AIRNOX Laughing Gas Sedation in Busan | FAQ

What is AIRNOX?

Nitrous oxide is a gas that has been used for pain relief and light sedation in medicine and dentistry for many years. Breathed in mixed with oxygen through a mask, it produces a relaxed, calm feeling and lowers your awareness of discomfort, while you remain conscious and able to talk.

At Art of Shine Clinic, AIRNOX is offered as a comfort option for shorter or more sensitive treatments, in addition to standard numbing. Whether it is suitable is decided by the doctor. For deeper, sleep-like sedation, see Premium Sedation or Standard Sedation.

How AIRNOX works

Nitrous oxide acts on the brain to reduce anxiety and dull the perception of pain. Because it leaves the body quickly through the lungs once you breathe normal air, the effect fades within minutes. You breathe it continuously during treatment while the medical team watches you.

Assessment: the doctor checks your health, breathing, medications and any recent illness, and confirms nitrous oxide suits you and your treatment.
During treatment: you breathe nitrous oxide and oxygen through a mask; the medical team watches your breathing, oxygen level and response throughout.
Recovery: the mask is removed, you breathe oxygen or room air, and you rest until you feel fully steady before leaving.

Who is AIRNOX for — and when we suggest something else

Good candidates

You feel anxious about a treatment but want to stay awake
You dislike needles and want a needle-free way to relax
Your treatment is fairly short and only needs light relief
You want to get back to your day soon after
You can breathe comfortably through your nose

We may suggest something else if…

Your treatment is long or very uncomfortable — Dr. Park may recommend Premium Sedation or Standard Sedation
You have a blocked nose, bad cold or breathing problem — we wait or choose another option
You are pregnant, especially in the first trimester — not suitable
You have vitamin B12 deficiency, a trapped-gas condition or recent ear, eye or bowel surgery — not suitable

What happens at your AIRNOX session in Seomyeon

Message us on WhatsApp first. Tell us which treatment you are booking and that you would like AIRNOX. Mention breathing problems, pregnancy and any medicines.
Consultation with Dr. Park. She checks your breathing, health history and the treatment you are having. She decides whether nitrous oxide suits you.
Preparation. Eat only a light meal beforehand and avoid alcohol. A small mask is placed over your nose and you breathe normally.
The treatment. Relaxation begins within about 3–5 minutes. You stay awake and can talk; many people feel calm, warm or tingly.
Out the door & follow-up. The effect fades about 5–10 minutes after the mask is removed. Rest until steady, and do not drive until the doctor confirms you have recovered.

How Dr. Park plans your AIRNOX sedation

Dr. Park chooses AIRNOX when light, needle-free relaxation is enough. It suits shorter treatments where anxiety is the main issue. For longer treatments she may suggest IV sedation instead.

The gas level is adjusted while you breathe, so the team can respond to how you feel. If you become too drowsy or nauseous, they reduce or stop it. You are watched throughout.

It is given separately for each treatment. Its effect lasts only while you inhale, so there is no lingering sedation once you have recovered.

Side effects, risks and who should avoid AIRNOX

Nitrous oxide sedation is generally well tolerated when given and monitored by a medical team. Possible side effects include:

Light-headedness, dizziness or tingling
Nausea or, less often, vomiting
Headache after the session
Rarely, unpleasant dreams, confusion or excessive drowsiness — the team adjusts or stops the gas

Not suitable if you: are pregnant (especially in the first trimester); have a blocked nose, bad cold or other breathing problem that stops you breathing through your nose; have a collapsed lung, recent ear, eye or bowel surgery, or another trapped-gas condition; have vitamin B12 deficiency; or have certain serious psychiatric conditions. Tell the doctor about all medications.

Before your visit: eat only a light meal, avoid alcohol, and follow any fasting instructions the clinic gives. Do not drive yourself until the doctor confirms you have fully recovered; arranging a lift or taxi on the day is safest. If you take a GLP-1 weight-loss medicine such as Wegovy or Mounjaro, tell the doctor before sedation, as these medicines slow stomach emptying.

AIRNOX vs Premium Sedation and Standard Sedation: which should you choose?

All three help you feel more comfortable, but the depth and recovery are very different.

Treatment	How it works	Best for	Downtime	Results last
AIRNOX	Inhaled nitrous oxide through a nose mask	Light relaxation for short treatments	Recovery about 5–10 min after mask off	Only while inhaling
Premium Sedation	IV remimazolam, sleep-like sedation	Longer or more uncomfortable treatments	About 10–20 min recovery; no driving that day	Only during treatment
Standard Sedation	IV sleep sedation	Longer treatments or sensitive areas	About 20–30 min recovery; no driving that day	Only during treatment

Choose AIRNOX if you want to stay awake and relaxed with a quick recovery. Choose IV sedation if Dr. Park agrees you need a deeper, sleep-like state; it needs fasting and an escort.

Aftercare after AIRNOX

Mild dizziness or nausea may occur after the session and usually passes quickly.
Rest after recovery until you feel steady before leaving the treatment room.
Do not drive, cycle or operate machinery until the doctor confirms you are fully recovered.
Avoid alcohol and heavy smoking on the day of treatment.
Tell the medical team in advance about any breathing problems, and straight away about any discomfort during treatment.

