Botox in Myeongdong vs Gangnam: Price, Brands and Consultation

Prices are in Korean won, exclude 10% VAT and are confirmed by a doctor at consultation.

Is Botox different in Myeongdong and Gangnam?

In Korea, the word Botox is used for any botulinum toxin, although Botox itself is a brand made by Allergan. Clinics in Gangnam, Myeongdong and the rest of Seoul use the same approved toxin brands, so the product you receive does not depend on the district. What changes your result is the brand, the dose, where it is placed and the skill of the doctor injecting it.

Gangnam, south of the Han River, has a very high concentration of aesthetic clinics, many of them large and busy. Myeongdong, in central Seoul, is where many international visitors stay and shop. For a 10–15 minute treatment like Botox, being able to walk in from your hotel and return easily if needed is a real advantage. See our wrinkle Botox treatment page.

Which Botox brands are used in Korea?

Korean clinics offer both Korean-made and imported toxins. All approved brands relax muscles in the same basic way, but they differ in formulation, cost and, for some people, in how long effects last. Read Korean Botox brands explained for more detail.

Three areas (forehead, frown lines and crow's feet) cost ₩99,000 with a Korean toxin, ₩199,000 with Xeomin and ₩259,000 with Allergan Botox. Prices exclude 10% VAT.

How much does Botox cost in Myeongdong (2026)?

Beyond wrinkle Botox, Dernia offers several other toxin treatments. These are the 2026 starting prices:

Prices exclude 10% VAT. The tourist VAT refund on cosmetic procedures ended on January 1, 2026 — see payment and tax. Details on the Botox price page.

Why Botox quotes vary across Seoul

• Brand. The biggest price factor. Make sure every quote names the brand.
• Units or areas. Some clinics price per area, others per unit. A low price may cover fewer units.
• Who injects. A doctor who examines your movement and injects personally.
• VAT. Some prices include 10% VAT and some do not.
• Touch-up policy. Whether a review at about two weeks is offered, which is hard for visitors anyway.

Very low headline prices can be genuine for Korean toxins, but always confirm the brand and that the vial is opened in front of you.

It is also worth asking how the dose was chosen. A larger forehead, stronger frown muscles or a wide jaw may need more product for a natural, even result, while a light dose may suit someone who wants to keep plenty of expression. A good doctor explains these choices rather than simply applying a fixed menu.

What should a good Botox consultation cover?

Botox is quick, but a careful consultation still matters, in Gangnam or Myeongdong. The doctor should:

1. Watch your expressions. Assess how your forehead, frown and eye muscles move, and check for brow or eyelid asymmetry.
2. Ask about your health. Pregnancy, breastfeeding, neuromuscular conditions, medicines and previous toxin treatments.
3. Explain the brand and dose. And why, with a clear price.
4. Set expectations. When it will start working, when it peaks and how long it lasts.
5. Give aftercare in English. Including what to do on a flight.

At Dernia, a licensed doctor consults in English and injects personally. See questions to ask at your consultation.

Who is Botox right for?

Gangnam or Myeongdong: which is more practical for visitors?

Both districts are easy to reach and both have experienced injectors. The practical differences come down to your itinerary:

• Where you sleep. Botox works best when you avoid lying flat, heavy exercise and saunas for the rest of the day. Being close to your hotel makes that easy.
• What else you are doing. If you have a day of Gangnam shopping or a K-pop agency visit planned, a Gangnam clinic may fit; if your days are in central Seoul, Myeongdong saves travel.
• Follow-up. If you notice asymmetry at around one to two weeks and are still in Seoul, it is far easier to return to a clinic near your hotel for a review.
• Combining treatments. Many visitors add a toning laser or skin booster on the same visit, which is simpler when everything is in one place.

For first-timers, choosing a single area for the whole trip and a clinic you can walk to usually makes the experience calmer. Read first visit to a Korean skin clinic for what to expect on the day.

Results, recovery and side effects

Botox usually starts working within two to five days and reaches its full effect at about two weeks. Wrinkle Botox lasts about three to four months, jaw Botox about four to six months. Small red marks or bumps fade within hours; avoid rubbing the area, lying flat for about four hours, and intense exercise, saunas and alcohol for the rest of the day.

Common side effects are minor bruising, mild headache and temporary tenderness. Uncommon effects include a heavy-feeling brow, a temporary eyelid or brow droop, or asymmetry, which usually improve as the toxin wears off. Jaw Botox can make chewing feel weaker for a few weeks. Serious allergic reactions are very rare. A licensed doctor confirms you are suitable. Read is Korean Botox safe.

Planning Botox around your Seoul trip

• Book ahead. Send your dates through our consultation form.
• Book early in your stay. Avoid your arrival day, but have Botox early enough that you can see it start working before you leave.
• Easy to reach. Dernia is near Myeongdong Station (Line 4) and Euljiro 1-ga Station (Line 2). From Gangnam Station, Line 2 runs directly to Euljiro 1-ga in around 30–40 minutes. See location and directions.
• Combining with filler? See Botox and filler on the same day.

Frequently asked questions

Related reading

This article is for general information and does not replace a medical consultation. Results vary between individuals, and suitability, treatment plan and final price are confirmed by a licensed doctor after an in-person examination. Dernia Clinic Myeongdong does not publish patient testimonials or before-and-after claims.