I am in my late 20s and looking to get my first Botox injection for frown lines, forehead lines, and crow's feet. I don't want to get ripped off, so can someone please tell me - What is the normal cost of Botox?
In the US, the average overhead on a unit of Botox( price of the vial and the cost to inject it) is $ 8-10. The average price for injection varies from 10-15 per unit depending on the area. Some practices go by syringes but it is easier and more transparent to go by units i think. One advice is not to try to push your doctor to inject 20 units to cover your whole face. I tell by patients to stick to one area in order to inject the proper concentration.
Botox is measured and purchased in units and should be priced in units. Therefore, the question is "what is the price that you are charged per unit and how many units do you need in order to receive an effective and pleasingly aesthetic result?"
The number of units you will need will depend on several factors, such as the strength and size of your muscles, as well as gender. Men will usually need more units. It will also depend on the area that is being treated.
For example, the forehead will generally require fewer units than the frown lines. There are MANY factors to consider. Everyone should be assessed individually by the provider as to how many units and where to place the units. We like to call it "your recipe."
When you receive Botox from my office, we record the exact location of each injection and the number of units used. This is very important for evaluating results and for future treatments.
Having said that, an "average" number of units necessary to treat the glabella frown lines or frown lines between the eyes would be around 20 to 25 units for a female. Just remember this is an average.
The price per unit in our office is $13.50 per unit. We do offer "Botox Patient Appreciation Days" each month in both of my offices. This is a day where we cater food and gift bags for you and the Botox is $11.50 per unit. You will see a wide range of pricing depending on where you live.
I must stress that you should never make a decision to receive any injectable product or plastic surgery procedure based on the price. Instead, look at the credentials for whom you are entrusting your treatment. You can find information from the American Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery (link below) regarding members when searching for a provider near you.
In the end, if you are treated individually with the correct number of units placed in the right locations by a well trained and experienced provider, you will be happier.
Botox is supplied to physicians as a freeze-dried vial of 100 units of Botulinum toxin which requires reconstitution with Normal Saline solution prior to use.
Each physician determines the exact "dilution" used to reconstitute the vial of Botox.
The recommended "standard" of dilution is approximately 2.5cc Normal Saline per vial of 100 U of Botox which equates to 4 U Botox per 0.1cc.
Physicians will charge in either of 2 ways (Usually) : either "per area" or "per unit" of Botox used.
In Newport Beach, CA you can find a wide range of quoted prices for Botox. In general, between $9-$13 per unit is seen locally. For those that charge per area, expect a graded scale ($400 for one are, $500 for two and $550-600 for all three areas)- (both sides of the crow's feet is considered one area).
Be cautious of those advertising $99 Botox for one or more areas -- they may be overdiluting the Botox.
I recommend researching and finding a well respected BOARD CERTIFIED Plastic Surgeon or Dermatologist for your needs.
Botox is a wonderful medicine that can really improve your wrinkles caused by contraction of facial muscles. The medicine usually last 3-4 months. In order to get a good result, it is important to use the appropriate concentration of the Botox. A very diluted Botox will not be effective. Therefore, Botox can be fairly expensive. Botox cost is usually charge by units used or sites injected. Most doctors charge about 12-15 dollars per unit. This charge translates to approximately 200-300 dollars per site.
The best way to buy Botox is by the unit. This way you know how many units works best for you. Botox sold by the "area" is imprecise and can be used to cheat the patient.
Remember Botox is a drug, and the best way to administer a drug is to know the amount (units) and dosing frequency (3 to 4 months) that give you the best results.
Most Board Certified Plastic Surgeons will record the units given in each area and suggest a frequency for your treatments. These numbers may change depending on your response to the treatments.
In Orange County California Botox will go from $9 to $15 per unit - usually the cost varies depending on the training and experience of the injector.
It is best to pay for your Botox by the 'unit'. Each vial of Botox contains 100 units. Every physician may dilute their Botox differently, thus, the best way to compare 'apples to apples' is by knowing the price of one 'unit' of Botox.
Most patients who are good candidates for Botox can benefit from 10-20 units in each 'area' (glabella, forehead, crow's feet).
However, there are many other areas of the face that may benefit from smaller amounts of Botox such as "smoker's lines", corner's of the mouth, neck bands, dynamic (mobile) nose tip etc.
The cost of Botox in Los Angeles varies by practice according to several factors including:
Prices for Botox in our area of Los Angeles and Orange County generally vary between about $8 per unit for the lowest priced providers to up to $20 per unit for the most exclusive practices. By area, we have seen it vary from about $150 - $350 but areas are defined differently at different practices.
Hello,
Every practice has a differing philosophy and differing prices, scales, etc.
Mine is to use Myobloc instead of Botox. Myobloc stays stable in the office frig longer. I price it by the area, but mainly use Neurotoxin injections as practice PR. They really don't make the practice money.
Best Regards.
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