How much does Botox cost? A complete price guide by area and provider type

Botox pricing is confusing because it's quoted differently by different practices — per unit, per area, or as an all-in treatment fee. Here's how to understand the numbers and what actually drives the cost.

Two pricing models

Per-unit pricing

The most transparent model. You pay a set price per Botox unit (e.g., $12–$20/unit).

Advantages:
You can compare prices directly between practices
You're charged for exactly what's used
You can request a specific number of units and know the exact cost

What to ask: "What is your price per unit, and how many units will you use for my treatment?"

Typical unit ranges by area:

| Area | Typical units (Botox) | At $14/unit |
|---|---|---|
| Glabellar (11s) | 20–30 units | $280–$420 |
| Forehead lines | 10–20 units | $140–$280 |
| Crow's feet (both sides) | 20–30 units | $280–$420 |
| Brow lift | 4–8 units | $56–$112 |
| Lip flip | 4–8 units | $56–$112 |
| Masseter (both sides) | 40–100 units | $560–$1,400 |
| Neck (platysma bands) | 20–50 units | $280–$700 |
| Hyperhidrosis (axillary) | 100–200 units | $1,400–$2,800 |
| Full face (common areas) | 40–60 units | $560–$840 |

Note: These are Botox (onabotulinumtoxinA) units. Dysport, Xeomin, and Daxxify use different unit systems and cannot be directly compared by unit count.

Per-area pricing

Some practices charge a flat fee per area regardless of units used (e.g., "$350 for forehead," "$300 for crow's feet").

Advantages: Simple to understand total cost upfront.

Disadvantages: You don't know how many units you're getting. A flat-fee model can hide under-dosing — if the practice makes the same money whether they use 15 or 25 units, the incentive is to use fewer.

What to ask when you see per-area pricing: "How many units is that typically, and is there a maximum you'll use for that flat fee?"

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What drives price variation

Geographic market

Botox in Manhattan, Beverly Hills, or San Francisco costs significantly more than in the Midwest or Southeast — not because the product is different, but because real estate, operating costs, and market rates differ.

Typical price per unit ranges:
Major metro markets: $15–$25/unit
Secondary markets: $10–$18/unit
Medspa chains / discount providers: $8–$14/unit

Provider type and experience

| Provider | Typical price range | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Plastic surgeon | $20–$30/unit | Highest; overhead of surgical practice |
| Dermatologist | $15–$25/unit | Premium for medical specialty |
| Med spa (NP/PA/RN injector) | $12–$20/unit | Most common setting |
| Med spa chain | $9–$14/unit | High volume, standardized; less individual assessment |
| Discount providers | $8–$11/unit | Lowest; assess carefully |

Important: The lowest-priced Botox is not necessarily the worst result — but the correlation between experience, technique, and outcomes is real. Per-unit price is one data point; injector portfolio, experience, and assessment quality matter more.

Allergan Aspire Rewards / loyalty programs

Allergan (maker of Botox) runs the Aspire Rewards program. Practices that participate offer patients points that translate to dollars off future treatments. Ask if your practice participates — it can reduce net cost by $20–$50 per treatment for regular patients.

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Neuromodulator price comparison

Per unit is not directly comparable across brands because the dilution and unit definition differ:

| Product | Maker | Approx. price per "unit" | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Botox | Allergan | $12–$20/unit | Reference standard |
| Dysport | Galderma | $4–$6/unit | ~2.5–3 Dysport units per Botox unit; total cost often similar |
| Xeomin | Merz | $11–$18/unit | Similar to Botox in unit terms |
| Daxxify | Revance | Higher per treatment | Fewer annual treatments offset higher session cost |

The real question is total annual cost. Dysport appears cheaper per unit but requires more units. Daxxify costs more per session but requires 2 treatments/year instead of 3–4. Compare annual cost, not unit price.

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Evaluating value, not just price

The cheapest Botox is often a false economy if:
Under-dosing means results last 6 weeks instead of 3–4 months → more treatments per year → higher annual cost
An inexperienced injector places Botox incorrectly → brow drop, asymmetry → correction appointment → cost and frustration

A high-quality injector at $18/unit who doses correctly and produces consistent results often costs less annually than a $10/unit provider who under-doses and under-assesses.

Questions to calibrate value:
How many units are you using, and is that appropriate for my muscle mass?
What is your typical patient's retreatment interval? (3.5–4 months is ideal for cost efficiency)
What is your correction policy if I need an adjustment?

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Common price traps

"Botox special" or "Botox party" deals:
Often dramatically under-dosed to hit a low headline price
Rushed, no individualized assessment
High staff turnover at discount providers means inconsistent injectors

"Units included" packages:
Some practices sell packages (e.g., "200 units Botox for $1,600") — can be good value if you use that volume
Verify expiration dates and transferability

Groupon/deal sites:
Not universally bad, but assess the specific practice carefully before booking any injectable via a deep-discount deal

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Annual cost planning

For a typical patient treating glabellar + forehead + crow's feet (50–70 units total):

At $14/unit, 3 treatments/year: 60 units × $14 × 3 = $2,520/year
At $10/unit but under-dosed (40 units), 4 treatments/year: 40 × $10 × 4 = $1,600/year — cheaper only if you're okay with incomplete results

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