Groupon BOTOX and What You Must Know Before You Buy

Best Practices for Purchasing BOTOX on Groupon (Yes, it Can be Safe!)

When you do a Google search on buying Botox on Groupon, you’ll discover dozens of articles warning patients about the horrifying dangers of Groupon Botox – but is that the whole truth? Can buying Botox on Groupon ever be safe?  

Some writers and doctors claim that providers who run Botox deals on Groupon are new and unqualified, or that the Botox product is likely diluted or counterfeit. Currently, there is little to no information available about Groupon’s safety policies and procedures, or how to choose a safe deal on the popular site. The purpose of this article is to write an unbiased view on finding Botox deals on Groupon, and to give readers advice on picking the right one.

Let’s cut to the chase. Bad Botox deals have been sold on Groupon. Safe and reliable Botox deals are also available for purchase on the deal site.

In this article, we’ll discuss the reasons why patients should exercise caution when buying Botox on Groupon, and why some providers may choose to steer clear of selling on Groupon. We will also dive into Groupon’s safety procedures and the reasons why some great Botox providers DO offer vouchers on Groupon.

Beyond the basic information, we will also provide tips that will help Groupon shoppers steer clear of danger and stick with the safest Groupon deals. Let’s talk about which Groupon deals to look for, how you should analyze Botox providers, and some other information to help you purchase your next Botox treatment.

Why Some Providers Discourage Buying BOTOX on Groupon

There are many valid reasons why providers caution their patients against buying Botox on Groupon, and a wise purchaser should keep these possibilities in mind when shopping around. Groupon shoppers should understand that Groupon takes 50% of each transaction from the provider. When the provider is already offering a very low-cost service, and then they’re losing half of that to Groupon, the provider is not making any money. They are quite likely losing money on their Groupon vouchers.

Without further ado, here are some of the primary reasons why some providers discourage buying Botox on Groupon:

1. Risk of low-quality products. When you see a Botox deal with a 50% off price tag, this can be a red flag, because providers will have to recoup their losses one way or another. Concerned providers warn patients that Groupon practitioners may be diluting your Botox, using less product, or injecting expired product to make the deal financially feasible. Diluting Botox can cause the Botox to spread too far, and of course, counterfeit products are downright unsafe.

2. Medical procedures should not be discounted. Doctors advise their patients to think of their cosmetic procedure like any other medical treatment – a mammogram, knee replacement surgery or colonoscopy. When it comes to your health (and the appearance of your face), you want the best, not the most discounted.

3. Providers may have tricks up their sleeves. Again, when your provider is giving you Botox at a low cost on Groupon, they are probably losing money. Some of them will use their best sales tricks, like pushing unnecessary follow-up procedures (even if they’re not in the patient’s best interest). It’s up to the patient to get educated and learn what to expect from a Botox treatment and follow-up, so they know what they should accept from their knowledgeable provider and what they don’t really need.

4. There are questions of legality. According to many states’ healthcare laws, an organization or person cannot be paid for referring a patient to a medical practice. These laws are in place to protect the patient from subpar providers. However, there has been no official ruling on the legality of Groupon, which does something similar.

While all of these concerns are well-grounded, they disregard the fact that there are still good providers on Groupon. There are other ways for physicians and providers to make money long-term off of their Groupon deals, even if they lose money upfront. There are also ways for patients to protect themselves by buying the right kinds of deals and researching the providers themselves.

Something to keep in mind: There are other motivators beyond patient safety that may cause providers to speak out against Groupon Botox. Because providers do not make much money on Groupon, they need patients to walk through their doors and pay full price. By telling patients that the deals on Groupon are too good to be true, patients are more likely to avoid discounts, and more willing to pay full price.

Patients are also more likely to choose a doctor that they feel is protecting them (as they should be), and when a provider makes efforts to educate and protect potential patients, they are building a relationship with prospective visitors. They may also take the opportunity to advertise their practice’s own discount program, which will be beneficial to their business over time.

While the risks of buying Botox on Groupon are real, there are many different motivations behind condemning Groupon, and the truth is, there are safe Botox deals to be found on the discount site.

