Botox in Korea means injections of botulinum toxin type A that temporarily weaken targeted facial muscles, softening frown lines, forehead creases and crow's feet. A typical visit lasts under an hour, while the injections take ten to twenty minutes after ice or a brief numbing cream. Recovery is usually short and varies by person: small bumps fade within an hour, small bruises can last a few days, and flying home the next day is usually fine. Softening appears after three to five days and settles by about two weeks, lasting roughly three to four months. Clinics charge by unit or by treatment zone, and the brand chosen changes the figure. Further down, the clinic cards and the price table let you compare options before VAT.
Is it for you?
Who Botox in Busan suits, and who should wait
Toxin suits adults whose lines appear or deepen when they frown, squint or raise their brows. It also works for people who want a rested look without changing facial volume. Many first-time patients in Korea start with the glabella, the area between the brows, because the response there is predictable and easy to judge.
It does not restore lost volume, lift sagging cheeks or remove deep folds that remain when the face is fully relaxed. Fine crepey texture and sun spots also need other treatments. People who expect a frozen look or a lift are better served by a frank conversation about what toxin can and cannot do.
Usually a good fit
- Frown lines visible when you concentrate
- Horizontal forehead creases from raising the brows
- Crow's feet that show when you smile
- A first, low-commitment cosmetic treatment
May be better to wait
- Pregnancy or breastfeeding
- Infection or active inflammation on the area
- Myasthenia gravis or another nerve-muscle disorder
- Sagging or volume loss that needs another approach
Clinics in Busan
10 clinics for Botox in Busan
Every clinic below lists Botox among its treatments. Message a clinic directly.
1Barog Clinic Seomyeon Station Branch
2Midam Clinic Centum
3
4
5Boom Dermatology Busan
6
7velyB Clinic Busan Deokcheon
8
9VandS Clinic Nampo
10How it works
How a Botox session runs
Botulinum toxin type A is a purified protein that stops nerve endings from releasing acetylcholine, the signal that tells a muscle to contract. It is an injectable medicine, not a device, so there is no energy or heat involved. The injected muscle relaxes over several days, and the skin above it stops creasing in the same place. Nerves form new endings over the following months, which is why results fade and sessions are repeated.
In Korea the dose is written in units, and each clinic menu names the brand: imported Botox by Allergan or Xeomin by Merz, or Korean products such as Nabota by Daewoong and Coretox by Medytox. Units are not equivalent across every product, so a plan should always state the brand and units together. The area, muscle strength and sex of the patient all affect how many units a doctor chooses.
Beyond muscle injections, a superficial microdroplet technique places tiny diluted amounts into the skin. A 2022 review by Kandhari and colleagues in the Journal of Cutaneous and Aesthetic Surgery described it as a way to address fine texture and oiliness, and a 2024 systematic review by Rahman and colleagues in Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery - Global Open pooled ten studies with 153 participants and reported improvements in sebum, pore size and texture, while calling for larger trials.
Assessment
The doctor watches you frown, smile and raise your brows, checks for asymmetry and asks about earlier toxin, medicines and pregnancy. Expect five to ten minutes.
Marking and numbing
Injection points are marked on clean skin. Ice or a numbing cream for about fifteen to twenty minutes is offered, although many people skip it.
Injection
A very fine needle delivers small amounts at each point. A forehead and frown-line plan usually takes five to ten minutes of actual injecting.
Soothing and instructions
Cool packs calm the bumps, and you receive aftercare instructions to stay upright and avoid rubbing the area for several hours.
At a glance
Botox facts
| Product | Botulinum toxin type A, imported or Korean-made |
|---|---|
| Makers seen on menus | Allergan, Merz, Daewoong, Medytox and other Korean makers |
| Type | Injectable neuromodulator, no energy device |
| Dose unit | Units per area, written with the brand |
| Numbing | Ice or numbing cream, optional |
| Session length | About 10 to 20 minutes of injecting |
| Downtime | Minimal; small bumps settle within an hour |
| When results show | From day 3 to 5, settled by about two weeks |
| Earliest flight home | Usually the same day or the next day |
Prices
Botox cost in Busan
Prices below come from the listed clinics' own price lists, before VAT. 10% VAT is added at payment.
Botox · 1 sessions
Price at 1 listed clinic · approx. $47₩65,000 + VATCompare clinicsBotox · 100 units
Price at 1 listed clinic · approx. $28₩38,000 + VATCompare clinicsBotox
Price at 1 listed clinic · approx. $7–$73From ₩10,000–₩100,000 + VATCompare clinicsBotox Wondertox Wrinkle 1 Area
Price at 1 listed clinic · approx. $11₩15,000 + VATCompare clinicsBotox Jaw (Korean standard) — list price
Price at 1 listed clinic · approx. $18₩25,000 + VATCompare clinicsBotox (Korean high-purity I) 1 Area — list price
Price at 1 listed clinic · approx. $22₩29,800 + VATCompare clinicsBotox Wondertox Jaw (Masseter)
Price at 1 listed clinic · approx. $22₩30,000 + VATCompare clinicsBotox Hi-Tox Wrinkle 1 Area
Price at 1 listed clinic · approx. $29₩40,000 + VATCompare clinicsRecovery
What the days after look like
Pinpoint redness and raised bumps fade within an hour. Keep the head upright for about four hours and skip workouts, saunas and alcohol until the next day.
