids or any change in your vision. The FDA label carries a warning that, rarely, the effect of botulinum toxin can spread beyond the injection area. Get medical care right away for trouble swallowing, speaking or breathing.
Booking a complimentary cosmetic consultation
Bay Ridge Dermatology offers Botox and complimentary cosmetic consultations. A consultation is a chance to have your forehead and brows examined, talk about the look you want, and ask any of the questions above, including who will perform your injections. There is no obligation to book treatment. If you decide to go ahead, treatment is a separate cost, and cosmetic treatments are not covered by insurance.
You can read more about our cosmetic dermatology services, or see what to expect at your first visit if you are new to the practice.
When it suits you, you can book online or call (347) 497-4984.
This article is general information, not medical advice. For advice about your own skin, see a dermatologist.