Guide
Botulinum toxin in Korea: how per-unit pricing works, and what the diluted skin version is
In Korea, botulinum toxin is usually priced in one of three ways: per 50 units (U) of a given product, per treatment area such as the frown lines between the brows, or per 3cc of a diluted solution injected into the upper layers of the skin. Prices differ by product, and every product on the list is a prescription medicine. Which product you receive and how many units you need are medical decisions a doctor makes after examining you.
What is a unit, and why are prices quoted per 50 U?
Botulinum toxin is a prescription medicine that temporarily relaxes the muscle it is injected into, which softens the lines that muscle creates. Its dose is measured in units (U).
A unit is defined separately for each product. The product labels state that units are not interchangeable between different botulinum toxin products, so 20 units of one product is not automatically the same dose as 20 units of another. This is why the doctor sets the dose for the specific product being used, and why two quotes cannot be compared by unit count alone when the products differ.
Korean lists often use 50 units as their pricing step because it is a practical amount. A single small area may use less than that, while several areas or a larger muscle may use more. Small expression areas are often priced per area instead, and body areas per 100 units.
Wrinkle, contour and skin injections: what is the difference?
The same kind of medicine is used in different ways depending on where it goes. A typical Korean price list groups it like this:
| Type | Where it is injected | Areas you may see listed | Usually priced |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wrinkle toxin | Into small muscles that create expression lines | Between the brows (glabella), forehead, crow's feet and under-eye | Per area, or per 50 U |
| Special areas | Into small, specific muscles | Brow lift, nasal flare, mouth corners, gummy smile, dimpled chin | Per area |
| Contour toxin | Into larger muscles, or the parotid (salivary) gland area | Jaw (masseter), temples (temporalis), parotid area | Per 50 U, as doses are larger |
| Skin toxin (the 3cc “skin” rows on the price list) | Diluted, as many tiny injections into the upper layers of the skin | Across the face; sometimes the jawline or neck | Per 3cc of diluted solution |
| Body toxin | Into larger body muscles | For example the shoulders or calves | Per 100 U, varying by area and dose |
The skin version uses the same medicine, diluted and placed very superficially rather than into the muscle underneath. It is commonly used for the look of pores, oiliness and fine lines; the change is generally subtle and varies from person to person. Because it is priced by volume rather than by units, it is reasonable to ask how many units the 3cc contains.
It is not the same as a water-glow injection, which delivers hydrating ingredients, usually based on hyaluronic acid, into the skin. Some plans combine the two, and whether either is useful for your skin is the doctor's call. For hydrating and collagen-supporting injections, see our skin booster guide.
How many units will I need, and how long does it last?
The dose depends on several things the doctor assesses in person:
- the size and strength of the muscle: a large chewing muscle such as the masseter usually needs more than a small frown muscle;
- which areas are treated, and how many in one visit;
- how much natural movement should be kept, which you decide together;
- your history: when you last had botulinum toxin, where, and with which product if you know;
- the product being used, since units differ between products.
The effect usually begins within a few days and builds over about two weeks. It often lasts a few months, but this varies with the person, the area, the dose and the product. Because of that build-up time, if you are visiting Korea briefly, consider having it early in your trip and ask whether the result can be checked before you fly home.
Repeating botulinum toxin too soon is generally avoided. Tell the doctor the date of your last treatment, even if it was done abroad.
Why do prices differ between products?
The price list on this site shows Korean-made products (Newlux, Coretox) and imported products (Xeomin, BOTOX and Dysport; Dysport is listed for the skin and body versions rather than per 50 units). As listed, in KRW with VAT excluded:
| Product (as listed) | Per 50 U | Skin version, 3cc |
|---|---|---|
| Newlux | KRW 60,000 | KRW 90,000 |
| Coretox | KRW 90,000 | KRW 130,000 |
| Xeomin | KRW 160,000 | KRW 210,000 |
| BOTOX (Allergan) | KRW 200,000 | KRW 260,000 |
| Dysport | — | KRW 160,000 |
Prices differ by product. A higher price is not a statement that a product works better or lasts longer, and a price list cannot tell you which product suits you. All of them are prescription medicines, so the choice is made by the doctor with you. You can mention a preference, and the doctor will explain whether it suits your plan.
