How Do You Measure the Unit of Botox? Can It Be Diluted So Derma Can Charge More?

Question

Derma 1 injects total of 44 units for around eyes,bunny lines,forehead.This lasted for 6 mos around eyes and bunny lines & even 8-9 mos on the forehead.

	The last time I had Botox w/ Derma 2, 1,56 units were injected but it started wearing out after 3 months.Derma 1 normally charges USD7 per unit.

	Because of the fast fast wear off of my Botox, I decided to go to Derma 2, injected total of 800units & charged only USD445 & w/ retouch after 3mos. Please enlighten me on why there is a difference in cost and length of time.

Ron Shelton, MD · Answer

All Botox and Dysport must be reconstituted by adding sterlie liquid with the powder. To compare different treatments you need to know how many units were used, not the number of ccs of fluid.  The doctors may charge per cosmetic area treated or the number of units used.  Dysport uses a different number of units than Botox so you can't compare them easily, especially since different doctors use different dilution formulas (as an example some use 2, others 2.5 and other 3 times the number of Dysport units to one unit of Botox). Most Botox and Dysport only last up to four, maybe very slightly more, than four months.  Some patients have been able to retrain themselves not to frown when the botox wears off so they don't see the wrinkles until more months go by but the muscle when examined is able to move so we know the Botox wore off.

Martie Gidon, MD, FRCPC, FAAD · Answer

Units of the various neurotoxins are not the same.  You should be treated by a physician that you trust who gives you results you like.

Peter A. Aldea, MD · Answer

Absolutely! 

	Whenever I'm told by a patient "Botox does not work on me..." I suspect this is what happened.

	There are MANY ways an unsuspecting patient can be short-changed and over charged for Botox
	- the Botox is outdated and no longer active or as active
	- the Botox is NOT Botox (it came to the country from either Canada or other unknown sources (Federal crime) and you are being injected with an unknown
	- while you are TOLD you are getting X number of active units, you may be getting less. (By over diluting the original 100Unit vial, an injector can discount her charges but make a lot more money - similar to serving dilute drinks in a bar)
	- your injector is not as experienced as they say and your results will be mediocre or poor.

	OR a combination of ALL of the above.

	Read the link below and you will know everything you need to know about Botox treatment.

	Peter A Aldea, MD

Joseph A. Eviatar, MD, FACS · Answer

It&rsquo;s not a question of dilution. Units are the actual amount of product. The solution can be diluted to different amounts, but the number of units will be the same. That&rsquo;s how you determine whether the amount of BOTOX given was correct.

Arnold W. Klein, MD (in memoriam) · Answer

i unit refers to the dose that would kill 50% of the mice injected with it. i vial of Botox contains 100 mouse units. In the two studies used for the FDA approval of Botox 20 units of Botox was used at 5 sites  with a 2.5cc dilutiom. I presently use 24 uits and it last 6 months,With Dysport a total dose of 50 Units of DYSPORT&trade;
	is divided in five equal aliquots of 10 Units each, should administered to affected muscles to achieve clinical effect. In reality because of greater spread Dysport will work just as well when 3 sites are injected.

How Do You Measure the Unit of Botox? Can It Be Diluted So Derma Can Charge More?

Answers (9)

Answer: BOTOX units are the actual amount of product

Answer: BOTOX units are the actual amount of product

Answer: Botulinum toxin is in units

Answer: Botulinum toxin is in units

Recommended reading

Everything you need to know about Botox

Our mission is to create a world where every investment in modern beauty is Worth It.

How Do You Measure the Unit of Botox? Can It Be Diluted So Derma Can Charge More?

Answers (9)

Answer: BOTOX units are the actual amount of product

Answer: BOTOX units are the actual amount of product

Answer: Botulinum toxin is in units

Answer: Botulinum toxin is in units

Browse related questions

Recommended reading

Everything you need to know about Botox

Our mission is to create a world where every investment in modern beauty is Worth It.