Salivary Gland Botox

Salivary Gland Botox in Seoul

Medically reviewed by Dr. Chae-ho Lee, Medical Director, Doctorpetit Clinic Hongdae; Member, Korean Society of Clinical Aesthetic Medicine

Doctor profile · Doctorpetit Clinic Hongdae, Seoul

Salivary Gland Botox in Seoul is a minimally invasive injection treatment in which botulinum toxin is placed into selected salivary glands to temporarily turn down how much saliva they make. It is a medical option for excessive salivation or drooling, known as sialorrhea. At Doctorpetit Clinic Hongdae in Korea, the treatment starts with an assessment of why the extra saliva is happening, and only then a decision on whether injection is appropriate.

What Is Salivary Gland Botox?

Salivary Gland Botox is an outpatient treatment that injects botulinum toxin into the parotid glands, the submandibular glands, or both, so that they secrete less saliva for a period of months.

• Target: the glands, not the muscles. Most cosmetic Botox relaxes a muscle. Here the toxin is placed inside a gland that produces saliva.
• Signal blocking. Botulinum toxin interrupts the nerve signals that tell the gland to secrete, so less saliva is released.
• Two main gland pairs. The parotid glands sit in front of the ears and the submandibular glands sit beneath the jaw; these are the principal glands described in the medical literature for this treatment.
• Gradual onset. The reduction in saliva develops over the days and weeks after injection rather than at once.
• Temporary effect. Secretion recovers as the effect wears off, and treatment can be repeated if a doctor judges it still appropriate.

Sialorrhea is not a single disease. It can come from producing too much saliva, but it often reflects difficulty swallowing or clearing saliva normally, a medication side effect, or another medical condition. An interdisciplinary practice review notes that sialorrhea can be a symptom of a range of neurological disorders, including Parkinson's syndromes, dementia, cerebrovascular disease, motor neuron disease, and cerebral palsy (Sialorrhea practice recommendations, PMC). That is why the cause has to be considered before anyone injects a gland.

Botulinum toxin for this purpose is an established medical use rather than an experimental one. The U.S. prescribing information for incobotulinumtoxinA (Xeomin) lists the treatment of chronic sialorrhea in adults as an approved indication, with injections into both parotid and both submandibular glands (FDA — Xeomin prescribing information). The same label identifies dry mouth as one of the more common adverse reactions in adults treated for sialorrhea.

Who Performs Salivary Gland Botox at Doctorpetit Clinic Hongdae

Dr. Chae-ho Lee
Medical Director at Doctorpetit Clinic Hongdae

At Doctorpetit Clinic Hongdae, every Salivary Gland Botox treatment is carried out by Dr. Chae-ho Lee, who is the Medical Director and the sole physician. Salivary Gland Botox is one of the subspecialty techniques listed in his profile, and botulinum toxin treatment is among his core specializations. He is a member of the Korean Society of Clinical Aesthetic Medicine. He holds the 1:1 consultation himself, reviews your swallowing and medical history, decides which glands to treat, and places the injections, so the doctor who assesses you is the doctor who follows up on your response.

Salivary Gland Botox Options Available

Treatment is individualized according to your symptoms and which glands appear to contribute most to the saliva problem. Rather than following a fixed menu, the treating doctor chooses the injection sites, the product, and the dose, and also decides whether to use ultrasound guidance.

Gland target	Where the glands are	When it may be considered
Parotid glands	In front of each ear, over the back of the jaw	When the doctor judges these glands to be a main source of the excess saliva
Submandibular glands	Beneath the jaw on each side	When the doctor judges these glands to be a main source of the excess saliva
Parotid and submandibular together	Both pairs in one session	When reducing secretion from several glands is judged appropriate

Because gland size and position differ from person to person, the practice review cited above recommends ultrasound-guided injection for this treatment category, while noting that no single protocol for dose and injection sites has been established (Sialorrhea practice recommendations, PMC). The parotid gland also lies close to important facial structures, so careful technique matters.

Who Is a Good Candidate for Salivary Gland Botox?

