How Much Does Botox Cost?

The average cost of Botox treatment (onabotulinumtoxinA) is $551, according to 507 patient reviews.

• The price can range from just $168 for a "lip flip" or micro treatment to $1,850 for a session that include multiple areas, larger muscle groups, and/or a combination of Botox and fillers.
• The average cost of Botox varies by U.S. state and metro. For example, Botox in New York City costs $798, on average, compared to $281 in more affordable Salt Lake City, Utah.
• Other FDA-approved Botox competitors like Dysport and Xeomin are usually slightly cheaper, according to patient reviews—with comparable results and longevity.

Read on to find out why Botox prices can vary so much, when insurance covers this injectable treatment, and how much your provider’s location impacts the price you'll pay.

Related: Everything You Need to Know About Botox

How much does Botox cost per unit?

One unit of Botox costs $10 to $15 at most practices in the U.S., though some charge as much as $25 or more per unit. 

Botox comes in 50- or 100-unit vials. Most providers charge by the unit (rather than the treatment area), so the number of units you need has the biggest impact on your total Botox price.

The price per area or unit depends on these two factors.

1.  The injector’s credentials, level of experience, and reputation

Botox injectors differ in education and skill level, which can translate directly to how much Botox costs at one clinic versus another.

• Board-certified dermatologists, facial plastic surgeons, or plastic surgeons with a full patient roster charge more per unit of Botox than a general physician, dentist, registered nurse, or physician assistant.
• However, some nurse injectors or physician assistants specialize in injectable treatments, developing exceptional skill (and large social media followings). If their services are in high demand, they can charge accordingly.

Everyone likes a deal, 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, droopy eyelids, or a frozen 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, which can feel like an eternity when you’re waiting out an obviously bad result.

Find someone you trust to do it right. Read your injector’s reviews, inquire about their training, pay attention to their before and after photos, and ask how they’ll customize the Botox treatment to suit your needs and anatomy.

2. Their practice location

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.

How many units of Botox do you need?

The number of Botox units you need will depend on:

• the treatment area size
• the strength of the muscles in that area
• anatomical considerations
• your desired results

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 (like the glabella between the brows) create deeper wrinkles and require more units to get the full effects of Botox, while smaller, weaker muscles, like those that cause chin wrinkles or lip lines, may only need a few units each. For example:

• a Botox lip flip or chin wrinkles often require just 4 units (2 per side)
• a broad stretch of strong forehead wrinkles will cost significantly more

You can also request a weaker dose to allow some range of movement (and maintain normal expressions). While this “baby Botox” treatment will be cheaper, the effects may not last as long as a full dose.

An experienced healthcare provider can determine how much you’ll need for each treatment area, based on your goals and anatomy. For example, if you’re interested in smoothing your brow, but have a relatively short or low-set forehead, heavy or hooded eyelids, or skin laxity, your Botox provider may start with a lower dose (fewer units) to ensure your brow stays in a youthful position and doesn’t drop.

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:

• Glabellar lines, the frown lines or “elevens” between the eyebrows: 20 units (spread across 5 injection sites), with an estimated total cost of $200 to $300
• Forehead lines, the horizontal furrows across the brow: 20 units (across 5 injection sites), with an estimated total cost of $200 to $300
• Lateral canthal lines, aka crow’s feet: 24 units (across 3 injection sites on each side), with an estimated total cost of $240 to $360

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.

How to save on Botox

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 ensure you know you can trust the skill of your Botox provider—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, CoolSculpting, and SkinMedica skin care.

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: 

• A holographic film that says Allergan within rainbow-colored horizontal lines
• An intact seal with a translucent silver Allergan logo (on both ends of the carton) 

If you notice that the seal has a black circle with a diagonal line through it, this is your cue to leave.

Will insurance pay for Botox treatments?

Insurance won’t pay for Botox Cosmetic treatments, but therapeutic Botox injections are covered by insurance if they’re treating a documented medical condition, including:

• chronic migraines
• hyperhidrosis (excessive sweating)
• TMJ (requiring masseter Botox)
• vaginismus
• strabismus
• blepharospasm
• limb spasticity
• incontinence related to a neurological condition

People with medical conditions may also qualify for the Botox Savings Program, which covers out-of-pocket costs for eligible patients. You can also apply for myAbbVie Assist, a program “intended for people that live in the United States, have limited or no health insurance coverage, and demonstrate qualifying financial need.”

Botox costs in U.S. states

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.)

Botox costs by major U.S. metros