How COVID Has Impacted Cosmetic Deals and Perceptions

According to Gulf News, plastic surgery clinics and Botox administrators across the world have reported an influx of people, both male and female, over the past months as pandemic restrictions have started to lift. Dr. Leandro Junqueira, a specialist plastic surgeon at Junqueira Medical Clinic in Dubai, explains:

“Some of us are just tired of staying home and need a change in ambience, others come to us because they are feeling down from the confinement and want to lift their spirits up by improving their look. Others came back to the clinic for a spruce up before heading back to their workplace after a long time and wanted to look and feel good about themselves.”

Dr. Rodainah Mhaidat of La Mar clinics also reported very good traffic recently, with people wanting to look and feel a little better, and hoping to look refreshed before returning to work. According to BusinessWire, despite the COVID-19 crisis and looming economic recession, the Botulinum Toxin market is predicted to grow $2.6 billion worldwide in the next few years. The therapeutics market is now adjusting to a new normal, which will be redefined and redesigned in the coming years.

In a recent survey concerning the influence of the pandemic on facial rejuvenation, findings proved that the attitude and sentiment surrounding facial rejuvenation is evolving rapidly. The public has demonstrated a positive attitude toward facial rejuvenation during the pandemic, especially toward minimally invasive procedures like Botox, hyaluronic acid, and PRP. It should be noted, however, that the searches for the words “discount” and “purchase” decreased. This may be due to the recent and strong opposition towards discounted Botox seen online and in social media.

Along with a rapidly-evolving attitude towards cosmetic procedures will come evolving marketing strategies from cosmetic practitioners. Practitioners will be marketing noninvasive services like Botox, because these have been the most popular services throughout and post-pandemic. Some practitioners will be willing to try things they haven’t done before as part of their new marketing efforts, or return to methods that have worked in the past – and that will often include Groupon. The perception of Groupon and cosmetic deals in general will continue to change over the coming years, and patients should remain open to changes, so long as they do their homework before selecting a cosmetic provider.

Groupon Fills a Need for Affordable BOTOX

The hard truth is, not everyone can afford full-price Botox, especially in this climate of financial crisis.

Providers push the idea that everyone should be able to afford Botox at its typical cost, but sometimes, it’s just not possible. Groupon is one way of making aesthetic treatments fairly priced and more accessible.

Chad Mulvany published an analysis in 2019 called “Groupon for healthcare services fills a void for consumer-focused pricing.” Consumers are beginning to challenge the idea that they must pay through the nose for high-quality medical care. Mulvany quotes a Kaiser Health News article, which reports that reputable medical programs, like Saint Louis University’s health administration program, are offering upfront costs on coupon sites like Groupon.

Mulvany explains that Groupon is serving to:

1. Drive prices down

2. Market the medical business

3. Meet consumers where they are

4. Estimate patients’ out-of-pocket responsibility (which is a huge void in the current medical market)

5. Provide entrepreneurial-thinking providers with an effective way to market their services

There are many patients out there who will be happy to stick with a provider as long as their services fit into their budget. Some individuals only purchase Botox on Groupon, but they are happy to remain loyal to one provider as long as there are deals available. For other individuals, money is just tight right now, and they need a single discounted service, but may be able to pay full-price in the future.

As an added bonus, even if you’re looking for a long-term provider and plan to pay full-price for Botox eventually, why not get a discount off your first service? When I search Botox on Groupon in my area, I immediately see a couple dozen deals near me, and many of them have spectacular reviews!

When you search Botox in your area, you will probably find similar results. Regardless of headlines like “Why You Should Never Buy Fillers & Injectables on Groupon,” people are still doing it – all the time! When full-priced BOTOX is not an option, Groupon can be a safe place to find deals, as long as you know what you’re looking for and how to avoid any surprises.  Make sure you thoroughly do your research on the provider. Call in and who is injecting and research your BOTOX injector.

Groupon’s Statement on Safety

Groupon has openly assured consumers that they have nothing to fear when purchasing injectables on their site. Here is their safety protocol for Botox:

· Groupon has a working relationship with Allergan (the company that manufactures and provides real Botox products).

· Groupon requires doctors to submit a form signed by Allergan, which states that the provider has a valid account with Allergan and purchases Botox directly from them.

· Groupon also requires doctors to provide evidence of a current license and Botox certification.

