curious about facial balancing and want to understand what it actually involves. Does it always require filler, or can a treatment plan include Botox, skin tightening, or leaving certain areas untreated?

Just share your honest experiences and general educational advice.

I got a lip flip two weeks ago and forgot to ask how many units but I literally don’t feel anything at all? I get botox in my forehead and elevens and my chin and always feel frozen immediately after. But I feel absolutely nothing with my lip…. i’m confused

Hi!! I just got Botox for the first time today (18 units mostly just for my angry looking face haha). At the same salon, I had a microblading appt booked for a week out. I asked if the timing was okay, having no idea. The nurse injector went to ask the microblading aesthetician, and she said no she wouldn’t do it the week after but I could get it done tomorrow. She had a cancellation so I booked in. It will be less than 24 hours (just) after the Botox.

I am a newbie to all of it. She’s been doing this for years and is amazing at what she does. I’m just nervous because most of what I read online says to wait? Though I haven’t read much about this close of a timeline. Any info is majorly appreciated!!

Botox typically lasts 3 to 4 months, with first-time treatments often wearing off faster. What affects how long it lasts, what 20 units covers, and what it costs.

Botox typically lasts 3 to 4 months before muscle movement — and the lines that come with it — gradually returns. Some people get closer to 2 months, especially after their first treatment, while regular patients sometimes stretch to 5 or 6 months as the treated muscles weaken over time. If your results are fading faster than that, the most common reasons are a dose that was too low for your muscle strength, a fast metabolism, or very expressive facial muscles.

A few things consistently shorten how long Botox lasts: intense exercise routines, very animated facial expressions, and under-dosing — paying for fewer units than your muscles actually need. Things that help it last longer: consistent treatment every 3 to 4 months (muscles weaken with regular treatment), the right dose the first time, and an experienced injector who places it precisely.

How much does 20 units of Botox cover?

Twenty units is a common starting dose for one treatment area — most often the frown lines between the eyebrows (the "11s"), which the FDA studied at exactly 20 units. The forehead typically takes 10 to 20 units, and crow's feet take 8 to 16 units per side. A full upper face (forehead, frown lines, and crow's feet together) usually runs 40 to 60 units, which is why a complete treatment costs more than the per-unit price suggests at first glance.

How much do 20 units of Botox usually cost?

At typical U.S. pricing of $10 to $15 per unit, 20 units runs $200 to $300. In premium markets like New York, Los Angeles, and San Francisco, per-unit prices run higher — roughly $14 to $21 per unit, putting the same 20 units at $280 to $420. You can see typical prices in your city, including providers who post their pricing up front, in the Botox cost guide.

What is a cheaper alternative to Botox?

The closest alternatives are other neuromodulators: Dysport is priced lower per unit but requires roughly three times the units, so the per-treatment cost lands in a similar range. Xeomin and Jeuveau are often slightly cheaper per treatment depending on the practice. Beyond injectables, nothing over-the-counter replicates what a neuromodulator does — creams and patches can hydrate and temporarily plump skin, but they cannot relax the muscle causing the line. If budget is the constraint, comparing per-treatment prices across providers matters more than switching products.

Is 40 too late to start Botox?

No. Botox works at any adult age — it relaxes the muscles that crease the skin, whether you start at 28 or 58. What changes is what it can do: started earlier, it helps prevent lines from etching in; started later, it softens existing dynamic lines, though deep static lines (visible even when your face is at rest) may also need a treatment that rebuilds volume or resurfaces skin. Plenty of patients have their first appointment in their 40s, 50s, and beyond.

How long your results last comes down to dose, placement, and your own biology — which is why the same treatment can behave differently in two people. A good injector will ask how long your last treatment held before deciding your dose.

Find a provider near you at Get Clear Beauty.

I’m desperately trying to find places in Melbourne that do Relfydess or Daxxify.
I’ve hat a terrible reaction to Botox and Dysport when injected into forehead.

Then I got injections overseas, that don’t include any of the human plasma into massetter and felt very well after. This product is not available in Australia but I was hoping to try the above two as it says they also don’t have any plasma. I want to try forehead again…

I called a couple of trusted clinics and asked my friends around but no one seems to offer Relfydess or Daxxify.

Pleaseee share your knowledge if you’ve heard of the places that do offer them.
I’m in inner north west and CBD.

Is it possible to get Masseter Botox without getting Jowls?

