Botox
What is Botox?
Botox is a treatment that involves injecting botulinum toxin -- a purified protein component extracted from Clostridium botulinum bacteria -- into targeted muscles. The toxin is carefully broken down and refined during production, and all toxic properties are removed.
Botox works by relaxing tense muscles at the injection site, effectively reducing dynamic wrinkles such as frown lines between the eyebrows and crow's feet that appear when smiling or frowning. It can also produce a slimming effect on areas where muscles have become overdeveloped, such as the jawline (masseter), shoulders, and calves. Additionally, Botox acts on sweat glands to temporarily suppress perspiration, making it an effective treatment for hyperhidrosis and axillary odor.
Products Used at Our Clinic
Our clinic offers two types of botulinum toxin products: BOTOX VISTA(R) by Allergan Japan -- the only botulinum toxin approved by Japan's Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare -- and LIZTOX, which is approved by the Korean Food and Drug Administration (KFDA) with a proven safety record in South Korea.
Duration of Botox Effects
After a Botox injection, some patients begin to notice effects as early as the next day. Results typically peak at around two weeks and then gradually diminish over approximately three to four months. To prevent antibody formation that could reduce effectiveness, we recommend spacing treatments at least three months apart. However, retreatment is not strictly required every three to four months -- the approach is to schedule maintenance injections whenever you feel the effects have worn off.
One advantage of Botox being temporary is that if you experience any unfamiliar sensation from the muscle-relaxing effect during your first treatment, the results will not be permanent. This makes Botox an accessible introduction to aesthetic medicine.
Because Botox also suppresses perspiration, an increasing number of patients -- both men and women -- choose to have injections in the underarm area in late June to early July to manage summer sweating.
Applications of Botox
Botox is effective for treating dynamic wrinkles -- wrinkles that appear with facial movement, such as crow's feet around the eyes when smiling and frown lines between the eyebrows when furrowing. For fine lines that are visible even at rest, Botox can be combined with other skin-regenerating injections such as Rejuran.
Once wrinkles become deeply etched, they become more complex to treat. For this reason, Botox is widely used in Western countries as a preventive measure against future wrinkles.
If the masseter (jaw) muscles have become overdeveloped due to nighttime teeth grinding or clenching during concentration, Botox injections to the jaw area alone can create a noticeably slimmer, more refined facial contour for many patients.
Recommended For
| Concerned about wrinkles | Botox softens prominent wrinkles that appear with facial expressions. The injection site and dosage can be precisely tailored to each individual. Please let us know how much wrinkle reduction you desire, whether you wish to retain natural expression lines, and any previous treatment experiences. |
| Wrinkle prevention | Once wrinkles in areas such as the brow, forehead, and under-eye become deeply etched, complete correction can be difficult. In Western countries, Botox is widely used as a preventive treatment. Gradual, consistent care is key. |
| Facial symmetry adjustment | If your eyebrows or cheeks are asymmetrical, this may be caused by uneven use of your facial muscles. We can make adjustments while assessing your overall facial balance. Please feel free to consult with us about any concerns. |
| Pore refinement | Botox can reduce sebum production, which -- depending on the condition of your skin -- can minimize the appearance of pores and promote a smoother, more refined complexion. |
| Facial slimming | Many patients have overdeveloped masseter (jaw) muscles that make the face appear wider. Even without liposuction or thread lifts, Botox alone can achieve a noticeably slimmer face. It is also effective for those who wish to reduce teeth grinding and jaw clenching. |
| Muscle slimming for a more delicate silhouette | For frequently used muscle groups such as the shoulders and calves, Botox can reduce muscle bulk, creating a slimmer, more streamlined appearance. |
| Sweat reduction | A growing number of patients receive regular Botox treatments for sweat management. This is also recommended for those suffering from hyperhidrosis (excessive sweating). |
Treatment Details
| Results | Some patients begin to notice effects as early as the next day after injection. Results typically peak at around two weeks and then gradually diminish over approximately three to four months. |
| Treatment Time | Approximately 2-3 minutes per treatment area |
| Anesthesia | Generally not required; however, nitrous oxide sedation or topical anesthetic cream is available upon request. |
| Pain | We apply thorough cooling prior to injection, so any discomfort is very manageable. |
| Treatment Interval | Please allow at least 3 months between treatments for the same area. Different areas may be treated on the same day or consecutive days. We recommend maintenance treatments every 3-4 months, though you may also schedule based on when you feel the effects have diminished. |
| Makeup | Spot makeup (avoiding the injection site) is permitted from the same day. |
| Cleansing & Bathing | Face washing and showering are permitted from the same day. Bathing in a tub is permitted from the following day. |
| Downtime | We use ultra-fine needles and exercise the utmost care during injection; however, since the procedure involves needle insertion, bruising cannot be entirely avoided. If bruising occurs, it typically resolves over approximately two weeks and can be concealed with makeup during this period. If you have an important event planned, we recommend scheduling your visit with at least two weeks of buffer time in case bruising occurs. |
| Risks | - Itching, pain, swelling, bruising, allergic reaction, or infection may occur. - In some cases, the corrective effect may feel insufficient due to dosage limitations. (Additional injections are available after 2 weeks, subject to additional fees.) - Injections to the forehead weaken the frontalis muscle. Patients who rely on this muscle to lift the eyelids may experience a temporary sensation of heavy eyelids for some time after treatment. If this tendency is significant, adjustments such as injecting higher on the forehead or reducing the dose can be made. |
| Precautions | The following patients are not eligible for this treatment: - Individuals under 18 years of age - Those planning to become pregnant within 3 months - Those who are pregnant, may be pregnant, or are breastfeeding - Those with systemic neuromuscular junction disorders (e.g., ALS, myasthenia gravis) - Those with severe peripheral vascular disease - Botox is sensitive to heat. Please avoid soaking in a bath until the following day, and refrain from saunas and laser treatments for 2 weeks. - Do not massage the treated area for 2 weeks, as this may cause the product to migrate to adjacent muscles and produce unintended effects. |
Frequently Asked Questions
Treatment Flow
Please refer to this page for details on the treatment flow.