How much does Botox cost?

Dear Briget,

My current charge is about 10 dollars per unit.  In the majority of cases the areas I am asked to treat are:  the "fown" area between the eyebrows (glabella), the "crows feet', and the mid forehead creases. 

Depending on the amount of muscle activity in these areas I will use between 25 to 50 units.  If I am treating a patient for the first time and not exactly sure how much they will need, or sure how much residual activity they want to preserve I prefer to  do less and see the patient again for a quick visit in 7 to 10 days to reevaluate more is needed. 

I hope this helped clarify you question about Botox,tm.

Best wishes,

S.P. Maggi, M.D., FACS

The cost of Botox can vary anywehre from $10-15 per unit in our area.  Most people take about 20 units per area- frown lines, forehead and crows feet are each considered 1 area.  For those patients who have stronger, thicker muscles the number of units necessary may increase. 

Physicians do sometimes have specials on Botox, however, if it you get a quote much less than $10 per unit you should be aware of diluted Botox .   When Botox  is diluted the effectiveness is drastically reduced. 

The price of Botox depends on the amount of units used. This can range from $10 to  $20 a unit. Some doctors charge based on the area of treatment. I have used both approaches and prefer to charge based on the number of units that individual patient needs. All of us are unique. Some have stronger muscles and require a stronger dose while others have weaker muscles or want to retain some movement and not have that frozen look.

Do not make a decision about treatment based solely on price. You will get what you pay for. If the price sounds too good to be true, it probably is. The dilution of Botox determines the strength. If Botox is watered down, the cost of the treatment may be less but the results will not be as good or last as long.

I take time to talk to patients about their treatment and things they can do to improve the health and quality of their skin so that their results have good longevity.

The results of Botox are, in medical terms, "dose dependent". This dose is measured in units. This means that the greater dose administered, the more profound the result will be. I have found it more useful, and more straightforward for the patient, to charge by the unit.

The typical cost of Botox in my area is $15-$20 per unit. For treatment of a single area such as the glabella, the average dose is roughly 20 units, depending on the level of activity, muscle strength, etc. of the individual patient.

In years past, I charged for Botox by the area. However, it was my impression that this method implied a specific result to some patients. If a patient wanted to have no activity at all in an area, more Botox would be required than was accounted for in the pricing. So, for the sake of better understanding, my method of pricing was adjusted and my patient population generally prefers this method.

Although each individual treatment is usually affordable, Botox is an expensive treatment over a long period of time. In order to understand how much the product will cost, you need to know some information.

• Botox comes in large bottles filled with a near invisible powder. Each bottle has 100 Units in it. In order to use the product on a patient, the material must be diluted in saline and then injected. There is no regulation on the amount of dilution. The standard dilution of the the bottle is with 4cc or 2.5 cc of saline. The preference between the two dilutions depends on many factors that do not influence your result.

• Most patients will receive 30-40 Units total of Botox for a complete upper facial treatment. Most doctors try to schedule treatments close together so the bottle can be used for several patients before it expires.

• The wholesale product itself, when purchased from a reputable vendor is quite expensive.

• I find that new Botox users have no idea what Units and number of injections really means, so I quote prices by region. However, pricing by facial region should only be used as a pre-treatment guideline. Actual price in my practice varies from patient to patient, depending on the actual number of units being used.

As with other things in life, you typically get what you pay for, so it is likely that bargain Botox is either imported Botox, not really Botox, or highly diluted Botox. Every doctor and geographic region has different pricing, so you should call or go to more than one consultation to find out a price range before your first time.

Pricing may also be lower if physicians use an assistant (that is often not a doctor) to provide injections. You should decide for yourself if you are comfortable with this before going to the office.

Finally, treating the whole upper face in your 20s seems a little excessive. Perhaps you should consider other baseline skin care options and treatments before deciding you will need Botox for the next 50 years.

Bridget, The efficacy of Botox is based on the number of units injected into a particular area. That's really the key, and the cost per unit will vary from region to region in the U.S., anywhere from $10-$20/unit.

While it's obviously important to not get ripped off, it's also important to make sure you get the result you want. Let your surgeon know how much of an effect you would like, if you would like the corners of your eyebrows raised, the corners of your lips turned up, etc. This will help get you the result you want.

