Full face botox: what it is and which areas are included
"Full face botox" is the popular name for planning botulinum toxin with the whole face in mind, instead of treating an isolated wrinkle. In general, the plan starts from the upper third (forehead, glabella and eye area) and, when the assessment indicates, includes areas of the lower third and the neck. There is no fixed list of points: what goes in is what makes sense for that face.
Searches for the term have grown, and patients often arrive with the idea that "full face" is a standard package. This page helps you explain the concept, what is included and what to expect, without promising the "smooth face" the expression sometimes suggests.
How is it different from injecting only the forehead?
The toxin acts on the muscles of expression, and these muscles work in balance: some lift, others pull down. Treating only the forehead, for example, without looking at the glabella and brow position, can leave the brow heavy or with an exaggerated arch. The full face view takes this balance into account across the whole face, even if the plan ends up including only a few areas.
In other words: full face is more a way of assessing than a number of points. One patient may leave a full face assessment with injections in three areas, and another with injections in six.
Which areas are usually included?
At a general level, without points or doses, the most cited areas are:
| Area | Concern that usually leads to the indication | Third |
|---|---|---|
| Forehead (frontalis muscle) | Horizontal lines when raising the brow | Upper |
| Glabella | "Angry" lines between the brows | Upper |
| Around the eyes | Crow's feet when smiling | Upper |
| Brow | Wish for a slight lift or to balance the height | Upper |
| Nose | Lines on the bridge when scrunching (bunny lines) | Middle |
| Gummy smile | Too much gum showing when smiling | Middle and lower |
| Chin | "Orange peel" look or a wrinkled chin | Lower |
| Mouth corners | Corners that pull downward | Lower |
| Masseter | Bruxism or a square face from a bulky muscle | Lower |
| Neck (platysma) | Vertical bands on the neck | Neck |
Each area has its own anatomy and risks. The forehead, glabella and eyes, with the frontalis muscle and the orbicularis oculi muscle, form the most common core. The masseter and gummy smile have their own pages: toxin in the masseter and toxin for gummy smile.
How much product is used in full face?
The dose is always individual and set by the licensed professional, after assessment. It depends on muscle strength, the number of areas, the product and the goal. It is worth reminding the patient that one manufacturer's toxin unit is not the same as another's, so comparing "how many units" between clinics does not say much.
What can the patient expect?
- Onset of the effect within days, stabilizing at around two weeks.
- Softer dynamic wrinkles in the treated areas; dynamic wrinkles respond better than those marked at rest.
- Preserved expression, when the dose is appropriate: the face still smiles, frowns and looks surprised, with fewer marks.
- Duration generally 3 to 6 months, with a gradual return of movement, as explained in how long does botox last?.
What are the risks of treating several areas?
The side effects are the same as for any toxin injection, detailed in botox side effects. The point to watch in full face is the sum: more areas mean more chances of an unwanted effect, such as a heavy brow, an altered smile or facial asymmetry. Lower-third and neck areas call for extra caution, because they affect speech, chewing and smiling.
A common strategy is to treat the upper third first and assess the other areas at follow-up, rather than doing everything at once in the first session. The overall picture of complications is in complications with botulinum toxin.
How often should it be repeated?
The interval follows the logic of any toxin injection: repeat when the effect fades, respecting the minimum interval advised by the professional. The topic is covered in how often to get botox.
And the price of full face botox?
It varies with the number of areas, the product and the clinic. For those setting prices, the per-area logic is in how to price botulinum toxin.
Where does Harmy come in?
In Harmy, toxin appears in the Glabella point, which simulates softening of the area, and the chin has the toxin option. The projection shows the marked areas on the patient's photo, with no skin retouching or change of expression. It is not a simulation of the entire full face: it supports the conversation about the areas the app covers, and you explain the rest of the plan in the consultation. It is an illustrative simulation, not a promise of results.
Frequently asked questions
What is full face botox?
It is the planning of botulinum toxin for the face as a whole, not just for an isolated wrinkle. It usually includes the upper third (forehead, glabella and around the eyes) and, when indicated, areas of the lower third, always after an assessment.
Which areas go into full face botox?
There is no fixed list. Generally the forehead, glabella and eye area are included; depending on the assessment, the chin, mouth corners, gummy smile, masseter and neck may be added. Each area is included only if there is an indication.
Does full face botox leave the face frozen?
It should not. The goal is to soften and balance movement while preserving expression. A motionless face is usually the result of a dose or points that do not suit the patient, not of the full face approach itself.
Is full face botox the same as full face harmonization?
No. Full face botox uses only botulinum toxin. Full face harmonization is a global plan that can combine toxin, filler, biostimulator and other resources.
Harmy images are illustrative simulations generated by AI from the patient's photo to support the conversation between practitioner and patient. They are not a promise of results. Indication, technique, product and volume are solely the decision of the licensed practitioner. This content is for information only and does not replace a clinical assessment.