As botulinum toxin treatment (Botox) becomes more popular across a wide range of patients and age groups, flexible financing options are playing a bigger role in treatment decisions. Practices that offer multiple ways to pay — especially those that reduce barriers like high upfront costs or credit checks — are better positioned to serve today’s consumer. And patients who understand their payment plans are more likely to move forward with confidence.
Whether you're a patient trying to eliminate fine lines and forehead wrinkles, or a provider offering the latest in aesthetic treatments, understanding the many payment options for Botox is essential. From monthly payments to interest-free financing, there are a variety of plans available to make Botox more accessible, without sacrificing your budget or practice revenue.
How Much Does Botox Cost?
Before diving into payment plans, it's important to know the typical price of Botox treatment. The average cost per unit is $10–$20, and common treatments for glabellar lines (frown lines), crow’s feet, and creases under the eyes require between 20–60 units of Botox depending on the desired result.
That means most patients can expect to pay $200–$1,200 per session, though the total depends on the amount of Botox needed, injector expertise, geographic location, and even age (younger skin may require fewer units to achieve the desired result).
Add-ons like dermal fillers, Dysport, Xeomin, Jeuveau, or complementary skin care services such as microneedling, chemical peels, or laser treatments can also increase Botox pricing. For many, paying upfront just isn’t realistic, and that’s where payment plans come in.
What Is a Botox Payment Plan and How Does It Work?
A Botox payment plan allows patients to receive Botox injections and pay for them over time instead of covering the full treatment cost upfront. These plans can take many forms, ranging from interest-free monthly payments through buy now, pay later providers like Cherry, to credit cards and medical loans, and even internal installment plans offered by your med spa.
There are generally two main types of Botox payment plans: in-house plans and third-party financing.
- In-house payment plans are managed directly by the practice. This means the practice sets the terms, collects payments, and decides whether or not a down payment is required. These plans can offer more flexibility for loyal or long-term patients but may not be legally compliant unless structured carefully. They also come with added risk to the provider if a patient stops making payments.
- Third-party payment plans involve outside lending partners that finance the treatment and take on the risk of repayment. These include buy now, pay later platforms, medical financing companies, healthcare credit cards, and more. Some of these options require a hard credit check, while others — like Cherry — use a soft credit check, making them more accessible to a wider range of patients.
Regardless of the type, the basic process is simple: patients choose their cosmetic procedure, apply for financing (either online or at checkout), and if they’re approved, move forward with their treatment while spreading the cost across manageable payments.
For practices, offering payment options reduces cost objections and increases patient conversions. For patients, it makes it easier to invest in Botox cosmetic, dermal fillers, and related aesthetic treatments, without putting pressure on their budget.
Botox Payment Plan Options Explained
1. Buy Now, Pay Later (BNPL) Payment Plans
Buy now, pay later (BNPL) financing allows patients to split the cost of Botox into equal monthly payments, often without interest or fees if paid on time. These services are usually integrated directly into the checkout process at med spas, plastic surgery centers, and dermatology clinics, making the application process fast and easy, with approvals often based on a soft credit check or other non-traditional criteria.
They’re ideal for patients who don’t want to use a credit card, worry about their credit score, or need flexible payment options for repeat treatments. Though they started in retail, BPNL plans are becoming more popular in the healthcare and aesthetic treatments space.
Cherry, for example, is BNPL built for healthcare — including medical aesthetics — offering high approval rates, no hard credit check, and transparent terms. Patients can apply in seconds and get approved right at checkout, while providers get paid upfront. It’s one of the most seamless ways to offer Botox payment plans without adding operational complexity.
Pros:
- Interest-free plans available
- No hard credit check in many cases (Cherry never runs a hard credit check)
- Instant decisions at the point of care
Cons:
- Not all BNPL providers offer long-term plans (Cherry offers plans from 3-60 months)
- Some may charge late fees or require a down payment
2. Medical Credit Cards
Medical credit cards are another widely used option for financing cosmetic procedures like Botox, CoolSculpting, or laser hair removal. Patients apply for a dedicated line of credit that can be used only for healthcare and aesthetic treatment plans. These cards often come with interest-free promotional periods ranging from 6 to 24 months, but they typically require a hard credit check and approval based on credit score and income.
