To be honest, before I went to South Korea for the first time to get facial slimming injections, I had no idea why the prices for what were essentially the same treatment could vary so greatly among different clinics. Some charged over 10,000 Taiwanese dollars, while others asked for 30,000 to 40,000 Taiwanese dollars. It was completely impossible for me to tell which clinics were lying or which ones were truly reliable.
Later, I did a lot of research on my own and visited several clinics in Gangnam to get more information. Only then did I understand the ins and outs of the situation. This article is meant to share with you all the pitfalls I encountered and the things I learned—especially regarding prices. I’ve prepared a comprehensive comparison table to help you have a better idea before you go to South Korea.
What exactly is injected during facial slimming treatments? Understand it first before asking about the prices.
The main component of face slimming injections is “Botulinum Toxin”. After being injected into the Masseter muscle, it prevents the muscle from contracting forcefully temporarily, causing the Masseter to gradually atrophy and thus reducing the size of the face. The logic behind this mechanism is not complicated, but there are several factors that affect both the effectiveness and the cost of these treatments:
Brand: Botulinum toxin products produced by different manufacturers vary in effectiveness, scope of action, and duration of effects.
Dosage (in units)
: For the same brand, there can be a significant price difference between treatments involving 50 units and those using 100 units, and the resulting effects also differ significantly.
Injection sites: T
he cost for injecting the Masseter muscle alone is different from the cost when additional areas such as the chin, forehead, or crow’s feet are treated.
Doctor’
s technical fees: In some clinics, the brand-specific fee is charged separately, while in others, these costs are included in the overall package price.
Therefore, when you see advertisements in Taiwan or Hong Kong that claim something like “Getting facial slimming injections in South Korea only costs XXX yuan”, you should ask yourself: Which brand will be used? How many units will be injected? Will only the Masseter muscle be treated, or the entire face? Without clear answers to these questions, it’s simply impossible to compare the prices fairly.
Introduction to Major Botulinum Toxin Brands in South Korea
In South Korea, the common botulinum toxin brands used in clinics can be roughly categorized as follows:
1. Botox from Allergan (USA)
This is the most well-known botulinum toxin brand in the world and is practically considered the industry standard. Its scope of effect is relatively limited; the onset of action takes about 3 to 5 days, and the duration of its effects ranges from 4 to 6 months. Since it is an imported brand, it is usually the most expensive option available at clinics in South Korea. However, many people still prefer this brand because they feel more reassured using it.
2. INNOTOX (produced by Medytox of South Korea)
This is a South Korean domestic brand, and its most prominent feature is its “liquid formulation” – it does not need to be dissolved first, as is the case with traditional botulinum toxin; it can be injected directly, which theoretically reduces the risk of uneven dilution. Medytox is one of the oldest botulinum toxin manufacturers in South Korea, while INNOTOX is very popular among clinics in the country, and its price is significantly lower than that of Botox.
3. Nabota (produced by Daewoong of South Korea)
It is also a local brand from South Korea that has obtained FDA approval in the United States (referred to as “Jeuveau” in the US market) and is very popular in South Korea. Its effects are similar to those of Botox, and the duration of action is roughly the same, but the price is about 30–40% lower than that of Botox. Many clinics use Nabota as part of their “entry-level treatment packages”.
4. Letybo (produced by Hugel of South Korea)
Hugel is another major company from South Korea, and Letybo has also entered the European market. These products are quite common in clinics in South Korea, and their performance has received positive reviews. Their prices are similar to those of Nabota; in fact, some clinics even offer them at a slightly lower cost than Nabota.
5. Botulax (another product line produced by Hugel in South Korea)
Some clinics also have Botulax, which is also a product from Hugel and was the predecessor of Letybo. It is still being used in some budget-friendly clinics.
