Botox Treatments

Botox Treatments 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

Botox treatments in Seoul are injections of botulinum toxin that temporarily reduce the activity of a targeted muscle or gland. Depending on where the toxin is placed, the effect can soften dynamic wrinkles, slim an enlarged jaw muscle, refine skin texture, relax prominent body muscles, or reduce excessive sweating. At Doctorpetit Clinic Hongdae, a dermatology and aesthetic clinic directly outside Hongik University Station Exit 1, every botulinum toxin plan is decided in a one-on-one consultation with the Medical Director before any injection is given.

What Is Botox Treatment?

Botox treatment is the injection of a purified botulinum toxin type A product into a specific muscle or gland to temporarily block the nerve signal that makes it contract or secrete.

• Botulinum toxin works by blocking the nerve signals that tell an injected muscle to activate, so the muscle relaxes and the skin above it smooths, as the American Academy of Dermatology describes.
• The same mechanism applied to sweat glands temporarily reduces sweat production in the treated area.
• At Doctorpetit Clinic Hongdae, the botulinum toxin products named by the clinic are Hitox (Korea BMI), Coretox (Medytox), Xeomin (Merz), and Allergan (AbbVie, USA).
• Topical numbing cream or ice cooling may be used for comfort, depending on the area and individual sensitivity; general anesthesia is not used.
• Effects are temporary and vary according to the product, dose, injection site, and individual response.

"Botox" is a brand name that has become shorthand for the whole category, and several botulinum toxin type A products exist. The clinic states that it uses certified genuine products according to the indicated dosage, which is one of the questions international patients most often ask before treatment in Korea.

Botulinum toxin is not a filler: it does not add volume or lift skin by itself. A line caused by repeated movement responds differently from a fold caused by volume loss or skin laxity, and that distinction is the starting point of every consultation.

Who Performs Botox Treatments at Doctorpetit Clinic Hongdae

Dr. Chae-ho Lee, Medical Director

Every botulinum toxin treatment at the clinic is planned and performed by Dr. Chae-ho Lee, the Medical Director and the clinic's only physician. Botox treatments are listed first among his stated core specializations, and his subspecialty techniques within this specialty are Full-Face Lift Botox, Skin Botox, Masseter Botox, Salivary Gland Botox, and Hyperhidrosis Botox. He is a member of the Korean Society of Clinical Aesthetic Medicine. Before leading the Hongdae clinic, he served as a director at Lienjang Clinic Hongdae and at Doctorpetit Clinic Gangnam.

The person who assesses your muscle activity is the same person who places the injections and reviews the result. His stated philosophy emphasizes natural-looking results and personalized planning. His profile is available on the clinic's doctor page.

Botox Treatment Options Available

The clinic offers eight botulinum toxin services. They share one mechanism but differ in target, depth, and how long the effect usually lasts.

Service	Target	Typical procedure time	Effect starts	Typical duration (individual differences apply)
Wrinkle Botox	Forehead lines, frown lines, lines around the eyes	About 5–10 minutes	2–3 days	About 2–3 months
Skin Botox	Pores, fine lines, sebum, skin elasticity (shallow skin layer)	About 5–10 minutes	3–7 days	About 1–3 months
Masseter Botox	Enlarged chewing muscle at the jaw angle	Short outpatient treatment	Muscle relaxes over several days; slimming over several weeks	Several months
Salivary Gland Botox	Parotid and/or submandibular glands (excessive salivation)	Depends on glands treated	Develops after treatment	Studies report about 1.5–6 months, often around 3
Special-Area Botox	Nasal tip widening, drooping lip corners, gummy smile, vertical lip lines	About 5–10 minutes	2–3 days	About 3–4 months
Full-Face Lift Botox / English Lift	Hairline, muscles below the ears, jawline	About 5–10 minutes	2–3 days	About 3–4 months
Body Botox	Calves, trapezius/shoulder area	Injection portion often about 10–20 minutes	Over the following days	Varies by area and dose
Hyperhidrosis Botox	Underarms, palms, soles	About 10–15 minutes	3–7 days; maximum around 1 month	About 3–6 months

Wrinkle Botox

Wrinkle Botox treats expression lines that form as facial muscles move. Reducing excessive movement in the targeted muscles can soften existing lines and slow the formation of new ones. The clinic recommends repeat treatment roughly every 2–3 months, depending on individual needs.