These policies eliminate many of the dangers of counterfeit product, and they apply not only to Botox, but also to other cosmetic substances like Dysport and Restylane. That being said, “unforeseen circumstances” can still occur, like CBS Local reported in 2012. Eleven years ago, Groupon ended up refunding multiple consumer purchases after a cosmetic doctor in Rocklin, CA gave several patients poor results and even injuries. Keep in mind, while this doctor did offer Botox, the only complications occurred during breast augmentation, tummy tuck and breast rejuvenation procedures. Groupon canceled the deal and removed their practice from their list of offers.

Groupon has a strict policy and refund capacity in place to protect their buyers. Groupon also promises to refund patients who purchase a deal, then find out during their initial consultation that the treatment is not appropriate for them. When you see Groupon’s headline “Find a reputable deal on Botox near you,” you can rest assured that those reputable deals do exist on the deal site. The key is being able to find them. Consumers should go the extra mile to protect themselves by learning how to distinguish between red flags and great deals from fantastic providers. You can start your learning below.

Why Providers Might Choose Not to Offer Groupon

Whether you’re a provider considering offering Groupon vouchers, or a patient considering purchasing a Groupon, you need all the facts. Let’s discuss the reasons why good providers might choose not to offer Groupon deals, followed by reasons why some great providers do indeed choose to offer Groupon vouchers.

Although they may not make any money upfront with their Groupon deals, there is a possibility of making money long-term with Groupon deals. That being said, here are the reasons beyond losing money short-term that may turn providers away from Groupon.

1. They don’t want to diminish the value of their product. There is a rule in aesthetic marketing – and it’s to avoid cheapening the value of your products and services by commoditizing them. Great providers should be respected for their training and expertise, and they should be paid what they deserve. Their services should not be degraded below their true value.

2. They don’t want to create confusion in their new customer base. After a customer gets 50% off with a Groupon deal, they may raise an eyebrow when they’re charged a standard price of $550 the next time they want Botox done.  

3. They don’t want to create concern within their existing customer base. Some providers are concerned that their existing customers will worry that the practice is not on the “up and up” if they are offering slashed prices on Groupon. This fear may be enough to drive some customers to a new provider.

4. They aren’t prepared for the traffic. When you offer great customer specials, you have to be prepared for an influx of new patients. Practices must be equipped with enough staff members and scheduling available so that they can continue to offer the same high standard to every patient, even if they have double the traffic.

5. They fear they will end up losing money long-term. At the end of the day, offering Groupon vouchers is a risk. Dr. Utpal Dholakia reported that 1/3 of the business owners in his 2010 study reported dissatisfaction with their Groupon experience, and they reported that 87% of Groupon customers never came back to pay full price.

Why (Great) Providers Might Choose to Offer Groupon

Some providers get creative with Groupon, inventing new deals that do not cut into their profits as much as common Groupon offers do. Other providers don’t mind breaking even or even losing a little bit of money on Botox procedures if they can acquire new and loyal patients that will stick with them for years into the future.

Here are some of the reasons why great providers might choose to offer Groupon, despite the downsides to the discount site.

1. Groupon offers some of the best free exposure there is. If you are new to the industry, or you’re feeling lost in a saturated market, Groupon is a channel that will attract the eyes of hundreds of potential patients. It can be a great tool to increase awareness of your business and supplement your marketing efforts. The daily-deal site has some serious power, boasting 70 million subscribers and generating hundreds of millions of dollars in revenue. Google even famously offered to buy the site for $6 billion, but was rejected.

2. Groupon helps with online search visibility. Groupon has first-rate visibility on Google. When providers are having a tough time acquiring new patients because their website does not appear on the first few pages of Google, and no one ever calls their office, they can build up their organic traffic game with Groupon. Developing online visibility takes time, but Groupon gives providers that instant exposure.

3. Groupon does a lot of the work for providers. Groupon sends out emails to users in the local area, and sends out notifications about specific specials. Establishing your business on Groupon is also an opportunity to accumulate good reviews that potential patients can see, even when you’re not running promotions or deals. (That’s good news for patients, too – providers need to ensure a great patient experience, because those Groupon reviews last forever).

4. Groupon relieves the financial burden of finding new patients. Groupon shares revenue with the provider’s first procedure or series of procedures, but the provider does not have to spend as much money on advertising to acquire new patients. Due to this trade-off, the provider may not suffer such a monetary loss after all.

