The cost of Botox injections can vary from state to state, but according to a survey from the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS) in 2019, the average cost was $10-$15 per unit, and any one cosmetic procedure may use 30 to 40 units of Botox. Those prices have since gone up dramatically.
What Affects the Cost of Your Botox Treatment?
Because Botox is priced per unit, not per injection, the cost of a Botox treatment does not coincide directly with the number of shots you get. One injection may only have a small amount and one injection may have a larger amount. So whether a plastic surgery visit is 20 units or 40 units is up to the plastic surgeon.
Also, it matters where you get the procedure done. As mentioned above, the cost of Botox injections varies a lot by state. Here in New York City, the average Botox treatment can vary in range depending upon many factors.
And why is there a difference in cost by region? It is dependent on state laws that regulate who can give the injections. Some states require that the Botox injections be delivered by a board-certified plastic surgeon (this includes New York). Other states, like Texas, have much looser guidelines as to who can inject you with Botox and this is the reason for the differential price.
Does Insurance Cover Botox?
Although there are some medical reasons that Botox injections are covered by insurance (for example, injections of Botox in the neck and head have been shown to help some migraine sufferers) Botox for cosmetic surgery is not covered under any major medical insurance program. This is the case with almost all cosmetic surgeries: they are not covered under health insurance as they are not seen as mandatory.
What Are the Average Costs of Botox Per Location?
The following are the number of units that are used in different facial muscles to provide the desired results.
- Forehead: Botox in the forehead, where there are often a lot of large wrinkles, can be anywhere between 20 to 40 units. This includes the lines between the eyebrows above the nose.
- Eyebrows: Botox is injected into the eyebrows to elevate the outer brow, and takes between 4 and 8 units per eyebrow.
- Crow’s Feet: To remove crow’s feet, also known as lateral canthal lines, a plastic surgeon will use approximately 24 units.
- Nose: Some plastic surgeons will do what is called a “nose lift” on the tip of the nose.
How Long Does Botox Work?
Botox doesn’t last forever, and the effects of a Botox treatment will wear off in 3-4 months. The good news is that the initial results are almost instantaneous: after getting the injections you will be experiencing the full effect of Botox very quickly, within one to two hours, and you will have the full results of it until it begins to fade at three months.
However, first-time results from Botox will last for a shorter amount of time than later treatments. So, a first-time treatment may only last three months but subsequent results may last four or more months. There is some evidence to suggest that people who have regular Botox treatments will develop wrinkles more slowly than people who don’t use Botox.