Also, ask to see some before and after photos - most of us have albums of photos, not just for our surgical procedures, but for our ancillary procedures as well (Botox, Juvederm, lasers, etc), and we're happy to show them to our patients.

Best of luck!
Dr. S

When comparing the cost of Botox treatments, patients should know what they are paying for. In medical economic terms, there is a basic cost for the medication (in this case, Botox) to the provider, and a charge by the provider to the patient for the service of administering the injection, along with any ancillary services and amenities provided to the patient. This constitutes the “global fee” the patient pays to the provider, in this case for both the medication and the service.

Many doctors and “clinics” charge “by area” for Botox treatment. There is one fee for “forehead”, a different fee for “frown lines”, another fee for “crow’s feet”, etc. The problem with this method, from the patient’s perspective, is that a patient has no idea how much of the product (Botox) was used, therefore no way to gauge the true cost of the product vs. the service. This is a bit like a recipe that calls for “sugar” but does not specify how much should be used; it is difficult to reproduce the result over time.

The tendency will be for the provider to use the most dilute strength of Botox to produce the desired effect, which maximizes the profit to the provider. Also, this method does not account for the fact that individual patients vary in terms of the strength of their muscles in a given area; men generally require a higher dose to achieve the same degree of muscle relaxation, younger patients with less-established frown lines may not need as aggressive treatment, etc.

In my practice, Botox is charged “by unit(s)”, currently $15 per unit. Typically, I find that:

• treatment of the frown lines requires 12-20 units
• the horizontal forehead lines require about 15-25 units
• both crow’s feet can be treated with 10-15 units.

The beauty of this method is that it is scalable; if the cost of Botox rises (as it has, several times in the last 5 years), the price to the patient can be easily and logically adjusted; if a given dose is not effective in producing the desired result, a quick look at the patient’s chart will reveal the actual dose used, which can be adjusted upwards (or downwards) at the next visit, with the fees adjusting accordingly.

Finally, a responsible provider will offer patients a full menu of non-invasive services in terms of injectables, but should certainly also be capable of advising patients when injectables and other minor treatments have reached their maximum limits of utility. In the best interest of patients in such cases, cosmetic surgical operations such as endoscopic brow lift, blepharoplasty, and face lift will provide the patient with much more effective and long-lasting results on a cost basis.

If one’s only tool is a hammer, every problem looks like a nail. While it is certainly true that most plastic surgeons would rather do surgery all day than inject Botox and fillers, these are wonderful and necessary additional non-invasive procedures that we gladly provide our patients in order to enhance the results of (or in some cases to forestall the need for) the cosmetic surgical procedures we provide. However, injectables and Botox cannot and should not be the only tool in the chest.

As you can see from all these answers, the price of Botox and how many units are injected in each area really varies among physicians and geographic areas.

There is also conflict about who people should or should not go to for Botox treatment. Both to avoid getting "ripped off" and to get a good, natural looking result.

In my clinic, Botox is $12 per unit. I charge by the unit and encourage patients to know how many units they get in each area they have treated. I agree that charging by the "area" encourages under-treatment by the injector - they still charge the same whether they are using 10 or 20 units. In general, though, you should do your homework and find a Botox provider who is experienced, knowledgeable and has been around for a while with a loyal clientelle. Providers who are in it for the volume business and don't care about repeat clients or forming a relationship with their clients should be avoided.

Units I use:

• Forehead: 8 to 12
• Glabella: 12 to 20 (usually 16)
• Crow's feet: 12 to 20 (usually 16 - and that includes a bit under the tail of the eyebrow to give a lift)
• Chin: 8
• Upper lip: 4
• Jaw for Teeth Grinding / TMJ: 16 to 60 (usually 20 per side)

I wouldn't go shopping for champagne and caviar at JONS or K-Mart. I also wouldn't get Botox at the local mall. I would go to a doctor's practice - that way, if there's a problem, you have someone to speak to.

A quick note about an ongoing turf battle.

