Blowing the Whistle on Botox Cosmetic
Source: Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeon
Printed: Frontier’s Magazine, May 23, 2003
Most of us who have experience with Botox Cosmetic treatments agree that Botox is probably the single best thing that has happened since the 24 hour gym.
But whew! How the cost can add up. Nonetheless, if you are as committed as I am to a quarterly Botox regime, then there are a few things you need to know about how the cost of this liquid gold is factored. After all, natural beauty doesn’t come cheap and neither does ignorance.
How Botox Cosmetic is measured:
Botox Cosmetic is measured in units. Each vial of Botox Cosmetic that a doctor receives contains 100 units of Botox within a freeze-dried powder. The powder must be diluted with saline in order to be injected. The manufacturer recommends that in order to achieve the maximum benefit, a patient should receive a minimum of 20 units between the eye brows to address frown lines, 25 units for the forehead, and 10 units for each eye area (crows feet), in order to achieve results that last approximately 120 days.
Cost Per Unit vs. Cost Per Area:
Many Botox Cosmetic providers advertise their costs based on cost per area” so much for around each eye, so much for frown lines. When we shop by cost “per area” there is no way of knowing how many actual Botox units we are receiving for that price. Therefore, in addition to shopping for an experienced doctor, you should also be shopping for cost per unit.
For instance, suppose there are two separate advertisements for Botox Cosmetic; Doctor A is offering to treat the frown line area between the eyes for $190. While Doctor B is offering to treat the same area for $375. It would seem that Doctor A, who is offering to treat the frown line for $190 has the best offer. But, there is no way to know unless you know how many units you are receiving for that $190 price. It is too often the case that along with the lower price comes a lower number of units administered and the results don’t last as long as they should.
While the syringes being used by both Doctors are the same size and the volume of fluid is likely the same amount, the $190 syringe could be diluted to only 10 units of Botox Cosmetic ($19.00 per unit) while the $375.00 syringe contains the full recommended 25 units. ($15.00 per unit)
The way I see it, Botox injections are an investment. And if we have learned anything over the past 10 years about investing, it is “Do Your Homework” – You’ve heard the expression, “you get what you pay for”, when it comes to Botox Cosmetic, when you pay less, you may be getting less, which will require you to return more frequently for treatments.