How much does Botox cost?

Offices charge for Botox in two ways - either by "area" or by "unit."

It is my feeling that charging by "area" leads to fraud since the office can dilute the Botox by whatever ratio they want and the patient never actually knows how much Botox they have received.

There is also the possibility of cross-contamination between patients since the office is using the vial over and over again for several patients. The alternative way of charging for Botox is by the "unit."

Allergan just started supplying 50 Unit vials of Botox. In my practice, this is the average amount of Botox for a typical patient. 50 Units will cover the crow's feet (2.5 units each), the glabella (25 units) and the forehead (20 units). This amount of Botox allows for significant reduction in wrinkles but allows you to maintain facial animation.

The charge per unit varies around the country from anywhere between $9 and $20+ per unit. In my practice, I charge a flat fee in 50 unit increments.

The second vial is only needed if you are having your neck treated for bands or your scalp treated for headaches.

It is my policy to open up the new vial of Botox right in front of the patient so they can be assured that they are getting fresh product and getting what they are paying for.

Hello,There are several factors that can go into the pricing of Botox. Typically, each injector charges per unit or per area, therefore depending on how big or small your treatment area is, the more or less the service may cost. At our clinic, we charge per unit to create a more tailored price to each individual client. It is important to consider that there is more than one brand of Botox on the market as well and that experienced physicians or injectors may charge higher prices for their work compared to others. Be sure to consult with more than one injector, get second opinions and remember that cheap work does not mean good work.

Botox may be priced by the unit, with doses ranging from 15-60 units or more depending on activity level and areas treated; or may be priced by the area. This varies by market. Pricing can range greatly, usually related to a combination of market and expertise of the injector. You may see specials or groupons for very low per unit prices, but it is wise to ask a few questions about experience of the injector and policies regarding touchups, follow up, etc. It makes sense to gather some information on average pricing and pricing convention in your area, and to check reviews/reputation and general satisfaction with the injector before chasing price only.