Suitability depends on the reason for the excess saliva, your swallowing function, and your overall health. In general, the treatment may be considered for:

• Adults with clinically significant sialorrhea for whom reducing gland secretion is an appropriate treatment goal.
• Selected adults with neurological conditions associated with sialorrhea, or with another medically evaluated cause of excessive saliva.
• People whose drooling or excess saliva interferes with speaking, eating, daily activities, or quality of life.
• Patients for whom conventional approaches have not brought enough relief, or are not suitable.
• People who understand that the effect is temporary and may need repeat sessions.

Injections are usually deferred or avoided in these situations:

• Anyone with an active infection at the planned injection site.
• People with a known hypersensitivity to the chosen botulinum toxin product.
• People with significant swallowing problems.
• People with certain neuromuscular disorders.
• Anyone for whom less saliva could create an unacceptable risk of dry mouth or swallowing difficulty.
• People who are pregnant or breastfeeding, who should discuss this with the treating doctor first.

What to Expect: Procedure, Recovery, and Results Timeline

Before your appointment

Tell Dr. Lee about every medication and supplement you take. Mention allergies, neurological or swallowing conditions, previous botulinum toxin treatments, salivary-gland disorders, and any past difficulty swallowing. Say whether you are pregnant or breastfeeding. Do not stop a prescribed medication unless a doctor tells you to. If there is infection or significant inflammation near the planned injection area, the session may be postponed.

The consultation

The consultation looks at how long the excess saliva has been a problem and how severe it is. Dr. Lee reviews your swallowing function, medical conditions, medications, previous treatments, allergies, and goals. He considers whether the problem comes from too much saliva, from impaired swallowing or clearance, from a medication, or from another condition. He then decides whether the parotid glands, the submandibular glands, or both should be treated.

The procedure, step by step

1. Medical consultation and assessment. Your history and symptoms are reviewed.
2. Cause and severity. The likely cause and the severity of the excess saliva are assessed.
3. Gland selection. The target salivary glands are identified.
4. Skin preparation. The skin over the injection sites is cleansed.
5. Comfort measures. Topical or local anesthesia may be used when appropriate.
6. Injection. Botulinum toxin is injected into the selected glands.
7. Check. The injection sites are examined.
8. Instructions. You receive aftercare guidance and a plan for follow-up.

General anesthesia is not usually needed for adults. Most people feel brief pinching or pressure with each injection. How long the visit takes depends on how many glands are treated and on the protocol, so the clinic will confirm timing before your appointment.

Recovery and results timeline

When	What to expect
Same day	Outpatient treatment; most people go home and resume ordinary routines soon after.
First few days	Temporary tenderness, swelling, or bruising at the injection sites may occur.
Days to weeks after	The reduction in saliva develops gradually rather than immediately.
Follow-up	A review may be advised to check how well saliva has decreased and whether there are side effects.
About 1.5–6 months	Published studies report this range for the effect, with many reporting around 3 months; individual variation is substantial.

Aftercare

Follow the clinic's written instructions. Avoid pressing or massaging the injection areas right after treatment unless you have been told otherwise. Watch for excessive dry mouth, difficulty chewing or swallowing, facial weakness, or other unexpected symptoms. Seek prompt medical attention for significant difficulty swallowing or breathing.

Planning your stay in Seoul

An extended recovery stay is not usually required for the injection itself, and a stay of about one to two days may be enough for many patients. Allow time for the consultation and the treatment, and confirm the exact plan with the clinic. Agree on flight timing with Dr. Lee, and do not fly without medical advice if you develop significant swallowing difficulty, breathing problems, or another concerning reaction.

Combining Salivary Gland Botox with Other Treatments

This treatment is usually one part of a wider plan rather than a stand-alone fix:

• Management of the underlying condition — injections may be combined with ongoing care of the medical condition that causes the excess saliva.
• Swallowing therapy — when clinically appropriate, swallowing or behavioral therapy may continue alongside injection.

Other sialorrhea treatments should not be combined automatically. Depending on the cause and severity, alternatives include swallowing or behavioral therapy, oral or transdermal medications, and in selected cases surgical or radiation-based approaches. Botulinum toxin may be considered when conservative treatment is inadequate or unsuitable. The right path depends on the cause and on your swallowing function.