Travelling? Read our aftercare tips for travellers.

Downtime after AIRNOX, and flying home

Most people feel normal within minutes of the mask coming off. Some notice light-headedness, nausea or a headache for a short time. Rest until you feel steady. Avoid heavy smoking and alcohol for the rest of the day. Your main treatment's aftercare matters more than the gas itself.

Once recovered, you can usually walk to Seomyeon Station or continue light sightseeing. Do not drive until the doctor confirms you are fully recovered; a taxi or public transport is safest. Flying the same day is usually acceptable after nitrous oxide alone, but the treatment you had may change that. Tell Dr. Park your flight date. See our aftercare tips for travellers.

AIRNOX prices in Busan (KRW)

Pricing for AIRNOX depends on the area, dose and plan your doctor recommends. Ask us on WhatsApp for a quote before your visit.

Listed amounts are non-covered treatment fees in Korean won (KRW) and exclude 10% VAT. Payment is made at the clinic on the day of your visit. Costs may vary with the treatment area and dosage, and results, recovery time and side effects differ from person to person. Details are explained during an in-clinic consultation.

Full price list → · Current special offers → · How prices & payment work →

Is AIRNOX the same as laughing gas at the dentist?

Yes, it uses the same type of gas: nitrous oxide, often called laughing gas. It is breathed through a nose mask to ease anxiety and reduce pain sensitivity.

You stay awake and can respond, and you do not usually laugh. Most people describe feeling relaxed, warm or slightly floaty. The effect stops shortly after the mask comes off, so recovery is quick. It does not replace numbing for painful treatments; it is used alongside it when needed. Unlike IV sedation, no needle is involved in giving it. Dr. Park decides whether it suits your treatment.

Is AIRNOX enough for Thermage or Ulthera?

It depends on the treatment and your sensitivity. For lifting treatments such as Thermage FLX or Ulthera, numbing cream is standard.

Some people find AIRNOX helps them relax enough. Others feel more heat or discomfort and prefer IV sedation. Dr. Park weighs the area, the energy level planned, your past experience and your health. Tell her honestly how you cope with discomfort, and she will suggest the right level of support. If you choose IV sedation, remember it needs fasting and an adult companion.

Can I have AIRNOX if I have a cold?

Usually not. Nitrous oxide is breathed in through the nose, so a blocked nose makes it ineffective.

A heavy cold or chest infection can also make any sedation less safe. Sinus congestion may also cause ear or sinus discomfort with the gas. If you are unwell, message us on WhatsApp before your appointment. We may move the date or suggest a different plan. For many treatments, numbing cream alone is still an option. Your comfort and safety both matter, so please tell us early.

AIRNOX FAQ

How much is AIRNOX sedation in Busan?

Art of Shine Clinic does not list a separate online price for AIRNOX. The cost depends on the treatment it is used with. Message us on WhatsApp for a quote. Prices are in KRW and exclude 10% VAT.

Will I be asleep with AIRNOX?

No. Nitrous oxide is light sedation: you stay awake and able to talk, but feel relaxed and less aware of discomfort. If you would prefer a sleep-like state, ask the doctor about Premium or Standard Sedation.

Do I need to fast before nitrous oxide?

Strict fasting is usually not required for light nitrous oxide sedation, but have only a light meal beforehand and avoid alcohol. Always follow the specific instructions the clinic gives you when you book.

Can I drive or go sightseeing after AIRNOX?

The effect wears off about 5–10 minutes after the mask is removed. Rest until you feel steady, and do not drive until the doctor confirms you have fully recovered. Taking a taxi or public transport on the day is safest.

AIRNOX or IV sedation: which should I choose?

AIRNOX is light, needle-free sedation that wears off in minutes. IV sedation (Premium or Standard Sedation) gives a deeper, sleep-like state for longer or more uncomfortable treatments but needs fasting and an escort. The doctor decides which is appropriate.

Who decides whether I can have AIRNOX?

Dr. Park Yoon-soo, Head Director of Art of Shine Clinic, decides after checking your health and the treatment you are having. She may suggest IV sedation or numbing alone instead.

Can I ask for AIRNOX on the day?

It is better to request it when booking on WhatsApp, so the team can plan for it. Dr. Park will still confirm on the day that it suits you. Eat only a light meal beforehand and avoid alcohol.

Will I remember the treatment with AIRNOX?

Usually yes. You stay awake and aware with nitrous oxide, though you may feel detached and less bothered by sensations. If you want little memory of it, ask about IV sedation.

Medically reviewed by

Dr. Park Yoon-soo— Head Director, Art of Shine Clinic Busan

Medical graduate of Kyungpook National University School of Medicine, intern at Asan Medical Center. Rejuran and Rejuviel Expert Member (PharmaResearch), Restylane Expert Member (Galderma), Belotero Key Doctor (Merz Korea) and 2026 Coretox Expert. Member of the Korean Aesthetic Surgery & Laser Society and the Korean Society for Laser, Dermatology and Trichology.

This page is for general information and does not replace an in-person medical consultation. Results, recovery time and side effects vary from person to person.

Sedation & Anesthesia · Seomyeon, Busan

AIRNOX in Busan

At a glance

Numbing

Treatment time

Downtime

Results last

Repeat