How Can I Tell if the Doctor is Actually Giving Me the Amount of Botox He Says I'm Getting?

Please see a board-certified licensed physician who has taken the oath to provide the best medical care in an ethical manner. Most physicians hold themselves to the highest standard. Doctors know how many cc's of the liquid they need to inject based on the amount of diluent (saline) they use to mix the Botox powder. The doctor can tell you how many units are in each cc. 

Physicians can be brought up on charges with the Office of Professional Misconduct and their license be in jeopardy if they are found to be not delivering care to a patient in the manner in which it had been told to the patient. 

Let's hope you are seeing a doctor you trust because of reputation and the referral source.

If you are going to a provider that is well-credentialed and reputable in the industry, I would trust they are giving you what you are paying for. Different providers reconstitute their Botox based on personal preference, so no, there is really no way to tell how much you are getting by the amount you see in the syringe.

The reality is that for patients, it is dificult to know exactly how many units one is getting injected. There are a few different strategies for diluting the botox in a vial, and thus looking at the volume eing injected can be somewhat misleading in trying to figure this out.

 

If one is motivated, one can ask the physician their dilution stratedy for their botox. For example, many physicians dilute botox such that every .1 cc has 2.5 units in it. Thus every 1 cc syringe will have 25 units. You can then check to make sure that there is a whole 1 cc being injected for every 25 units you purchase.

 

The reality is that when you are sitting in a chair nervous about the injection, the last thing on your mind is checking units. To this end, your practioner's reputation for honesty and integrity is very important when considering a clinic for botox. While many patients focus on price per unit, I think this issue is the most important when having this procedure done.

This treatment should profoundly freeze your forehead, droop your eyebrows and the effect should last 4 months.  If you are not experiencing effects like this, then you are probably getting less BOTOX than you are paying for.  If your treatment is wearing off in weeks rather than months, or you are experiencing a lot of residual forehead movement with this dose, then it is probably time to try another injector.  Please stick with core aesthetic specialists (i.e. dermatology, facial plastic surgery, plastic surgery, and oculoplastic surgery) with a good reputation.

Hi Non-monster,

There is no way that you can tell how much Botox is being given to you.  The American Academy of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery has a slogan, "Trust Your Face to a Facial Plastic Surgeon", but as importantly you must trust the ethics, morals, and character of your treating physician.  That is why it must be emphasized, "Choose your physician most carefully".  Good luck and be well.

 

Dr. P