Safety, Precision, and Clinic Standards

• Since January 2023, Doctorpetit Clinic Hongdae has been registered with the Ministry of Health and Welfare as an institution permitted to attract foreign patients.
• Dr. Chae-ho Lee evaluates the cause of excess saliva before any injection.
• Gland selection, dose, and product are individualized rather than fixed.
• The clinic states that it uses certified genuine products in their indicated dosages.
• English consultation and interpretation support are available.

Possible side effects and risks

Possible side effects include dry mouth, thickened saliva, difficulty chewing, and temporary difficulty swallowing (dysphagia). Injection-site discomfort, bruising, or swelling may also occur. Unintended effects on nearby muscles are possible, which is one reason accurate placement matters.

U.S. prescribing information for botulinum toxin products carries a boxed warning that the toxin's effect may spread beyond the injection site and cause symptoms such as generalized weakness, double vision, drooping eyelids, or difficulty swallowing or breathing, hours to weeks after injection (FDA — Xeomin prescribing information). Anyone with existing swallowing problems needs particular caution. Rare or serious complications should be discussed during your consultation.

The Bottom Line

• Salivary Gland Botox injects botulinum toxin into the parotid glands, the submandibular glands, or both to temporarily reduce saliva production.
• It is a medical treatment for excessive salivation or drooling, and the cause must be assessed first.
• Dr. Chae-ho Lee, for whom this is a listed subspecialty technique, performs every treatment at Doctorpetit Clinic Hongdae.
• The effect builds gradually and typically lasts months, often around three, before repeat treatment may be considered.
• Dry mouth, thickened saliva, and swallowing difficulty are the main risks to discuss.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Salivary Gland Botox the same as cosmetic Botox?
It uses the same family of drug, but the target is different. Cosmetic injections relax facial muscles, while this treatment places the toxin inside salivary glands to reduce secretion. The goal is medical: less excess saliva and drooling.

How quickly does saliva decrease after treatment?
Not immediately. The reduction builds over the following days and weeks, and the timing depends on the product, the glands treated, the dose, and your own response. Dr. Lee can give you a more specific expectation for your plan.

Will my mouth feel too dry?
It can. Dry mouth and thicker saliva are among the recognized side effects, because the treatment intentionally lowers saliva production. Tell the clinic if dryness affects eating, chewing, or swallowing.

How long does one treatment last?
Published studies describe roughly 1.5 to 6 months, with many reporting about three months. Some people respond for longer and others for less. A repeat session may be considered when the effect fades.

Do I need an anesthetic?
General anesthesia is not usually required for adults. Topical or local anesthesia may be used to make the injections more comfortable, depending on the treatment area and protocol.

Can this treatment fix the reason I drool?
No. It reduces how much saliva the glands make, but it does not correct an underlying problem with swallowing or saliva clearance. That is why the cause is evaluated first and other care may continue alongside it.

What should I do if I have trouble swallowing after I get home?
Seek prompt medical care for significant or worsening difficulty swallowing or breathing, wherever you are. For milder concerns, contact the clinic through its website or by phone and describe your symptoms.

Book a Consultation at Doctorpetit Clinic Hongdae

If excessive saliva or drooling is affecting your daily life and you are considering Salivary Gland Botox in Seoul, begin with a one-on-one assessment with Dr. Chae-ho Lee. Bring a list of your medications and any notes from doctors who manage your condition, since the cause shapes the plan. Interpretation is available for English-speaking patients. You will find the clinic just outside Hongik University Station Exit 1, up on the 8th floor of the Wookdo Building (151 Yanghwa-ro, Mapo-gu). Request a consultation here, or read what other patients say while you plan.

Disclaimer

Treatment suitability, expected results, recovery time, risks, and potential side effects vary by individual. The information provided is for general informational purposes and does not replace an in-person medical consultation. Patients should discuss their medical history, treatment goals, and individual circumstances with a qualified medical professional before undergoing treatment.

Sources & Further Reading

• FDA — XEOMIN (incobotulinumtoxinA) Prescribing Information
• PMC — Botulinum Neurotoxin Type A in the Interdisciplinary Treatment of Sialorrhea: Update and Practice Recommendations