Cheap Botulinum Toxin: Why It is Never a Good Idea

While bargains and cheap price rates are very tempting, they don’t always save you money. This is true for aesthetic services like Botulinum Toxin and other cosmetic injectables. Good Botulinum Toxin is not cheap, so if someone is offering you discount injections, chances are they may not be trained or certified to administer the treatment.

But first, what is Botulinum Toxin?

Commonly known as the brand Botulinum Toxin, botulinum toxin is an FDA-cleared treatment for facial lines and wrinkles. It is made from a neurotoxin produced by the bacterium called Clostridium botulinum. When injected into muscles, Botulinum Toxin blocks signals from the nerves to the muscles, relaxing the wrinkles. 

Botulinum Toxin has many uses, but for cosmetic purposes, it is FDA-approved for treating moderate to severe frown lines (between the brows), horizontal forehead lines, and crow’s feet (wrinkles in the corner of the eyes). It works by temporarily weakening or paralyzing the muscles responsible for lines and wrinkles, creating a softened look. 

Quick facts about Botulinum Toxin for cosmetic use: 

• Botulinum Toxin is a neuromodulator that blocks the signal from a nerve to a muscle, reducing muscle contractions and the look of facial lines.
• Botulinum Toxin is used to reduce or smooth lines formed due to repetitive facial expressions.
• Pain is minimal and topical anesthetic can be used.
• The treatment can take less than 30 minutes.
• You can see initial effects after 3 to 4 days, but full results appear after 14 days.

Why is Botulinum Toxin (and other cosmetic injectables) not cheap?

The price of Botulinum Toxin in Singapore varies depending on the provider, the area of concern, and other factors. The treatment is often charged by area, with patients needing several Botulinum Toxin units. Botulinum Toxin, dermal fillers, and other cosmetic injectables are not cheap, as many variables affect the total cost of the procedure.

One of the main factors that affect the cost is the experience of the provider. In general, doctors or injectors with more experience and training charge higher rates. Do take note, however, that you need a provider with training, skills, and years of experience to have natural-looking results and avoid unwanted side effects. 

Another factor is the area to be treated. Some areas need more units of Botulinum Toxin than others. The dose and price can also be dependent on the size of the area and the severity of your wrinkles. 

Take note: Be wary of those who offer too good to be true deals or charge way less than the average Botulinum Toxin cost in your area. They may have untrained/unqualified injectors and/or are using an old, diluted, or counterfeit product. 

Find out the things you should know when getting Botulinum Toxin for the first time. 

Why you shouldn’t skimp on Botulinum Toxin

The cost of Botulinum Toxin or the injectable is only one component of the total amount of the treatment. Keep in mind that you are also paying for the training, certification, and experience of your provider. This is why if you want to achieve natural-looking results, you should only get your treatment from a certified and experienced injector. 

It is also important to know that qualified injectors or aesthetic doctors won’t push you into getting Botulinum Toxin if you don’t need it. They also know that less is more with Botulinum Toxin, which is why they start with minimal treatments, especially if it’s your first time getting it. They also recommend other treatments if you’re not a good fit for Botulinum Toxin.

You get what you pay for, so you shouldn’t look for discounted deals on Botulinum Toxin and other injectables. Below are some downsides of cheap treatments:

• Unsatisfying (uneven or asymmetrical) results
• Unnatural, overdone, or frozen appearance
• Risk of infection and damage to facial nerves
• Wrong product placement (outside the muscle or into the blood vessel)
• Breathing issues or difficulty swallowing

These risks only make it important to carefully choose your provider. Be sure to only trust a dermatologist, aesthetic doctor, or plastic surgeon who has the experience and training, as well as good knowledge of facia: anatomy. There should also be a pre-treatment consultation and skin assessment to help you make an informed decision. 

Check out our previous post for tips on how to avoid bad Botulinum Toxin. 

Here are some red flags to watch out for when choosing a Botulinum Toxin (cosmetic injectables) provider: 

• Extremely low prices or heavy discounts
• A dirty or disorganized clinic
• Refusal to show the product packaging/labeling
• Lack of credentials or refusal to show proof/evidence of their work/experience
• Offering to administer the treatment in a non-medical setting (hotels, rooms, and similar environments)

Why choose Cutis for your injectable treatments

Looking for Botulinum Toxin clinics in Singapore? Cutis Medical Laser Clinics has qualified injectors/aesthetic doctors with a conservative approach for natural-looking results. Our medical and scientific director, Dr. Sylvia Ramirez, is also an experienced Botulinum Toxin and filler injector for years and prefers a natural look for her patients. Our clinic also:

• Uses authentic injectables
• Offers a patient-based approach treatment
• Has trained and skilled doctors
• Only charges according to the number of units you need (we are transparent with our costs)

Are you considering Botulinum Toxin to improve the look of your facial wrinkles? Contact Cutis Medical Laser Clinics in Singapore today and schedule a consultation to learn more about this injectable and other non-surgical anti-aging treatments.