The doctor does not have to be Board Certified in Plastic Surgery. It doesn't take a rocket scientist to inject Botox (which is not to suggest that Board Certified Plastic Surgeons are all rocket scientists). It does take a bit of knowledge, a good hand and some common sense. Nurses, PAs and physicians who have decided to specialize in cosmetic procedures should have plenty of that. Board Certification just means the doc has completed a specialization in something. It does not mean that he/she is good at everything. There are plenty of Board Certified Plastic Surgeons who are always operating and therefore rarely inject. Theses people are not good injectors. There is no Board Certification for injection and laser procedures, by the way.

The cost of Botox varies slightly depending on the geographc region and how the individual practice mixes the Botox and packages it (per area, unit etc.).

Also, some injectors prefer different looks, as the "Boca Look" where most of the emotion is removed utilizes more units than a natural look. We prefer a natural look and charge $15/unit although there are currently specials based on savings from Allergan for combining Botox with an injectable or for purchasing Vivite.

That's like asking "How much will it cost to get my hair done?" It depends on what you have done and who is doing it. So let's break it down:

• Frown lines usually take 20 units.
• Crows feet, 8 to 12.
• Forehead lines, 6 to 16 units.

If the lines are really bad it takes much more. You're young and will probably need less than most.

In Northern California, Botox averages $12 to $20 per unit. So, if you go mid price range, say $15 unit, frown lines would be $300, crow's feet about $150, and forehead $180.

You might find it for less but I wouldn't shop just on price.

Your doctor should develop a treatment plan for you. Many draw it on a map. Ask for a copy of it. BEFORE you're treated, ask how much it will be, based on the treatment plan your doctor has designed. Many doctors have nurses do the injections. Ask if touch ups are extra.

Good luck, but don't worry, it works really well and is very safe.

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 less 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 the provider will 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 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.

Most doctors charge for Botox in 1 of 2 ways, by the unit or by the area. Charging by the area makes no sense to me. Some areas such as the glabella take much more Botox than other areas such as the forehead. Men almost always need more Botox per area than women. When it comes to Botox, size does matter!

Some doctors even charge by the cc of Botox which makes even less sense. Botox is made by adding very inexpensive liquid. 1 vial of Botox can make up to 10 ccs of Botox that has very little Botox in each cc.

Charging for Botox by the unit makes more sense to me. I have seen prices as low as $7 per unit to as high as $20 per unit. BUT, if the doctor wants to rip you off,  knowing the price per unit won't help you. Botox comes to the doctor as a dry powder. The doctor adds the liquid to make the solution. There are 100 units of Botox in every vial no matter how much water he adds. The size of each injection then determines the number of units you are going to receive. The doctor can "rip you off" by giving you too many units, too few units, old Botox that has gone bad, putting it in the wrong spots, etc.

If you are worried about getting "ripped off", you need to spend more time researching who will be injecting you and less time worrying about how much they charge per unit!

As we can all see, the cost of Botox varies considerably, but is usually from about $10-$15 per unit.  The cost is usually calculated by the amount of Botox given.  You should ask your provider how many units you are receiving in each area being treated.  Knowing the number of units gives you an idea about your "dosage", similar to knowing how many milligrams dose of a blood pressure pill is being given.  If your results tend to be relatively weak for what you are looking for, then you may need a higher dose, or vice-versa.  If for some reason you change providers or practices, then you can tell the new doctor how much you have been given in the past and your experience with it.

The FDA approved Botox for cosmetic use based upon a dose of 20 units divided into 5 injection points to the "Glabella" area, or the muscles that cause the frown lines between your eyebrows.  Ideally the minimum effective dose should be used.  We have found that a dose of 12 - 15 units works well for most people.  Some practitioners still give 20 or 30 units to the area, so that is a much more aggressive approach.

For the forehead, a low dose of around 8-10 units works well if the glabella area is already being treated. This is because some of the Botox injected to the glabella area also diffuses upwards to the forehead, and therefore only a smaller dose is needed on the upper 1/2 of the forehead.

On the crowsfeet area, average doses are around 12-18 units, divided into around 3 injection points on each outer eye area, where the crowsfeet are seen.  Sometimes an additional 3 units on each tail of the eyebrow is given, which causes the outer eyebrow area to be lifted.