While medical credit cards can be helpful for patients with good credit who prefer to borrow through traditional methods, they do come with risks. If a balance isn’t paid off within the promo window, high deferred interest can be charged. And because these are credit cards, late payments can both hurt the patient’s credit score and increase the cost of treatment with compounding interest.
For practices, accepting medical credit cards requires enrolling as a provider with the issuing company and managing integration at the point of checkout.
Pros:
- Longer interest-free promotional windows
- Reusable for multiple treatments
- Accepted across many cosmetic surgery and wellness practices
Cons:
- Requires a hard credit check
- Approval depends heavily on credit score
- High APR if not paid in full during the promo term
3. In-House Payment Plans (Offered by Practices)
Some plastic surgeons, medical spas, and dermatologists offer their own payment plans to help patients access Botox treatment. These may include zero-interest monthly plans or structured deposits over time.
This option allows providers to create custom terms based on patient needs. However, practices must either manage collections internally or use a third-party billing partner to stay compliant and avoid administrative complications.
Pros:
- Fully customizable by the practice
- May allow more flexibility on down payments or term length
- Builds strong patient relationships
Cons:
- Poses financial risk for the practice if payments are missed
- Requires additional admin work or third-party billing software
- Not always legally compliant without proper lending structure
4. Third-Party Medical Financing Companies
Medical financing companies provide structured installment loans for a range of cosmetic treatments from facial injectables to brow lifts, and even major plastic surgery like breast augmentation. These companies act as lending partners, giving patients access to large loan amounts and may offer more extended repayment periods than other options (which can lower monthly payments but increase the total cost of the procedure through more interest payments).
These loans are typically used for higher-ticket treatments, like breast enhancement, facelifts, or combined services that include Botox, fillers, and skin care packages. Most require a full application process, including a hard credit check, income verification, and sometimes even documentation from the provider.
Though useful for financing large procedures, these companies often charge interest, and their approval standards can be restrictive for patients with limited or poor credit history.
Pros:
- High loan limits for bundled aesthetic treatments
- Longer repayment terms
- Can be used for a wide range of cosmetic procedures
Cons:
- Requires more documentation and a credit check
- Higher interest rates than BNPL options
- Slower approval times compared to real-time checkout plans
5. Traditional Credit Cards
Many patients choose to pay for Botox or dermal fillers with a credit card, especially if they want to earn points or cashback rewards. It’s the most universally accepted option and doesn’t require enrolling in a dedicated financing platform.
However, interest rates can be high, and not all patients are comfortable increasing their credit card debt for aesthetic treatments. For practices, credit cards offer immediate payment but can limit access for patients concerned about their credit score or available credit.
Pros:
- Immediate use
- Can earn points or cashback rewards
- Convenient and widely accepted
Cons:
- High APR (often 20%+)
- No interest-free promotional periods unless the card offers one
- Can impact credit score if balances aren’t paid quickly
6. Debit Cards with Pay-in-4 Options
Some patients use their debit card with pay-in-4 services that split the treatment cost into four equal biweekly payments (Cherry also offers this option interest-free as a BNPL provider). These services are most commonly used for smaller-ticket wellness purchases like skin care, laser treatments, or low-dose Botox injections.
While convenient, these pay-in-4 plans are usually capped at a few hundred dollars and not designed for higher-cost cosmetic procedures. They typically don’t require a credit check, making them accessible, but also limited in scope.
Pros:
- Instant approval and easy to use
- No interest if paid on time
- No impact on credit score
Cons:
- Not ideal for higher treatment costs
- Lower transaction limits
- Not widely supported by medical spa platforms
7. Membership or Subscription Plans
A growing number of med spas and plastic surgeons offer subscription plans where patients pay a flat fee each month for routine access to Botox, fillers, and skin care perks. These plans help patients stick to a consistent anti-aging regimen while locking in special rates.
Patients might receive a set number of units of Botox over time (the effects of botox usually last around 3-4 months), discounted Juvederm or Dysport, and exclusive add-ons like microneedling or wellness boosters.