Skin Botox

Skin Botox places small, evenly spaced amounts of botulinum toxin into the shallow layers of the skin rather than directly into facial muscles. The aim is to improve the appearance of pores, fine lines, skin elasticity, and sebum secretion. At the Hongdae clinic, the cheeks and jawline may be treated at the skin layer to support skin elasticity while relaxing facial muscles. Published evidence for this intradermal approach is still developing: one randomized clinical trial found that both intradermal and microneedling-assisted injections improved enlarged facial pores, with no significant difference between the two techniques (Randomized trial, PMC).

Masseter Botox

Masseter Botox temporarily reduces the activity and size of the masseter muscles, the muscles used for chewing. Injection points and dose are individualized according to muscle size, facial anatomy, muscle activity, and goals. Botulinum toxin type A is currently the standard non-surgical treatment for masseter hypertrophy, although a definitive consensus on dosage has not been established (Comprehensive review, PMC).

Salivary Gland Botox

Salivary Gland Botox uses botulinum toxin to temporarily reduce saliva production from the parotid glands, the submandibular glands, or both. It may be considered for clinically significant excessive salivation (sialorrhea). Botulinum toxin for chronic sialorrhea is an established medical use: incobotulinumtoxinA (Xeomin) carries U.S. FDA approval for chronic sialorrhea in adults (FDA prescribing information). Exact injection sites, product, dose, and whether ultrasound guidance is used are decided by the treating doctor rather than presented as a fixed protocol.

Special-Area Botox

Special-Area Botox targets small facial muscles behind nasal tip widening, drooping lip corners, gummy smile, and vertical lip lines. The design is individualized according to facial muscle movement and expression habits, with the goal of natural rather than excessive change.

Full-Face Lift Botox / English Lift

Full-Face Lift Botox targets selected facial muscles to create a more balanced and refined facial appearance. Depending on the plan, injections may be placed around the hairline, the muscles below the ears, and the jawline. The aim is to soften muscle-related tension and refine the appearance of facial contours.

Body Botox

Body Botox relaxes selected body muscles, such as the calves or trapezius, which can create a slimmer or more relaxed appearance in suitable patients. It does not reduce body fat. The clinic names Coretox, Xeomin, and Allergan-brand botulinum toxin type A for this service.

Hyperhidrosis Botox

Hyperhidrosis Botox temporarily reduces excessive sweating in areas such as the underarms, palms, and soles by blocking the nerve signals that stimulate sweat glands. Botulinum toxin is FDA-approved for excessive underarm sweating when treatment applied to the skin does not work well enough, according to the American Academy of Dermatology. In a randomized, placebo-controlled trial of 320 patients with primary axillary hyperhidrosis, 94% of the botulinum toxin group had responded at four weeks compared with 36% of the placebo group (Heckmann et al., PubMed).

Who Is a Good Candidate for Botox Treatments?

Candidacy depends on the treatment goal, anatomy, muscle activity, medical history, medications, and the specific injection area. A consultation is needed to determine whether botulinum toxin is appropriate.

Potential candidates include:

• Adults with dynamic expression lines caused or worsened by repeated facial-muscle movement.
• Adults with a prominent or enlarged masseter muscle, particularly when lower-face width is substantially influenced by muscle bulk.
• Adults concerned with visible pores, fine lines, excess sebum, uneven texture, or reduced skin elasticity.
• People seeking to refine expression habits such as a gummy smile, drooping lip corners, or nasal tip widening.
• Healthy adults with prominent body muscles who understand the effect is temporary and muscle-based, not fat reduction.
• Adults with localized excessive sweating of the underarms, palms, or soles that is persistent and affects daily life.
• Patients with clinically significant excessive salivation for whom reducing gland secretion is an appropriate goal.
• Anyone with realistic expectations about a temporary, gradual result.

Botulinum toxin may not be suitable, or treatment may need to be postponed, for:

• People who are pregnant or breastfeeding.
• People with an allergy to botulinum toxin or any of its ingredients.
• People with an infection at the planned injection site.
• People with certain neuromuscular disorders.
• People taking medications that may interfere with botulinum toxin.

