What is a Unit of BOTOX?
Botox is a medication, and as such has a dosage which is determined by a Medical Professional. Botox dosage is measured in units. The best wrinkle-erasing results come from a strategic treatment: a combination of appropriate dosage for each individual’s facial musculature and precise targeting of where the Botox is placed. This brings us to the practical question: what is the difference in paying ‘by unit’ for a Botox treatment and paying ‘by area.’
Some practices choose to charge a set ‘by area’ price, but at Versailles Medical Spa we charge our Botox by the unit. When charged by the unit, you can be confident that you are only paying for the amount that you need. When you pay per unit, the total price will vary with the number of units injected. The more units you receive, the more you pay. The less units you receive, then the less you pay. In a complimentary consultation which includes an examination of your unique facial musculature, a thorough explanation of how Botox works and discussion of your desired result, you will be educated on exactly what dosage is appropriate for you. There will be enough time to also give you the treatment on the day of your consultation, however if you prefer to just have the consultation and schedule the treatment another time that is completely up to you.
When you pay per area the price is set, regardless of the number of units of Botox injected into the area. When considering area pricing though, you do need to know what each practice considers an “area.” The glabella (the area between the browns where frown lines appear) is one area and the forehead (the lines that appear when raising one’s eyebrows up) is another area. So what a reasonable person may think of as one area is often considered two different treatment areas by a practice that charges area-rates. Another consideration is that while you pay one lump sum per area, if you don’t need as much Botox as the next person, you’re paying the same, but getting less. That just doesn’t seem fair, does it? Often times, practices that charge by area will not educate you on the dosage you received for this very reason. While ‘by area’ practices often include ‘free touch-ups’ within 2 weeks of the treatment date, we do not consider this a perk since Botox can take up to 14 days to take full effect.
Then there is the matter of style. Do you want to erase lines, soften lines, alter shape such as evening out brows, or a combination? The results from a Botox treatment can range from conservative to frozen based on the patient’s request. In Connecticut, the preferred look is ‘refreshed’ but unfrozen while the trend in Los Angeles is more frozen and patients may ask for certain expressions to be completely ‘knocked out’ or immobilized. One is not better than another and there is plenty of room in between the two extremes.
We pride ourselves on providing a customized treatment plan and tailored experience for our customers at Versailles Medical Spa. Charging by unit is part of that experience. Contact us to set up a consultation.
