Price questions come up in almost every Botox consultation I run. People have a number in mind from a friend’s text or a TikTok, then discover the quote for their face is higher or lower. That gap is normal. Botox pricing is not a single line item; it is a mix of medication cost, injector expertise, clinic overhead, and the specific muscles we plan to treat. If you understand what is behind the number, you can spot real value, avoid false “deals,” and plan a maintenance budget that doesn’t surprise you six months from now.
This guide pulls from current 2026 market ranges I see across major US cities, trends in neurotoxin use, and the practical variables that drive treatment plans. I focus on cosmetic use, while flagging medical indications like migraine and hyperhidrosis where insurance sometimes enters the picture.
What you actually pay for at a Botox appointment
Two people can each get “forehead Botox,” leave happy, and pay very different amounts. The variation has less to do with personality and more to do with the inputs on the clinic side:
- Product and dose. Botox Cosmetic is sold to clinics in vials. Your price reflects how many units are used. The glabella, the 11 lines between the brows, often needs 15 to 25 units. The frontalis, the forehead muscle, can range from 6 to 20 units depending on anatomy and goals. Crow’s feet on both sides generally use 12 to 24 units. A “lip flip” is usually 4 to 8 units. Masseter reduction for jaw slimming can reach 30 to 60 units on both sides. If you see a per area price that seems low, ask how many units are included. Expertise and time. An experienced injector reads your animation patterns quickly, maps safer points, and places micro-doses with fewer needle entries. That training costs money and often shows up as a higher per unit rate. You pay for fewer mistakes, more natural looking Botox, and treatment that lasts closer to its potential. Location and overhead. Urban cores with high rents and strong demand command higher pricing. A Midtown Manhattan botox provider, for example, commonly charges more per unit than a suburban botox clinic in the same region. Safety practices. Legitimate supply chains, single patient use needles, medical oversight, and time for a proper botox consultation are not add-ons. When clinics cut corners on these, they can post lower prices. You do not want to be the case study in why that was a bad idea. Follow up culture. Some practices price with a planned botox follow up at two weeks that includes touch up units if needed. Others book the check but charge per additional unit. Neither is wrong, but it changes your final bill.
2026 benchmark ranges: per unit and per area
Across the US in 2026, I see per unit prices for Botox Cosmetic most often between 11 and 20 dollars, with many clinics clustering around 13 to 17. A handful of boutique practices in high-demand neighborhoods charge 18 to 22 per unit, justified by senior injectors and extended visit times. Discount chains may advertise 9 to 11 per unit through membership programs, though the final ticket often relies on higher recommended dosing.
Per area pricing is common for standard zones, especially for new patients who prefer predictability. Typical brackets:
- Glabellar botox, the 11 lines: 250 to 450 dollars Forehead botox: 150 to 350 dollars, often only offered with the glabella to balance brow position Crow’s feet injections: 200 to 400 dollars, both sides Bunny lines botox at the nasal sidewalls: 100 to 200 dollars Lip flip botox: 80 to 200 dollars Gummy smile botox: 120 to 250 dollars Brow lift botox using small lateral frontalis and orbicularis oculi points: 120 to 250 dollars Chin botox for dimpling: 120 to 250 dollars Platysma botox, also called neck bands or Nefertiti pattern: 400 to 800 dollars Masseter botox for bruxism or face slimming: 500 to 1,200 dollars depending on dose and region Underarm botox for hyperhidrosis: 900 to 1,600 dollars both sides, sometimes offset by insurance
These figures assume name brand Botox Cosmetic. If a clinic uses another FDA cleared neurotoxin, such as Dysport or Daxxify, pricing logic changes because units are not identical. A common mistake is to compare per unit costs across brands without converting. When you shop botox near me, ask which neurotoxin they use and the dosing equivalence they follow.
Why your forehead is not your neighbor’s forehead
I often meet two friends who want “the same.” Within minutes it is obvious they do not have the same. Muscle bulk, brow posture, forehead height, and hairline all change the plan.
If your frontalis pulls hard and your brows naturally sit low, I will keep forehead botox light to avoid heavy lids. That might mean we focus more on glabellar botox and a micro lift at the tails of the brows. If you have a naturally high brow and horizontal lines at rest, we can treat more aggressively for smoother skin. Subtle botox is not a product, it is the sum of dose and placement choices for your face.
A note on men. Botox for men typically requires higher doses because male corrugators and frontalis are larger on average. Expect a 10 to 30 percent higher unit count in glabella and forehead zones Botox MA compared with women of the same age and pattern.