It is important to understand that use of Botox is for stopping an unwanted facial expression, since the Botox actually paralyzes the injected muscle.  If the facial expression happens to be the cause of an unwanted wrinkle, then Botox is a good treatment for it.  If the wrinkle is already ingrained into the skin, and it is visible while the muslces are relaxed, then Botox will not resolve or smooth that wrinkle.  Those are called static wrinkles.  To smooth those static wrinkles, there are a variety of lasers that stimulate collagen, tighten and rejuvenate skin and ultimately reduce or eliminate the wrinkle.  In our practice, we use a Triniti protocol of Fotofacial RF (IPL+RF) skin rejuvenation, Refirme skin tightening, and Matrix fractional for wrinkles.

Treatment of wrinkles is another topic, but whenever a client is requesting Botox for wrinkles, we have to make sure that they are not led into a false belief and false sense of security that they are rejuvenating or changing their skin in some way.  Botox to us is like a sunblock.  Sunblock blocks some of the UVA/UVB rays that damage the skin and collagen.  Botox blocks the muscle contractions that cause the skin to be folded and creased, damaging the collagen fibers, and creating an ingrained wrinkle.  Ultimately, a combination of regenerative treatments (laser based) with Botox to help prevent damage to new collagen and skin, has brought the most satisfaction to patients.

Finally, laws regarding who can inject Botox varies in each state.  Since the question was posed by a California resident, I can comment on the California guidelines.  The California Medical Board requires that all patients receive a good faith examination by an M.D. before being given Botox by an RN.   RN's can administer Botox, but it must be within an established medical delivery system, which means in a medical practice.  An RN cannot operate independently and administer Botox.  It is also illegal for a nurse to hold "Botox parties" and administer Botox, because the Botox party is not within an established medical system.  On the other hand, a physician can hold the Botox party legally.   Because of the abuses that are prevalent, and because the Medical Board has had difficulty in enforcing its requirements, there are new laws being introduced into the legislature that will reduce the infractions.

Of course, the professional opinion on this forum will recommend that you do your due diligence in checking out the legitimacy of the providing facility, and the experience and skill level of the provider.

Before considering cost, consider the credentials and experience of the person who is going to perform the injection.  How BOTOX Cosmetic is injected is critical to obtaining a result with which you will be satisfied.

That being said, prices vary widely.  In general, prices may range from $10 per unit to $30 per unit.   The price varies based upon the area in which you live, the amount of BOTOX Cosmetic purchased at one time, and the type of physician who is injecting it.  If your physician charges by the "area," be sure to ask how many units you are receiving for a given price.  This will allow you to know how much your physician is charging compared to another physician.  The number of units required depends on the size of the muscles, the desired clinical effect, and the number of areas injected.

In general, plastic surgeons, facial plastic surgeons, oculoplastic surgeons, or dermatologists will charge more than other physicians.  This is because their training provides expertise in this area of medicine. 

Be sure to inquire about anesthesia and "touch ups."  Most physicians will not charge for minor "touch ups" performed within 2-4 weeks of the injection. 

Lastly, be sure to communicate your goals to your physician.  Only by understanding your goals can your physician meet and exceed your expectations.

Botox Injections are priced either per area or per unit. I have found per unit price to be a better option for patients becuase not everyone needs the same amount of Botox per area. If you have a  strong muscular structure with significant expressive lines then it would take a higher number of units to get the smooth appearance and vice versa.

You are in your 20's and just starting to think about Botox, I am assuming you dont' have very strong expressive lines yet, plus women have weaker muscular structure than men. You will likely need less Botox than someone in their 40's with years of strong expression. Generally the price in My area of practice is $11 to $ 15 per unit.

Frown line = 10- 12 units

forehead =   12- 20 units

crow's feet=  12- 16 units

You can calculate your estimated cost by total number of units needed to smooth out your expression lines. A word of caution; don't pick the provider by lowest cost. Choose someone with experience and right qualification. In my office, I personally inject all Botox . Many offices have a dsignated Botox administrator which may not be the Physician This is quite all right if the injector has adquate training and experience.

I practice in Denver, Colorado and Botox typically costs $10-15/unit. I perform my own injections because I have fellowship training in facial aesthetic surgery. However, we have several top-notch non-M.D. injectionists in our area and I don't hesitate to recommend them if the situation best serves the patient. Your injectionist needs to do a lot of Botox to actually be good at it.