Pros:
- Predictable monthly spending
- Loyalty discounts
- Encourages routine maintenance
Cons:
- Limited flexibility to skip months
- May not suit infrequent users of Botox
- Requires commitment even during non-treatment periods
8. Medical Savings Accounts (MSAs, FSAs, HSAs)
Botox is FDA-approved to treat medical conditions such as chronic migraines, spasms in facial muscles, overactive bladder, hyperhidrosis (excessive sweating), and a handful of other medical conditions. If a patient is being treated for one of these conditions, it’s possible that their insurance covers the cost of Botox, or that they’re eligible for reimbursement via tax-advantaged savings accounts like FSAs and HSAs.
Botox cosmetic for signs of aging, like forehead lines, or cosmetic enhancements to common treatment areas like the glabella and jawline, aren’t covered. However, medically necessary uses may offer significant savings. Patients must ensure documentation is provided and that the provider codes the treatment appropriately.
Pros:
- Pre-tax dollars can reduce treatment costs
- May allow reimbursement for medical conditions
- Good for dual-purpose treatments
Cons:
- Only applies to medically necessary Botox
- Requires physician documentation and diagnosis
- Cannot be used for cosmetic-only treatments
What Makes a Botox Payment Plan Appealing to Patients?
Patients are more likely to commit to Botox Cosmetic and related cosmetic procedures when they feel confident about how they'll pay for them. The most appealing payment plans typically share a few key characteristics:
- No hard credit check: Plans that check eligibility without affecting the patient’s credit score are less intimidating and more inclusive.
- Low or no interest: Patients want options that won’t balloon the total cost over time, especially for repeat injectable treatments.
- Fast application process: Instant approvals or pre-qualifications at checkout can make the difference between a completed booking and a lost lead.
- Flexible term lengths: Some patients want to split payments over 3–6 months, while others may need up to 12 months or more depending on their budget.
- No large down payment: Keeping initial costs low helps attract new and budget-conscious patients.
- No hidden fees: Patients prefer transparent funding without origination fees, prepayment penalties, or deferred interest charges.
Practices that offer flexible, transparent financing options often see higher acceptance rates, especially among first-time patients seeking injectables or wellness services.
For Practices: Why Offering Flexible Botox Financing Matters
Patients today expect more than just results — they expect flexible payment options at checkout. By offering modern financing options like Cherry payment plans, providers can:
- Increase treatment area bookings and total revenue
- Reduce sticker shock and down payment objections
- Boost retention and loyalty, especially with first-time patients
In contrast, relying solely on credit cards or traditional lenders may alienate patients with lower credit scores or those avoiding a hard credit check. Offering financing that aligns with how modern consumers shop — digitally, instantly, and flexibly — can give your practice a powerful competitive edge.
How Is Cherry Different from Other Third-Party Financing Companies?
While there are many ways to offer Botox payment plans, Cherry stands out as the most patient-friendly and practice-optimized solution on the market today. Unlike CareCredit (a medical credit card) or traditional financing companies like PatientFi and Alphaeon Credit, Cherry offers a streamlined, 0% APR (for qualified borrowers), no hard credit check experience that is uniquely designed for cosmetic treatments and medical spa settings.
Whereas CareCredit requires a full credit check, and services like Afterpay or Klarna are better suited for retail purchases or small skin care bundles, Cherry supports a range of aesthetic treatment transactions — including Botox, dermal fillers, Kybella, and microneedling — with flexible monthly payments and no hidden terms.
What really sets Cherry apart:
- Soft credit check only (no impact on patient’s credit score).
- Instant approval decisions at checkout.
- High approval rate across a range of credit scores (80%+).
- Designed specifically for healthcare, dermatology, and medspa providers.
- No need for patients to rely on traditional credit cards or take on long-term loans.
- Flexible terms (3-60 months) and approval amounts (up to $10k for med spa patients).
- Seamlessly integrated with Allē, the loyalty program for Botox, Juvederm, and more. There’s no cost to practices that offer 6 months of 0% APR to qualifying patients for eligible Allergan Aesthetics treatments.
For practices, Cherry reduces administrative burden, eliminates financial risk, and integrates easily into your workflow. For patients, it removes the barriers to accessing Botox cosmetic and other injectables without delaying treatment.
If you're a provider looking to offer better payment flexibility — or a patient ready to say yes to your next treatment — Cherry is the clear choice for financing your next round of Botox.