Before you book Botox, find out who will inject, who is responsible for them, and where the product comes from. Those three answers tell you more than a price or a before-and-after photo.
Who may inject depends on your state, so we can't give you one rule. This guide gives you what to check and what to ask. Whether to have Botox at all is for you and a clinician.
Who will inject
Cosmetic injections count as the practice of medicine, so the person holding the needle and the person responsible for them both matter.1 The American Society of Plastic Surgeons says an ideal med spa is run by a physician with specialized training, typically a board-certified plastic surgeon, facial plastic surgeon or dermatologist.1 That is a society of plastic surgeons describing its own field, so weigh it accordingly.
Whatever your state allows, check the credentials of the medical director, the supervising physician and whoever performs your treatment before you book. Ask for the injector by name, and ask that you are not switched to someone else on the day.1
Our guide to who may inject shows how to look up a license in your state.
Where the product comes from
Counterfeit Botox has been injected into people in multiple states. In April 2024 the FDA reported hospitalizations linked to it, with symptoms that included blurred or double vision, trouble swallowing, dry mouth, shortness of breath and weakness.2
The FDA said it happened with licensed and unlicensed injectors, and in non-medical and unlicensed settings. The products appeared to have been bought from unlicensed sources.2 The FDA's advice to patients is to confirm with your provider that the product comes from an authorized source, and to ask whether they are licensed and trained to give it. If you have those symptoms after an injection, contact a health care professional or go to the emergency room.2
Botox is one product among several
"Botox" is a brand. Other approved botulinum toxins include Dysport, Xeomin and Jeuveau, and the plastic surgeons' society also lists Daxxify.34 Ask which one you are getting and why. Our comparison of Botox and Dysport covers the best known pair.
Myth
Botox is a type of filler.
Fact
The FDA says botulinum toxin products are not dermal fillers. They are injectable drugs that keep muscles from tightening, so the wrinkles don't show as much.
Price and the rest of the visit
Cost shouldn't be your only factor. The plastic surgeons' society says extremely low prices may mean lower-quality products or less experienced providers, and that a reputable med spa lays out pricing and avoids hidden fees.1 See our Botox cost guide for what clinics list per unit.
A good clinic also offers a consultation first, asks about your medical history, and tells you the risks, the likely results and the costs. You should be asked to sign an informed consent form before any treatment. Before you leave, ask what complications to watch for and who to contact if something goes wrong, especially after hours.1
At the med spas we list
4,468 of the 7,475 med spas we list offer Botox, and 1,140 of them name their medical director. Here is what else they state.5
What med spas that offer Botox state
Share of 4,468 med spas that offer Botox
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Mention financing | 57% |
| Offer online booking | 35% |
| Name a medical director | 26% |
| Say the consultation is free | 26% |
| Offer a membership | 24% |
Three in four don't name one. Ask who supervises the injectors and how to reach them.5
Questions to bring
The people
The product
The visit
Common questions
Who can give Botox injections?
It depends on your state. Cosmetic injections count as the practice of medicine, and the plastic surgeons' society says an ideal provider is a physician with specialized training. Check the license of whoever will inject you and who supervises them.
How can I tell if Botox is counterfeit?
You often can't tell from the chair. The FDA's advice is to ask your provider to confirm the product comes from an authorized source and that they are licensed and trained to give it.
Should I pick the cheapest Botox?
Not on price alone. The plastic surgeons' society says very low prices may point to lower-quality products or less experienced providers, and recommends a clear price list with no hidden fees.
Do clinics tell you who their medical director is?
Mostly not. 1,140 of the 4,468 med spas we list that offer Botox name one. Ask when you book.
Not sure where to start?
Look at clinics in your state, or read what to ask first.
Where to go next
Sources (5)
- ASPS, How to Choose the Right Medical Spa for You · American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS), a professional society of plastic surgeons · read 29 Oct 2026
- FDA, Counterfeit Version of Botox Found in Multiple States · US Food and Drug Administration (alert of 4-16-2024, updated 5-1-2024) · read 29 Oct 2026
- FDA, Dermal Filler Do's and Don'ts for Wrinkles, Lips and More (section on botulinum toxin products) · US Food and Drug Administration (content current as of 07/07/2023 per the page) · read 29 Oct 2026
- ASPS, Botulinum Toxin · American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS), a professional society of plastic surgeons · read 29 Oct 2026
- Clinic websites: what they say on their own pages · Our own read of listed clinics' websites in the 14 states we cover, October 2026. A clinic counts once; a fact counts only if its own site states it. · read 30 Oct 2026