How Much are Cosmetic Wrinkle Injections… and why?

03 Mar How Much are Cosmetic Wrinkle Injections… and why?

Patients frequently have questions about the cost of Botox, and rightfully so. Botox and other neuromodulator treatments are a major investments for most of us, so it’s important to understand what you are paying for. Because each patient has unique needs and each physician administering injections determines how much Botox is necessary for a treatment, dosage varies widely.

Experienced patients are familiar with the price per unit price structure, but what does that really mean?

Botox arrives as a lyophilized (freeze dried) powder within a sterile vial. Each vial contains 100 units that are reconstituted (restored to their original state) with the addition of bacteriostatic saline. Most physicians use a 1:1 ratio for cosmetic purposes, so 100 units are reconstituted with 1ml of saline. This means that a 1-unit dose requires an injection of .01ml of reconstituted product, a 10-unit dose requires an injection of .1ml of reconstituted product, and so on.

In Port Moody, Coquitlam and Port Coquitlam (and other cities in the Lower Mainland), the unit dose for neuromodulators ranges from $7 – $24 per unit, depending on a variety of factors.

Read about Botox treatments at Halcyon Cosmetic Clinic.

Botox Cost Per Unit Doesn’t Answer the Entire Question

Price per unit means nothing without understanding what dose is required, and this is where the cost of Botox really differs.

The dosage of neuromodulator required to achieve a desired response varies greatly from person to person and must be determined by a skilled injector, well-educated in facial anatomy.

The following must always be considered:

• the area(s) of concern
• desired degree of response
• strength of muscle contraction
• collateral areas affected

For example, when considering frown lines, one patient’s muscle contraction may be minimal and only require 15-20 units to achieve the same results as a patient with a stronger contraction who requires 40 – 50 units. In addition, some patients want complete elimination of movement and wrinkles, requiring a higher dose than a patient just wanting their lines “softened”.

How the treatment will affect facial expressions and surrounding muscles must also be considered. A common mistake is treatment of the frown lines by relaxing only the centre of the brows without considering that the lateral brows will continue to lift with expressions, resulting in brows that “peak” or “Spock”, a telltale sign of a careless injector.

The Correct Question is “How Much Will Botox Cost for ME?”

Many injectors will temp you with a lower price per unit but fail to perform a thorough consultation to determine a customized dosage, and instead treat patients with a one-size-fits all approach, resulting in a much higher cost not to mention less than desirable results.

For an accurate Botox treatment estimate, we encourage you to come in for a thorough consultation to assess your goals, the strength of your muscle contraction, and your desired outcome.

Book a Consultation Today!