Standard Sedation in Busan

What is Standard Sedation?

IV sedation uses a sedative medicine given into a vein to produce a relaxed, sleep-like state, so you are comfortable and remember little of the treatment. The specific medicine and dose are chosen by the doctor based on your health and the treatment you are having.

At Art of Shine Clinic, Standard Sedation is offered for people with significant fear of pain or for longer treatments, always with continuous monitoring. Whether sedation is appropriate is decided by the doctor. Alternatives include Premium Sedation(remimazolam, with quicker recovery) and needle-free AIRNOX.

How Standard Sedation works

Sedative medicines act on the brain to reduce awareness and anxiety and induce sleep. Given through a vein, the dose can be adjusted during treatment to keep you comfortable, while the team monitors your breathing and circulation.

Assessment: the doctor reviews your health, medications, allergies and fasting, and confirms that sedation is appropriate for you and your treatment.
Sedation and monitoring: a small IV line is placed, the sedative is given, and your oxygen level, heart rate and blood pressure are monitored throughout.
Recovery: you wake in the recovery area and rest until fully alert, usually 20–30 minutes; an adult companion then takes you home.

Who is Standard Sedation for — and when we suggest something else

Good candidates

You have significant fear of pain or of the treatment
Your treatment is long or covers a sensitive area
You would like to be treated in a stable, sleep-like state
You can fast as instructed and have an adult to take you home
You have no serious heart, lung or breathing disease

We may suggest something else if…

You want the fastest possible recovery — Premium Sedation uses an ultra-short-acting sedative
You only need light relief and prefer to stay awake — consider AIRNOX
You have severe sleep apnoea or serious heart or lung disease — Dr. Park may advise against IV sedation
You have not fasted or cannot get home safely — we reschedule
You take Mounjaro, Wegovy or similar medicines — tell the doctor before booking

What happens at your Standard Sedation session in Seomyeon

Message us on WhatsApp first. Share your main treatment, medical conditions, all medicines and any past problems with sedation. We send fasting instructions.
Consultation with Dr. Park. She checks your breathing, heart history and fasting. She confirms IV sedation is appropriate for your treatment.
Preparation. Usually no food for about 6–8 hours and clear fluids only until about 2 hours before, unless told otherwise. An IV line is placed and monitors attached.
The treatment. Sedation begins within about 1–2 minutes. You rest in a sleep-like state, with oxygen level, heart rate and blood pressure monitored.
Out the door & follow-up. Recovery takes about 20–30 minutes. Leave with an adult, do not drive that day, and contact the clinic if anything worries you.

How Dr. Park plans your Standard Sedation

Dr. Park matches the level of sedation to the treatment. Standard Sedation suits longer treatments or sensitive areas where a sleep-like state helps. The aim is comfort with safety, not deep anaesthesia.

The sedative is given through an IV line and adjusted to your response. Monitoring continues from start to finish. The team can respond straight away if breathing or blood pressure changes.

Each treatment is planned separately. The clinic lists General Sedation at KRW 150,000 and Nitrous Oxide Sedation at KRW 100,000, added to your treatment cost.

Side effects, risks and who should avoid Standard Sedation

IV sedation is generally safe when given with monitoring by a trained medical team, but it carries real risks. Possible side effects include:

Drowsiness, dizziness or unsteadiness for a while after waking
Nausea or vomiting
Pain or bruising where the IV line was placed
Less commonly, slowed breathing or a drop in blood pressure — this is why oxygen level, heart rate and blood pressure are monitored throughout and the team can respond immediately
Rarely, an allergic reaction to the medicine

Not suitable if you: are pregnant or breastfeeding; have significant heart, lung or breathing disease (including severe sleep apnoea), or serious liver or kidney disease; have had a previous bad reaction to sedation or are allergic to the sedative; have not followed the fasting instructions; or cannot arrange to get home safely. Tell the doctor about all medications, alcohol use and any sleeping pills or tranquillisers.

Before your visit: usually no food for about 6–8 hours and clear fluids only until about 2 hours before, unless the clinic gives you different instructions. Bring an adult to take you home or travel by taxi with a companion, and do not drive, cycle or operate machinery for the rest of the day. 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.

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

The clinic offers three comfort options with different depth and recovery.

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

Choose Standard Sedation if Dr. Park recommends a sleep-like state and recovery time is not critical. Choose Premium Sedation if a faster recovery matters. Choose AIRNOX for light, needle-free relaxation.

Aftercare after Standard Sedation

Follow the pre-treatment instructions, including fasting, exactly as given.
Rest until you are fully awake and steady; staff will confirm when you are ready to leave.
Go home with an adult companion; do not drive, cycle or operate machinery for the rest of the day.
Avoid alcohol, sleeping pills and important decisions or commitments on the day of treatment.
Tell us in advance about any heart, lung or breathing conditions and all medications.
Tell the medical team straight away if you feel unwell during or after treatment.