What should I know because it is a prescription medicine?
In Korea, botulinum toxin is a prescription medicine. A doctor examines you and decides whether it is suitable, which product to use, the dose and where to inject.
Tell the doctor if you are pregnant or breastfeeding, have a neuromuscular condition (such as myasthenia gravis), have reacted to botulinum toxin before, take blood thinners or other regular medication, or have an infection in the area to be treated.
Common side effects include small bumps, redness, tenderness or bruising at the injection points, which usually settle within days, and sometimes a mild headache. Less commonly, the effect can reach nearby muscles, for example making a brow or eyelid feel heavy or a smile look uneven; after jaw injections, chewing can feel weaker for a while. These effects are usually temporary. Allergic reactions are rare. Very rarely, effects can appear away from the injection site, such as difficulty swallowing, speaking or breathing; that needs urgent medical care. Careful dosing and placement are part of why these are a doctor's decisions, and your doctor will explain the risks before treatment.
Questions to ask before you book
- Which product will be used, and how many units in each area?
- If the price is per area, how many units does that include?
- For the diluted skin injection: how many units are in the 3cc, and is anything else mixed in?
- Can I see the product box or vial label before the injection?
- Is VAT included, and are numbing cream or soothing care charged separately?
- Will the doctor who examines me also do the injection?
- What side effects should I watch for, and when should I expect to see a change? Can it be checked before I fly home?
How ATTITUDE approaches this
At ATTITUDE Clinic in Seoul, an AI skin analysis first records and organizes your skin data to support the consultation. It does not provide a medical diagnosis. One of our two co-directors then looks at your face with you and decides whether botulinum toxin is needed at all, which product and dose suit you, and where it fits in the order of your plan. Our price list shows botulinum toxin per 50 units for each product, the diluted skin version per 3cc, and other areas as listed. Prices are the same in every language version of this site and are shown with VAT excluded; 10% VAT is added at payment.
Prices at ATTITUDE
All prices exclude VAT. Prices are the same on every language version of this site.
NewluxNewlux
CoretoxCoretox
XeominXeomin · Merz
BOTOXBOTOX · AllerganNewluxNewluxBOTOXBOTOX · AllerganFrequently asked questions
How much is Botox in Korea per unit?
“Botox” is often used as an everyday word for botulinum toxin, while BOTOX is one product's brand name. Korean clinics usually price botulinum toxin per 50 units or per treatment area, depending on the product; on ATTITUDE Clinic's price list, 50 units are listed at KRW 60,000 to KRW 200,000 depending on the product (VAT excluded). How many units you need is decided by the doctor after examining you.
What is a skin toxin injection?
It is botulinum toxin that has been diluted and injected at many small, shallow points in the skin rather than into the muscle. It is commonly used for the look of pores, oiliness and fine lines; the change is usually subtle and varies from person to person. It is often priced per 3cc of solution, so ask how many units that contains.
Is a skin toxin injection the same as a water-glow injection?
No. A water-glow injection delivers hydrating ingredients, usually based on hyaluronic acid, into the skin, while the skin version of botulinum toxin delivers a diluted prescription medicine. Some plans combine the two, and the doctor decides whether either is useful for your skin.
How many units do I need for my jaw (masseter)?
The masseter is a large chewing muscle, so it usually needs more units of botulinum toxin than a small area such as between the brows. The exact dose depends on the size and strength of the muscle, the product and your goals, and is decided by a doctor after examining you. Because the dose is larger, it is usually priced by units rather than per area.
How long does botulinum toxin last?
The effect often lasts a few months, but it varies with the person, the area, the dose and the product. It usually begins within a few days and develops over about two weeks.
Which botulinum toxin product should I choose?
All the products on a Korean price list are prescription medicines, and the choice is a medical decision your doctor makes with you, considering the area, your history and your preferences. A higher price does not mean a product works better or lasts longer. It is reasonable to ask which product will be used and to see its label.
Plan your visit
Send a booking request or message us. We reply during clinic hours (Korea time), in the order received.