If you’ve ever loved your BOTOX® results around the eyes but felt your forehead “wake up” sooner—or vice versa—you’re not imagining it. Longevity can vary by region, primarily due to differences in anatomy, muscle behavior, dose strategy, and injector technique.
At Weber Facial Plastic Surgery, every neuromodulator plan is built on facial specialization. Stephen Weber, MD, PhD, FACS, is a double board-certified facial plastic surgeon with an exclusive focus on the face and neck, and he personally performs your injections. He is also a National Physician Trainer (teaching injection technique and safety to other clinicians), which matters when subtle dosing decisions determine whether you look smoothly refreshed or unintentionally heavy.
Below, we’ll compare crow’s feet vs. forehead lines and explain what truly influences how long BOTOX lasts in each zone.
Standard Duration Across Areas
For most patients, BOTOX lasts about 3–4 months. Here’s what you need to know:
- Results typically develop gradually over several days and are often fully apparent by about two weeks, then slowly soften as muscle movement returns
- The American Academy of Dermatology summarizes this typical 3–4 month duration for cosmetic wrinkle treatment and notes that timing and repeat sessions can influence how long results hold
In many areas, “more” can mean “stronger” (and sometimes longer) effects. But the forehead is different. For example:
- Crow’s feet can often tolerate a “full” cosmetic dose because weakening the orbicularis oculi is less likely to shift brow position
- Forehead lines involve the frontalis, the primary muscle that helps lift the brows
- Over-weakening it can contribute to brow heaviness or droop, so dosing must be carefully balanced
This is why injector judgment matters: your goal is smoother, not lower. The FDA prescribing information for BOTOX Cosmetic highlights dosing guidance by indication and includes warnings related to unwanted eyelid/brow effects when toxin spreads or when dosing/placement is inappropriate.
Crow’s Feet Often Last Slightly Longer
Crow’s feet are created by the orbicularis oculi, a fine circular muscle around the eye that contracts with smiling and squinting. For many patients, this region can respond very predictably—and may hold a touch longer, often 3–4 months or more, especially with balanced dosing and symmetry.
Clinical studies evaluating onabotulinumtoxinA for lateral canthal lines (crow’s feet) show meaningful improvement over typical treatment cycles that align with the 3–4 month expectation in real-world care.
Here’s why it can last longer around the eyes:
- The orbicularis is smaller and more delicate than the frontalis
- Many patients don’t contract it as constantly as they contract the forehead
- The skin here is thinner, so small changes in muscle activity can look impressively smooth
Forehead Lines May Fade Faster
The frontalis muscle, which is located in the forehead, contributes to the development of forehead lines. This muscle is larger and stronger, and many people use it frequently—often without being aware of it—when they raise their brows while talking, concentrating, or reacting to situations.
If you are expressive, you might notice that the movement in your forehead returns sooner, resulting in effects that last around three months for some patients.
A clinical study evaluating onabotulinumtoxinA for forehead lines demonstrates strong efficacy and patient satisfaction, with response patterns consistent with the standard treatment window.
Muscle Strength Influences Longevity
One of the most overlooked truths about neuromodulators is simple: stronger muscles tend to “outwork” treatment sooner. For example:
- A powerful, frequently recruited frontalis may metabolize functional weakening faster
- A finer, more targeted orbicularis oculi often needs less product to achieve a meaningful cosmetic effect—and may hold more steadily
Repeat Treatments Can Extend Duration
With well-timed ongoing treatments, many patients notice that their results last longer over time—often 4–6 months in some individuals. According to the Cleveland Clinic, repeat treatments for lines and wrinkles can help maintain muscle tone, potentially contributing to longer-lasting results.
In practice, this is where “maintenance” becomes strategic:
- Not chasing complete immobility
- Preserving a natural look
- Preventing lines from etching deeper between sessions
Injection Technique Matters
Two patients can receive the same number of units and have different outcomes. This is because placement, depth, and distribution can significantly impact the result, especially in delicate facial zones.
Typical unit ranges used clinically often look like:
- Crow’s feet: Commonly around 12 units per side (varies by strength and anatomy).
- Forehead: Typically 10–20 units in total, but must be individualized to prevent brow heaviness.
Here’s why technique affects longevity:
- Precise placement hits the intended muscle fibers efficiently
- Even distribution reduces “hot spots” that wear off early
- Proper balancing prevents compensatory movement that can make results fade unevenly
Metabolism and Lifestyle Factors
Some factors can shorten the duration in both areas:
- Faster metabolism
- High physical activity levels
- Significant sun exposure and environmental stressors (which can make lines reappear more quickly as skin quality fluctuates)
Even when lifestyle reduces overall duration, many dynamic and expressive patients still feel that crow’s feet hold up better. This may be because the eye area responds so efficiently to refined dosing and symmetry.
Skin Thickness Plays a Role
Skin and muscle work together. The thin skin around the eyes can show visible smoothing with subtle changes in underlying muscle activity, so results can appear to “last” longer.
The forehead often has thicker skin and a strong underlying muscle. As motion returns, lines may become more noticeable sooner, especially in patients who habitually raise their brows.
Maintenance Schedule Recommendations
We recommend the following starting point, which will then be personalized to your response:
- Crow’s Feet: Touch-ups every 3–4 months.
- Forehead: Initially every 3 months, then adjusted as we learn your fade pattern and ideal balance.
The goal is to maintain a soft and natural appearance while preventing deeper creasing.
Looking at Patient Satisfaction Data
Across clinical research, patients consistently report high satisfaction with cosmetic onabotulinumtoxinA treatment, with a typical duration of 3–4 months. Forehead-line trials show strong satisfaction and aesthetic improvement. For crow’s feet, published clinical data similarly support reliable improvement across standard treatment cycles, aligning with what most patients experience in practice.
Why Patients Trust Us With Their BOTOX Treatment Plan
At Weber Facial Plastic Surgery, BOTOX is approached with the same precision and clinical judgment as surgery, guided by a deep understanding of facial anatomy and movement. Patients choose our practice because their care is never delegated, rushed, or standardized. Each BOTOX plan is thoughtfully customized based on muscle strength, expression patterns, and long-term aesthetic goals, with careful attention to balance and safety—particularly in nuanced areas like the forehead and around the eyes.
As a National Physician Trainer, Dr. Weber teaches other clinicians how to inject responsibly and effectively, bringing an added layer of confidence and accountability to every treatment.
Most importantly, patients trust us because the results feel right: refreshed, natural, and aligned with who they are. If you’re seeking BOTOX guided by experience, ethics, and refined facial expertise, we invite you to schedule your consultation today.