Comparison of prices for face slimming injections at clinics in Gangnam, South Korea, in 2026
The following table contains data that I obtained by inquiring with several Gangnam clinics and by referring to recent discussions in Taiwan’s medical aesthetics community. It is for reference only; the actual prices shall be subject to on-site consultations. (For the exchange rate, 1 Korean won is approximately equivalent to 0.022 Taiwanese dollars or 0.0055 Hong Kong dollars.)
| brand | Per Korean won | 50 units per side of the Masseter muscle (100 units in total for both sides) | Converted to Taiwanese dollars (approximate amount) | Converted to Hong Kong dollars (approx.) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Botox | 5,000 to 8,000 won per unit | 500,000 to 800,000 won | $11,000 to $17,600 | $2,750 to $4,400 |
| INNOTOX | 3,500 to 5,500 won per unit | 350,000 to 550,000 won | $7,700 to $12,100 | $1,925 to $3,025 |
| Nabota | 3,000 to 4,500 won per unit | 300,000 to 450,000 won | $6,600 to $9,900 | $1,650 to $2,475 |
| Letybo | 2,800 to 4,200 won per unit | 280,000 to 420,000 won | $6,160 to $9,240 | $1,540 to $2,310 |
| Botulax toxin | 2,500 to 3,800 won per unit | 250,000 to 380,000 won | $5,500 to $8,360 | $1,375 to $2,090 |
To put it simply, the price difference among these brands can be roughly described as follows: Botox is the most expensive, followed by INNOTOX (mid-to-high price range), then Nabota, and finally Letybo/Botulax, which are relatively cheaper. However, “cheap” does not necessarily mean “inferior” – Nabota has received FDA approval, and Letybo has also passed regulatory reviews in Europe. In fact, the quality control standards of South Korean domestic brands are quite strict.
Pitfalls I’ve encountered: The traps of “facial slimming injection packages”
Before my first trip to South Korea, I saw someone in a Taiwanese medical aesthetics community say, “The full set of facial slimming injections at XX clinic costs less than 30,000 Taiwan dollars – really affordable!” When I went to inquire, they quoted what they called the “package price,” which included treatments for the Masseter, Forehead wrinkles, crow’s feet, and chin. It sounded like a great deal.
But here comes the problem — in fact, I only needed to have my Masseter treated; I didn’t need any treatment on my Forehead or for my crow’s feet. However, the clinic explained that “the package cannot be customized.” To be honest, this kind of “bundled sales” is very common at clinics in Gangnam. If you need to have fewer areas treated, they will simply increase your budget by including additional services in the package.
A lesson I have learned is this: before going for a consultation, you must clearly determine which area you need treatment for, and then directly ask, “For the Masseter alone, which brand should I use? How many units are needed, and how much will it cost?” If the consultant keeps suggesting that you upgrade to a more expensive package, or keeps insisting that adding additional treatments in certain areas will improve the results, then they are actually trying to sell you something extra.
How many units are needed? Many people don’t really understand this question.
Many people are intimidated by the term “100 units” – doesn’t that seem incredibly expensive? There’s a misunderstanding here.
The “unit” of botulinum toxin refers to the effective dosage unit, and the conversion ratio varies between different brands. Using Botox as a reference:
- 100 units of Botox are approximately equivalent to 100 units of Nabota (the conversion ratio is roughly 1:1).
- 100 units of Botox are approximately equivalent to 150–200 units of Letybo (due to the varying potency of each unit).
Therefore, administering 150 units of Letybo does not necessarily mean it contains a higher dose than 100 units of Nabota; it’s just that the calculation methods are different. Many people misunderstand this and assume that the higher the number of units, the more expensive or potent the product will be. In reality, it depends on the specific conversion rates of each brand.
Generally speaking, for Eastern women with relatively large Masseters, it is recommended to inject 50 to 60 units on each side (when converted using Botox), which means a total of 100 to 120 units of Botox or an equivalent amount of Nabota on both sides. If the Masseters are already not very large and only require slight adjustment, 30 to 40 units on each side may be sufficient.
How long will the effects last? Is it necessary to get additional treatments?
Without further ado, let me get straight to the facts:
After the first treatment, it usually takes about 2 to 4 weeks to notice the Reduction surgery of the Masseter starting to take effect. The results are most noticeable after 3 months, after which the effects gradually diminish. For most people, the duration of these effects ranges from 4 to 6 months. However, if you have had chronic Masseter hypertrophy for a long time and the muscle is already quite thick, the results of the first treatment may not be as significant. It is usually after the second or third treatments that the effects begin to accumulate.