Identifying the cause is part of the consultation. A square-looking lower face can result from bone, fat, or skin laxity rather than muscle. Excessive sweating may be primary hyperhidrosis or related to another condition or medication.

What to Expect: Procedure, Recovery, and Results Timeline

Before treatment

Tell the doctor about:

• All medications and supplements.
• Medical conditions and allergies.
• Pregnancy or breastfeeding.
• Previous botulinum toxin treatments and any reactions.
• Any infection or skin problem near the planned injection sites.
  Prescribed medications, including blood-thinning medication, should not be stopped without first discussing it with the prescribing clinician and the treating doctor. The clinic gives individual instructions about alcohol, exercise, skincare, and medications.

The procedure, step by step

1. Consultation: Dr. Lee assesses your facial muscles, the treatment area, and your goals.
2. Preparation: the skin is cleansed and injection points are marked.
3. Comfort: ice cooling or anesthetic cream is applied, depending on the area.
4. Injection: botulinum toxin is injected into the targeted muscles, skin layer, or glands.
5. Finishing: the treated areas are gently cleaned.
6. Aftercare: simple post-treatment instructions are provided.

A routine session often takes about 10–30 minutes and is usually completed in a single visit.

Timeline

Time after treatment	What usually happens
Day 0	Most patients resume normal activity the same day; mild redness or swelling may appear.
Days 2–7	Initial effect commonly begins, depending on the area. Any bruising usually improves over several days.
Weeks 1–2	The effect develops more fully; the full result is commonly assessed around 2 weeks. A follow-up may be considered at this point.
Week 4 and beyond	Maximum sweat reduction for hyperhidrosis is around 1 month. Masseter slimming continues to develop over several weeks.
Months 1–6	The effect gradually wears off; duration depends on area, product, dose, and individual response.

Aftercare

Patients are advised to avoid unnecessary pressure or vigorous massage of the treated areas immediately after treatment. Patients should follow the doctor's instructions about strenuous exercise and other activities. Patients should contact the clinic, or seek prompt medical care, if serious symptoms develop.

Combining Botox Treatments with Other Treatments

Botulinum toxin addresses muscle activity, so it is often combined with treatments that address other causes of aging or contour change. The appropriate combination, timing, and sequence are decided after clinical assessment rather than as a package.

• Dermal Fillers — for concerns that involve volume loss rather than movement; fillers add volume, whereas botulinum toxin relaxes muscle.
• Skin Boosters & Biostimulators — when skin texture or hydration is a separate concern alongside expression lines.
• Non-Surgical Lifting — energy-based treatments for skin laxity, which botulinum toxin does not address on its own.
• Fat Dissolving & Body Contouring — Body Botox can be paired with body-tightening energy procedures or targeted fat-dissolving treatment to address muscle contour, localized fat, and overlying skin together.

The clinic also accepts international patients seeking non-surgical correction after asymmetrical or sub-optimal treatment elsewhere; each case is assessed in person.

Safety, Precision, and Clinic Standards

• Doctorpetit Clinic Hongdae is registered with the Ministry of Health and Welfare as a medical institution for attracting foreign patients.
• That registration has been in place since January 2023.
• The registration is made under the Medical Overseas Expansion and Foreign Patients Attraction Act.
• The clinic's business registration number is 250-54-00398.
• The clinic states that it uses certified genuine botulinum toxin products according to the indicated dosage.
• Treatment is planned in a 1:1 consultation that considers individual skin condition and elasticity.
• All injections are performed by the Medical Director.
• Doctorpetit Clinic Hongdae names four botulinum toxin products for its services: Hitox, Coretox, Xeomin, and Allergan.

Product registration in Korea

A 2026 review of Korean botulinum toxins, based partly on Drug Approval Reports from the Korean Ministry of Food and Drug Safety, counted 19 botulinum toxin drugs from 15 Korean manufacturers registered in Korea (Korean botulinum toxins review, PMC). The same review lists Hitox (BMI Korea) as registered in Korea in 2020 and Coretox (Medytox) as registered in 2016. It describes Coretox as the world's second botulinum toxin drug made without complexing proteins. Foreign products, including onabotulinumtoxinA and incobotulinumtoxinA, are also registered in Korea.