Preventative botox, baby botox, and micro dosing
Twenty and thirty something patients ask about preventative botox all the time. Does it work? It can, when targeted at dynamic wrinkles forming from repeated expressions. Fine line injections in the glabella or early crow’s feet can slow etching into the skin. Baby botox or micro botox describes a style of lower dose, more superficial or more distributed injection to soften movement without freezing. The upside is a very natural look and fewer side effects like heaviness. The trade off is shorter duration and the need for more frequent botox maintenance. Where a full glabella dose might last 3 to 4 months, a micro plan could soften in 6 to 10 weeks.
Micro botox and the so called botox facial, where diluted toxin is delivered very superficially with microneedling or stamping to shrink pores and reduce oiliness, has mixed evidence and is off label. Results can be pleasing for texture and sheen but will not replace muscle-targeted wrinkle relaxer injections for deeper lines. Budget accordingly and do not expect pore-focused treatments to smooth a strong 11 line.
How long results last, and what that means for your budget
Most patients enjoy 3 to 4 months of reduced movement after standard cosmetic botulinum toxin injections. Some zones last longer. Masseter botox for bruxism or jaw slimming can hold 4 to 6 months once you reach an effective dose, sometimes longer after repeated cycles as the muscle remodels. Underarm hyperhidrosis botox often gives 4 to 6 months of dryness, with a slow return of sweating.
Several factors alter duration:
- Metabolism and activity. High intensity athletes sometimes burn through results faster. I plan a more frequent botox touch up for triathletes compared to desk professionals. Dose per muscle. Underdosing a bulky corrugator gives a brief win then a fast return of the 11s. Adequate dosing lasts longer and can cost less per month of effect. Repetition. Many patients get a slightly longer tail after three or four cycles. The muscle learns a new baseline. Product and dilution. Different tox brands have different duration profiles. Some Daxxify users report a longer window in glabella, but it is priced higher per area, and experiences vary.
When you map a year’s budget, multiply your per visit cost by the number of expected sessions. A forehead, glabella, and crow’s feet plan that runs 600 to 900 dollars every 3 to 4 months totals 1,800 to 3,600 dollars per year. A jaw botox program for bruxism may be 700 to 1,200 dollars per session, two to three times per year initially, then possibly twice yearly after the first year.
The true cost of a “deal”
A few years ago a patient brought in a group coupon for full face botox at a price that barely covered the cost of the vial. The clinic offering it had opened six weeks earlier and closed by the end of the year. The patients were not scammed in the Hollywood sense, but the economics led to diluted product, underdosing, and rushed visits. Cheap up front became expensive a month later when lines returned and they had to redo the work at a reputable office.
Affordable botox is a fair goal. Professional botox should still look like a medical visit. Here are the red flags I flag for friends and family:
- No in person botox consultation, no medical history, no discussion of risks. Prices that are only per area, never per unit, and no transparency about how many units are included. No offered botox follow up at two weeks to assess symmetry. Vague language about “neurotoxin” without naming the brand and showing the vial. High pressure add ons that do not match your goals, like pushing full face botox when you came for brow lift botox.
If you want to stretch your budget, consider a membership at a clinic you trust that gives modest per unit discounts and priority scheduling. Ask about botox specials during slower months. Lock in a treatment calendar and stick to it, which helps clinics plan inventory and sometimes yields better rates.
Area by area: what affects dose, look, and price
Glabella, 11 lines botox. The dose is driven by the strength of the corrugator and procerus. Strong frowners need 20 to 25 units for a full relax. Light frowners can look smooth at 12 to 16 units. Underdose leads to fast return and vertical or diagonal line persistence. Good news, this area is highly predictable and one of the best value zones for wrinkle botox.
Forehead botox for forehead lines. The frontalis raises the brow, so paralysis drops the brow. The art lies in softening horizontal lines without crashing the lids. People with low set brows or heavy upper eyelids get lower doses spread laterally to preserve lift. Expect 6 to 12 units if paired with glabella in a conservative plan, up to 18 or 20 units for broader foreheads and etched lines. Forehead treatment almost always comes with glabellar botox to keep the brow balanced, which influences both the look and the invoice.
Crow’s feet injections. Smiles vary. Some of us squint hard and crinkle laterally into the temple, others barely crease. Unit counts range widely, 12 to 24 total, sometimes with tiny spinoff points under the lateral brow for a gentle brow lift. Over-treat the orbicularis and smiles can feel flat. I favor subtle botox here for first timers, then adjust at the two week mark.
Bunny lines botox. Two to six units can soften nose scrunch lines. Easy win, but avoid migration near the lip elevator muscles, which could worsen a gummy smile if not planned.
