Botox in Korea means botulinum toxin injections that relax the small muscles behind expression lines, softening frown lines, forehead lines and crow's feet without surgery. A visit usually takes 15 to 30 minutes, including a short consultation and optional ice or numbing cream, while the injections themselves last only a few minutes. There is no wound, so most visitors go back to sightseeing the same day and can board a flight soon after. The effect starts within three to five days and settles at around two weeks. Clinics quote either per treated area or per unit of toxin, and the clinic list and price table on this page let you compare both.
Is it for you?
Who Botox in Busan suits, and who should wait
Botulinum toxin works on lines that come from movement. If frown lines, forehead creases or crow's feet deepen with expression and soften at rest, the muscle underneath is doing most of the work, and relaxing it is what the injection does well. Adults who want a softer look for a few months with no recovery period are typical candidates.
It does little for lines etched into a still face, for sagging, lost volume, pigment or texture, and a careful consultation says so instead of adding units. People with nerve and muscle conditions, or on medicines that interact with toxin, need their history reviewed first.
Usually a good fit
- Frown, forehead or crow's feet lines with movement
- Wants a softer look with short recovery
- Short trip with a flight within days
- Comfortable with repeat visits every few months
May be better to wait
- Pregnancy or breastfeeding
- Infection or active rash on the injection area
- Neuromuscular disorders such as myasthenia gravis
- Deep static folds or sagging that need 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
2
3
4Boom Dermatology Busan
5
6velyB Clinic Busan Deokcheon
7
8VandS Clinic Nampo
9
10Midam Clinic Centum
How it works
How a Botox session runs
Botulinum toxin type A is an injectable protein that blocks the signal between a nerve and a muscle, so the treated muscle contracts less and the skin above it folds less. It is not an energy device and does not heat the skin. Nerve endings slowly form new connections, so movement returns and the treatment needs repeating. A 2021 Cochrane review by Camargo and colleagues (Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews) pooled 65 randomized trials and concluded that toxin reduces facial wrinkles within four weeks but probably raises the risk of eyelid drooping.
Korean clinics stock imported and domestic toxins. Imported options include Botox (onabotulinumtoxinA, Allergan, now AbbVie) and Xeomin (incobotulinumtoxinA, Merz), a purified product without accessory proteins. Domestic options include Nabota (prabotulinumtoxinA, Daewoong), sold in the United States as Jeuveau, the purified Coretox (Medytox) and other Korean-made brands. Each brand has its own units, so doses do not transfer one to one between products.
What sets the price in Korea is the brand and the dose, written either as units or as a named area such as the frown zone or the forehead. Repeated large doses raise a question about neutralizing antibodies. In a 2010 meta-analysis by Naumann and colleagues in Movement Disorders, 11 of 2,240 people treated with onabotulinumtoxinA across five indications converted to antibody-positive, and only three of them later stopped responding.
Consultation and marking
The doctor watches you frown, raise the brows and smile, checks your medical history and marks the injection points. This takes about five to ten minutes.
Cleansing and numbing
The skin is cleaned. Ice or a numbing cream for 10 to 20 minutes is optional, because the needle is very fine.
Injection
Small amounts go into each target muscle. One area takes a few minutes; a full upper face rarely takes ten.
Check and aftercare
Tiny bumps at the points fade within about an hour. You receive written aftercare and can leave straight away.
Botox compared with other options
| Criteria | Botox | Xeomin | Nabota | Other Korean-made toxins |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Active ingredient | onabotulinumtoxinA | incobotulinumtoxinA | prabotulinumtoxinA | botulinum toxin type A, varies by brand |
| Maker | Allergan (AbbVie), United States | Merz, Germany | Daewoong, Korea | Several Korean makers, such as Medytox |
| Accessory proteins | Present as a complex | Removed | Present as a complex | Varies; Coretox is purified |
| Supplied as | Powder mixed before use | Powder mixed before use | Powder mixed before use | Mostly powder; Innotox is a liquid |
| Typical duration | About 3 to 4 months | About 3 to 4 months | About 3 to 4 months | Varies by brand and dose |
At a glance
Botox facts
| Product type | Injectable botulinum toxin type A |
|---|---|
| Brands seen in Korea | Botox, Xeomin, Nabota, Coretox and other Korean-made toxins |
| Dose unit | Units of toxin, or a named area such as the frown zone |
| Numbing | Ice or numbing cream, optional |
| Session length | 15 to 30 minutes including consultation |
| Downtime | None to minimal; small bumps fade within about an hour |
| When results show | From day 3 to 5, settled at about two weeks |
| How long it lasts | Usually about 3 to 4 months |
| Earliest flight home | Same day or 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
Small bumps and faint redness at the points settle within an hour or two. Stay upright for about four hours and do not rub the area.
No visible change yet. A tiny bruise can be covered with makeup from the next day. Skip saunas and hard workouts for the first day.
Movement starts to soften; one side may relax slightly sooner.
The effect has settled, so this is the time for a review and, if needed, a small top-up.
Movement returns gradually. Many people book the next session when lines start to show again.
Safety
Botox risks and limits
- Pinpoint bleeding, small bruises and tenderness at the points are common and short-lived.
- A mild headache can follow treatment of the frown area for a day or two.
- Eyelid or brow drooping can occur if toxin spreads to a nearby muscle; it is temporary but can last several weeks.
