How Much Do You Charge for Botox and Fillers?
Almost daily, my office receives calls about how much we charge per unit of Botox or per syringe of filler. Frequently, callers are confused by our answer. I wanted to take this opportunity to explain a little about my approach.
In today’s world, all of us would like a way to look fresher and younger with little to no downtime. According to the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery (ASAPS) the number of injectable procedures has increased by 39% over the past 5 years, which is a testament to this view of popularity.
When determining the cost of an injectable, the variables include:
- Brand name: Neurotoxin vs Dermal fillers
- The volume of products used
- Who is doing the injections?
- Geographic location
Neurotoxin Injectables
The two major options for injectables are neurotoxins and dermal fillers. Neurotoxins are medications that stop muscle movement. When wrinkles occur due to muscle movement, a neurotoxin can weaken the muscle and soften the wrinkle – the frown lines between our eyebrows are a popular location for neurotoxin injections.
There are several neurotoxins on the market; all of which have different brand names including Botox, Xeomin, Dysport, and the newest one, Juneau.
Neurotoxins can be billed in two ways. One is per unit. This means that you and your injector estimate how many neurotoxins you will need, and you pay that amount. The downside is that either the practitioner may underestimate how much you need or you may not have the budget for an adequate treatment. Either of these factors could result in under-treatment.
Another way in which neurotoxin treatments can be billed is by treatment area. This means that the patient pays a flat fee, and the provider treats until the desired result is achieved. If you need a ‘touch up’, there is no additional charge. Obviously, the downside is that this approach may seem to be more expensive.
Typically, flat rates are between $300-$1000, and per-unit prices are about $10-$20. I prefer a flat rate for Botox injections. In this manner, I can individualize the treatment based on your needs – everyone has varying degrees of muscle strength and muscle mass. At Bajaj Plastic Surgery, typically the fee is $350 for one area and $600 for two areas.
Dermal Fillers
As we age, we lose volume in our faces due to atrophy of our facial fat compartments and loss of bony volume – I have heard surgeons say that you lose one teaspoon of volume every year after age 30. Dermal fillers have begun to play a very significant role in the restoration of facial volume as we age.
Considering that most fillers come in syringes of 1cc increments, it can be confusing to the consumer since it takes almost 5cc to fill one teaspoon. Furthermore, not all fillers are created equal. Some fillers are thicker and are designed to be injected directly onto the bone; others will be thinner and are better injected more superficially; while others will grab more water when injected and result in more swelling.
As a patient, I wouldn’t expect you to understand the nuances of all the different fillers on the market. Rather, I will discuss the options with you. When I see my patients, I like to hear what their goals are and then base my recommendations based on those expectations – this may mean that multiple types of fillers are required and that more than one treatment may be necessary.
The cost of the different fillers will vary because each has differing properties. Similarly, the cost will also vary based on the area being injected. For example, tear trough injections and non-surgical rhinoplasties are more technically demanding and require more finesse.
Who is Performing the Injections?
If the price of an injectable was only based on the cost of the product, then we would all be able to purchase products and inject ourselves. Rather, injectables are medical products that require a knowledge of the appropriate use of the product, an understanding of your unique anatomy, and an understanding of the potential risks and complications.
At Bajaj Plastic Surgery, I perform all injections. I’m a plastic surgeon certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery. As a physician, my charges may be slightly higher than those of a nurse injector or a non-plastic surgeon. However, as a plastic surgeon, I can also offer you multiple tools to help achieve a younger and fresher look, including surgery. This means, that if injectables can’t meet all of your goals, we can also discuss surgical options.
Facial Rejuvenation is a broad term that encompasses both surgical and non-surgical options to help us look better and more refreshed. It is such a broad term because we age in multiple ways—we age with respect to our skin quality, fat volume in our faces, and ligamentous support of our faces. Since aging occurs on multiple levels, facial rejuvenation—or the desire to look and feel better—also needs a multi-pronged approach that addresses each aspect. Therefore, there is a role for surgery to remove excess skin and tighten loose or sagging muscles, fillers and/or fat grafting to restore the volume of our youth, and skincare and/or resurfacing to stimulate collagen production in our skin.
Geography Can Affect the Cost
Geography also plays a role in cost. We know that certain areas have a higher cost of living. This is also reflected in the cost of aesthetic procedures. Typically, many aesthetic procedures will be more expensive in California or New York, for example. Fortunately, many of us love Oklahoma and its relatively low cost of living!
Consider All Your Options
While we understand that cost is a consideration when considering aesthetic procedures, I encourage my patients to consider their options and choose wisely. Each of us has only one body, and we need to take care of it. Contact me for any questions or if you would like to schedule a consultation.