One of the most frequently asked questions we hear is: “How many units of Botox do I need?” The truth is, there isn’t a one-size-fits-all answer. Whether you’re considering Botox, Dysport, Jeuveau, or Xeomin, your exact dosing depends on your unique facial anatomy and muscle movement. The most important part of treatment is an in-person consultation with one of our providers who can assess your needs.
What Are Neurotoxins aka “Tox”?
Neurotoxins are purified proteins used to temporarily relax muscles that cause dynamic wrinkles (the lines that form when you make facial expressions). They work by blocking nerve signals to the muscle, allowing the skin above it to smooth out. The result? A more refreshed, youthful appearance. These treatments are also used for jaw tension, slimming the face, neck bands, excessive sweating, and more.
We carry the following neurotoxins that are FDA approved and we recently trialed Letybo (a new tox to the market, we are still analyzing the longevity of this product).
· Botox (Allergan): The most well-known and widely used neurotoxin on the market. Botox has been FDA-approved for both cosmetic and medical uses for decades. It has a well-studied safety profile and is known for precise, targeted results. It tends to stay localized, which is great when treating small areas like lip flips or glabellar lines.
· Dysport (Galderma): Known for its wider diffusion and quicker onset, Dysport may be preferred when treating larger areas like the forehead or trapezius. Because of the way it spreads, Dysport can give a softer, blended look. It’s dosed differently than Botox (typically in a 2.5 to 3:1 ratio), but at Viva Skin Lounge, we speak in Botox Equivalent Units to not confuse clients and also to not deceive anyone over the units/price. We dose ours at a 3:1 ratio! So 1 unit of Botox = 3 units of Dysport.
· Jeuveau (Evolus): Jeuveau is newer to the market (6 years old) and FDA-approved specifically for aesthetic use. Many patients love it for its smooth results and some find it kicks in quicker. It’s a great option if you’re newer to neurotoxins or interested in rotating your products.
· Xeomin (Merz): A “naked” neurotoxin that contains only the active ingredient without any accessory proteins. This can reduce the risk of antibody formation and resistance over time, making it a great option for long-term use or for those who suspect their current tox isn’t lasting.
Each has slightly different diffusion patterns and protein structures, which your provider will consider when choosing the best one for your goals. Some diffuse more broadly (like Dysport), while others like Xeomin are considered “naked toxins” with no accessory proteins—helpful in cases of resistance.
Why Tox Dosing Must Be Personalized
During your consultation, we observe how your face moves and assess which muscles are causing these:
- Do you create horizontal lines when your brows raise? That tells us about your frontalis.
- Does a 1 or 11 form when you frown? That’s your glabellar or “11 lines.”
- When you smile big, do lines crinkle around your eyes? Those are crow’s feet formed by your orbicularis oculi. We will also have you squint really hard to see if your brow lowers, this is how we assess if a brow lift is possible, also considering any skin laxity.
- Does your top lip curl under when smiling or show too much gum? This is your orbicularis oris or your LLSAN.
- Do the corners of your mouth turn downward when at rest or frowning? We check for DAO pull.
- Do you have chin dimpling or a crease under your bottom lip? We assess the mentalis.
- We’ll have you clench your jaw to evaluate your masseter muscles and assess your face shape and look for any muscle bulging and ask if you clench or grind.
- Flexing your neck helps us identify platysmal bands that may pull the jawline down.
- We’ll assess your nose (nasalis) for bunny lines, flaring, or tip droopiness.
We evaluate all of these features in a full-face neurotoxin assessment.
What Else Can Tox Do?
Tox does more than smooth wrinkles. Here are some other treatment areas and uses:
- Jawline lift: Treating along the jawline (the platysmal sheath) and gonial angle (back of jaw) for contour and lift.
- Tech neck lines: Horizontal neck lines softened with microtox.
- Trapezius/Shoulder slimming: Popular for tension relief and creating a longer neckline.
- Hyperhidrosis: Excessive sweating treated in the hairline, underarms, and more.
Why We Might Suggest Rotating Toxins
Over time, some people may develop a resistance to one type of neurotoxin—especially those with accessory proteins. In that case, we may recommend rotating between brands or switching to Xeomin to reduce the risk of antibody formation. If your tox isn’t lasting 3 months or more, it’s worth discussing whether resistance is playing a role. We also strongly recommend taking a zinc supplement 5 days prior and after your tox appointment! Botulinum toxin, the active ingredient in treatments like Botox, Dysport, Jeuveau, and Xeomin, is a zinc-dependent endoprotease. This means that zinc is essential for its enzymatic activity, which involves cleaving specific proteins to inhibit neurotransmitter release, leading to muscle relaxation. This helps with effectiveness and will contribute to you getting the longevity you should get with proper dosing.
General Ranges for Dosing (Just a Reference!)
We created this general chart as a reference to help you understand possible ranges, but your dosing will be completely unique to your face and goals. We may start more conservatively if it’s your first time and build with follow-up adjustments.
If you’re curious about your own dosing needs, feel like your tox isn’t lasting as long as it used to, or want to explore new areas (like facial slimming or neck treatments), come see us! We’d love to have you in our chairs at Viva Skin Lounge.
At Viva Skin Lounge, we offer a full range of advanced aesthetic treatments to help you look and feel your best — with a personalized, education-based approach that sets us apart. Whether you’re new to injectables or ready to elevate your skincare routine, our experienced team is here to guide you every step of the way.
✨ Our Services Include:
• Neurotoxins: Botox®, Dysport®, Jeuveau®, Xeomin®
• Dermal Filler: lips, cheeks, chin, jawline, temples, marionette lines & more
• Collagen Stimulators: Sculptra®, Radiesse®
• PRF / PRP Injections
• Morpheus8 RF Microneedling
• SkinPen Microneedling
• PDO Threads (Smooth, Twist, Mesh, Barbed)
• CO2 Laser Resurfacing
• BioRePeel
• Hydrafacial & DiamondGlow™
• Custom Viva Signature Facials
• Filler Dissolving (Hyaluronidase)
• NAD+ Injections
• B-12 Injections
• Medical-Grade Skincare (ZO® Skin Health, SkinBetter Science®)
• Acne & Skin Concern Consultations (acne, pigmentation, texture, aging)
• Aesthetic Consultations & Skin Analysis
• Chemical Peels
• Laser Hair Removal
• Liquid BBL (Radiesse Booty Filler)
• Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT)
• Weight Management & Semaglutide Injections
📍 Locations:
North Huntingdon: 40 Carpenter Ln, Irwin, PA 15642 | 412-919-7707
Squirrel Hill: 4351 Murray Ave, Pittsburgh, PA 15217 | 412-401-7793
💫 Satellite Locations:
— MixxHouse Salon: 509 Rochester Rd, Pittsburgh, PA 15237
— Blue Moon Salon & Day Spa: 909 Cochran Mill Rd, Pittsburgh, PA 15236
— Willow Collective: 540 Broad Ave, Belle Vernon, PA 15012
🗺️ We proudly serve clients from:
North Huntingdon, Irwin, Pittsburgh, Greensburg, Monroeville, Murrysville, Squirrel Hill, Shadyside, Oakland, Bethel Park, Mt. Lebanon, South Hills, North Hills, Robinson Township, White Oak, Forest Hills, Penn Hills, West Mifflin, Pleasant Hills, North Versailles, Belle Vernon, Connellsville, Latrobe, and beyond.
💻 Book a consultation online or call/text us today to get started on your aesthetic journey!
www.vivaskinlounge.com