MedspaFindable field guide
Med Spa Botox: The Label Doses, the Real Price Per Unit, and the 3-Month Clock
The FDA label doses are 20 units for frown lines, 24 for crow's feet, and 40 for forehead and frown lines together. At 10 to 14 dollars a unit, those areas run about 260, 312, and 520 dollars. Results start in 3 to 5 days, peak at about two weeks, and last 3 to 4 months, so most clients book 3 to 4 sessions a year. Units cannot be compared across brands: a Botox dose and a Dysport dose for the same area are different numbers.
The first question every Botox client asks is how much it costs, and the honest answer is a unit count, not a flat price. Botox is priced per unit, the number of units depends on the area and the strength of the muscle, and the label doses are public. A clinic that quotes a flat price without naming the units is selling you a number you cannot compare with any other clinic.
Botox Cosmetic is Allergan Aesthetics' botulinum toxin for frown lines, crow's feet, forehead lines, and neck bands, FDA approved in 2002. The label states that its units cannot be compared to or converted into units of any other botulinum toxin, so a Botox dose and a Dysport dose for the same area are different numbers. Everything below uses Botox units, and that distinction is the first thing to get right.
The label doses, and what they cost
The FDA prescribing information sets the doses. Frown lines, the 11s between the brows: 20 units, 4 units at each of 5 points. Crow's feet, both sides: 24 units, 12 per side at 3 points each. Forehead lines with frown lines: 40 units, 20 forehead plus 20 frown. All three areas together: 64 units. Neck bands: 26 to 36 units. Those are label doses, not quotes, and a good injector maps your dose at the consultation and quotes the total before any product is drawn up.
At 10 to 14 dollars a unit, the arithmetic is straightforward. Frown lines run about 260 to 280 dollars. Crow's feet run about 312 to 336. Forehead plus frown runs about 520 to 560. All three areas together run about 832 to 896. Package pricing lowers the cost per unit: new clients can start with 20 units for 199 dollars at some clinics, and annual plans of 3 visits of 40 units run about 1,260 dollars with free touch-ups. Prices vary by market. Greater Boston commonly runs 12 to 20 dollars a unit, Miami averages about 14, and Eau Claire runs 10 to 13. Confirm the per-unit price and the unit count before treatment, not after.
What the 3 to 4 months actually feels like
Results start in 3 to 5 days, settle in about two weeks, and last around 3 to 4 months. Movement returns gradually as new nerve endings form, which is why the effect is temporary and why treatment is repeated every three to four months. Most clients return every 3 to 4 months to maintain results, which means 3 to 4 sessions a year. Patients treated regularly often find the interval lengthens as the muscle habit weakens.
Dosing here is conservative by default at good clinics, and they would rather review you at two weeks and add than overtreat on day one. That is the right instinct. An undertreated forehead can be topped up. An overtreated forehead drops, and the fix is waiting it out. The two-week review exists because the full effect is not visible on day one, and no injector can judge the result before it peaks.
How to choose a med spa for Botox, and what to ask first
Price per unit is the comparison that matters, and it should be confirmed before you start. Ask three questions at the consultation: how many units for each area, what the total price is at those units, and what happens at the two-week review if the result is uneven. A clinic that will not name the units is a clinic that does not want you comparing prices, and that is information too.
Check the practical details as well. Botox Cosmetic is FDA-approved for adults to temporarily improve the appearance of moderate to severe forehead lines, frown lines between the brows, and crow's feet. Treatment time is about 10 to 20 minutes, downtime is minimal, and most clients go back to work the same day. Avoid heat, hot showers, saunas, and exercise that causes sweating for 24 to 48 hours. And remember the unit rule: Botox units are specific to Botox. If a clinic quotes Dysport or Xeomin units, those are different numbers for the same area, and comparing them directly is a category error.
Related reading
Two earlier posts on this site cover ground “Med Spa Botox: The Label Doses, the Real Price Per Unit, and the 3-Month Clock” builds on: Dermaplaning: Three Things It Does, and the List of Things It Does Not, PRP Facials: The Evidence Is Real and Narrower Than the Marketing, and Should your med spa site explain microneedling so AI assistants cite you?.
Frequently asked questions
How many units of Botox do I need for my forehead?
The FDA label dose is 40 units for forehead and frown lines together, 20 for the forehead plus 20 for the frown lines. Forehead lines alone typically need 10 to 20 units. Your injector confirms the exact count at the consultation, based on your muscle strength.
How long does Botox last?
Three to four months on average. Results start in 3 to 5 days, peak at about two weeks, and fade gradually as new nerve endings form. Most clients book 3 to 4 sessions a year to maintain the effect.
How much does Botox cost per unit?
Most clinics charge 10 to 14 dollars a unit, with higher-cost markets running 12 to 20. At 13 dollars a unit, frown lines cost about 260 dollars, crow's feet about 312, and forehead plus frown lines about 520. Always confirm the per-unit price and the unit count before treatment.
Can Botox units be compared to Dysport units?
No. The FDA label states Botox units cannot be compared to or converted into units of any other botulinum toxin. A Botox dose and a Dysport dose for the same area are different numbers, so compare total price and result, not unit counts across brands.