Botox cost – CCs vs. units?
A. Most physicians charge Botox by the unit (100 units per bottle) … or by the area. Being charged by the unit is of course the most accurate because you know exactly what you are getting and “exactly” what you are paying for it. It is normal to have the injector tell you how many units are planned before it goes. Then it’s simple math. Pricing by area gives you less certainty about how many units you are getting from your injector and therefore makes it a bit less certain what you are actually paying, i.e. did the $300 for the glabella use 15 units or 25? Pricing by CC has the greatest potential for ripoff, as you are paying for the diluting solution to mix the Botox. The cost per unit can be increased dramatically by volume without the patient knowing how much Botox really was administered. As a plastic surgeon friend used to say “you don’t need to be a Neurosurgeon to give Botox.” You just need good training, experience, and, of course, ethics.
