How Much Is Botox?

Curious about botox? It carries much less of a stigma nowadays and is considered a staple to many beauty routines just like a moisturizer or SPF. Botox paralyzes muscles which can lift the face and minimize the appearance of wrinkles. It’s really great for areas like the forehead, crow’s feet and smile lines. It leads to a younger, more awake looking complexion and it’s most ideal for making subtle enhancements without changing the way you look.

What is the cost of botox?

Botox costs $200 – $500 on average. The cost of botox will depend on a few factors; where you go, how much you get, where you get it and who is injecting it. A med spa typically will charge per unit while a dermatologist or plastic surgeon will charge for the treatment so it does vary based on where you go.

You never want to skimp on botox or take the cheaper route. Botox is not cheap but in the area of aesthetics, it’s much cheaper and less invasive than cosmetic surgeries and lasers.

What factors affect the cost of botox?

Where you go, where you get it, who is injecting it and how much you get will all affect the cost of botox. If the price sounds too good to be true, then it is. Botox should never be bought on Groupon! Once you find a place you like with an experienced injector, botox specials are common for recurring customers and it’s a great way to get a good deal.

Treatment Type

Are you getting a botox lip flip? That’s botox placed above the upper lift to lift the top lip and make it appear bigger. That’s anywhere from $50-$200 depending on the place. Getting your forehead and crow’s feet? That can cost $500 and upwards. It all depends on where you’re getting the botox and how much you need. As you can expect, the more you need or the bigger the area the higher the cost.

Units used

Units is a measurement for the amount of botox used. So, the forehead ’11s’ or the spot between your eyebrows typically needs around 15-20 units. Crows’ feet are about 20-30 units (in total). Forehead lines are around 16-30 units. So if you go to a med spa for all three of these areas, you’re looking at around $600-$800 at least. Once you start getting botox regularly you may find that you need less to maintain your wrinkle free appearance every few months.

Using too little can result in unnatural and uneven results while using too much can freeze the face. Make sure you’re going to an experienced injector that knows what you need based on your goals.

Injector fee

An injector fee varies from place to place. A dermatologist or plastic surgeon typically will have a higher fee than a med spa. Most med spas price by unit and it’s around $10-$17 per unit injected by a nurse. But for the forehead alone you may need 50 units to cover the area between your brows, forehead lines and crow’s feet. So on the low end, at a med spa that’s around $600 and likely upwards.

Some med spas that charge per unit will set a minimum of 20 units if you’re just coming in for botox. If you’re getting other treatments like lasers or fillers then the minimum units are waived. Some med spas may also charge more for the amount of experience the injector has. For instance a nurse or physician assistant may be $12 per unit while their doctor is $14. Some places also offer specials for the more you buy so for example: buy 100 units to use over time, get 20 free.

If you’re going to a dermatologist, those usually come with an injector fee and a set dollar amount. For instance two syringes of botox may be around $500-$850. Depending on how much you need, you may have to pay more based on the doctor’s rate. Injector fees depend on where you go but they’re more common in doctor’s offices than med spas. It’s typically more expensive at a dermatologist or plastic surgeon but you’re paying for their experience and skill.

What is the average cost by treatment type?

Area

Price

Hyperhidrosis – armpits

$500-$1000

Brow lift

$450-$700

Jaw slimming / masseters

$800-$1300

Forehead – 11s, lines and crow’s feat

$300-$700

Lip flip

$80-$300 (volume and need base)

Smile lines

$300-$500

** These are averages so keep in mind location (big urban city vs suburb) will affect cost. For instance, botox in LA or NYC will cost more than botox in a suburb. As well as how much product is needed.

Final Thoughts

Botox when done correctly can help to look like the best version of yourself. It’s so important to go to an experienced injector that’s aligned with your goals! There’s this idea that botox means your face is frozen and that’s not true if you go with a natural approach. So finding the right injector is huge! Always remember, if the price seems too good to be true then it is – botox is not something you want to save on!

Frequently Asked Questions

Can you finance botox?

There are some offices that work with credit companies, (CareCredit) to finance cosmetics surgeries. Basically you get a surgery credit card and then pay it off monthly. These are more common with larger surgeries like rhinoplasty, a tummy tuck, etc. With a surgery credit card you can finance Botox but there is a possibility for a higher interest rate so keep that in mind.

For lower cost cosmetic procedures like Botox, you’re better off finding a med spa that does financing or a monthly payment plan with 0% interest. Some med spas offer financing for up to a year with 0% interest.

How much is Botox yearly?

This depends on how much you get. But, botox lasts around 4-6 months so if you’re starting off and want to maintain the results, you’ll need to get a touch up 2 to 3 times a year. If you’re paying $500 for forehead lines and crow’s feet then you’re looking at $1000 to $1500 a year. You can stretch it out and go 2 times a year to save money. If you go more frequently you will likely need less so you’ll be paying less but more often.

How much is botox for hyperhidrosis?

We included hyperhidrosis botox on the price chart but here’s a breakdown. Hyperhidrosis is excessive sweating and can occur in the feet, palms and armpits. Botox blocks the sweating completely when done correctly. At a doctor, sometimes this can be covered by insurance depending on what you have because hyperhidrosis is a health condition. If not, at med spas or a doctors office, hyperhidrosis botox is charged by the area not by unit. So underarms can be $500-$1000 and palms can cost around $500 each.