Lip flip botox, gummy smile botox. Lip flips use light doses to relax the orbicularis oris and reveal a millimeter or two more pink lip at rest. It is not lip volume. Expect 4 to 8 units and a shorter duration, 6 to 10 weeks in many cases due to constant muscle movement. Gummy smile treatment targets the lip elevators to reduce gum show while smiling. Dosing is delicate to keep speech and smile natural. Budget for more frequent visits if you love the effect.
Masseter botox for jaw slimming or bruxism botox. This is a dose heavy zone. 20 to 30 units per side is common, more for strong grinders, spaced over the lower two thirds of the muscle. Slimming develops over weeks as the muscle thins. For TMJ symptoms, relief can begin within days. Plan two to three sessions in the first year. With consistent treatment, some patients maintain with lower or less frequent doses. Jaw botox costs look high per visit but can be cost effective per month of function and aesthetic change.
Chin botox for chin dimpling. Small doses smooth the pebbled look from an overactive mentalis. Often combined with a hyaluronic acid filler if a deep mental crease is present. Simple, high satisfaction when indicated.
Neck botox for neck bands, platysma botox. This uses multiple low dose points along visible bands. Over-treating risks swallow and speech changes, so the plan tends to be conservative. It can refine the jawline in select candidates, particularly as part of a Nefertiti pattern. Expect a higher ticket due to the number of injection points and safety pacing.
Full face botox. Some clinics market this as a package, blending tiny doses across many zones. It gives a polished look on camera and can pair with filler for structure. Pricing is often unit based with a discounted block rate, for example 60 or 100 units at a set price.
Medical indications: migraines, sweating, bruxism, and insurance
Botox for migraines is FDA approved for chronic migraine when you have 15 or more headache days per month. It is a different protocol and dosing pattern compared to cosmetic botox, and it is usually handled by neurology or pain clinics. Insurance may cover part or all after prior authorization, but expect copays, deductibles, and specific brand requirements.
Hyperhidrosis botox in the underarms can be life changing. Some plans cover it when prescription antiperspirants fail and sweat testing confirms severity. Palmar or plantar sweating treatment is possible but more painful and can weaken grip or foot push-off briefly. Budget for nerve blocks or pain control if treating hands.
Bruxism botox for TMJ symptoms is typically out of pocket, though a few dental or medical plans now consider partial coverage when conservative measures fail. Save your dental wear documentation and night guard notes for any pre-authorization attempt.
The consultation: how to get a precise quote that sticks
The most efficient botox appointment I see includes clear goals, photos, and a willingness to animate honestly. Do not “behave” your face. Frown, smile, lift your brows hard, and show me your biggest chew. That is how we choose dose and map safety zones around the brow and eyelids.
Bring a short medical list. Blood thinners, recent vaccines, planned dental work, and any neuromuscular disorders matter. We will talk through botox safety, expected botox side effects like tiny bruises or a headache day, and rare risks like eyelid ptosis.
I quote two numbers: a plan with the minimum dose for your goal and a plan with my ideal dose if we want the longest hold. I also explain the two week check, whether touch ups are included or billed per unit, and what botox downtime looks like. Most people return to normal life immediately, avoiding heavy workouts for the rest of the day. Same day botox is real for many schedules.
Building a practical budget and timeline
You do not need to treat every facial zone at once. A staged plan can protect your wallet and still deliver visible change.
- Start with the “driver” zone. For most, that is glabellar botox if frown lines dominate or crow’s feet injections if the eye area ages the face most. See how you like the effect and your individual duration. Add complementary zones once you know your pattern. Forehead botox often comes second to keep harmony. A tiny brow lift botox may finish the frame later. Decide on maintenance cadence after the second cycle, when your personal duration is clearer. Some prefer strict every 12 week visits for consistently smooth skin. Others are happy riding the fade and booking every 16 to 20 weeks. Consider memberships or prepaid unit banks only if you already trust the injector and like your results. The discount should be modest but real, for example 10 to 15 percent.
For a first year starter plan that focuses on anti aging botox in the upper face, I often see three visits at 500 to 900 dollars each for a total of 1,500 to 2,700 dollars. Add a lip flip here and there, the total rises. Add masseter treatment, your annual budget may double. Choose what matters to you most, rather than chasing every small line.
Safety, side effects, and the cost of fixing problems
Most side effects are minor and short lived. Pinpoint bruises, a dull ache around the temples or brow, or a brief headache happen. Small asymmetries are common and usually fine tuned at the botox follow up with a few units. Prices for these touch ups vary. Some clinics include up to a set number of units free within two weeks, others charge a per unit rate.
