Alexander Z. Rivkin M.D. is a Yale trained facial cosmetic surgeon and UCLA faculty member who has focused his practice exclusively on providing his patients with the latest in non-invasive, non-ablative cosmetic treatments in Southern California. He understands that no one relishes the thought of “going under the knife,” and believes modern medical technology can provide today's patients with superior alternatives to invasive, painful surgery that requires a long recovery time.

Wednesday, July 30, 2008

Botox price and where to get it

I am in my late 20s and looking to get my first Botox treatment for frown lines, forehead lines, and crow's feet. I don't want to get ripped off, so can someone please tell me - What is the normal cost of Botox? How many units of Botox do most people need to smooth wrinkles and prevent wrinkles? Does the cost of Botox fluctate depending on where in your face you get it injected?

The price of Botox and how many units are injected in each area really varies among physicians and geographic areas.

There is also conflict about who people should or should not go to for Botox treatment. Both to avoid getting "ripped off" and to get a good, natural looking result.

In my clinic, Botox is $12 per unit. I charge by the unit and encourage patients to know how many units they get in each area they have treated. I agree that charging by the "area" encourages under-treatment by the injector - they still charge the same whether they are using 10 or 20 units. In general, though, you should do your homework and find a Botox provider who is experienced, knowledgeable and has been around for a while with a loyal clientelle. Providers who are in it for the volume business and don't care about repeat clients or forming a relationship with their clients should be avoided.

Units I use:

Forehead: 8 to 12

Glabella: 12 to 20 (usually 16)

Crow's feet: 12 to 20 (usually 16 - and that includes a bit under the tail of the eyebrow to give a lift)

Chin: 8

Upper lip: 4

Jaw for Teeth Grinding / TMJ: 16 to 60 (usually 20 per side)

I wouldn't go shopping for champagne and caviar at JONS or K-Mart. I also wouldn't get Botox at the local mall. I would go to a doctor's practice - that way, if there's a problem, you have someone to speak to.

A quick note about an ongoing turf battle.

The doctor does not have to be Board Certified in Plastic Surgery. It doesn't take a rocket scientist to inject Botox (which is not to suggest that Board Certified Plastic Surgeons are all rocket scientists). It does take a bit of knowledge, a good hand and some common sense. Nurses, PAs and physicians who have decided to specialize in cosmetic procedures should have plenty of that. Board Certification just means the doc has completed a specialization in something. It does not mean that he/she is good at everything. There are plenty of Board Certified Plastic Surgeons who are always operating and therefore rarely inject. Theses people are not good injectors. There is no Board Certification for injection and laser procedures, by the way.


http://www.westsidemedicalspa.com/botox.html

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1 Comments:

Blogger Anna Scott said...

Thanks doc, I updated the restylane page of mine http://plasticsurgeryphotos.blogspot.com/2008/02/non-surgical-rhinoplasty-restylane.html have a look if you're happy with what I wrote. And I'd like to ask a small favour as well :) it's okay if it's not possible. I'd like my link on http://www.westsidemedicalspa.com/links.html this page. thanks doc. take care n have a nice day.

August 3, 2008 at 7:20 PM

 

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