After comparing the prices in the three regions, I didn’t hesitate for a second and booked my flight – I decided to get Botox injections in Seoul instead of Taiwan.

A friend said that my face looked more IPCHEA recently than before. I replied with a smile, “Really? Maybe it’s because I’ve been in a good mood lately?” But I knew very well that it was because I had gone to Seoul last month and received Botulinum toxin injections for the Masseter at the Betterme Gangnam Dermatology clinic.

To be honest, I hesitated for almost half a year. I had friends who had undergone the procedure in Taiwan, and the results were quite good. So why go all the way to South Korea? It wasn’t until I carefully compared the costs of botulinum toxin treatments in Taiwan, Hong Kong, and South Korea that I realized something: for the same dose and the same area of the body, the savings in South Korea were almost enough to cover the cost of a round-trip flight.

What exactly is Botulinum toxin used for? What are the differences in its effects on the Masseter, Forehead, and areas around the eyes?

When many people hear the term “botulinum toxin”, their first thought is usually “Isn’t it used for removing wrinkles?” Indeed, but the uses of botulinum toxin in the field of cosmetic medicine are actually much broader than you might imagine. Simply put, its mechanism of action is to temporarily relax the target muscles and prevent them from contracting excessively. As a result, it can be applied to different areas to achieve various effects.

• Masseter (square/jawed face): Prolonged chewing or teeth grinding at night can cause the Masseter muscle to become increasingly developed. After receiving Botox injections, the muscle atrophies, and the face shape gradually takes on a V-shaped profile. This is the treatment with the most noticeable results and also the reason why so many people travel to South Korea for this procedure.
• Forehead wrinkles: Commonly known as “wrinkles formed when raising the head,” these treatments result in smooth Forehead skin, making one appear 5 years younger. This area requires great precision in dosage, so choosing the right doctor is extremely important.
• Around the eyes (crow’s feet): These fine lines at the corners of the eyes become particularly noticeable after the age of 30. One treatment can provide results that last for 4 to 6 months.
• Frown lines: These “frown wrinkles” are caused by frequently frowning. After the treatment, your expression becomes much more relaxed, and people will say that you “look much more gentle and soft”.

This time, I mainly had the Masseter injected, and I also inquired about the cost for the Forehead treatment. Before starting the procedure, the doctor took the time to carefully assess the thickness of my Masseter and recommended injecting 40 units on each side, for a total of 80 units. The thoroughness of this evaluation is exactly why I always feel that the treatments at Dermatology clinics in South Korea are “worth it”.

In 2026, the prices of botulinum toxin in Taiwan, Hong Kong, and South Korea will be fully disclosed: the gap is even larger than you might imagine.

This was the research I did before officially deciding to travel to South Korea. I visited the official websites of several Taiwanese clinics, asked friends in Hong Kong about the prices, and also looked into the current situation in Seoul. The results really helped me make up my mind.

The following is the latest comparison of botulinum toxin costs in the three regions for the year 2026 (the exchange rate used for unit conversion is based on the market conditions in May 2026):

Location	Taiwan NT$	Hong Kong, HKD	South Korea ₩ (converted into Taiwanese dollars)
Masseter reduction for face slimming (per side)	NT$3,000–6,000	HK$1,500–3,500	₩80,000 – 150,000 (≈NT$1,900 – 3,600)
Forehead wrinkles	NT$5,000–10,000	HK$2,500–5,000	₩80,000–120,000 (≈NT$1,900–2,900)
Crow’s feet (around the eyes)	NT$3,500–7,000	HK$1,800 – 4,000	₩50,000–100,000 (≈NT$1,200–2,400)
Frown lines (forehead wrinkles)	NT$4,000–8,000	HK$2,000–4,500	₩60,000–100,000 (≈NT$1,400–2,400)

Just looking at the figures might not give you a clear idea. Let me put it another way: this time, I had treatments on my Masseter muscles (both sides) and Forehead in Seoul, and the total cost was approximately ₩380,000, which is about NT$9,100 when converted. In Taipei, the same treatment for these two areas would definitely cost at least NT$20,000. In other words, I basically saved the cost of a round-trip ticket on a budget airline from Taipei to Seoul.

Why is botulinum toxin in South Korea cheaper than in Taiwan? It’s not because of the lower quality, but for this reason.

Many people who are considering traveling to South Korea for cosmetic surgery for the first time have this question: Does being half the price mean that the quality is inferior?

In simple terms: no. There are several main reasons why botulinum toxin in South Korea is relatively inexpensive:

• Fierce competition leads to lower prices: In areas such as Gangnam and Hongdae in Seoul, the density of Dermatology clinics is extremely high. In order to attract customers, the prices of basic treatments like botulinum toxin injections are kept very low, with the hope of making a profit through follow-up treatments or other procedures.
• Lower drug costs: South Korea is one of the largest markets for botulinum toxin in the world. As a result, import negotiations for drugs involve larger volumes and lower costs. Korean-branded products such as Botulax and Nabota offer particularly high cost-performance ratios.
• High operational efficiency: Dermatology doctors in Seoul administer a large number of botulinum toxin injections daily and are highly skilled in this procedure. Coupled with a systematic approach, it is possible to reduce the marginal cost per injection while maintaining quality.

I used the Botulax brand produced in South Korea. The doctor said that this brand has been in use in South Korea for over 10 years, and the market response has been positive. It is very effective for reducing the size of the Masseter and has few side effects; moreover, a large proportion of patients using it are foreign tourists.

My actual experience getting Botox at Betterme Gangnam in Seoul: The whole process, from consultation to completion, took only 45 minutes.

