Does Botox concentration vary from doctor to doctor?

I read that Botox is purchased by doctors in a powder form. And that the Botox is diluted such that one doctor may give lower concentration botox then another.  If this is true, how can i be sure that the doctor doesnt dilute my treatment more than it should be?

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22 answers to “Does Botox concentration vary from...”

A: Units count Not dilution

Arnold R. Oppenheim, MD

Botox comes in an  airless vial with  a film on the sides (the Botox)> It is then reconstituted by the physician or nurse. The dilution is placed into the vial and can very between 1-10 cc. Obviously the 10 cc product is 1/10th as strong as the 1 cc product. However, they equalize out when it... more

A: Botox concentration usually doesn't matter

Bahram Ghaderi, MD

Although there are recommended dilution parameters, there is no set standard. The main thing that matters is how many units you have received. If both doctors give you 20 units for example, then it does not matter how they diluted it. The next important thing is outcome. If you are getting the outcome you are... more

A: Botox Concentrations

Daniel Reichner, MD

The short answer is YES the concentration will vary from doctor to doctor depending on how much saline is added.  Botox is shipped in a vial with 100 units and it must be reconstituted with saline.  Allergan recommends using 2.5 cc saline to reconstitute the Botox.  This is the concentration... more

A: Make sure you go with someone you trust. Botox is not a flu shot.

Amir M. Karam, MD

Although there is a recommended dilution, many qualified physicians use slightly different dilutions. The key is getting what you pay for and that is based on the actual units that are injected. Some doctors inject based on volume, however in those cases it is not clear to the consumer how much botox they are... more

A: Botox concentration - depends on how you mix it

Hratch Karamanoukian, MD

A fresh Botox bottle has 100 units of Botox and is diluted with 5 cc or 6 cc of solution. When it is diluted to 5 cc for example, each cc (ml) contains 20 units. So 5 cc of diluted Botox contains 100 units of Botox. So, if you see the doctor mix the Botox, ask the amount of dilutent (the number of cc's so you... more

A: Botox Concentration and Freshness Can Vary - Find Physician You Can Trust

Michael Law, MD

Physicians reconstitute Botox with different amounts of saline solution, which means that the number of units of Botox you receive per cc of the solution that is injected may vary from practice to practice. For this reason it is important for consumers to understand how many units of Botox are being... more

A: The doctor should give you an honest answer

Richard P. Rand, MD

Each office can mix the Botox as they see fit. Some make 20 unit syringes, others 25 units per syringe. Other mixtures can also be done. Just ask and you should get a straight answer from an honest doctor.

A: The reputation of the doctor is paramount

Brent Moelleken, MD

Doctors can "water down" the Botox, without increasing the commensurate amount injected, or use Botox that is old.  Signs of this are when the Botox appears to go away quickly, or frequent "touch-ups" are necessary when the initial dosage was not adequate.  Botox should also be... more

A: The concentration of Botox cosmetic is less important than the actual number of units injected

Raffy Karamanoukian, MD

Botox cosmetic is one of the most common cosmetic procedures performed in the United States.  At this time, the only FDA approved form of Botulinum toxin is manufactured by Allergan.  The standard vial contains one hundred units of Botox Type A in an undiluted form (powder form) prefilled in a vial... more

A: Pay by the Unit, Treat by the Area, or Find a New Saloon!

Athleo Louis Cambre, MD

The concentration of Botox may vary from one doctor's office to the next, depending on the preference of the individual physician.  Some may choose a concentration of 4 units per 0.1cc, down to 1 unit per 0.1cc, all dependent upon the volume of saline that is mixed into the 100 unit Botox vial... more

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