Botox in Busan, Korea: Prices, Results & Safety
Botox is one of the quickest, most travel-friendly treatments you can have in Korea: a few minutes of injections, no real downtime and results within a week. Prices in Korea are also famously low compared with many countries, which makes it a common add-on for visitors to Busan. This guide explains how Botox works, which brands are used, current price examples in Seomyeon, what results to expect and how to stay safe.
Quick answer: Botox is the everyday name for botulinum toxin type A, injected in tiny doses to relax the muscles behind frown lines, forehead lines and crow’s feet, or to slim an enlarged jaw muscle. Treatment takes about 5–10 minutes, usually needs no numbing and has no downtime. Lines begin to soften in 3–7 days, the full effect shows at about two weeks, and results usually last 3–6 months. In Seomyeon, first-visit trial offers start very low (KRW 990 for one wrinkle area with a Korean-made toxin), while contouring packages start from around KRW 99,000, before 10% VAT.
How Botox works
Botulinum toxin temporarily blocks the nerve signal that tells a muscle to contract. When the muscle relaxes, the skin over it stops creasing, so dynamic lines, the ones that appear with expression, soften. In the jaw, a relaxed masseter (chewing) muscle gradually shrinks over several weeks, giving a slimmer lower face. The effect wears off as nerve signalling recovers, which is why treatment is repeated.
What it treats
- Frown lines between the brows.
- Forehead lines.
- Crow’s feet around the eyes.
- Square jaw from a large masseter muscle.
- Other uses include shoulder (trapezius) contouring, excessive sweating and skin Botox for pores and fine texture.
Which brand? Korean toxins and Xeomin
Korea has several domestic botulinum toxin brands. A clinic in Seomyeon offers Korean-made Coretox, Liztox and Nabota, and German Xeomin:
- Nabota: a Korean toxin approved by the US FDA (sold there as Jeuveau) for frown lines.
- Liztox: a Korean-made toxin used for wrinkles and jaw slimming.
- Coretox: a Korean toxin with complexing proteins removed.
- Xeomin: a German toxin (incobotulinumtoxinA), also without complexing proteins.
All contain botulinum toxin type A. In practice, dose and placement matter more than the brand name. Toxins without complexing proteins may, in theory, lower the chance of developing antibodies, which some frequent users prefer. Tell the doctor which brand you had before and how it worked.
How much does Botox cost in Busan?
Price examples from a clinic in Seomyeon:
- Korean wrinkle Botox, 1 area : KRW 990 (first-visit single-session trial; ask about availability)
- Korean jaw Botox 50U : KRW 9,900 (first-visit single-session trial; ask about availability)
- Jaw Botox + contouring injection 18cc : from KRW 99,000
- Small-face contouring injection (temporalis, parotid glands, jaw angles) : from KRW 149,000
- Xeomin, Coretox, Nabota and Liztox : priced by area and dose; ask for a quote.
Prices checked October 2026. They are in Korean won and exclude 10% VAT, which is added at payment: KRW 99,000 becomes KRW 108,900. Trial offers are one-time prices for first-time patients and can change or end at any time, so confirm on WhatsApp when you book. The final price depends on brand, number of areas and dose.
What happens on the day
- Message first with the areas that bother you, your travel dates and any previous toxin treatments. A relaxed and a frowning photo helps.
- Consultation. The doctor watches you frown, smile and clench, checks muscle strength on each side, and reviews your medicines and health.
- Preparation. No numbing is usually needed. The skin is cleansed and points are marked while you sit upright.
- Injection. A very fine needle delivers small, measured doses in about 5–10 minutes; most people feel a quick pinch.
Results timeline
- Days 3–7: lines begin to soften.
- Week 2: full wrinkle-relaxing effect.
- Weeks 4–8: jaw slimming develops gradually.
- Months 3–6: movement slowly returns; wrinkle results typically last about 3–4 months and jaw results around 4–6 months.
Safety and side effects
Botulinum toxin is one of the most widely studied aesthetic treatments. When performed by a doctor at appropriate doses, it is generally well tolerated. Possible effects include small bumps, redness or bruising at injection points, a mild headache or feeling of heaviness, and mild chewing fatigue after jaw treatment. Rarely, temporary eyebrow or eyelid drooping or asymmetry can occur; these fade as the effect wears off.
Staying safe
- Choose a clinic where a doctor assesses you before treatment.
- Ask which brand and dose are used.
- Avoid very frequent, high-dose top-ups; every 3–6 months is typical.
- Tell the doctor when, where and with what you were last treated.
Who should not have Botox
Botox is not suitable during pregnancy or breastfeeding, with a neuromuscular disorder such as myasthenia gravis, an infection at the injection site, or an allergy to any ingredient. Tell the doctor about all medications, especially blood thinners.
Aftercare and flying
- Stay upright and do not rub the area for 3–4 hours.
- Skip saunas and jjimjilbang, hot baths, hard exercise and alcohol until the next day.
- Apply make-up gently, later in the day.
- Flying is generally fine; avoid sleeping face-down against a pillow or window in the first hours.
Because results take 3–7 days to show, book early in your trip if you want a check before you leave. For a wedding or event, have wrinkle Botox at least two weeks before and jaw Botox about 4–8 weeks before.
Frequently asked questions
Will I look frozen?
Not when the dose is matched to your muscles. Lighter doses where you need movement keep expressions natural.
Botox or filler?
Botox softens lines from movement. Filler adds volume for lines visible at rest, lips or hollows. Many people combine both.
Can I book on the same day?
Sometimes, depending on the schedule. A consultation always comes first.
Thinking about Botox during your Busan trip?
Send a relaxed and a frowning photo 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.
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