The expensive problems are rare but worth naming. Brow or eyelid ptosis, where a lid droops, can last weeks to a few months depending on the location and dose of spread. Apraclonidine drops may help lift the lid a millimeter, but you mostly wait it out. Heavy forehead after forehead botox that ignored your brow position can make you feel tired and look different than intended. Migration into the lip elevators can change speech. These are reasons to choose a botox specialist who maps conservative borders, especially near the eyes and mouth.
If a fix is needed, be wary of anyone suggesting “dissolving” Botox. Hyaluronidase dissolves filler, not botulinum toxin. Time and supportive measures are the strategy with neurotoxins.
Realistic expectations and first timer notes
First time botox patients often worry about looking frozen. That happens when doses are heavy or points are poorly placed. Ask for a natural approach with priority zones. We can always add at the two week check. Expect that week one feels odd, as if your face is learning a new dial. By week two the look usually settles.
Photos help. Bring a reference of how much expression you want to keep. If “movie star smooth” is your wish, say that too. Goals differ. There is no best botox, only the best plan for your taste and anatomy.
Comparing clinics without getting lost in the math
Call three clinics in your area and ask the same five questions. Keep the answers in a simple note so you can compare apples to apples.
- Do you price per unit or per area for the zones I want, and how many units are typically included? Who performs the injections, and how many years have they focused on neurotoxin injections? What is your botox follow up policy at two weeks? Are touch up units included? Which neurotoxin brand do you use primarily, and can I request a specific one? If I plan for regular botox maintenance, do you offer memberships or prepay discounts? What is the real per unit rate after fees?
Pick the place that gives clear answers, not the place that gives the lowest number.
A quick note on timing around life events
If you have a wedding or a career milestone with photos, schedule your botox appointment 3 to 4 weeks ahead. That window allows the treatment to peak and gives room for a fine tune if needed. If you are considering filler near the same time, do Botox first, as relaxing muscles can slightly change filler placement needs.
Avoid trying something new the week before a big event. Even a lip flip that “always works” in your friend might feel different on your smile at first.
Beyond cost: the value of a good injector
I have lost count of times an “expensive” injector cost less over a year. The reasons are plain. Right dose, right points, and a plan tuned to you lasts closer to four months. You avoid emergency fixes and ER bills from an unsafe setting. You like your face, which is the point.
When you meet an injector who asks about your job, your workouts, and your tolerance for movement, that is not small talk. It is data. Someone who maps your brow shape while you speak is already thinking about frontalis vectors and whether you are a candidate for a tiny brow lift botox. That is value even if the per unit line reads two dollars higher than the shop down the street.
Final budgeting example, with trade offs
Let’s say you want a refreshed upper face without a frozen look, plus relief from nightly teeth grinding.
Visit one, consultation and treatment:
- Glabellar botox 18 units, forehead botox 10 units, crow’s feet 12 units total, masseter botox 24 units per side. At 15 dollars per unit, that sums to 18 x 15 + 10 x 15 + 12 x 15 + 48 x 15 = 1,320 dollars. You return at two weeks. One unit per side added at the crow’s feet, two units to the right corrugator. Some clinics include this, others add 75 to 90 dollars.
Visit two, three and a half months later:
- You loved the eye area and glabella, forehead held fine. Masseter relief is good but you want a bit more jaw slimming. Repeat upper face with similar dosing, increase masseter to 28 units per side. Total roughly 1,440 dollars.
Visit three, seven months after start:
- Same upper face. Masseter reduced back to 24 per side as you have less clenching. Total about 1,320 dollars.
Annual total lands around 4,000 dollars, which sounds high until you realize the majority is dose heavy jaw botox that also saved your molars from wear. If you skip crow’s feet to save now and add it next year, you drop the total by roughly 180 dollars per visit. If you join a clinic membership at 13.50 per unit, the same plan falls by about 10 percent. That is real money over a year.
Bottom line you can act on
Botox pricing in 2026 reflects units, skill, and setting. Expect 11 to 20 dollars per unit at reputable clinics, with common upper face areas priced 150 to 450 dollars each. Masseter and hyperhidrosis treatments cost more due to higher dosing. Results last 3 to 4 months for most cosmetic zones and longer for some medical indications. Budget by the year, not the session, and choose a botox injector who explains dose rationales and invites a two week check.
If you want a simple start, pick your most expressive wrinkle and treat that zone with a conservative plan. Learn how your face responds. Add zones only if they matter to you. Seek professional botox, not just affordable botox. The best value is the result you like, delivered safely, on a schedule you can sustain.