
The use of Botox as a means to combat signs of ageing has been rapidly getting attention from a lot of aesthetic aficionados in Singapore these days. There is not a week that goes by that my inbox or consultation does not tackle a query regarding the subject.
There are a handful of clinics that offer Botox in their products and services. If you have come across several of them, you might wonder why there is a difference when it comes to the costs of the treatment. You are not alone. Most of the inquiries I have addressed countless times are about Botox pricing.
If you stumbled upon this article in search for answers to your questions about Botox, then you are in the right place. In this article, I will discuss little known facts about getting a Botox treatment: its costs, factors that affect the costs, and some tips on how to choose a reputable doctor to carry out your Botox procedure. Be sure to stick around until the very end of the post!
What Are the Uses of Botox?
In aesthetic treatments, Botox is generally used for improving facial flaws caused by ageing, such as fine lines and wrinkles. Aside from this, Botox also has other medical uses.
How Does Botox Work?
When injected into a specific part of the face in extremely minimal portions, Botox works by disabling signals sent by the nerve cells from getting in touch with the muscles. This temporarily prevents the muscle cells that cause fine lines and wrinkles to contract.
What Are the Different Factors That May Affect the Cost of Botox?
There are several factors that affect the cost of Botox. This is the reason why the price range for Botox treatment differs. The following are the things to consider regarding costs:
- Area/s being treated
- Brand of Botox used
- Doctor’s professional fees
- Number of units used for treatment
Some clinics offer Botox package treatments. The areas that are situated on the same parts of the face (upper or lower) are grouped together and the procedure is done in one go. I recommend this for patients who have several facial areas needing treatment. This type of treatment package is cost effective and saves the patient time from repeated returns to the clinic for other Botox treatments.
What Are the Areas of the Face That Botox Can Treat?
Botox can be administered to the following areas:
- Chin to improve unwanted dimpling
- Crow’s feet (wrinkling on the side corner of the eyes)
- Downturned lips
- Forehead wrinkles
- Frown lines
- Gummy smile
- Jaw to improve facial contour
- Nose to smoothen wrinkles
What Does “units” Mean When It Comes to Botox Treatments?
Here’s a Botox fact that not a lot of people might know of: when taken in high doses, Botox is actually fatal to the body. Yet despite this, the substance is still widely used in the aesthetic industry for the benefit it brings.
Given the fact above, Botox is given in very small amounts or what we call “units.” Each area of the face is given a range of units that can be administered to it as a safety precaution.
AREA |
NUMBER OF UNITS |
Chin dimpling Downturned lips Gummy smile |
4 to 8 units |
Nose wrinkles |
4 to 10 units |
Crow’s feet Frown lines |
8 to 20 units |
Forehead wrinkles |
8 to 25 units |
Jaw botox |
40 to 80 units |
The truth is: Botox is pricey. The higher the units needed to treat an area, the higher the cost. A thorough assessment with your doctor can determine the total number of units you need, thereby giving you a glimpse of the amount of money you need to prepare prior to your procedure.
What Are the Recommended Brands of Botox in Singapore?
The brand of Botox used on a patient is the factor that greatly affects its cost. There have been some recent additions of Botox brands that are used by few clinics in Singapore. These brands are usually manufactured in South Korea or China and have no record when it comes to safety. Hence, these are 3 brands of Botox I recommend and are actually used by aesthetic doctors in Singapore. These are:
- Botox
- Dysport
- Xeomin
Here’s a short comparison of the 3 brands:
BRAND |
PROS AND CONS |
Botox |
|
Dysport |
|
Xeomin |
|
All of the brands mentioned are HSA-Approved.
How Much Does a Treatment of Botox Cost Generally in Singapore?
A rough estimate would be within the range of $100 to $2,000. Of course, this would depend on the factors affecting its cost as mentioned previously. The table below shows an approximate price range of the treatment according to the area.
AREA |
COSTS |
Downturned lips Gummy smile Nose wrinkles |
$100 to $500 |
Crow’s feet Frown lines |
$150 to $600 |
Forehead wrinkles |
$250 to $800 |
Jaw Botox |
$400 to $2,000 |
What Do I Look for in a Doctor Who Can Administer a Botox Treatment?
It is very important for me to say that choosing the doctor for your Botox treatment is something that you should treat with utmost vigilance. Botox is not just a simple substance. Not to scare you, but should the treatment be done by inexperienced hands, the results can be costly—not to mention fatal.
Here are things to consider:
- Doctor’s skill and experience. It is crucial that the doctor has proper knowledge and skills when it comes to performing Botox treatments. Being under the hands of an inexperienced doctor can only lead to substandard results and possible side effects like bruising, lopsided smiles, and skin sagging.
To know more about the skill and experience of a doctor, you can always ask for a portfolio of his or her previous Botox patients. Do note that doctors who have a relatively high success rate in performing Botox procedures charge greater than those who have less experience. - Brands of Botox used. Remember that there are currently occurrences of cheaper brands in the Singapore market. These brands are not HSA-Approved. Do question your doctor regarding the brands they use in their clinic, especially if you notice that the price of their treatments is remarkably cheap as compared to Botox, Dysport, and Xeomin.
- Cost inclusions. When going through the costs of your treatment, inquire about how the total cost is derived. There are clinics that charge according to the package they offer, while some calculate the total by adding the cost per Botox unit required.
It is also important to ask whether the entire package or quote includes the follow-up sessions needed after the Botox treatment. These additional sessions are done in order for the doctor to assess the results of the Botox. As mentioned, the effects of Botox do not show instantaneously. On average, the outcome becomes noticeable about two weeks following the procedure. Patient reviews are usually scheduled around this time to see whether there is a need to add units to the initial treatment or not.
How Do I Know if I Have Chosen a Reputable Doctor?
Finding a reputable doctor is easier nowadays. Doing thorough research on several clinics are made possible by the Internet. Here are some tips you can use:
- Ask for referrals from family and friends who have undergone a Botox treatment
- Read about reviews done by Singapore beauty bloggers
- Seek recommendations from other doctors
Once you have collated information about different doctors, do a side-by-side comparison based on their competencies first and costs second. When it comes to performing treatments using a powerful substance such as Botox, I’d rather pay a costlier price for the skills and experience of a reputable doctor rather than scrimp on money and suffer the consequences of a botched treatment!
In Conclusion
As much as Botox seems to be dangerous to be used in body treatments, its results are exceedingly beneficial when administered by the right doctor. Singapore has more than a handful of doctors who can do this job excellently. Remember to put a premium on your safety and always go for quality of service! Good luck!