Travelling? Read our aftercare tips for travellers.

Downtime after Standard Sedation, and flying home

Recovery in the clinic takes about 20–30 minutes, but drowsiness and slower reactions can last longer. Go back to your hotel with an adult companion. Do not drive, drink alcohol or make important decisions that day. Eat lightly when you feel ready, and follow your main treatment's aftercare.

Keep the rest of the day quiet; save sightseeing, saunas and jjimjilbang for later. Avoid flying on the same day if you can. Tell Dr. Park your flight date when booking so she can advise on timing; a later day is the cautious choice. Read our aftercare tips for travellers.

Standard Sedation prices in Busan (KRW)

Package	Regular	Price
Nitrous Oxide Sedation AOS Anesthesia Package	—	KRW 100,000
General Sedation AOS Anesthesia Package	—	KRW 150,000

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. Event prices and periods change — please confirm on WhatsApp when you book. Prices checked: October 2026.

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

Is Standard Sedation the same as general anaesthesia?

No. Standard Sedation is IV sedation that puts you in a sleep-like state, but you usually keep breathing on your own.

General anaesthesia in a hospital is deeper and often needs breathing support. With sedation, the team monitors your oxygen level, heart rate and blood pressure. They adjust the medicine to keep you comfortable and safe. Dr. Park explains the expected depth for your treatment at consultation. Sedation at the clinic is used alongside your main treatment, not for major surgery. You still need to fast and arrange an escort. If you need a deeper level of anaesthesia, a hospital setting is more appropriate.

Which treatments are usually done with sedation?

Sedation is usually considered for longer or more uncomfortable treatments. Examples include some lifting treatments such as Thermage FLX or Ulthera, and some laser work like Tattoo Removal.

It is never automatic. Many people manage well with numbing cream alone. Dr. Park weighs the treatment, your pain tolerance and your health. Lighter options such as AIRNOX may be enough for shorter sessions. Ask her when you book if you are unsure. Sedation has a separate listed price and adds recovery time to your visit.

Can I have sedation if I snore or have sleep apnoea?

Tell the doctor before booking. Sedatives relax the airway muscles, and people with sleep apnoea are more likely to have breathing problems under sedation.

Mild snoring may not change the plan, but diagnosed or severe sleep apnoea often does. Being very overweight or having a short, thick neck can also raise the risk. Dr. Park may suggest lighter sedation, numbing alone or AIRNOX instead. If you use a CPAP machine, mention it when booking. Your safety comes before comfort, and Dr. Park will explain her reasoning.

Standard Sedation FAQ

How much is sedation in Busan?

At Art of Shine Clinic in Seomyeon, General Sedation is listed at KRW 150,000 and Nitrous Oxide Sedation at KRW 100,000 in the AOS Anesthesia Package, added to your treatment cost. Prices exclude 10% VAT; please confirm on WhatsApp.

Do I need to fast before IV sedation?

Yes. Usually no food for about 6–8 hours and only clear fluids until about 2 hours before, unless the clinic gives different instructions. Fasting reduces the risk of stomach contents entering the lungs while you are sedated.

Is IV sedation safe?

It is generally safe when given by a trained team with continuous monitoring of oxygen level, heart rate and blood pressure. Risks include slowed breathing or low blood pressure, which is why the doctor assesses you first and monitors you throughout.

Can I fly or sightsee after Standard Sedation?

Rest until fully alert, usually 20–30 minutes, and leave with an adult companion. Do not drive that day, and plan a quiet afternoon rather than busy sightseeing. Mention any flight that day during your consultation.

Standard Sedation or Premium Sedation?

Both give a sleep-like state through an IV line with monitoring. Premium Sedation uses remimazolam, which is ultra-short-acting, so recovery is often quicker. Standard Sedation usually needs about 20–30 minutes to recover. The doctor recommends the right option.

Who decides whether I can have Standard Sedation?

Dr. Park Yoon-soo, Head Director of Art of Shine Clinic, decides after reviewing your health and treatment. She may recommend lighter sedation, or none, if that is safer for you.

Can I book sedation on the same day?

Sedation needs fasting and an adult companion, so plan it in advance on WhatsApp. If you have eaten recently, sedation cannot go ahead that day. We send fasting instructions when you book.

Will I remember the treatment?

Many people remember little of it, but this varies from person to person. You may feel the IV needle at the start. If memory matters to you, discuss it with Dr. Park beforehand.

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

At a glance

Numbing

Treatment time

Downtime

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