Americans spend more than $16 billion per year on plastic surgery and cosmetic procedures.
Of the minimally-invasive procedures performed, Botox is by far the top choice for wrinkle reduction with over seven million Americans annually receiving treatments.
If you are considering Botox injections, you may wonder how much does Botox cost.
Botox Injections
Botox is the first and only FDA-approved treatment to temporarily make moderate-to-severe frown lines, crows feet, and forehead wrinkles look better.
While used primarily to reduce the appearance of facial wrinkles, Botox is also used to treat medical conditions such as neck spasms (cervical dystonia), excessive sweating (hyperhidrosis), overactive bladder, lazy eye, and migraine headaches.
Botox injections use a toxin called onobotulinumtoxinA to temporarily prevent a muscle from contracting. This toxin is produced by the microbe that causes botulism, one type of food poisoning.
Botox was the first drug to use the botulinum toxin. There are now other products closely related to Botox: abobotulinumtoxinA (Dysport), rimabotulinumtoxinB (Myobloc), and incobotulinumtoxinA (Xeomin).
These products are a little different, particularly when it comes to dosage units. They are not interchangeable.
How Much Does Botox Cost?
The price for Botox treatments can vary greatly depending on several factors: the practitioner administering the injections; the cost per unit of Botox administered; and the number of areas to be treated.
So, what's the answer to the question of how much are Botox injections? Let us break it down for you.
In the United States, the cost of Botox varies greatly. In some states, it is illegal for someone other than an MD to administer Botox.
While in other states an RN with specialized training can do the injections. The biggest variation in the cost of Botox is who is doing the injections.
Whether you choose a board-certified plastic surgeon, a dentist, or a medical spa, the skill of the administrator is of primary importance. Read reviews, view before-and-after photos, ask friends for a recommendation.
A clinic or a doctor with greater knowledge of the anatomy of facial muscles, is most likely going to charge more.
Botox therapy can be dangerous. Precise placement of injections is necessary to avoid unwanted side effects. When considering the cost of botox injections, the cost of a skillful practitioner is most important.
Discover more considerations before having Botox.
The Cost of Botox: Per Unit vs Per Area
With common areas of treatment, such as crows feet, forehead wrinkles, or frown lines, many clinicians quote the cost of Botox by the area treated. Prices range from $300 to $500 with the national average at $350.
Many practices have a flat-rate cost of Botox injections by the "units" administered. The price ranges from $9-$18 per unit.
With an RN administering the injections, the cost can be as low as $9 to $12 per unit while the cost for injections done by a board-certified plastic surgeon can soar to $18 per unit.
The cost for a vial of Botox Cosmetic to the physician is about $800 per vial. Each vial contains 100 units. Botox is only available by prescription in the United States.
The vial containing the botulinum toxin crystal must be shipped overnight with dry ice. It is stored frozen until use. After dilution with saltwater, it should be used within hours for the best results.
An unbelievably low price for Botox treatment may indicate over-dilution which may result in a less-than-favorable outcome or may necessitate more frequent treatments to maintain results.
Steer clear of practitioners who do not follow strict guidelines for the shipping, storage, and dilution of Botox.
Old, stale, or improperly stored Botox loses its efficacy. Meaning, you won't get the full result of treatment. Or, you may get a good result but it fades in one to two months instead of lasting four to six months.
Area of Treatment
- Glabella (aka frown lines, the eleven between the eyebrows) This one area of treatment averages around 20 units of Botox to treat. Cost estimate: $325
- Crows Feet (includes both eyes) This area of treatment averages about 20 units of Botox. Cost: $325
- Forehead (It is advisable to treat both the glabella and the forehead for a smoother-looking, more natural result.) The forehead averages about 32 units of Botox. Cost: $450-$475
Botox Parties
Many practitioners offer Botox injections in a group setting for a discount. This is commonly referred to as a "Botox Party". Discounts are given based on the number of units sold.
Even in this setting, the proper handling of the Botox must be maintained. While some of these "parties" are hosted in a client's home, some may be held in the clinic itself. Steer clear of parties hosted in nightclubs or other dubious locations.
The American Academy of Dermatology and the American Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery have both expressed concerns about "parties".
They question the ability of the clinician to provide a safe and sterile environment outside of the office. Don't be afraid to respectfully ask questions about the procedure and the handling of the injectables.
Geography
Another factor in considering the cost of botox injections is the location. No, we don't only mean a clinic vs a medical spa. The city where you obtain treatment is also a consideration.
The cost of rent is much higher in NYC than rural Pennsylvania so the cost of treatment may run higher there. The cost for Botox injections is highest in New York City and Los Angeles, California. No surprise there.
Discount Botox Injections
If you are looking for a way to cut the costs of your Botox injections, many clinicians offer money-saving discounts for your first treatment visit. Others offer discounts on future treatments, sharing a vial with a friend, or when combined with dermal fillers or other treatment options.
Allergan, the makers of Botox, offers a rewards program called "Brilliant Distinctions". Every time you get an injection of Botox, you get points that can be converted into coupons for money off future Botox injections.
Botox Cosmetics or your clinician may email you about special offers. Patients can safely save a little money without worry about dangerous side-effects.
Be Consistent With Your Botox Injections
Botox injections will wear off gradually after about 3-4 months. If you are consistent with your treatments, you should be able to use the same number of units per visit to obtain the same results.
However, if you wait more time between visits you may need more Botox units to obtain the same results. Patients report needing fewer Botox units over time with consistent office visits. So, regular treatments can actually save you money!
How Much is Botox?
There are many factors to take into consideration when looking at how much does Botox cost. The skill of the clinician doing the injections is always your primary concern.
Combined with the cost charged per unit, the number of units needed, and the number of areas to be treated equals how much Botox cost. If you enjoyed this article, read more of our beauty shopping guides now.