Botox Cost in Busan: Korean vs Imported Brands

October 25, 2026

Botox is often the first treatment visitors try in Korea, and the prices can look surprisingly low compared with home. Part of the reason is that Korea makes its own botulinum toxins, and clinics usually offer a choice between Korean-made and imported brands at different prices. This guide explains how Botox is priced in Busan, what actually differs between Korean and imported toxins, and how to choose without overpaying or under-dosing.

Quick answer: In Busan, Korean-made toxins are usually the lowest-cost option, while imported toxins such as German Xeomin are quoted separately and typically cost more. At a clinic in Seomyeon, Korean toxin packages include jaw Botox with an 18cc power contouring injection from KRW 99,000 and lip filler with mouth-corner Botox from KRW 99,000, while imported brands are priced by area and dose on request. Prices exclude 10% VAT. All brands are botulinum toxin type A and work the same way; dose and placement matter more than the label.

What “Botox” actually means

“Botox” is the everyday name for botulinum toxin type A, although strictly it is one brand. Every type A toxin works the same way: it temporarily blocks the nerve signal that tells a muscle to contract. Relaxed muscles stop creasing the skin, softening frown lines, forehead lines and crow’s feet; in the jaw, a relaxed masseter gradually shrinks in bulk for a slimmer lower face.

Treatment takes about 5–10 minutes, usually needs no numbing, results appear in 3–7 days and typically last 3–6 months.

Korean vs imported toxins: what is the difference?

Korean-made toxins

  • Nabota (Daewoong): approved by the U.S. FDA for frown lines, where it is sold as Jeuveau.
  • Liztox : a Korean toxin often chosen for regular, cost-conscious care.
  • Coretox (Medytox): purified to remove complexing proteins, leaving only the core neurotoxin.

Imported toxins

  • Xeomin (Merz, Germany): also free of complexing proteins.
  • Botox (the original brand from the U.S.): widely known internationally. It is not listed among the brands offered at the Seomyeon clinic, so ask if you specifically want it.

Does the brand change the result?

For most people, no meaningful difference is seen when each is dosed correctly. Some people find one lasts slightly longer for them than another. The main practical difference is the presence of complexing proteins: in theory, protein-free toxins (Xeomin and Coretox) lower the chance that the body forms neutralising antibodies with frequent, repeated use. This is a reasonable consideration for people who have toxin often, but resistance is uncommon and is only one of several reasons a result may fade early (stronger muscles, exercise habits, metabolism and a low dose are others).

How much does Botox cost in Busan?

At a clinic in Seomyeon, listed prices are for Korean-made toxin:

  • Korean-made anti-wrinkle toxin, 1 area : KRW 990 – a first-visit single-session trial price, availability confirmed when you book
  • Lip filler + mouth-corner Botox : from KRW 99,000
  • Jaw Botox + power contouring injection 18cc : from KRW 99,000

Imported and named brands (Xeomin, and specific Korean brands such as Nabota, Coretox or Liztox) are quoted by area and number of units after the doctor’s assessment.

Prices checked October 2026. Amounts are in Korean won and exclude 10% VAT, which is added at payment. Prices can change, so confirm the current price when you book.

What else affects the price

  • Number of areas. Wrinkle toxin is priced per area: forehead, between the brows, around the eyes.
  • Units. Larger muscles, such as the masseter or trapezius, need more units than fine lines.
  • Brand. Imported toxins typically cost more than Korean ones.
  • Combinations. Packages with filler, contouring injections or skin boosters change the total.
  • VAT. Korean prices are usually quoted before 10% VAT.

Be cautious with very low per-area prices if the dose is not stated: an under-dosed treatment may wear off sooner. Ask what brand and roughly how many units are included.

Who should choose which brand?

  • First-time or occasional treatment: a Korean toxin is a practical, lower-cost choice.
  • Want an international approval history: Nabota is U.S. FDA-approved for frown lines.
  • Frequent treatment or previous results fading quickly: a protein-free toxin such as Xeomin or Coretox may be suggested.

Toxin is not suitable during pregnancy or breastfeeding, with neuromuscular disorders such as myasthenia gravis, infection at the site or an allergy to any ingredient. Lines deep at rest may need filler as well, and fullness from fat responds better to a contour injection than to toxin.

What happens on the day

  1. Consultation. The doctor watches you frown, smile and clench, checks each side and reviews your medicines and toxin history. Bring past brands, dates and how long each lasted.
  2. Marking. Injection points are marked while you sit upright; numbing is usually not needed.
  3. Injection. A very fine needle delivers measured doses in about 5–10 minutes.
  4. Done. The whole visit usually takes under 30 minutes including consultation.