5. Groupon may be useful for uninsured patients. Some doctors who have used Groupon in the past did so to accommodate more uninsured patients, and to promote greater price transparency.

If a provider using Groupon delivers a great experience, they can boost their online presence forever, and obtain long-lasting, high-quality patients. In the study mentioned in the prior section, Dr. Dholakia also noted that 2/3 of business owners in his survey were happy with the overall effects of their Groupon, despite the fact that 70% of their customers also never returned. For many providers, establishing a few new long-term clients is enough to make the Groupon worth any short-term financial losses. While restaurants tend to fare the worst on Groupon, spas and salons are actually the most successful. That being said, there are plenty of great providers that choose to offer various deals on Groupon.

With all this in mind, there are valid and real reasons why Groupon can be a dangerous place to buy Botox, and while it is certainly Groupon’s job to protect you from poor providers, it is also important for you to advocate for yourself by watching out for scams and inadequate providers on Groupon.

How to Analyze Groupon BOTOX Offers

There is a disappointing number of tools available to help Groupon shoppers navigate Botox deals. The truth is, there are both types of offers waiting to be purchased: the less-than-ideal Groupon Botox deal, and the safe Botox Groupon deal from a reliable provider. Here’s some information to help you determine what to look for.

· Calculate your cost per unit. Carefully examine how many units you’ll get, and at what price, with standard BOTOX costs in mind. The average cost of Botox is $400-$600 per session. The FDA-approved unit dosing is about 20 units to treat the lines between your brows. However, you may need more or less depending on the depth of the wrinkles, the strength of your muscles and your unique preferences. Your best bet is to avoid those “80%-off” deals and choose a discount that’s more reasonable for the provider. You can learn more about the dosages based on treatment area in the “Groupon Offers to Avoid” section.

· Do your homework. Conduct plenty of research on the facility and provider. Give the practice a call and make any inquiries you may have before purchasing. Some good questions to ask include:

o   Will a physician be administering the Botox, or will it be another staff member?

o   Will the individual overseeing the treatment be onsite?

o   Can I see some before-and-after photos?

o   Do you have any patients who could provide me with a testimonial?

o   How is the drug stored at the facility? (This is a test – the good stuff should be refrigerated).

· Choose your favorite product. Before you select a deal, it’s important to determine which product you really want. Botox isn’t the only cosmetic injectable out there – there’s Xeomin, Jeuveau, Dysport, etc. They all have their differences; for example, Dysport may spread further, and is therefore more suitable for large areas of the face, whereas BOTOX may be preferable for small and intricate zones. Do your research on the products, then find out which product each Groupon provider is administering. This will also help you to determine what kind of deal you are getting, because prices between neurotoxins vary. The dosage also varies, because 1 Botox unit does not equal 1 Dysport unit and so on.

· Read reviews on Groupon and elsewhere. You will want to know what kinds of experiences other Groupon purchasers had with a particular provider, so the more Groupon reviews, the better. Read as many reviews as you can – an occasional negative review is okay, as long as most everyone has had positive experiences and great results. Look for words and phrases that indicate a comfortable environment, talented provider and satisfied consumer. Groupon actually verifies their reviews, which is helpful (look for the line: 100% Verified Reviews). This means that all of the Groupon reviews are written by people who have definitely redeemed deals with the merchant, and have the patient’s best interests in mind (not the provider’s).

· Read the extended Groupon information. I’m ashamed to say that I have purchased more than one Groupon voucher without fully understanding the deal. I walked into my first scuba diving lesson thinking I had already paid for everything, but as it turned out, I had only paid a fraction of what I still owed them! I could have avoided the surprise by reading the “About This Deal” and “Fine Print” sections on the Groupon offer. These sections are there to describe more about the terms of the deal, which may not be explained in the short blurb you read when you first click on the deal. You should also read the “About Us” section on Groupon, where the practice describes the environment of their med spa or office. This is a good place to learn more about the values and goals of the practice.

· Look for transparency. When you read through the Groupon deal page, look for honest and transparent language. Providers should be truthful about the fact that the number of units may vary per patient. They should provide a full description about the deal you will receive and how that deal might change based on your initial consultation. Groupon is a place where providers can become more transparent with their pricing (which transparency is often so lacking in the medical field), but it is also a place where providers can be painfully vague about pricing. Avoid those offers that seem abstract, undetailed or too good to be true.