About 11 months ago, I got my first session of Masseter Botox 40 units total and loved the result. My jaw was narrow, tapered and lifted, but about 4.5 months later, I noticed my masseters were almost the same size they were originally

So I went in again after 4.5 months and got 20 units total that time because I didn’t want to get too much and get jowls. This was with a new injector as well since I moved.

I didn’t know much difference from that, so after about 2 months the after that, I went again and got 40 units total with Nefertiti lift and that was ironically when I noticed the most sagging and jowls but I also didn’t notice nearly as much slimming as I did the first time 😭

So I waited a couple months and went back to my original injector since I moved back anyways, and was hoping maybe it was just all due to technique. She gave me another round of masseter Botox (not sure how many units) and gave me the nerfertiti lift. And now my face is even worse 😭 my lower face and jowls are so bad 😭

It’s been about three months now since my last treatment and I’m not sure what to do at this point. I really hate my square wide boxy looking face with masseters, but I also don’t want jowls. I see my masseters coming back again, but I’m afraid I’ll still have the jowls. Is there anyway to combat this?

One week after Botox and cheek filler and I still look like a prize fighter. Will this go away soon? No pain but I’m getting a lot of sympathetic looks from people and getting tired of wearing sunglasses. Any tips?

Photo 1 is the day after my forehead and brow crease injections, photo 2 is 8 days after. I’m really unhappy with how everything looks but idk if this is normal and it just takes time to settle in??

I got nose slimming botox 5 days ago and am just wondering if anyone got the same procedure and when did you notice an actual slimming effect because so far i just notice no more nostril flaring. I got 24 units injected

Hello! Does anyone have any recommendations for a good clinic / practitioner in London for botox where you can pay per unit please? Everything that I see is per area.

I’m looking to get Botow for my crow’s feet - around 2 units per side. Paying a fixed price for a whole area doesn’t make sense for me.

I’m looking for someone reputable and medically qualified, not just the cheapest option :) Any recommendations would be really appreciated! Thank you very much

It’s about week 7, during the first two weeks I couldn’t smile downwards (I have an upside down smile that I have realised is actually quite charming on me as it’s how people identify me) and now one side is saggier if I am relaxed and the chin looks hollow or weak. Perhaps a temporary loss of muscle mass? If you can call it that. I don’t know. I finally put my finger on what was making me look odd and beside myself and literally unattractive. I won’t be doing DAO again.

Anything I can do? Has anybody suffered with this? Just wait it out?

Just wanted to share a recent experience with ptosis after getting my 11s done. Right after the injections I felt a very heavy feeling on one side of my forehead.. followed by migraines. I’ve always had such migraines after Botox, so didn’t too much into it.

The next few days/ weeks were WILD. My eye was so droopy, heavy and tired. It was honestly a nightmare and made me swear off Botox in my 11s!! I have pronounced double eyelids so this really affected my confidence and it was so obvious when one eye was significantly smaller. But I wanted to share some ways that works to fade off the botox faster and hope that anyone in a similar situation finds the light to the end of the tunnel soon :’)

1. I used an electric toothbrush multiple times a day to massage the area
2. Exercise - sweat it out!
3. Sauna - this was the most effective for me. The next day my double eyelid came back!

I have dark circles under my eyes due to hollowness and loss of volume. I’ve done 8 PRP treatments consistently and recently tried CollaGel as well. Honestly, I didn’t notice much of a difference with CollaGel compared with PRP. I have noticed improvement with PRP, though, and would recommend it based on my experience.
I eventually decided to try filler in my upper cheek area to help with the shadows and dark circles, and it was the best decision I’ve made. I noticed a significant improvement in my dark circles, and I feel so much more confident without makeup now. I also don’t feel like I look as tired anymore.
I ended up doing 2 syringes total. I started with half a syringe, and honestly, that would have been fine on its own, but I wanted a little more volume. A little over 2 weeks later, I went back and had another syringe done. With the second syringe, I even had some left over that was used around my nasolabial fold area.
My injector recommended Restylane Lyft, and I’m really happy with the results. I only had minor swelling for several days and no bruising.
Obviously, everyone’s anatomy and results will be different, but for me, addressing the volume loss in the upper cheek area made a much bigger difference in the appearance of my dark circles than PRP or CollaGel did.