Results, side effects and aftercare

  • Days 3–7: lines begin to soften.
  • Week 2: full wrinkle-relaxing effect.
  • Weeks 4–8: jaw slimming develops gradually.
  • Months 3–6: movement returns; repeat to maintain.

Small bumps, redness or bruising at injection points usually settle within hours to days. Mild headache can occur. Rarely, temporary brow or eyelid drooping or asymmetry happens and fades as the effect wears off. On the day, avoid rubbing the area, saunas and jjimjilbang, and strenuous exercise.

Planning around a trip

With no downtime, toxin fits any itinerary. Booking early in your stay lets you check the result at around two weeks by message, or have it reviewed if you are still in Busan. The clinic is about 3 minutes from Seomyeon Station Exit 7 and open Monday to Friday 10:00–20:00 and Saturday 10:00–16:00 KST.

Frequently asked questions

Is Korean Botox safe?

Korean toxins are approved medicines in Korea, and Nabota also holds U.S. FDA approval for frown lines. Safety depends mainly on correct dosing and placement by a doctor.

Does imported Botox last longer?

Not reliably. Duration depends more on dose, the muscle treated and your own response than on country of manufacture.

Can I switch brands?

Yes, switching is common. Tell the doctor which brand you had before and how long it lasted.

Thinking about Botox in Busan?
Send a relaxed and a frowning photo, your previous toxin history and your travel dates on WhatsApp to get a plan and today’s price in English.

This article is for general information and does not replace a medical consultation. Suitability, results, recovery and side effects vary from person to person.

