Botox: Q&A
Ask a QuestionDoes the Number of Botox Units Used Depend on the Severity of the Wrinkles?
Hi! I am starting to notice wrinkles on my forehead and in between my brows. Right now they are in between fine lines and wrinkles. I want to do something to stop them before they become more pronounced. I am considering Botox injections.
I have called several inquiries and some places charge by the unit and some places charge by the area. Does the number of units used depend on the severity of the wrinkles? If it does then it would be more economical to pay by the unit. But if it doesn't depend on the severity then it might be better for me to pay by the area. Thanks!
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12 Doctor Answers |
Asked by
arhmt9
in kansas city,mo
+2
Know the number of units to compare
Comparing costs for Botox treatment can be confusing for the very reasons you mention; if the charge is by the area, you don't know how much Botox is being used. The amount used depends upon the size of the muscle that is causing the wrinkles, so for someone with more wrionkles that often means a more active muscle but not always. The botox works on the muscle underneath the skin trather than filling in the wrinkles like dermal fillers (Restylane, Juvederm). There are some general guidelines...
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Botox and units
I do not charge per unit. I charge based upon the area I treat. Some regions do require more "units" than others, and some patients may require more Botox than others.
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Start by finding a Botox doctor you can trust.
Tips on picking a Plastic Surgeon for Botox or for cosmetic surgery:
Answer by George J. Beraka, MD
Manhattan Plastic Surgeon
1) Is the surgeon a member of the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery? Members usually do a lot of cosmetic surgery.
2) Did you sense a commitment to excellence in the office. Did the surgeon spend a lot of time with you? Someone who rushes through the consultation may rush through the surgery.
3) Were you treated as an...
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Area vs. unit pricing for Botox?
Hi Arhmt9. If you are consumer doing price comparisons for Botox then pricing by the unit is the easiest way to compare. We would encourage you to find out how many units are injected when you decide on a practitioner regardless of the manner in which they charge - unit or area. In this way you will be an informed consumer.
In reference to the amount of units necessary, you will need less Botox if you have less muscle mass and milder wrinkles. For the area you reference, the typical...
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Don't choose Botox injectors based on price
Sometimes the artist is more important than the quality or volume of his paint. Botox injection is an acquired skill. If you are judging injectors based on price, that may not be the best approach. Ask friends and trusted physicians for a good referral. Your more likely to be satisfied with the results and the patient care. Places that lure you in based on price tend to come and go and use that as their only means of attracting clients. Think about it and make the right choice....
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Units of Botox
There are a few factors that most physicians weigh when deciding how many units of Botox to use. Some physicians are more comfortable giving higher numbers of units which may increase the duration of effectiveness, especially in areas with very strong muscles.
Cost is a factor, and some physicians do charge by the area and others by the unit, and some incorporate both area and units in determining the cost from treatment to treatment. Botox treatment is very much an art and a science....
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Botox is a Medication
Botox is a medication and like other medications the effective dose will depend on many factors. One Botox molecule blocks a single muscle receptor. Therefore, the amount of Botox you require will ultimately depend on the number of receptors that need to be blocked – or the size of the muscle. In addition, the effectiveness will also depend on how effective each Botox molecule binds to and blocks the muscle receptor. In some individuals, Botox is not effective in binding to the...
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Number of Botox Units
The number of units required is directly related to muscle bulk/strength of muscle contraction. Because men typically have more facial muscle bulk, they typically require more units than women. Whether your provider charges per unit (as I do) or per area, it is important for you to find out and make a note of how many units were used and where, for future comparison. It is most important to find an injector you are comfortable with - preferably a qualified and experienced dermatologist,...
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6 of one...
I have seen both approaches to this issue, and neither is right or wrong.
I charge by the area. I dont care how many units are used, as long as I get the cosmetic result desired. I guess if you look at it that way, you might save some $$$ if you pay by the unit. As long as you get the result you want. You may find however, that it is not that much a difference.
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Don't go to practices that make you be the doctor.
Dear Ahrmt9
There are a lot of common practices out there that make absolutely no sense. They exist because the offices offering them have no idea of what works-they have nothing to offer. So they let you practice medicine on yourself by telling them how much BOTOX you want or where to put it (or in the parlance of the street, what area you want treatment). Lets backup and ask if either of these approaches make any sense.
Isn't it logical that your treating doctor should know better...
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These answers are for educational purposes and should not be relied upon as a substitute for medical advice you may receive from your physician. If you have a medical emergency, please call 911. These answers do not constitute or initiate a patient/doctor relationship.
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