Botulinum Toxin (Botox)

How it works

A purified toxin is injected into specific muscles, where it blocks the nerve signal that makes them contract. Over several days the treated muscle relaxes, which may soften expression lines on the forehead and around the eyes, slim an overactive jaw muscle, or reduce underarm sweating when injected into the skin there. The effect is temporary and typically fades over a few months, so treatment is repeated to maintain it. Results and duration vary by person and by dose.

Who it may suit

• Frown lines, forehead lines and crow's feet caused by muscle movement
• A square-looking jaw related to strong chewing muscles
• Excessive underarm sweating in suitable candidates
• People who want a short appointment with little downtime
• Those who prefer a reversible, temporary approach

The treatment day

1. Facial assessment. The doctor watches you frown, raise your brows and smile to see how your muscles work and where they are strongest.
2. Marking and product check. Injection points are planned, and the vial is shown or opened so you can see the product name and lot details.
3. Injection. Small amounts are placed with a fine needle. Ice or numbing cream may be used if you wish.
4. Review. The doctor explains when the effect should begin and arranges a check if a touch-up may be needed.

Aftercare

• Stay upright for a few hours and avoid pressing or massaging the treated areas.
• Skip intense exercise and heat such as saunas on the first day.
• Expect the effect to build gradually over about a week.
• Let the clinic know if one side looks uneven after the effect has settled.
• Arrange any touch-up through the clinic rather than elsewhere.

Things to know first

• Bruising, small bumps, headache and mild tenderness are common and usually short-lived.
• Too much effect can cause a heavy brow, a droopy eyelid or a smile asymmetry; these are temporary but can last weeks.
• Pregnancy, breastfeeding and certain nerve-muscle conditions are reasons not to treat.
• Some antibiotics and muscle-related medicines can intensify the effect, so list your medications.
• Very rarely, antibodies develop and the product works less well over time.

What to check before booking botulinum toxin in Gangnam

Start with who injects. The anatomy of the forehead, brow and jaw is unforgiving, and a few units placed in the wrong spot can change an expression. Ask whether a physician performs the injection, and how often that person does this procedure. A clinic that explains why your pattern of lines calls for a particular plan is demonstrating the judgment you are paying for.

Next, the product. Several approved toxin brands are sold in Korea, and they differ in how they are dosed and how they behave, so units are not directly comparable between brands. Ask which brand will be used, ask to see the box or vial with its label and lot number, and ask that it be opened in front of you. Be cautious of a clinic that cannot name the product, offers unusually generous units, or describes a mixed product as equivalent to a named brand.

Lastly, look at the quote. A clear one states the product, the number of units or areas, and whether a check-up and any touch-up are included. Unclear totals that change after you are on the treatment bed are a reason to pause. You do not need to decide on the day, and a short break to compare two clinics is rarely wasted.