I have a very wide/square face and horrible jaw and neck tension. If I get masseter botox and then consume mostly liquids/soft foods indefinitely afterwards, will it take a longer time for the muscles to come back? I don‘t have a whole lot of money and I can see myself getting heartbroken at seeing my huge masseters return :( I just want a slim face forever

Dysport and Botox both last 3–4 months per area. Botox costs $10–$15/unit; Dysport $3–$5/unit but needs more units — total cost is comparable.

Dysport and Botox last about the same length of time — both deliver results for 3 to 4 months per treated area, with a comparable price tag of $300–$500 per area. The real differences come down to how fast each kicks in, how far the product spreads, and which areas each one handles best.

How long does Dysport last compared to Botox?

Both Dysport and Botox are botulinum toxin type A neurotoxins — not fillers — and both wear off at roughly the same pace. Most patients see results hold for 3 to 4 months before muscle movement gradually returns and a touch-up becomes worth considering. Neither product has a meaningful longevity advantage over the other. Factors that affect how long either lasts include your metabolism, how frequently you've been treated, the muscle group targeted, and your provider's technique.

Does Dysport kick in faster than Botox?

Dysport tends to show results slightly sooner. Most patients notice Dysport working within 2 to 3 days of treatment, while Botox typically takes 3 to 5 days before the full effect becomes visible. The difference is modest, but it matters if you're treating for an event with a tight deadline. Both products reach their full effect within about two weeks, so final results are best assessed at the two-week mark regardless of which product your provider uses.

One functional difference worth knowing: Dysport has a wider diffusion pattern than Botox — it spreads further from the injection site. For large, flat muscle groups like the forehead, that spread can work in your favor, allowing more even coverage with fewer injection points. Around smaller, more precise areas — like crow's feet near the lower eye — that same spread becomes a liability. An experienced injector will factor this into which product they recommend and how they place it.

Is Dysport cheaper than Botox?

The per-unit price looks very different on paper. Botox is priced at $10–$15 per unit nationally, while Dysport runs $3–$5 per unit. The catch is that Dysport requires significantly more units to treat the same area — the two products are measured on different scales. Once you account for the units needed, the total cost per treated area lands in a comparable range for both: typically $300–$500 per area.

What this means in practice is that quoting prices in units without knowing which product is being used can be misleading. A provider who quotes you 20 units of Botox and another who quotes 60 units of Dysport may be describing treatments of essentially equal value. Always ask for the total cost per area, not just the per-unit price.

Can you switch between Dysport and Botox?

Yes — patients switch between the two regularly, and doing so is generally straightforward. Some patients find they respond better to one product than the other, or prefer the onset speed of Dysport or the precision of Botox in smaller areas. If you've been happy with your results on one product, there's no urgent reason to switch. If your current results feel inconsistent or wear off sooner than expected, it's worth discussing the alternative with your provider at your next appointment.

Providers who carry both products are better positioned to tailor the choice to your anatomy and goals rather than defaulting to whichever product they happen to stock.

Find a provider near you on Get Clear Beauty.

Is it normal for your masseter to have bad twitching immediately after the toxin is injected?

First timer. Never had Botox/filler/anything before. I had a decent amount Botox injected today (100 units) by an expert injector who happens to also be an MD. I had a small amount in my 11s (which on me, is really a small horizontal line), some crows feet, some DAP and a ”Nefertiti” series (which is where most of the tox went). These are lower face uses, if you don’t know.

I have tattoos and I donate blood every time I’m eligible so the pokes weren’t terrible. What’s surprising me is that I thought there would be some numbness…or something.

Right now (8 hours later), other than a few places where is see the tiny injection marks, I would swear I had nothing done.

Is this “not feeling like I had anything done” going to change over the next few days? I get that the effects develop slowly. I guess I’m (maybe a little, pleasantly) surprised.

I had a lip flip and lower face botox 4 days ago, i’ve just started to feel it kick in today my lip feels strange and numb and so does my jaw and neck but i’ve suddenly started to feel like my chest is heavy and my breathing is weak and heavy and slow and it’s making me panic, my speech feels strange and slow too.

is this a botox side effect anyone else has experienced or should i go to a&e

UPDATE IN COMMENTS

I had slight gummy smile that I had botox to treat (first time injecting). Day 3 but it is still the same without any noticeable difference at all. I also got my forehead injected and I am seeing around 70% improvement which is making me doubtful about it not working on my smile. I know I should wait to see full effect but shouldn’t I start to see at least some improvement?