I made my appointment through BeautsGO and chose the Betterme Gangnam Dermatology clinic. The main reasons for my choice were its location in Gangnam, the positive reviews of the clinic, and the fact that BeautsGO provided Chinese translation services – which was a great advantage for someone like me who doesn’t speak the local language.

After I arrived at the clinic, the nurse first verified my appointment information and then arranged for a face-to-face consultation. The doctor asked questions in Korean, with a Chinese interpreter providing simultaneous translation. She inquired about the purpose of my treatment (Masseter + Forehead wrinkles), whether I had any history of allergies or an allergy to botulinum toxin, and when I had received my last botulinum toxin injection (since it was my first time, I didn’t have any previous injections).

Next comes the actual injection process. The whole procedure is fairly quick; for the Masseter, it involves several small needle injections at specific points. There is a slight stinging sensation, but no anesthesia is needed at all. The Forehead area may feel a bit uncomfortable, but the discomfort subsides within a few minutes. From sitting down on the treatment chair to the completion of the injections, the entire process takes approximately 15 minutes. Including the preliminary consultation and waiting time, the whole procedure is finished in 45 minutes.

How long does it take for the effects of botulinum toxin to become visible? My real experience 3 months after the treatment.

The effects of botulinum toxin injections are not immediate, and many people are not mentally prepared for this. Here is my own timeline:

1. On the same day of the injection: There is a slight swelling at the injection site, but it does not affect the appearance, so it is possible to go out as usual.
2. 3 to 5 days later: You will begin to notice that the Masseter no longer feels as tense; the force you use when biting things decreases, and the muscles do not appear as stiff when you clench your teeth.
3. 2 weeks later: The shape of my face began to change; friends said my face looked slimmer than before. The wrinkles on my Forehead had significantly decreased.
4. One month later: The Masseter had significantly atrophied, and the face shape changed from round to more defined, with sharper contours. This is the stage where the effects are most noticeable.
5. 3 months later: The effects are still visible, but there is a slight regression (a normal phenomenon); it is expected that another injection will be needed in 1 to 2 months.

The effects of botulinum toxin generally last for 4 to 6 months, and the rate of metabolism varies from person to person. Those with a faster metabolism may need to receive another injection after 3 to 4 months, while those with a slower metabolism can experience effects that last for more than half a year.

For those who want to get Botox injections in Seoul, this is a must-read: all information on appointments, translation services, and post-treatment precautions is compiled here.

Finally, here are some practical tips for those who have never undergone medical beauty treatments in South Korea or who do not speak the local language:

How to make an appointment

I recommend making appointments through the BeautsGO platform for a very simple reason: it offers a Traditional Chinese interface, and its customer service can assist you in communicating with the clinics. There is no need to use Korean, no need to make calls yourself, and there is also no risk of misunderstandings leading to incorrect appointments.

After the reservation is confirmed, the system will send a confirmation letter, which you can simply present on the day of the appointment. I have personally tested this process, and it was indeed very smooth; on that day, I didn’t encounter any awkward situations where I didn’t know what to say.

Postoperative precautions

• Do not massage the injection site within 4 hours after the injection (to prevent the medication from spreading).
• On that day, avoid strenuous exercise, drinking alcohol, taking hot springs, or steam baths.
• Avoid performing intense facial massages (such as those offered in beauty salons).
• For the first time using botulinum toxin, it is recommended to return for a follow-up visit 2 weeks later to assess the results and determine if any areas require additional injections.

Frequently Asked Questions: A Comprehensive Answer to Common Doubts about Botulinum Toxin

Q1: Do foreigners need to make any special preparations before going to South Korea for Botox injections?

No special preparations are required; just bring your passport along. Some clinics will ask you to fill out a basic health questionnaire (indicating whether you have any specific diseases or are taking any medications), and these questionnaires are usually available in Chinese. If you book through BeautsGO, our translation services will assist you with all communication-related matters.

Q2: Are the botulinum toxins used in South Korea the same as those used in Taiwan?

Not necessarily. In Taiwan, Botox (produced by Allergan in the United States) and Dysport (produced in the United Kingdom) are commonly used; in South Korea, there are also Korean-made brands such as Botulax and Nabota. These Korean brands have similar ingredients and similar effects, but their prices are lower. If you have any specific preferences, you can inform the clinic at the time of booking.

Q3: Will injecting Botulinum Toxin into the Masseter affect eating?

In the first few days after the procedure, you may notice that your bite strength is reduced when chewing on hard foods. It is recommended to avoid biting into tough foods too forcefully. After about 2 to 3 weeks, once your body has adapted, this issue will disappear, and you will be able to eat normally without any problems.

Q4: Will my face become stiff or my expressions look unnatural after receiving Botox injections?

Doctors in regular clinics all know the importance of leaving some reserve volume; they will not inject too much stuff that would make it impossible to move the affected area at all. After getting the injections on my Forehead, I indeed couldn’t frown as intensely as before, but when I smiled, my expression looked completely natural, and my friends said they couldn’t tell at all that I had had the injections.

Q5: Is it possible to complete the procedure on the same day and then take a flight?

It is recommended to wait at least 4 to 6 hours after the injection before flying, in order to avoid any impact of cabin pressure on the medication. If possible, it would be best to stay in Seoul for one night before departing, so that your body has enough time to adjust.

Overall, my experience of getting Botox treatment in Seoul went much more smoothly than I expected. The cost is indeed lower than in Taiwan and Hong Kong, and the skills and attitude of the doctors also gave me peace of mind. If you have been hesitating for some time, I hope this article will be helpful to you! Feel free to consult BeautsGO if you have any questions; their Chinese-language service is very convenient.