Groupon Offers to Avoid

20-unit deals: Unfortunately, there are a lot of Groupon Botox deals out there for specifically 20 units. Allergan recommends about 15-25 per area, so there’s a reason why 20 is the magic number. However, patients often need more than 20 units to get the results they really want. This confusion can result in friction between the patient, who is expecting to receive only 20 units, and the provider, who is earnestly recommending more units.

20 is enough for some people and some facial zones, but there are still other factors. The extent and size of the wrinkling matter, as well as the strength of the facial muscles, the patient’s facial shape, and the patient’s ultimate goals. Men especially may need more Botox if they have strong facial muscles.

Many consumers believe they only want the 20 units, but the fact is, they will need double the units if they want treatment on their forehead AND glabellar lines to achieve balance. And what about the crow’s feet outside the eyes, which require up to 25 units? The provider may have good intentions when they offer 20 units, but it’s best to avoid providing and buying 20-unit deals, as they often lead to unhappy patients, bad reviews, and disappointed providers. At the end of the day, the focus should be on the results – not the number of units.

Here’s a chart to help you determine what dosage to expect. And remember, a truly successful Botox treatment may entail treating more than one area to create balance and youthfulness across the face.

Treatment Area

Average Units of Botox Needed

Glabellar lines (“11” lines between the eyes)

20-40 units

Horizontal forehead lines

15-30 units

Crow’s feet (lines around the eyes)

6-15 units per side

Bunny lines around the nose

5-10 units per side

Too-good-to-be-true prices: A standard botulinum toxin deal starts at $300 for a session; therefore, if you see a Groupon deal for $50 BOTOX, that is definitely a red flag. Pricing that is too low makes you wonder: How will the provider make up for all of the money they’ll lose on this deal? Are they using poor-quality product, or will they have to upsell A LOT?

Groupons with little to no reviews: If you can’t find plentiful information and reviews on the facility and provider (including on Groupon), it may be safer to avoid the offer and find someone that you can research more thoroughly.

Groupon Offers to Look For

Relationship-based Groupons: Instead of the typical “50% off Botox” or “20 units of BOTOX for $X,” providers can make Groupon make more fiscal sense with more creative deals. Unique deals are usually a good sign, because they may indicate that the doctor is protecting their med spa rather than pushing out subpar product to anyone who will buy. More specifically, look for deals that may assert that the med spa or office is trying to form a relationship with you rather than just provide a single service; for example, deals that require multiple office visits (like multiple micro-needling + Botox sessions at a discounted price), because the doctor plans on having you back rather than scaring you away. Alternatively, Botox providers may also organize Groupons that reward their loyal customers.

Dollar-amount Groupons: Keep an eye out for deals like “$100 worth of spa services for just $50,” because you’ll end up saving some money, but the provider won’t lose too much. It also gives you and your provider flexibility to discuss your actual needs and then use your money towards them.

New patient Groupons: The primary motivation of a great doctor to use Groupon is to increase patient acquisition, so a “new patient ONLY” deal is a positive sign. That means the doctor administering the Groupon procedure has intentions of making you a long-term client, and that they are responsible for giving you a great experience, beautiful results, and making you want to come back. In some cases, they may even offer a better atmosphere and experience than physicians who charge full-price, because they know they’re competing against them, and they want to give you every reason to come back to them instead of going to a different provider.

Deals with limits: Really good deals should have limits. You may have to call the provider to find out more about how long the deal has been and will be on Groupon, but this information is important. There should be a deal cap like one per customer, and it should be a limited-time offer. If a 45% BOTOX deal looks amazing, but it is always available for purchase, there must be a caveat or catch somewhere, or else the provider would lose far too much money. A good provider is strategic about when they offer promotions and the limits they place on their promotions – for example, a short holiday special for new clients only, or a discount for clients that buy a full-price service first.

Groupons that highlight the med spa: Smart doctors who are utilizing Groupon as a marketing platform are going to highlight the whole med spa experience in their offer, not just the one service. Good practitioners should be trying to attract long-term clients to a comfortable location. A phony or underqualified doctor may only discuss the individual service, because they may not be able to make any promises about the location. Truly bad or deceptive providers probably don’t even want to develop relationships with clients (so that they can continue to lay low).

