Botox costs $553 on average, but it's possible to pay as much as $2,000, according to 5,183 patient reviews on RealSelf.
Prices on the higher end typically cover multiple areas, larger muscle groups, and/or a combination of Botox and a complementary treatment, like injectable dermal fillers.
The average cost of Botox varies by U.S. state and major metro. For example, Botox in New York City costs $798, on average, compared to $281 in more affordable Salt Lake City, Utah.
The average price of Dysport and Xeomin treatments is about $390, according to patient reviews—so you may find that these Botox competitors are cheaper, with comparable results and longevity.
Read on to find out why Botox prices can vary so much, when insurance covers this FDA-approved neurotoxin, and how much your provider’s location impacts the price you'll pay.
Related: Everything You Need to Know About Botox
In the U.S., one unit of Botox costs $10 to $15 in most practices, but some providers charge as much as $25 per Botox unit.
Botox comes in either 50- or 100-unit vials. While some providers now charge by treatment area, most charge by unit.
If your provider charges by the unit, the cost per unit, multiplied by the number of units you need, will equal your total Botox price.
The price per area or unit will depend on:
Botox injectors differ in education and skill level, which can translate directly to price.
Board-certified dermatologists, facial plastic surgeons, or plastic surgeons with a full patient roster will be able to charge more per unit of Botox than a general physician, dentist, registered nurse, or physician assistant.
However, some nurse injectors or physician assistants who specialize in injectable treatments develop exceptional skill (and significant social media followings). If their services are in high demand, they can charge accordingly.
It’s tempting to just book at the practice with the lowest price, but paying a bit more to be treated by an experienced injector helps ensure good results and minimizes your risk of side effects, like bruising, asymmetrical results, or an overdone look.
There's no way to immediately reverse botched Botox (you have to wait for the effects to wear off over 3 to 4 months), so find someone you trust to do it right. Read your injector’s patient reviews and pay close attention to their before and after photos.
Botox costs vary by state, metro area, and even neighborhood. Practices or med spas in the heart of major cities, with higher rents and more overhead, have to charge more per unit.
If you're more interested in savings than finding the closest qualified provider, it can be worth your time to get price quotes from more than one qualified injector, in different areas of town.
If you're more interested in savings than finding the closest qualified provider, it can be worth your time to get cost quotes from more than one qualified injector, in different areas of town.
The number of Botox units you need will depend on:
Botox works thanks to botulinum toxin type A, which temporarily blocks signals from the nerves to muscles. This relaxes their movement so they can’t crease the skin.
Thicker, stronger facial muscles that create deeper wrinkles require more units to get the full effects of Botox, while smaller, weaker muscles that cause chin wrinkles or lip lines may only need a few units each. For example, a Botox lip flip often requires just 4 units (2 per side).
You can also request a weaker dose to allow some range of movement, though the effects may not last as long as a full dose.
An experienced provider can determine how much you’ll need for each treatment area, based on your goals. These are the official dosage guidelines, according to Botox manufacturer Allergan, though many patients wind up needing only a fraction of the company-prescribed dosage:
You’ll get the most accurate cost quote during a consultation, where your injector can assess your muscle strength and recommend a personalized treatment plan.
RealSelf Tip: Botox results are temporary. You don’t have to keep getting Botox once you start, but if you plan to keep up your results over time (and prevent new fine lines and wrinkles), you’ll need to budget for maintenance treatments every three to six months.
It’s possible to find cheap Botox for as little as $8 per unit by taking advantage of seasonal deals or specials for first-time patients. Again, just make sure you know you’ll be able to trust the skill of your injector—especially if you find a deal that seems too good to be true.
Allergan Aesthetics, the makers of Botox, also offers the Allē rewards program, which allows you to earn points toward discounts on future treatments—including Juvéderm dermal fillers, the fat-melting injectable Kybella, and CoolSculpting.
RealSelf Tip: Some unethical med spas inject patients with knock-off products of questionable origin and quality. If you decide to take advantage of a rock-bottom deal, watch your injector take your Botox out of the packaging and look for these signs that it’s the real thing:
If you notice that the seal has a black circle with a diagonal line through it, this is your cue to leave.
Insurance won’t pay for Botox Cosmetic treatments, but Botox injections are covered by insurance if they’re treating a documented medical condition, including:
People with medical conditions may also qualify for the Botox Savings Program, which covers out-of-pocket costs for eligible patients.
Yes, most practices offer payment plans or accept financing options.
The CareCredit credit card is widely accepted by providers across the U.S., for both plastic surgery and nonsurgical procedures.
Browse average Botox costs by state, according to the 1,343 most recent RealSelf reviews as of February 2023. (Note: In the map image, blank states don't have enough recent data to display.)
State | Average Cost |
---|---|
Arizona | $422 |
Arkansas | $447 |
California | $499 |
Colorado | $399 |
Connecticut | $645 |
Florida | $516 |
Georgia | $510 |
Hawaii | $1,034 |
Illinois | $481 |
Indiana | $445 |
Kansas | $453 |
Kentucky | $338 |
Louisiana | $428 |
Maryland | $463 |
Massachusetts | $531 |
Michigan | $410 |
Minnesota | $442 |
Missouri | $492 |
Nevada | $519 |
New Jersey | $456 |
New York | $706 |
North Carolina | $494 |
Ohio | $408 |
Oklahoma | $349 |
Oregon | $340 |
Pennsylvania | $446 |
Rhode Island | $450 |
South Carolina | $280 |
Tennessee | $485 |
Texas | $409 |
Utah | $310 |
Virginia | $411 |
Washington State | $557 |
Washington, D.C. | $956 |
West Virginia | $354 |
Wisconsin | $335 |
Metro Area | Average Cost |
---|---|
Atlanta, GA | $577 |
Austin, TX | $530 |
Baltimore, MD | $448 |
Boston, MA | $659 |
Charlotte, NC | $453 |
Chicago, IL | $370 |
Cleveland, OH | $617 |
Dallas-Fort Worth, TX | $367 |
Denver, CO | $434 |
Detroit, MI | $551 |
Hartford, CT | $561 |
Kansas City, MO | $523 |
Las Vegas, NV | $515 |
Los Angeles, CA | $597 |
Miami, FL | $675 |
New Orleans, LA | $536 |
New York City | $772 |
North New Jersey | $493 |
Orange County, CA | $667 |
Orlando, FL | $373 |
Philadelphia & South New Jersey | $397 |
Phoenix, AZ | $498 |
Pittsburgh, PA | $340 |
Raleigh-Durham, NC | $567 |
San Antonio, TX | $384 |
San Diego, CA | $360 |
San Francisco, CA | $615 |
Seattle-Tacoma, WA | $527 |
St Louis, MO | $475 |
Tampa, FL | $583 |
Washington, DC | $563 |
West Palm Beach, FL | $508 |