What is the dosage for Botox® ?

Author

Dr. Stephen Cosentino

PRESIDENT OF EMPIRE MEDICAL TRAINING Forehead injections for correcting dynamic rhytids are the most commonly performed procedure in Aesthetics, however, it can be the most challenging to obtain the most favorable results. The reason for this is that practitioners tend to over-inject the area with too high a dosage of their product. We know that up to approx 30 units of Botulinum Toxin can be injected in this region, however, this high amount may not always be necessary. At Empire Medical Training's Botox® workshop as a beginner injector (we even recommend this technique for more experienced injectors as well), we suggest using a much lower amount, at least for the first set of patients you inject. This will minimize the chance of an adverse effect or an unwanted result. Start by injecting a total dosage of 12 units in the Frontalis region. Have your patient return to your office 10 days afterward so you can evaluate the results. More often than not you will see that only 12 units created the desired effect and that no further injections will be needed. The advantage to this is, for one you are minimizing the risk of developing therapeutic antibodies, and two you can see exactly what the result will be by only using 12 units total. If needed you can add more. Over injecting the frontalis muscle can result in Ptosis(see our Botox® Training - Preventing Eye Ptosis video) as well as creating the dreaded “heavy forehead” so often seen in aesthetics. Use the lower dosage to start out and your patients will be happy with the results. Over time and has you develop more experience, you will thoroughly understand when to use a higher dosage and on what type of patient. Higher dosages than 12 units are generally used on patients with stronger musculature, i.e. male vs female and for those who desire a much stronger effect irrespective of the lack of animation which will result. It is interesting to note that patients who receive Botox® injections on a regular basis typically require less over time due to the disuse atrophy that is created with Botox. It is important to make sure you receive the proper Aesthetic Training before you implement any new aesthetics procedure. Make sure the aesthetic training you choose provides hands-on as well as didactic presentations as well. If there is anything you would like to discuss further this article, please feel free to contact our training center at Empire Medical Training at 866-333-6747. We are comprised of an advisory board of Physicians who available to help you develop your aesthetics practice as well.