A light headache or tenderness can occur. Makeup and normal washing are fine; avoid massaging or pressing the treated zones.
Lines start to soften as the muscles weaken. Small bruises, if any, fade during this week.
The effect has settled. This is the right moment to judge symmetry and ask about a small top-up if needed.
Safety
Botox risks and limits
- Redness, swelling or small bruises at injection points, usually brief
- Headache or a tight feeling across the forehead for a day or two
- Uneven brows or an asymmetric smile from dose or spread
- Rarely, a drooping eyelid lasting several weeks
- Rarely, allergic reaction or reduced response after repeated treatment
- Does not treat volume loss, sagging or static etched lines fully
Evidence
Research behind this page
- Microdroplet botulinum toxin: A reviewJournal of Cutaneous and Aesthetic Surgery · 2022 · Kandhari R, Kaur I, Gupta J, Al-Niaimi F · doi:10.4103/jcas.jcas_162_21
A narrative review of the microdroplet technique, in which diluted toxin is placed superficially to treat fine lines, texture and oiliness, and of the evidence behind it.
- Intradermal Botulinum Toxin A on Skin Quality and Facial Rejuvenation: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysisPlastic and Reconstructive Surgery - Global Open · 2024 · Rahman E, Rao P, Philipp-Dormston W, et al. · doi:10.1097/gox.0000000000006084
A systematic review of ten studies with 153 participants that found intradermal toxin improved sebum, pore size, erythema, wrinkles and texture, with a call for larger trials.
- Safety and Efficacy of Intradermal Injection of Botulinum Toxin for the Treatment of Oily SkinDermatologic Surgery · 2013 · Rose A, Goldberg D · doi:10.1111/dsu.12097
A prospective study in which intradermal toxin on the forehead reduced sebum production in people with oily skin, with good patient satisfaction and no serious side effects.
FAQ
Questions about Botox in Busan
How much does a korea botox session sting?
Most people describe a quick pinch at each point rather than lasting pain. The needle is very fine and each injection takes a second or two. Ice or a numbing cream helps people who are sensitive, especially around the eyes. The full set of injections for one or two zones is usually over within ten minutes, and soreness after that is mild.
Is south korea botox the same medicine used in other countries?
Imported brands are the same products sold abroad, and Korean-made toxins are approved by the Korean regulator. Botox by Allergan and Xeomin by Merz are used worldwide. Nabota by Daewoong is also sold in the United States as Jeuveau. Others, such as Coretox, are mainly used inside Korea, so a doctor at home may know them less well. Ask the clinic to show the vial label so you know exactly which product you received.
Do I need a botox clinic in Seoul, or are other cities just as convenient?
You do not need Seoul specifically; clinics in other large cities use the same approved products and the same dosing logic. What matters more is the person injecting, the brand named on your quote and clear aftercare. Choose a city that fits your itinerary, since the visit is short and needs no overnight recovery. A written plan travels well, so keep it for any later session wherever you are treated.
Can my body stop responding to toxin over time?
It is uncommon, but some people develop antibodies that weaken the response after many sessions. Higher doses and very frequent top-ups are thought to raise that chance. Spacing treatments at least three months apart and avoiding unnecessary extra units are sensible habits. Purified products with fewer complexing proteins are sometimes chosen for frequent users. Keeping a simple record of brand, units and dates helps any doctor spot a pattern.
What should I avoid in the first day after injections?
Avoid lying flat, rubbing the area, heavy exercise, saunas and alcohol for the rest of the day. These steps reduce the chance that the product spreads to a nearby muscle. Gentle walking, eating normally and light makeup the next morning are fine. Follow the clinic's written sheet if its timing differs slightly. If a heavy brow or droop appears later, contact the clinic rather than massaging the area.
Is botox south korea treatment done by a doctor?
In Korea, toxin injections are a medical procedure and should be performed by a licensed doctor. Ask who will inject before the session starts, and confirm that a doctor also handles the consultation. If anything feels wrong afterwards, the clinic should be able to arrange a follow-up check or a call. A clinic that answers this question openly is usually also clear about aftercare.
Can toxin treat heavy sweating as well as wrinkles?
Yes, botulinum toxin is also used for excessive underarm sweating, though that uses a different dose and pattern from facial treatment. The effect on sweating typically lasts longer than on wrinkles. Mention it at the consultation if you want both treated in one visit, since the total dose is planned together. Sweating treatment is usually priced and recorded as a separate line on the quote.
Should I stop any medicines before treatment?
Do not stop a prescribed medicine on your own; tell the doctor what you take instead. Blood thinners, aspirin and some supplements raise the chance of bruising, and certain antibiotics can interact with toxin. The doctor may adjust timing or technique. Bring a written list in English to make this easy. Mention recent vaccines or illness too, since the doctor may prefer to wait a little.
When can I get a top-up if the result looks uneven?
Wait about two weeks before judging the result, because the effect is still building before then. At that point, small asymmetry can often be balanced with a few extra units. If you have already left, send clear photos to the clinic and keep your record of brand and units for a local doctor. Top-ups are planned in small steps, because extra units cannot be removed once injected.