Once you arrive at the location, trust your gut. You should drive up to a nice office location with a full staff, not a man behind a black curtain. When you arrive, the staff should be doing things to convert you into a long-term patient. If they’re not adding you to their texting and email lists or suggesting follow-up treatments, something is wrong! Whichever Botox Groupon you do deem safe, you should expect your provider to 1) give you a fantastic experience and 2) work hard to convert you to a long-term patient. That may mean you’ll be joining their email or text marketing lists so they can contact you in the future and let you know about in-house specials. That may mean they’ll try to upsell so that you can return to the office for further treatment. This is the kind of experience you’ll have just about anywhere, Groupon or no Groupon, and it should be understood and accepted by patients (especially those patients who want to look their very best!)

How to Analyze BOTOX Providers

The most important cog in the wheel of your procedure, whether you purchase it on Groupon or not, is the provider. Here are the steps you should always take to analyze a provider before purchasing a Groupon deal.

1. Research the physician’s credentials. You can look them up online – where they went to school, how long they have been practicing, when they received Botox training, and more specifically, how long they have been offering Botox. Doctors who are against Groupon Botox argue that most Groupon offers come from med spas that do not employ board-certified dermatologists or plastic surgeons, but rather nurses, estheticians, or other providers. It is preferable to go to a board-certified plastic surgeon, dermatologist, or otolaryngologist, but keep in mind they are more expensive than an esthetician or nurse. If you do choose a physician’s assistant or registered nurse, make sure you go to one that is working in a reputable doctor’s office with proper training and supervision. You should also call the office and verify these same questions.

2. Double check the manufacturer. Make sure the office product is coming from Allergan itself, not from some other unknown source.

3. Find out how often BOTOX is performed there. At the very least, the practitioner should be administering Botox on a weekly basis, although a daily basis is even more reassuring.

4. Do an insurance checkup. Check that the practitioner has appropriate insurance coverage to protect you if something goes wrong.

5. Favor practitioners who focus on aesthetic procedures. Some doctors simply offer Botox for a little extra cash on the side, but it is safer to go to someone who makes aesthetics their main focus, and who offers services like dermal fillers, Botox and other related cosmetic procedures.

6. Look into the clinic. Do your research online and consider stopping by the clinic to explore the environment. It should be clean, sterile, and it should have the appropriate medical equipment in case of any complications during the injection. An established medical, dental or cosmetic clinic is preferable to a salon, department store or any other less suitable environment.

7. Ask to see before-and-after pictures of their real patients. Don’t just go off the website or brochure, because many sites use stock images or images of other doctors’ patients. It’s most important (maybe even more important than credentials) that the provider delivers results that you really like.

8. Consider booking a consultation first. If you have time, it’s always safer to get a consultation before buying the Groupon voucher. You can find out if the office and provider are right for you, and the provider can tell you if the Groupon deal is right for your needs.

9. Look for signs of success. If a clinic has different locations locally or nationally, or shows other signs of success, they probably provide high-quality services.

10. Trust word-of-mouth above all. Choosing a provider that your friends and family members trust is the best way to go. Or, if you’re willing to go a little out of your comfort zone, reach out to someone else that you know who has had Botox and has gotten results that you love.

11. Look for follow-up services. Botox providers who care should encourage a follow-up service, especially if this is your first-time receiving Botox. This demonstrates that they care about you and plan to check in on your results. At your follow-up, they can even tweak your treatment as necessary.

12. Think twice about “Botox parties.” Botox is more safely administered in a sterile environment with proper medical equipment in case of an unforeseen complication or allergic reaction.

Do your homework to find an experienced Botox provider who delivers beautiful results in a secure environment.

Other Ways to Keep Your BOTOX Costs Low

Cost is usually a factor when we’re making “luxury” purchases, but as your face begins to change from its youthful state, Botox may not seem like a “luxury” purchase anymore. If you really want the results that Botox offers, but you fear you can’t afford the treatment, even on Groupon, here are some other ways to reduce your Botox costs:

Switch Providers

Consider going to an experienced aesthetician instead of a doctor. They charge less, but some of them are just as good or even better at administering the treatment.