Known risks

Common temporary effects include redness, swelling, bruising, tenderness, or a temporary headache. Depending on the area, temporary muscle weakness, asymmetry, or unwanted relaxation of nearby muscles can occur. Injections in the face may cause temporary drooping eyelids or eyebrows. Allergic reactions and infection are possible but less common.

The U.S. prescribing information for botulinum toxin products carries a boxed warning: the effect may spread from the injection area to produce symptoms such as generalized muscle weakness, double vision, drooping eyelids, or difficulty swallowing or breathing, reported hours to weeks after injection (FDA prescribing information via DailyMed). These effects are rare at cosmetic doses, but any difficulty swallowing, speaking, or breathing after treatment needs prompt medical attention.

Salivary Gland Botox can affect swallowing and saliva production, so worsening swallowing or breathing difficulty needs medical attention.

The Bottom Line

• Botox treatments use botulinum toxin to temporarily relax a targeted muscle or gland; they do not add volume or remove fat.
• Doctorpetit Clinic Hongdae offers eight botulinum toxin services, from Wrinkle Botox to Hyperhidrosis Botox, all performed by Medical Director Dr. Chae-ho Lee.
• Effects usually begin within days, are assessed around two weeks, and last from about 1 to 6 months depending on the area.
• Most patients return to normal activity the same day, which makes the treatment practical during a short trip to Seoul.
• The right area, product, and dose are decided at a one-on-one consultation, not from a menu.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which botulinum toxin brands does Doctorpetit Clinic Hongdae use?
The clinic names Hitox (Korea BMI), Coretox (Medytox), Xeomin (Merz), and Allergan (AbbVie, USA). Body Botox uses Coretox, Xeomin, or Allergan. The clinic states that it uses certified genuine products according to the indicated dosage, and you can ask which product is planned for your treatment during the consultation.

How soon will I see results from Botox?
Most areas begin to show change within about 2–7 days, and the effect is usually fully developed around two weeks. Hyperhidrosis treatment reaches its maximum effect around one month. Masseter slimming takes several weeks because the muscle needs time to reduce in size.

How long does Botox last?
It depends on the area, product, dose, and individual response, ranging from about 1–3 months for Skin Botox to about 3–6 months for Hyperhidrosis Botox. Repeat treatment can be considered when the effect wears off.

Is a Botox injection painful?
Most patients describe a brief pinch or sting. Ice cooling is used for small areas, and anesthetic cream is applied for about 15 minutes for larger areas. The underarms, palms, and soles tend to be more sensitive, so cream and cooling are both used for Hyperhidrosis Botox.

Can I fly back to the U.S. right after Botox?
Botox generally involves little downtime, so many patients can travel after treatment. Mild swelling, redness, or bruising may be visible during the flight. If you would like the result reviewed in person, allow time to return to the clinic around two weeks after treatment.

Will Botox make my face look frozen or unnatural?
The clinic's stated goal is natural rather than excessive change, with dose and injection points individualized to your muscle activity. Discuss how much movement you want to keep before any injection is planned.

Can Botox slim a wide jaw?
Masseter Botox can reduce lower-face width when the width comes mainly from an enlarged chewing muscle, not from bone, fat, or loose skin. Dr. Lee assesses the cause before recommending treatment.

Book a Consultation at Doctorpetit Clinic Hongdae

If you are considering Botox treatments in Seoul, the first step is a one-on-one consultation with Dr. Chae-ho Lee. English consultation and interpretation are available, and the clinic is on the 8th floor of the Wookdo Building, 151 Yanghwa-ro, Mapo-gu, directly outside Hongik University Station Exit 1. Contact the clinic to book a consultation, view before and after photos, or read patient reviews.

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

• AAD — Botulinum Toxin Therapy: Overview
• FDA — BOTOX Cosmetic Prescribing Information (DailyMed)
• FDA — XEOMIN Prescribing Information
• PMC — Botulinum Toxin for Masseter Muscle Hypertrophy: A Review
• PubMed — Botulinum Toxin A in Primary Axillary Hyperhidrosis RCT
• PMC — Intradermal vs Microneedling Botulinum Toxin for Facial Pores
• PMC — Korean Botulinum Toxins