When a practice prices its Botox, it uses one of two methods: by area injected vs. by amount of units used. The practices that charge by area injected tend to be more expensive in the end on the areas typically injected: frown lines/"11's" (corrugators), forehead, and crow's feet. They will just charge one unit price no matter what is used. This can lead to overcharging for the most popular areas. In my practice I only charge for the units used which allows me to fine tune each patient's situation.

For first time patients in my practice my typical price structure is as follows:

1. Frown lines/"11's" - 12.5 units x $15/unit = $187.50
2. Crow's feet - 15 units x $15/unit = $225
3. Forehead - 22.5 units x $15/unit = $337.50 (actual amount will vary with forehead size)

People who return will get a discount on their per unit cost that is frankly negotiable. Trust me, everyone negotiates. We all want the return business.

You can initially expect Botox to last 3-4 months, but with repeat injections, the muscles atrophy (weaken) and don't require as much over time. In fact, you can often start spreading your injections out further.

Hope this helps.
Dr. Shah

Botox fees vary tremendously. Most doctors charge by the region (forehead, crows feet, etc.); some charge by the unit. On average, it costs about $400 and up per area. A Botox treatment lasts 3-4 months.

So for example, if you are having the most popular areas done, foreahead lines, glabellar crease, crows feet, that treatment may range from $900 - $1500 depending on your geographic region because that is 3 areas.

I am a Dermatologist in San Diego, California. At our Center, we charge $8 per unit for Botox – this is just a little above the actual cost price of Botox. In our area, most practices charge anywhere from $10-$16 per unit. I personally perform all Botox treatments and recommend that patients receive their Botox treatments from a Dermatologist, or someone with equivalent training, thus the quality of the treatment will be enhanced and there will be less chance of a bad outcome.

It is best to purchase Botox by the unit, rather than by the “area” or “syringe.” If Botox is purchased by the area or by the syringe, then one does not know exactly how many units are being used, which may result in over-paying for a treatment.

It is also important to know how many units are required to treat a specific area, so one knows exactly how many units they need to purchase for their particular treatment – this will also guard against over-paying for Botox. The typical amount of units needed for each specific area is as follows:

• Treatment of the scowl lines between the eyebrows requires 20-30 units.
• Treatment of the crow’s feet and lines under the eyes requires 12-16 units.
• Treatment of the upper forehead requires around 4-8 units.
• Treatment of the neck lines requires 20-25 units.
• Treatment of the upper and lower lip lines requires 4-6 units.

While cost is an important factor, make sure you select a provider with sufficient experience and technical skill, one who combines low cost with the highest quality of service.

The average cost for Botox in our area of practice is $12.00 per unit. Depending on the area being treated and the amount needed to reach your goals will directly affect the cost. For example, most patients require anywhere from 10 to 20 units of Botox to the forehead (not between the eyebrows). The dose will depend on how much muscle mass you have, thickness of skin, gender, muscle movement, etc. I would recommend balancing concern of cost with safety and effectiveness. Make certain your practitioner is trained and knowledgeable with the newest methods/techniques and is willing to educate you on the treatment. Rather than underdosing an area to fit your budget, it is better to eliminate an area to be treated so that the other areas receive correct dosing for optimal results.

There are certainly many highly skilled and competent non-dermatology physicians, Physician Assistants, and Registered Nurses who perform these treatments. When I go to the many workshops and seminars offered, it is mostly non-physicians that are in attendance... I know this because they perform a computerized audience survey each and every time. I have learned many "pearls" from other practitioners and respect the role that we all have in this area of practice.

Botox can cost on average as much as $350-1500 per treatment depending upon the areas injected and how much the health care provider charges.

Areas include the crow’s feet, glabella (area between the brows that causes furrows), and forehead, and the doctor injects each area with the number of units that he or she thinks is necessary to locally paralyze the muscles at that particular spot.

• Botox is $14 a unit
• Multiple units used in each treatment and can range anywhere from 20 units to 1000 units
• I usually recommend treatments 3-4 months apart, or as often as desired