Change Up the Product

Do the math to find out which product will save you the most money. Xeomin and Dysport are cheaper per unit, and may end up giving you a lower total cost than Botox. On the other hand, some patients save money by choosing Botox, because the brand-name product goes further for them than a cheaper product option. Shop around and get a few opinions to find out which makes the most financial sense for you long-term.

Be Aware of Treatment Frequency

When preparing your Botox budget, remember that you will need Botox once at least every 4 months for the first year, but with each treatment, you can go a little longer without receiving retreatment. After a year, you may find that your results last 5-6 months, and may continue to last longer over time.

Make Your Botox Last Longer

You need to get the most you can out of each Botox treatment. Here are some ways you can make your Botox last as long as possible:

· When exercising, try not to squint or scowl. Keep in mind that excessive sweating may also expel the toxin more quickly.

· Meditation or yoga may help reduce the stress hormones that accelerate the aging process and work against your Botox results.

· Regularly taking a zinc supplement might prolong the effects of Botox, because some studies link Botox efficacy to sufficient zinc levels.

· Avoid processed and sugary foods, because they cause inflammation in the body, which may affect your skin’s health and appearance.

·        Good at-home skincare can also extend the results of your Botox. Retinol, hyaluronic acid, and other tried-and-true products can reduce fine lines and keep the skin fresh. Don’t forget that basic skincare like daily hydration and sun protection to prevent skin damage.

·        Some research suggests that copper may counteract the effect of neurotoxins. Copper is essential to a healthy diet, but if you are consuming copper-rich foods like oysters, seeds, shiitake mushrooms, liver, lobster, or dark chocolate frequently, you might consider making some substitutions.

Share Your Financial Concerns

Consult with a trusted doctor. If your friends or family have an aesthetic specialist they love and trust, go to them for a consultation. Express your budgetary restrictions, and ask them which treatments will help you achieve your goals for the best price. Maybe Botox isn’t the perfect fit; for example, perhaps a facelift will be more effective, and you can pay for a single treatment instead of Botox treatments every 4 months. On the other hand, the doctor may be able to suggest a payment plan or another way to make Botox more affordable for you. A consultation will also give you a better idea of price for your unique treatment, so that you can start saving and budgeting to make Botox possible in the near future.

Budget & Plan

Make your own savings plan. Set aside some money from every paycheck to cover your treatments within a given amount of time. This can become a regular practice to help you keep up with your recurring Botox treatments.

Medical BOTOX Savings

Patients who have medical needs for Botox have more options for discounting the price. If you are in the market for medical BOTOX, here are a few things you should know:

· Patients with Medicare may pay as little as $0 for Botox treatments

· Most insurance plans cover the majority of medical Botox costs

· The BOTOX Savings Program may reimburse you to help you with remaining out-of-pocket costs. It’s easy to sign up for the official BOTOX Savings Program

·  Botox for cervical dystonia, Blepharospasm, and hyperhidrosis may qualify for special discounts on Botox treatments

Why BOTOX is Already Pretty Cost-Effective

Of course, Botox is a real investment when you’re spending $400-$600 per treatment, but the truth is, Botox is a cost-effective beauty option. That’s because the treatment yields outstanding results. For a noninvasive treatment that delivers such noticeable outcomes, the price is unbeatable.

Botox sold by the unit is cost-effective. Here’s why:

· Although injections are temporary, many doctors agree that regular Botox injections can lead to longer-lasting effects. After a few years of getting injections, many patients only need them twice per year, and even less frequently as time goes on. Frequent retreatments don’t have to be a permanent commitment.

· Botox is amazing at what it does – it can both treat dynamic wrinkles and prevent wrinkles from ever forming in the first place. Being much more effective than expensive skin creams, Botox is one of the most attainable forms of the fountain of youth!  

· Botox has been in use for only fifteen years, but costs have actually gone down over this brief time period.

· Botox procedures have become extremely refined over the years. It is now better than ever at preventing wrinkles.

· Costs of Botox for “off label” uses like underarm sweat or sweaty palms can sometimes be covered by insurance.

· A typical treatment can last anywhere from three to six months, sometimes even longer.

· Botox injections are versatile – they can ease eye puffiness, crow’s feet, nasolabial folds, forehead wrinkles, bunny lines, and more.

· The procedure is 100% nonsurgical. Not only does Botox require a lower upfront monetary investment than surgeries, but it also eliminates all of the physical and time-related sacrifices that come with surgery.