- An uneven or frozen look is possible and is usually corrected by adjusting the dose at the next visit.
- Rarely, antibodies form and later treatments work less well.
- Toxin relaxes muscle only; it does not lift sagging skin or replace lost volume.
Evidence
Research behind this page
- Adverse Events of Botulinum Toxin Type A in Facial Rejuvenation: A Systematic Review and Meta-AnalysisAesthetic Plastic Surgery · 2016 · Jia Z, Lu H, Yang X, Jin X, Wu R, Zhao J, et al. · doi:10.1007/s00266-016-0682-1
A meta-analysis of 16 placebo-controlled trials that found adverse events, mostly mild to moderate such as headache, eyelid drooping and heavy eyelids, were more frequent with toxin than with placebo for frown lines.
- Meta‐analysis of neutralizing antibody conversion with onabotulinumtoxinA (BOTOX®) across multiple indicationsMovement Disorders · 2010 · Naumann M, Carruthers A, Carruthers J, Aurora S, Zafonte R, Abu-Shakra S, et al. · doi:10.1002/mds.23254
Pooled 16 studies and found that neutralizing antibody conversion after onabotulinumtoxinA was very low and rarely led to loss of effect.
- Botulinum Toxin Versus Placebo: A Meta-Analysis of Treatment and Quality-of-life Outcomes for HyperhidrosisAesthetic Plastic Surgery · 2021 · Obed D, Salim M, Bingoel A, Hofmann T, Vogt P, Krezdorn N, et al. · doi:10.1007/s00266-021-02140-7
A meta-analysis of eight randomized trials showing that toxin reduced underarm sweating and improved quality-of-life scores over eight weeks.
FAQ
Questions about Botox in Busan
Does Botox hurt?
Most people describe a quick sting at each point rather than real pain, because the needle is very fine and each injection lasts a second or two. Ice or numbing cream can dull the sensation further, and the frown area tends to feel sharper than the forehead. If you are anxious about needles, ask for numbing cream when you arrive so it has time to work before the doctor starts.
How long does Botox last before I need another session?
Results usually last about three to four months, after which movement returns gradually rather than all at once. Duration depends on the dose, the brand, the strength of the muscle and how expressive your face is. Some people find the effect lasts a little longer after several regular sessions. Plan repeat visits around when lines begin to show again rather than on a fixed calendar.
Is South Korea Botox the same product I would get at home?
Imported Botox and Xeomin in Korea are the same products sold in many other countries, while Nabota is sold in the United States under the name Jeuveau. Korean-made brands such as Coretox are approved by Korea's drug regulator but may not be available where you live. Ask which brand is planned and to see the sealed box or vial before it is mixed, so you know exactly what is injected.
Should I choose an imported or a Korean-made toxin?
Both types relax muscle in the same way, and the choice usually comes down to brand familiarity, cost and your treatment history. Imported products carry the longest international track record, while domestic brands are widely used in Korea and often priced lower. Purified products without accessory proteins, such as Xeomin or Coretox, are sometimes chosen by people treated often. Tell the doctor which brand you had before so the dose can be matched.
Can my body become resistant to botulinum toxin?
Resistance is possible but uncommon at cosmetic doses. In a 2010 meta-analysis in Movement Disorders, Naumann and colleagues found that 11 of 2,240 people treated with onabotulinumtoxinA developed neutralizing antibodies, and only three later stopped responding. Very frequent top-ups and high total doses are thought to raise the risk. Spacing sessions at least three months apart and avoiding unnecessary extra units is a sensible habit.
Can toxin injections help with excessive underarm sweating?
Yes, botulinum toxin is also used for focal hyperhidrosis, most often in the underarms. A 2021 meta-analysis by Obed and colleagues in Aesthetic Plastic Surgery found that injections reduced sweat production and improved quality-of-life scores compared with placebo over eight weeks. The dose and injection grid differ from facial treatment, so mention sweating at the consultation if you want both done on the same visit.
What side effects should I watch for after the injections?
Small bruises, tenderness and a mild headache are the effects people notice most, and they usually pass within days. A meta-analysis by Jia and colleagues in Aesthetic Plastic Surgery (2016) found headache, eyelid drooping and heavy eyelids more often after frown-line injections than after placebo. A drooping eyelid is temporary but can last weeks. Contact the treating clinic if you notice drooping, double vision or difficulty swallowing.
Can I exercise or drink alcohol after Botox?
Wait until the next day before hard exercise, saunas or hot baths, and keep alcohol light on the treatment day. Heat and a raised heart rate increase blood flow to the face, which can worsen bruising. Gentle walking and normal sightseeing are fine straight away. Also avoid facial massage, tight headbands or lying face down for the first few hours.
Do I need to stop any medicines before the appointment?
At the consultation, tell the doctor about every medicine and supplement you take, because some affect bruising or interact with toxin. Blood thinners, high-dose fish oil and some painkillers can increase bruising, and certain antibiotics can strengthen the toxin's effect. Never stop a prescribed medicine on your own, and mention past reactions, recent vaccinations and any planned dental or eye surgery.
Do visitors need to find a Botox clinic in Seoul?
Not necessarily, since Botox in South Korea is offered in clinics across the country and the injection is the same wherever it is done. Many visitors search for a Botox clinic in Seoul because that is where they land, but what matters is the brand, the dose per area, who injects and whether follow-up is possible. Book early in the trip so a two-week review can fit.