Cheap Botox. Sounds great, right? Everyone loves a bargain. But what if cheaper isn’t always better? In fact, what if cheap actually means alarm bells? Is cheap Botox really a good thing? Let’s find out.
The cheaper the better?
Cheap Botox. The cheaper the better?I love a bargain as much as the next gal, but there are some things I draw the line at. Cheap loo roll. Cheap tattoos. And cheap Botox. Not because I’m lavish. Not because I’m a snob. But because cheap Botox is actually a red flag. Here are just a few key reasons you shouldn’t cheap out on cosmetic treatments like Botox.
Here’s the scene… You’re scrolling through Google, searching “Botox near me” and you see a massive variation in prices. There’s one that stands out as much cheaper than the others, so you think, ‘great! I’ll save myself a bit of money and go there.’ Problem is, you could be setting yourself up for a huge mistake…and a much bigger cost than you think. Cheap Botox is actually a red flag
You see, Botox (this is just one brand name of anti-wrinkle treatment – there are others too) injections cost what they do for several reasons.
How much does Botox cost?
Cheap Botox is actually a red flag. Anti-wrinkle injections are usually charged per area – for example bunny lines, crow’s feet, frown lines, etc. And you can generally expect to pay between £175 and £300 per area. If you see anywhere advertising it for much less than that, be wary, because it may be fake – and that could mean it’s A) ineffective, and/or B) dangerous, resulting in medical attention. You can bet it certainly isn’t medically approved.
Another reason why Botox might be cheap is that the injector isn’t properly trained in injecting or doesn’t have a background in medicine, which can lead to complications. Facial anatomy is complex and is something that the injector should be well versed in. All it takes is for them to inject into the wrong spot and…game over.
Ok, so where should I get Botox?
We believe aesthetic treatments like injectables should only be performed by healthcare practitioners like doctors.The problem is that the law isn’t quite up to speed, despite countless face disasters ups by underqualified injectors who think they can just pick up a needle and make a fast buck. And it’s normal, every day women who are affected. Of course saving some money on a treatment might seem like a good idea. But while this might not seem so bad when it comes to a haircut or getting your nails done, when it comes to a needle in your face, it’s better to do your research and pay more.
Cheap Botox. The cheaper the better?Botox is actually a prescription-only medicine (yep, a medicine) and so it seems only right that a medic should perform it, right? But it’s in the hands of thousands of lay injectors around the country, making it hard to tell who’s safe and who isn’t. If someone’s website looks professional and they have a nice salon and a large client base, it might be tempting to go to them, but if they don’t have a background in healthcare, my advice would be to keep on moving on.
And while it might seem more expensive to see a medically qualified cosmetic practitioner, it could actually cost you more in the long run if your lay injector messes up.
Is Botox dangerous?
In the right hands, Botox is a relatively safe and effective cosmetic treatment that’s bloody brilliant at giving a youthful appearance. I say ‘relatively’ because there’s always a small risk with any injectable treatment – they’re not beauty treatments. Here’s a list of Botox risks:
- Infection
- Bruising
- Swelling
- Ptosis
Done by a medic, these risks – though still possible – are less likely to happen, but in the wrong hands, the risks are more likely. For example, with ptosis, which is where too much Botox is injected into one area – say the eyebrow – causing drooping, you could be asymmetric for months!
So, while paying that bit more might seem like a lot at the time, you could end up paying even more in the long run if you go to someone who doesn’t know what they’re doing.
What are you actually paying for? A thorough consultation
Healthcare practitioners carry out a full and thorough consultation before any Botox treatment because they want to make sure it’s the right treatment for you. This means in terms of whether Botox will be the most effective treatment for the area you’re looking to treat, whether you have any conditions that might mean Botox won’t be a good fit for you, or whether you are showing any signs of body dysmorphia. The consultation is also where the practitioner goes through exactly what the treatment is, how it works and explains any side effects and risks. It’s a great opportunity for you to ask any questions too. It’s amazing how many non medics don’t include a consultation, but trust me, it’s a super important step in the treatment journey.
Medical expertise
Botox is not a beauty treatment like getting your nails or eyebrows done. Cheap Botox is actually a red flag It’s medical. Medics train for a loooong time. They know facial anatomy inside out, so they know exactly where to safely inject to give the desired outcome. And most of the time, they’re trained to deal with complications and will know what to do if something goes wrong. This is not just a nice to have – it’s an essential. Because even in the safest of hands, complications can arise, but it’s about how they’re dealt with that matters.
With a medic, there’s not only the level of care you expect from a doctor, nurse, dentist or pharmacist, but they are also bound to a code of ethics and governing body that holds them accountable. Basically, if they mess up big time, they’re out of a career.
A lay injector, on the other hand, isn’t answerable to anyone, so, if something goes wrong (and without medical or anatomy knowledge, there’s a greater chance of this happening), you could be left high and dry with a problem they can’t fix. And, ultimately, you might then have to see a medically qualified practitioner who can resolve the issue anyway. That’s not to say that all non-medics are bad. Of course not, but I’ve heard way too many horror stories about women who’ve seen lay injectors, gone home after the treatment, noticed an issue and then when they’ve tried to contact the practitioner to get advice or make a complaint, they’ve been ghosted.
Quality approved products
To buy Botox – or any other registered and approved brand of botulinum toxin – you have to be a doctor, dentist, independent nurse prescriber or pharmacist prescriber, because it’s a prescription-only medicine. So, if you go to one of these, you’re, generally speaking, in good hands. But there’s an ever-growing trend in lay practitioners offering Botox. If you go to a non medic, it begs the question, where did they get it from and how.
If someone’s offering it at a much lower price, you really need to question why. Is it actually a recognised and trusted brand they’re using (if not, what the hell are they putting into your skin???)? Has it been open for longer than it should have because they used some on another client first? Is it past its expiry date, making it less effective? Do you really want to be going back for top ups sooner than you should be? If not, you may as well as be paying the standard amount for actual Botox, and have the peace of mind that it’ll be much safer and will likely last longer. Because when it comes to anti-wrinkle treatment it turns out those old adages, “buy cheap, buy twice” and “you get what you pay for” are true after all.
You get what you pay for
In summary – yes, at first glance, the idea of cheap Botox might seem like a good move but, in reality, it could cause more harm than good and might cost you way more (and not just in a financial sense) than you thought. Do your research and take your time before making a decision.