Brow lift surgery (~$3,900) is a viable treatment option to correct sagging or tired muscles, but Botox (~$500) is the noninvasive way to perk up and look younger.

· Botox is totally noninvasive, but completely effective. Skip the anesthesia and incisions and get right to the results – during your lunch break if you want to!

· Botox ranks among the safest of all nonsurgical treatments, and of course, is certainly safer than surgical options.

· This simple treatment is showing a huge range of significant benefits, like fewer migraine days, smoother skin, and lessened depression.

Other Things to Keep in Mind when Shopping for BOTOX on Groupon

This isn’t a one-time thing. Sometimes patients get so excited about getting a great Botox deal that they forget that they’re committing to future treatments to maintain their results. Outcomes will last 3-6 months, but you should expect your face to gradually return to its pre-Botox state. Even if you get a great new patient deal, you should be focused on selecting a provider that you can stick with. If you’re just looking for a quick fix, buying a Botox deal may not be the right move for you right now.

Request the product by brand name. Whether you’re committed to Xeomin, Botox, Jeuveau or Dysport (after researching on your own and conferring with your physician), request and research the product by brand name to ensure you purchase the right deal for you.

Preventative Botox is something to think about. Preventative Botox has become extremely popular for patients in their late twenties and early thirties. When you start early enough, you will be able to reverse the first signs of wrinkles completely, and never experience deep wrinkling at all. This may save you on how much Botox you need each session, but keep in mind, you will be undergoing a lot more sessions in your lifetime than someone who starts Botoxing at age 45!

Transparency will change your results. It is essential to be 100% honest with your practitioner, in order to ensure your safety and best results. When you meet with your provider for the first time, reveal all allergies, medications, and pertinent medical history. If you’re not a good candidate for Botox, your provider may introduce you to a treatment that is safer for you. In addition, be clear about what facial areas you want to treat, what bothers you about each area, and what you would like the final result to look like. Make sure you and your provider are on the same page – accept their counsel, because they have a thorough understanding of what’s possible with Botox, but if you both have different expectations, it’s okay to let them know you’re not a good fit. At that point, you shouldn’t hesitate to set up a consultation with a different provider.

Blood-thinning medication and Botox don’t mix. Before you redeem that Groupon voucher, stop taking Aspirin, Ibuprofen, St. John’s Wort, Vitamin E, Fish Oil, Ginseng, Excedrin, and other blood-thinning medications. Patients should not take blood thinners one week before Botox treatment, and they should avoid drinking alcohol for a few days beforehand as well.

Avoid purchasing Botox without the service: Groupon doesn’t sell Botox as a product, but you can find Botulinum Toxin products online. You can buy it and have it delivered to your home to inject it yourself, but this is never a good idea. Without a provider to talk to, an office to visit, and Groupon to protect you, you’ll have a harder time verifying the origin and quality of the product. Just as worrisome, injecting Botox without training and licensure is very risky. You certainly don’t want to practice Botox for the first time on your own face – it’s much safer to choose a provider who has years of experience. Poorly-placed injections can cause dangling eyelids or eyebrows, immobilization of the muscles that move the eyeball, or trouble with breathing and swallowing.

So, is Groupon BOTOX Safe or NOT?       

The moral of this story is that there will always be scheming or shady business dealers on the horizon, and probably even on Groupon, despite the site’s protective policies. It’s the consumer’s responsibility to dive into the research, because, after all, this is your face we’re talking about. Read reviews, call the office, stop by the location, and ask the provider all about the deal. Even better, talk to someone in-person who has visited the office or provider in the past.

That being said, there are also plenty of Botox deals on Groupon that are perfectly safe. Most of the current literature available on Groupon Botox is severely biased and lacking in helpful content for patients who WILL be purchasing a voucher for the service. There are great providers out there who have thoughtfully created Groupon offers that will boost their practices long-term, even if they have to experience a short-term loss.

One of the most important things for deal-seekers to understand is that Botox results are temporary. Finding Groupon deals for every Botox session is not a viable long-term solution. If you plan to invest in a Botox Groupon, keep in mind that your results will wear off in 3-6 months, and that provider you chose invested in you with the hopes that you would come back to their office to continue looking amazing.