Is Botox Cheaper in Korea? Prices, Brands & What to Expect

Quick Answer

Yes—Botox is generally cheaper in Korea than in the U.S., UK, or Singapore. Many Seoul/Gangnam clinics price per area (forehead, crow’s feet, frown lines) or offer very competitive per-unit rates, especially for Korean brands. Typical Korean clinic menus show low-to-mid hundred-thousand KRW for common facial areas, and masseter (jawline) pricing is higher due to units required.

What “Cheap” Actually Means (2025 Snapshot)

• Korea (Seoul): You’ll commonly see per-area menus for frown/forehead/crow’s feet and separate menu lines for masseter; itemized examples list wrinkle areas starting around ₩40,000–₩220,000 depending on brand (Korean → premium import). Masseter menus often list 50 units with brand-tiered pricing. Real-world roundups put many single-area treatments roughly $100–$300 USD equivalent (clinic/brand dependent).
• United States: Averages run $12–$20+ per unit (metro areas often higher), or $350–$900+ per session depending on units and provider.

Why it feels cheaper: Korea’s price competition, high patient volume, and availability of local MFDS-approved neuromodulators push costs down versus many Western markets.

Why Korea Is More Affordable

• High clinic density & volume: More providers + demand = strong price competition.
• Local brands: Korean MFDS-approved toxins (e.g., Botulax/Letybo, Nabota, etc.) are widely used and cost less than some imports; “Allergan Botox” is usually a premium add-on.
• Per-area menus: Many clinics post transparent area pricing, which feels cheaper than per-unit quotes—even if the effective units are similar.

Per-Area vs Per-Unit: What You’ll See in Seoul

• Per-Area (most common): Simple menus for glabella / forehead / crow’s feet; separate lines for masseter, gummy smile, etc. Good for first-timers who want clarity.
• Per-Unit (some clinics): Useful if you’ve tracked your personal dose abroad and want apples-to-apples comparison. Aggregated guides place Korea’s per-unit math often lower than U.S. per-unit norms.

Brands You’ll Be Offered

• Korean brands (budget-friendly): widely used and MFDS-approved; clinics may list them as the base price.
• Imported “Allergan Botox” (premium tier): typically costs more per area/unit on Seoul menus.
• FYI: Some Korean toxins are expanding abroad (e.g., Letybo entering the U.S. market in 2025), underscoring quality/scale of Korean manufacturers and future price competition globally.

How Many Units Do I Need?

It varies by muscle strength, sex, and goals. Ballparks many visitors use:

• Frown/Glabella: ~15–25 units
• Forehead: ~8–15 units (balanced with glabella)
• Crow’s Feet: ~6–12 units per side
• Masseter: ~25–50 units per side (higher cost area)

Masseter Slimming vs “Skin Botox”

• Masseter slimming needs more units, so even in Korea it’s pricier than wrinkle-only areas.
• Skin Botox (micro-dosed, superficial) uses fewer units but may be done as a series for pore/texture refinement; pricing reflects technique + brand choice.

What to Ask Before You Book

• Brand & dose: “Which toxin brand do you use and how many units (or what’s your per-area protocol)?”
• Injector credentials: Ask for a doctor-led treatment, especially for masseter and lower-face work.
• Follow-up policy: Touch-ups, asymmetry correction windows, and additional fees.
• Receipts for tax refund: Visitors can often process tax-free or claim refunds depending on clinic setup—ask at checkout.

Safety & Expectations

• Onset: 3–5 days (peaks ~2 weeks).
• Duration: ~3–4 months for wrinkles; masseter functional/contour effects can build over 2–3 sessions.
• Aftercare: No heavy workouts, saunas, or massage on treated areas for 24–48 hours.
• Red flags: Increasing pain, blanching, or unusual weakness—contact the clinic promptly.

Is It Worth Traveling Just for Botox?

If you’re already in Korea (work, study, tourism), the value is excellent and clinics are experienced with international patients. For botox-only trips, savings may be offset by airfare/hotels; many visitors bundle Botox with skin boosters, lasers, or facials for greater value per visit.