Are There Different Grades and Potency of Botox?

Hi Sugardoughnut.  While there are not two different grades of Botox, there are alternative dilutions.  Botox comes to your practitioner in a vial that contains 100 "units" of Botox powder.  This powder is then mixed with saline solution according to your injector's preferences.  Some injectors mix the product with more saline, some with less.

Although we cannot explain the cramp you are speaking about, we will speak to the effectiveness.  One of a couple things could be happening.  


Either the second and third injectors are not very skilled and are not getting the product to the right place in the muscle tissue and therefore the results are poor.

The second and third injectors may also be using less overall "units" of Botox and this could be causing you to lose your results more quickly than with the original injector.


We would recommend that you request your medical records from your initial injector to find out what was injected (number of units) and then also request the medical records from your new injectors to compare.  If the number of units is the same, then there is a technique issue.  If the number of units is lower with the second and third injectors, it may just be an issue of not getting enough product.  Good luck.

Botox is diluted always as it comes in a powder. The physician dilutes it with sterile saline (salt water). Painful contraction and cramping is extremely rare. The amount of saline used to dilute the Botulinum Toxin is different amongst physicians. The dose, or number of units given, is the important variable . Make sure you are comparing units per zone rather than amount of liquid.

Dear Sugardonut, The amount of BOTOX is important for the overall effect and the length of effect. Also, There are 2 toxins available now- Dysport and BOTOX Cosmetic- they require different amounts of toxin for effect.
Also, very important is the agent used to dilute the BOTOX- "NON- preserved saline" has as little alcohol in it and it is much les painful for the injection of the BOTOX.
Finally, the needles need to be fresh- i use a different needle for each site- a BD 31 gauge needle- very sharp so it hurts less.
With Warm Regards,
Trevor M Born MD

Dear Location 98004,
It is important that you are aware of what works for you. Unfortunately not every office is honest about how much BOTOX you are getting in a syringe. The product comes dry in the vial and then is reconstituted by the doctor. Typically office use 2.5 to 4 milliliters of saline to dilute the BOTOX. However, some office dilute much more. I am aware of one office that dilutes their BOTOX with 20 ml of saline so each syringe contains just 5 units of BOTOX. This office offers free touch ups if you are not happy with the results but then there is essentially no BOTOX in the syringe. In Los Angeles, it is also clear that some offices sell BOTOX by the unit but do not actually give a full unit. The product is very expensive so it should not be surprising that this goes on.

It is important to recognize this. Be certain when you are treated that you find out how many units of BOTOX you are being treated with. Write this down and keep track. That way if you go to another office and they claim to treat with the same amount of BOTOX, you can compare treatment effects. Treatment effects should last about 4 months. Results that only last a few weeks are the results of inadequate amounts of BOTOX. If you have had good results with one office but results that only last a few weeks at a second office or on a second service at the original office suggest that less product was used.

Finally with regard to comfort. Diluting BOTOX with preserved saline is slightly more comfortable that unpreserved saline. I tend to use numbing cream on the skin an unpreserved saline. Occasionally, individuals have allergies to the preservative so I avoid this type of issue using unpreserved saline. However, the discomfort you are describing is the results of diluting the BOTOX with sterile water. The sterile water is hypotonic and it pull salt out of cells and this results in profound discomfort like someone stuck you with a rose thorn. Only bozos dilute their BOTOX with sterile water (my apologies to BOZO the beloved television clown).

Botox can give variable results with different dilutions and techniques. If you used to get good result with less pain, then mention it to your physician. She/He should be able to modify the technique to cause less pain and good results.
Here is a summary of dosage by units that I use for Botox or Dysport:
Glabella 20units botox, 50units dysport
Crows feet 20units botox, 50 units dysport
Forehead 20units botox, 50 units dysport
I use 30 gauge needle which is very small and ask patients to apply Emla cream one hour before injections.
Regards