Compare Botox Cosmetic® Prices

If you want to know who gives you the best value for your Botox buck, follow these steps:

It Must Be Real.

Botox Cosmetic® is produced by Allergan Pharmaceuticals and there are no generic substitutes. The use of any botulinum toxin product other than Allergan Botox Cosmetic or Dysport (a similar toxin produced by Medicis Pharmaceuticals and recently approved for use in the United States) for facial wrinkles is dangerous!!! Botox Cosmetic is stored in a small bottle with the Allergan name and hologram on the label. Don't be afraid to ask to see the bottle before you receive your treatment.

Know the Number of Units.

Every bottle of Botox Cosmetic contains 100 units of medication that is mixed with saline immediately prior to the injections. Various concentrations may be mixed and the effectiveness of a treatment depends on the number of units of medication injected into the muscle, not the number of cc's injected. If a practice can't or won't tell you how many units of medication you receive in each treatment, you cannot trust their prices.

The Amount Needed Versus Predictable Cost.

All practices determine the price of Botox Cosmetic treatments by the number of units of medication you receive and the ideal amount of medication for a treatment area varies between individuals (remember that the size and strength of the muscles being injected, sensitivity to the medication, and residual effects from prior injections are not the same for everyone). The best way to determine the number of units needed for your treatment is an examination at the time of the treatment. The disadvantage of this determination is that you don't know in advance how much a treatment will cost. Many practices, including Skin Care By Design, offer both a per unit price and a flat price for each treatment area based on the number of units of medication needed by the average person. The flat price allows you to know the cost but, if your muscles need more units of medication than you receive, your results may be less acceptable and you may need your next treatment sooner than expected. We suggest that you obtain the number of units of medication recommended by your skin care nurse after an examination and a review of your response to any past Botox Cosmetic injections.

Don't Forget About Expertise.

Always ask about the qualifications, training, and experience of the person performing your treatment. This affects the accuracy and effectiveness of the treatments, your comfort during the treatments, and your satisfaction with the results.

How Do Other Botulinum Toxins Compare to Botox Cosmetic?

Dysport (formerly known as Reloxin) was approved for use in the United States to treat forehead wrinkles and frown lines in April 2009. Dysport is a botulinum toxin manufactured by Ipsen Biopharm. Although their action is similar, Dysport and Botox Cosmetic are different drugs. Botox is three to five times stronger than Dysport so you should not compare units of Botox to units of Dysport. Early comparisons indicate that both products last the same amount of time. On the plus side for Dysport, it appears to take effect one to three days sooner and may be introduced at a lower price. On the minus side, Dysport spreads out more than Botox, increasing the chances of affecting nearby muscles and producing ptosis (eyelid droop). It is more likely to cause allergic reactions and antibody formation and should not be used by persons allergic to milk proteins.

PurTox is a purified form of Botox produced by Mentor Corporation. It is a branded form of Botox, and differentiates itself from the conventional Botox treatment based on how long the results last and how quickly it starts to work. Phase 3 testing is underway and approval by the FDA is anticipated for late 2009 or early 2010.

Xeomin is a botulinum toxin produced by Merz. Clinical studies suggest that Xeomin is similar in its effects to Botox Cosmetic. It does not appear to last as long as Botox but it has a lower probability of producing antibody formation. It was recently released in Europe but FDA approval is not expected until 2010.

How Do I Compare Practices and Botox Prices?

• Ensure that Allergan Botox Cosmetic is used and that all persons performing injections are medically qualified and experienced. Skin Care By Design uses Botox Cosmetic purchased directly from Allergan and is staffed entirely by Registered Nurses trained to give Botox Cosmetic injections. Our clients consistently tell us that our nurses give the most comfortable injections they have ever received.
• Ask how much each practice charges per unit of Botox Cosmetic. If they only quote charges for treatments (not units), ask how many units of medication the treatment price is based on and divide the treatment price by the number of units. When you receive treatments, ask how many units of medication were actually injected (this is the only way to know if you were given an accurate figure at the start). Do not compare units between Botox Cosmetic and Dysport because they are not the same. Skin Care By Design charges $12 per unit and, during our Botox Clinic on the first Tuesday and Wednesday of each month, we charge $1080 per unit.
• If you prefer the predictability of a flat price for each treatment, request a face-to-face consultation with each practice to find out how many units of Botox Cosmetic their practitioner feels is appropriate for your initial and later treatments. Then divide the treatment price by the number of units and compare the per unit prices. Skin Care By Design offers both per unit price and flat price treatments. Any consultation charges for Botox treatments are credited towards the cost of those treatments.

Top of page

 

Back to Botox Services Page