Recent Posts

October 25, 2026
Ultherapy is one of the most requested non-surgical lifting treatments in Korea, and Busan has become a popular place to have it done, especially for visitors who want to combine a treatment with a city break by the sea. This guide explains how Ultherapy works, who it suits, what it costs in Busan, and what recovery really looks like, so you can decide whether it fits your goals and your travel plans. Quick answer: Ultherapy uses focused ultrasound, guided by real-time imaging, to heat the deep supporting layer of the face (the SMAS) and trigger new collagen. A session takes about 30–60 minutes after numbing cream, there is usually no downtime, the lift builds over 2–6 months, and results typically last 6–12 months. In Busan, packages generally start from around KRW 790,000 before 10% VAT. What is Ultherapy? Ultherapy (often called Ulthera) is a micro-focused ultrasound device made by Merz Aesthetics. Like other HIFU treatments, it delivers concentrated ultrasound energy beneath the skin. What sets it apart is its built-in imaging: the practitioner can see the layers of the skin on screen and place each line of energy at the intended depth, including the SMAS, the same layer that is tightened in a surgical facelift. Each line creates tiny heated points that contract the tissue and start the body's collagen renewal process. Rather than an instant change, the skin firms and lifts gradually over the following months. Benefits of Ultherapy Reaches the deep support layer. Energy can be delivered down to the SMAS, which is why Ultherapy is used for sagging rather than surface texture alone. Imaging-guided precision. Seeing the tissue before each line helps place energy where it is needed and away from bone. No incisions and no downtime. Most people return to their day straight away. Natural, gradual change. The lift develops as collagen rebuilds, so results look like your own face, only firmer. One session a year for many people. A single treatment is usually enough for a visible change, repeated every 6–12 months. Who is a good candidate? Ultherapy tends to suit people in their 30s to 60s whose cheeks, jowls or brows have started to drop, or who have a softer jawline and some looseness under the chin. It is less helpful when the main concern is crepey texture rather than sagging (radiofrequency treatments such as Thermage FLX often suit that better), or when the face is very thin and hollow, in which case restoring volume may matter more than tightening. How much does Ultherapy cost in Busan? Ultherapy is priced by the number of lines (shots). Around 300 lines is typical for targeted areas such as the jawline and lower cheeks, while around 600 lines allows fuller coverage of the face and under the chin. In Busan, Ultherapy is often sold as a package combined with a skin booster or skin Botox. Ultherapy 300 lines + full-face skin Botox : from KRW 790,000 Ultherapy 600 lines + full-face skin Botox : from KRW 1,690,000 Prices checked October 2026. Korean clinic prices for cosmetic treatments are quoted in won and exclude 10% VAT, which is added at payment. Prices can change, so always confirm the current price when you book. When comparing quotes, check the number of lines included, whether the device is genuine Ultherapy or Ultherapy PRIME rather than a different HIFU machine, what is bundled in the package, and whether VAT is included in the figure you were given. What happens during a session Consultation. The doctor assesses sagging, fat and skin thickness, then plans the areas, depths and number of lines. Numbing. Numbing cream is applied for about 30 minutes, then the skin is cleansed and a gel is applied for the imaging probe. Treatment. The transducer shows the skin layers on screen and delivers focused ultrasound over about 30–60 minutes. Areas close to bone, such as the jawline, can feel prickly or warm. Straight back to your day. Mild redness is common and usually fades within hours. Results: what to expect and when Right after treatment: some people notice slight tightening; mild redness is normal. Months 2–3: lifting and firmness become visible as collagen renews. Months 3–6: results usually reach their peak. Months 6–12: the effect gradually fades with natural ageing; a repeat session maintains it. Results and timing vary from person to person. Even, well-planned coverage matters more for a natural result than simply using the maximum number of lines. Recovery, side effects and aftercare Ultherapy has very little downtime. The most common effects are redness or mild swelling that settles within hours to a few days, and tenderness or a bruised feeling along the jaw that can last a few days. Rarely, people experience temporary numbness, small bruises, welts or nerve irritation. Aftercare tips On the day of treatment, avoid saunas and jjimjilbang, hot baths, alcohol and strenuous exercise. Use sunscreen carefully for 1–2 weeks and avoid rubbing or scratching the treated area. Keep the skin well moisturised; makeup can usually be applied once the skin has calmed. Who should wait or avoid it Ultherapy is not recommended during pregnancy, over an active skin infection, open wound or severe acne in the area, or near metal implants or a pacemaker. Tell your doctor about any recent fillers, threads or other procedures in the area. Planning Ultherapy around a trip to Busan Because there is no real downtime, Ultherapy fits easily into a short stay. You can usually go sightseeing the same afternoon, and flying is generally fine, although jaw tenderness can feel more noticeable when chewing on the plane. Booking the treatment early in your trip gives you a few days to settle before you fly home. Share your flight date at the consultation so the plan fits your schedule. Ultherapy vs other lifting options Ultherapy : Focused ultrasound with real-time imaging. Best for: sagging cheeks, jowls and brows. Ultherapy PRIME : Newer Ultherapy platform with upgraded imaging. Best for: the same goals on the latest hardware. Thermage FLX : Monopolar radiofrequency heating the deep dermis. Best for: crepey skin and overall firmness. Shurink Universe : HIFU at set depths, without imaging. Best for: jawline and budget-friendly maintenance. In short, choose Ultherapy for an imaging-guided lift of deeper sagging, Thermage FLX when skin texture is the bigger concern, and Shurink Universe for more frequent, lower-cost upkeep between sessions. Frequently asked questions Does Ultherapy hurt? Most people describe it as warm, prickly pulses, strongest over bony areas. Numbing cream is applied beforehand to keep it comfortable. How many sessions will I need? One session is usually enough for a visible change. Many people repeat it every 6–12 months to maintain the result. Is 300 or 600 lines right for me? 300 lines generally focuses on priority areas such as the jawline and lower cheeks, while 600 lines covers the full face and under the chin more thoroughly. The right number depends on your degree of sagging and the areas you want treated. Thinking about Ultherapy in Busan? Send a front and side photo and your travel dates on WhatsApp to get a plan and today's price in English. See the Ultherapy treatment page → This article is for general information and does not replace a medical consultation. Suitability, results, recovery and side effects vary from person to person.
October 25, 2026
How Thermage FLX works, who it suits, Seomyeon package prices, what happens on the day, results, aftercare and how to fit it into a trip to Busan.
October 25, 2026
What Ultherapy PRIME changes compared with the original Ultherapy, who it suits, Busan package prices, recovery and how to decide between the two.
October 25, 2026
How ONDA microwave contouring works, who it suits, Seomyeon prices from KRW 390,000 (excl. VAT), what happens on the day and how to plan it around a trip to Busan.
October 25, 2026
What Shurink Universe HIFU does, how it compares with Ulthera, Busan prices from KRW 25,000 for a 100-shot first-visit trial (excl. VAT), results timeline and aftercare for visitors.
October 25, 2026
How Oligio (OligioX) monopolar RF tightens skin, how it compares with Thermage FLX, Busan package prices from KRW 490,000 (excl. VAT), the eye-area option and aftercare.
October 25, 2026
Alltite RF skin tightening explained: benefits, who it suits, Busan package prices from KRW 790,000 (excl. VAT), what downtime really looks like and how it pairs with Ultherapy.
October 25, 2026
A visitor's guide to non-surgical facelift options in Busan: HIFU, radiofrequency, microwave contouring and thread lifts, who each suits, Seomyeon prices and downtime.
October 25, 2026
Which Korean skin tightening treatments make sense in your 30s: light HIFU, RF, collagen boosters and skin Botox, with Seomyeon prices, timelines and how to plan a maintenance routine.
October 25, 2026
Anti-aging options in Busan for people over 40: imaging-guided HIFU, Thermage FLX, combination lifting, threads, fillers and collagen stimulators, with Seomyeon prices and planning tips.
Show More