Many doctors in South Korea recommend an interval of 3 months between the first two treatments, and then increasing this interval to 6 months. Over time, the Masseter muscle will gradually atrophy and become much thinner, meaning that fewer treatments may be needed in the future. This approach is generally accepted within the medical aesthetics community in South Korea, and many clients from Taiwan and Hong Kong have also experienced similar results.
Which clinic should I choose? Some thoughts on selecting a clinic
Facial slimming injections can be considered a relatively “standardized” cosmetic procedure. While the technical complexity is not as high as that of surgeries, it’s still not something that can be performed by just any clinic. My criteria for choosing a clinic were as follows:
- It is essential to have the ability to communicate in Chinese – whether the clinic provides Chinese-speaking customer service or you hire a translator. Before getting the injection, make sure you clearly understand the brand, dosage, and the specific area of your body where the treatment will be administered. Otherwise, you might end up receiving something you don’t need at all.
- It is necessary to provide genuine certification from the brand – customers should be able to see the original packaging of Botox or Nabota to ensure that the products are not counterfeit or second-hand.
- No forced package recommendations: If you clearly state that you only want the Masseter treated, a decent clinic should respect your choice – this is the basic attitude of a professional institution.
- Clear refund/un Satisfaction policies: Although it’s difficult to get a refund for Botox treatments, some clinics offer follow-up sessions as a form of assurance.
The general approach is as follows: If you have enough budget and trust the brand, choose Botox; if you want to save money but still ensure safety, opt for Nabota (which has FDA approval); if you are interested in trying South Korea’s unique liquid formulation, consider INNOTOX.
What should be noted after the treatment?
Many articles have discussed this topic, but I would like to list what I consider the most important points:
- Within 4 hours after the treatment, avoid lying down or massaging your face vigorously to prevent the botulinum toxin from spreading to areas where it shouldn’t.
- After the treatment, do not take hot baths, do not visit hot springs, and avoid strenuous exercise on the same day.
- Do not undergo any high-temperature facial treatments (such as Thermage or HIFU) within 2 weeks after the treatment to prevent accelerating metabolism.
- If asymmetry or drooping eyelids occur, it is essential to seek follow-up treatment immediately—these are signs that the issue has spread to other areas, and the sooner it is addressed, the better.
To be honest, most people don’t feel any particularly uncomfortable after the procedure. The injection sites are very small, and usually, you can go back to work the next day without any issues. The things that really need attention are mentioned above.
Quick Summary of Common Issues
Q: Will getting facial slimming injections affect my ability to eat?
I
n the initial days after the injections, you may notice that your bite strength has decreased, making it harder to chew hard foods. However, this effect usually disappears within 4 to 6 weeks, and it does not affect your normal diet at all.
Q: Will my face look unnatural after the procedure?
As long as the dos
age is properly controlled, it will not be noticeable visually. Reduction surgery of the Masseter is a gradual process; others may not notice, but you will gradually realize that your face has become smaller.
Q: Is it recommended to start with a small dose for the first injection?
Many South Korean doctors
do recommend that new patients start with a more conservative dose for the first injection. If the results are not satisfactory, it is better to return for a follow-up appointment and get an additional injection two weeks later, rather than regretting having received too much of the substance at once.
Q: What is the difference between getting Botox or similar treatments in Taiwan/Hong Kong
and in South Korea?
The brands available are essentially the same; Botox and Nabota can be purchased in both Taiwan and Hong Kong. The main difference lies in the price: medical beauty treatments in South Korea are generally 30% to 50% cheaper than in Taiwan and Hong Kong, especially for products from South Korean brands. If you happen to be planning a trip to Seoul, it might be a great opportunity to take advantage of these lower costs.
💉 Want to schedule a face slimming treatment in South Korea? It’s safer to go to a professional clinic.
BeautsGO lists legitimate medical beauty clinics in Gangnam, Seoul – providing Chinese-speaking services, transparent pricing, and support for users from Taiwan and Hong Kong who wish to make appointments.