Botox Deals and Specials
If crow‘s feet, smile lines, or frown lines are starting to affect your self-confidence, you may find yourself searching for Botox deals and specials. While discounts for this cosmetic procedure do exist, there are also plenty of individuals out there looking to offer you products that are either diluted or downright fraudulent. The following article arms you with the information you need to know when searching for a Botox physician, and we’ve also included a few alternatives to this costly anti-wrinkle process.
What Is Botox?
Anyone looking for Botox deals and specials first needs to understand what the product is and what it does. Recognized by its popular trade name, Botox, this anti-wrinkle substance is technically known as clostridium botulinum toxin type A. Injected into the face, it is used by cosmetic providers to paralyze facial muscles and reduce the effects of wrinkles. Botox accomplishes this by blocking the substance known as acetylcholine. Effects normally last anywhere from three to six months.
It’s
the most common cosmetic operation performed in the United States annually,
with millions of patients receiving Botox injections to eliminate what are
known as “dynamic wrinkles.” These are wrinkles remembered by our face even
when we stop making them (such as smiles and frowns). By paralyzing select
facial muscles, Botox gives your face the equivalent of a blank slate. This
procedure can be performed by plastic surgeons, dermatologists, nurses,
cosmetic physicians, and at medical spas.
Injections of Botox have been commonplace in the United States since 2000, although it wasn’t technically approved by the FDA for cosmetic procedures until 2002. Botox injections are administered after the area to be treated has been covered with a topical anesthetic cream to numb the pain. Three to ten days later, the patient will notice lines in the treated area beginning to disappear.
The Cost of Botox
The average cost of a Botox treatment is normally $350 to $1000, although you may be able to find Botox deals and specials that fall outside of this range. In 2005, for example, the national average was around $375, with states in the northeast charging more than those in the west. This isn’t always the case, however, as the west coast state of California undoubtedly has some of the highest rates for Botox treatment.
Many plastic surgeons assign a flat fee to their Botox treatments, while others may charger per unit. A vial of Botox traditionally costs a physician around $550--although I‘ve seen the price as high as $1000--with 100 units being included (enough for about five treatments). If broken down per unit, the cost may come to about $10 to $15, although certain providers may charge more. Luckily for those looking for Botox deals and specials, many doctors offer financing plans allowing patients to pay off their treatments over time.
But the profit margin isn’t the only factor affecting the cost of Botox treatments. The number of injections will raise the cost, and it can also be influenced by the time of year and the skill level of the surgeon performing the procedure. If you find Botox deals and specials that seem too good to be true, ask yourself about the quality of service you might be receiving.
In recent years, a growing trend has been the Botox cosmetic party, an event where multiple people gather at a location to receive injections from a physician. This lowers the cost for everyone involved, and the doctor can be assured of a number of loyal customers in the future. Beware of such parties, however, as the American Academy of Dermatology has warned that procedures outside of a doctor’s office may be less than ideal (and less than sterile).
Beware of Botox Deals and Specials
A Google search will turn up a number of Botox deals and specials online, but the customer must exercise caution when trying to save a few bucks. First of all, many websites aren’t updated, and the supposed specials are actually years out of date. The second example is even more dangerous: sites that may be selling illegal or counterfeit versions of the product.
A company known as Allergan has exclusive rights to manufacture Botox in the United States. If you don’t see their trademark on the box, you should become suspicious. Also watch out for prices that are simply too good to be true. If a doctor is paying $550 for 100 units of Botox, but a website is offering the same amount to you for only $99, then something is definitely wrong.
There’s also the issue of injections. Even if you’ve found legitimate vials of Botox at discount prices, you’re still going to have to inject the substance into your face for it to have any effect. Do not under any circumstances attempt such a procedure on your own, as doing so could lead to severe and long-lasting problems.
Also consider that vials of Botox come vacuum-dried and must be mixed with saline to obtain a liquid form. While there is a manufacturer’s standard for dilution, some physicians may add more saline than recommended. This allows them to make each vial of Botox last longer and offer lower prices. It also means that the strength of the injection is weaker and, subsequently, the effects will not last as long.
To ensure that you’re receiving the proper amount of Botox, there are a couple of questions that you can ask. First, inquire about the “reconstitution ratio.” This will let you know how much saline is added for each unit of Botox, and you can then compare it to the reconstitution ratio of other physicians in your area. Second, you’ll want to find out about the price per unit so it can also be compared. If a physician or his staff is hesitant to give you this information--or flat-out refuses--consider this a major red flag and look elsewhere for your Botox treatment.
Finding a Botox Doctor
If you have a friend who’s received injections, then this may be a reasonable method for finding a Botox doctor. But what if none of your friends have received treatment? Call one of the following numbers, and they can provide you with a list of reputable physicians in your area who are board certified and perform Botox injections:
American Society of Plastic Surgeons (1-888-475-2784)
American Society for Dermatologic Surgery (1-800-441-2737)
Alternatives to Botox
If you can’t find any Botox deals and specials to meet your budget, you might consider one of these alternatives to Botox.
Strivectin SD - A legendary anti-aging cream that’s also great for getting rid of stretch marks. While it won’t have the same effects of Botox, it can help your skin if used over a prolonged period of time.
Dr. Brandt Crease Release - Endorsed by a number of celebrities and featured on The Today Show, this expensive alternative to Botox inhibits nerve impulses to allow facial muscles to relax. Highly regarded by customers, a supply of the product will last around two to three months.
PCA Skin ExLinea Peptide Smoothing Serum - Existing lines are smoothed by an ingredient known as argireline, and the presence of hyaluronic acid assists with anti-aging and moisturizing. Another Botox alternative that’s received rave reviews from customers.