Botox Prices - Botox Pricing Guide
Commonly known by its trade name Botox, botulinum toxin is a non-surgical, doctor-administered cosmetic treatment for moderate to severe frown lines. Botox smooths the lines by 'blocking nerve impulses that trigger wrinkle-causing muscle contractions,' through injection. It is typically used in people ranging from 18 to 65 years of age. Botox works by blocking nerve transmission to temporarily reduce the contractions of the facial muscles that cause frown lines. It has been proven to be a safe and effective treatment for wrinkles, and are becoming increasingly popular amongst women who want to look younger or delay the ageing process.
What about its cost and what determines it?
The cost of Botox varies - depending on the number of units used and the areas injected. It also obviously depends on how many treatments you have. In the UK, you can expect to pay from around £250 for one treatment and under £500 for three. Many clinics charge by 'area' for Botox treatment, so the total cost depends on how much and how many areas you are having treated. There is one fee for 'forehead', a different fee for 'frown lines', another fee for 'crow’s feet', etc. The problem with this method, from the patient’s perspective, is that a patient has no idea how much of the product/Botox was used, therefore has no way of measuring the true cost of the product with regards to the service. Overall to know you're getting good value you should ask to be charged per unit and find out what your dose is. This also tells you what you will need for your next injection. Another factor that determines the cost of Botox is the way physicians purchase and pay for Botox; which is by the unit, either in 50 or 100 unit vials. The product cost is a significant fraction of the typical charge for the treatment.
How do I determine the amount of units required for each area to be treated?
Since Botox is charged by unit(s), you can roughly determine the amount of units you will be needing, which in turn will reflect to the cost. Typically - * 12-20 units is required for treatment of the frown lines. * 15-25 units is required for the horizontal forehead lines. * 10-15 units for both crow’s feet. Note that to have an optimal correction of the glabellar area(between the inner brows), some patients may take only 15 units, while others can go up to 30. This number of units to achieve optimal correction varies by the strength and volume of the muscle present. Make sure that you are not charged for 30 units while you used only 15 units.
