Botox for Forehead Wrinkles: Candidates, Injection Sites, Number of Units, Side Effects, Cost, and More

Botox for forehead wrinkles
  • Botox treats forehead wrinkles by reducing muscle activity.
  • The effects of Botox last for about three to four months.
  • The vast majority of patients are satisfied with their results.

Forehead wrinkles are a natural part of the aging process. As you get older, your skin undergoes a number of changes and gradually becomes drier, thinner and begins to lose some of its elasticity. Environmental factors like sun exposure and smoking can also accelerate the visible signs of aging.

The good news is that there are a number of ways to reduce the appearance of forehead wrinkles. Used by millions of people around the world, Botox injections are a proven way to help keep your skin looking smooth and youthful.

How Does Botox Treat Forehead Wrinkles?

The active ingredient in Botox is botulinum toxin type A, a toxin that reduces the appearance of wrinkles by inhibiting activity in the underlying facial muscles. When injected into the forehead, Botox reduces the wrinkles that form horizontally as well as the vertical lines that appear between the eyebrows.

What to Expect from the Procedure

Botox is a non-surgical procedure that typically takes place in your physician’s office. Your provider will carry out a series of injections using small needles. The treatment usually takes less than 30 minutes from start to finish.

The injections are not considered painful, although you may feel a prick or pinching sensation. Your provider may apply a topical anesthetic prior to treatment to help reduce discomfort.

Injection Sites

There are two main injection sites when it comes to treating forehead wrinkles. They are:

Glabellar lines

In 2002, Botox received U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval for treating moderate to severe glabellar lines, which are the vertical frown lines that appear between your eyebrows.

The glabella is the area of skin between your eyebrows and above your nose. When you frown, you activate the corrugator muscle (a small, pyramid-shaped muscle that pulls your eyebrows downward and inward) and the procerus muscle (a facial muscle that pulls the skin between your eyebrows down). By reducing activity in these muscles, Botox can smooth out the skin in the glabella region.

Most providers use 20 units of Botox to treat glabellar lines. The injection pattern can vary slightly depending on your unique anatomy and the preferences of your Botox provider. Some injectors will administer five injections in a V-shaped pattern between the eyebrows, while others may choose to inject the Botox into the three central sites. Research suggests there is no significant difference between these patterns in terms of results.

Other botulinum toxin type A products such as Dysport and Xeomin are also approved for use in the treatment of glabellar lines. There is little difference between these products in terms of onset time, results, duration or side effects. Your provider’s choice of brand mostly comes down to their experience as a cosmetic professional.

Forehead lines

In 2017, Botox also received FDA approval for use in the treatment of moderate to severe horizontal forehead lines.

These lines are largely the result of activity in the frontalis muscle, a muscle that covers a large part of your forehead. This frontalis is responsible for raising your eyebrows and wrinkling your forehead. Botox is used to treat horizontal forehead lines by reducing activity in the frontalis muscle.

During the procedure, your provider will inject four units of Botox in five different sites across your forehead. The injections are administered in an M-shape and spaced roughly 1.5-2 cm apart. The exact injection sites depend on the size of your forehead and the distribution of frontalis muscle activity.

Many experienced providers recommend treating forehead lines at the same time as glabellar lines. This reduces the risk of a droopy brow, which sometimes happens as the result of Botox injections in the forehead area.

Xeomin and Dysport are not approved for horizontal forehead lines, but many providers use them in this area with great results anyway. Botox is the only botulinum toxin type A product indicated for horizontal forehead lines.

How Long Does It Last?

It usually takes a few days to start to see the results. According to research published in Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology, the average onset time is 5.29 days. However, many people find that it takes up to two weeks to see maximum effect.

The effects of Botox are temporary. Most patients find that it usually lasts for three to four months. Research shows that the effects of Botox may last longer with multiple treatment sessions, which should come as welcome news for patients interested in maintaining results over the long term.

Are You a Good Candidate for Botox Treatment?

You may be a good candidate if you:

  • Are over the age of 18.
  • Do not have any serious health conditions.
  • Wish to soften the appearance of forehead wrinkles.
  • Are looking for preventative treatment. Increasingly, people in their 20s and 30s are getting Botox to delay the development of wrinkles.

Botox is not suitable for older individuals or people with severe facial aging. Patients with deep forehead lines may be better suited to a combination of dermal fillers and Botox.

What Are the Side Effects of Botox Forehead Injections?

Botox is generally considered safe, but there are a few side effects to take into consideration. The most common side effects include:

  • Bruising and swelling at injection site
  • Rash
  • Headaches
  • Neck pain
  • Nausea
  • Muscle weakness
  • Flu-like symptoms

There is also a low risk of Botox spreading slightly beyond the injection site, which can cause a droopy eyelid or lopsided smile. Seek medical advice if your symptoms persist.

Reviews

Patients, cosmetic professionals and researchers alike agree that Botox delivers great results. As many as 89% of patients believe that Botox forehead injections improve the appearance of their glabellar lines by at least 50%.

Meanwhile, other studies have found that patients think they look an average of 5.6 years younger after receiving Botox.

According to reviews, 95% of patients who have had Botox forehead injections say they would recommend it to others.

Before and Afters

How Much Does It Cost?

Botox is generally priced per unit, although some providers will charge per treatment area.

Botox tends to cost approximately $12 per unit, which means treating glabellar lines and forehead lines cost roughly $320 each – or $640 if you’re getting both areas treated. Keep in mind that price can vary depending on your location and the number of units required.

Takeaway

Aging is inevitable, but that doesn’t mean wrinkles have to be. Botox is a great treatment option for temporarily reducing the appearance of frown lines between the eyebrows and horizontal forehead lines.

At $640 per treatment session, Botox is not cheap, but the vast majority of patients come away satisfied with their results.

Finding a Botox Provider

The results of Botox depend heavily on the qualifications and experience of your physician. Maximize your chances of success by getting tips from our medical review team.

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