"Skin Botox" Is the Buzzy K-Beauty Secret For Glass Skin ...Middle East

Long before salmon sperm injections went viral, "skin Botox" was the unkept K-beauty secret for seemingly poreless, lit-from-within glass skin. It remains a staple in countless beauty clinics in Seoul and South Korea, but is still uncommon stateside. Yet, with a bit of investigating, you just might be able to find a provider in your area who performs the same glow-getting injections.

While technically an off-label use - even in South Korea - so are the likes of Botox for jaw pain, lip flips, and more. "This is a much more popular treatment in countries like South Korea," says dermatologist Rosalyn George, MD, FAAD, "but I think it is an area that will have continued development over the next several years."

Before you hop on the bandwagon, read up on everything worth knowing about skin Botox, including its benefits and if it's worth it for your skin's needs and aesthetic goals. You'll also find my honest thoughts on the treatment, as someone who's tried skin Botox a handful of times in the K-beauty capital of Seoul.

Experts Featured in This Article

Rosalyn George, MD, FAAD, is a board-certified dermatologist in Wilmington, North Carolina.

Jiyoung Han, MD, is a dermatologist at FINE Clinic in Seoul.

What Is Skin Botox?

Skin Botox, aka microtox, involves injecting a diluted solution of Botulinum toxin type A (i.e., Botox or your neuromodulator of choice) into the superficial dermis rather than the muscle - the latter of which is the standard to smooth out the likes of forehead wrinkles and frown lines.

According to Dr. George, the exact mechanism by which Botox improves skin quality isn't exactly understood. "However, we know that Botox blocks the transmission of acetylcholine from nerve endings, which will soften muscle contractions," she says. "We believe that this same mechanism, when done in microunits superficially - i.e., dermal injections versus intramuscular injections - over the entire face and neck, may reduce the contraction of small muscles around the pores, which can result in smoother skin."

Benefits of Skin Botox

According to dermatologist Jiyoung Han, MD, key benefits of skin Botox include:

Per a 2023 article published in Aesthetic Surgery Journal, intradermal microtoxin injections can also improve neck lines and help prevent and manage scars and keloids.

My Experience With Skin Botox

I've gotten skin Botox several times in Seoul over the past few years, most recently at FINE Clinic. My pain tolerance is higher than most. (Humble brag: Many a derm has backed this up.) Still, the injections - dozens of which I got over my entire face - are far from pleasant… even after sitting with numbing cream for about 10 minutes. Since skin Botox is injected closer to nerve endings, it's significantly more uncomfortable than intramuscular Botox. I'd rate standard Botox for wrinkles at a two out of 10 for pain, and skin Botox closer to a six or seven.

Since I'd only done it with other treatments before, I was unsure of the exact downtime for skin Botox alone. Dr. Han assured me that while I'd be bumpy and red right after, it'd subside within 30 minutes. She was right, and there was no sign of distress by the time I got home. Unlike my previous visit to FINE Clinic (where I got Potenza, a type of radiofrequency microneedling, and Juvelook, an injectable skin booster), skin Botox didn't cause bruising or embossing marks.

The whole appointment - consultation, cleansing, numbing cream, and injections - took about 45 minutes from start to finish.

Post-Treatment Care For Skin Botox

"After getting skin Botox, avoid lying face-down for 24 hours," Dr. Han says. You should also avoid high heat and sweating (through intense exercise, saunas, etc.), as well as massages, for up to a week. As is the case with typical Botox, it's best to pause active ingredients - including exfoliants and retinoids - for the same amount of time.

How Long Does Skin Botox Last?

Per Dr. Han, you should begin to notice effects within two to three days, which should fully set in within a week or two. (If you're interested in getting skin Botox for an important event, she advises doing it at least two weeks in advance.)

Skin Botox typically has a shorter lifespan than intramuscular Botox, the latter of which is typically three to four months. "In my experience, due to the large injection area, people may notice results fading more quickly than typical injections into frown lines," says Dr. George.

Dr. Han agrees, noting that you should witness the peak of your glass-skin era through the four-to-eight-week mark, though it's unlikely to last through week 12.

How Much Does Skin Botox Cost?

The cost of skin Botox will be based on factors including:

"Price can vary widely depending on location and injector experience, but I would say it would be over $1,000 with most injectors," says Dr. George.

However, for those who are lucky enough to visit South Korea, the cost is significantly more accessible. For example, prices at FINE Clinic range from 99,000 KRW (about $70) to 400,000 KRW (about $285) for two CCs of skin Botox, varying by brand. During my trips to Seoul - where competition is fierce and providers often price Botox at or below cost - I've even seen it offered for less than the cost of lunch, or even free with the purchase of other treatments.

What Are the Risks or Drawbacks of Skin Botox?

"While this treatment will work for most people, the best candidates are patients who already have good skin quality," says Dr. George. "For instance, patients with deep wrinkles or extensive sun damage are unlikely to see dramatic results." She also cautions that there are potential complications with any neurotoxin treatment, so it's important to perform due diligence and seek out an experienced injector.

Is Skin Botox Worth It?

Of the dozens of aesthetic treatments I've done in South Korea and the U.S. over the years, skin Botox nears the top of my list. It tackles a handful of my biggest concerns (excess sebum, breakouts, dullness, and fine lines), has minimal downtime, and sets in quickly. In my opinion, it's also worth the 10 or so minutes of pain.

While it works well for me, don't just take my word for it. Be sure to assess it in line with your own skin condition, concerns, and expert-led guidance.

Alternatives to Skin Botox

In case you're interested in the effects of skin Botox but lack access or aren't ready to take the plunge, a few worthy alternatives exist. Microinfusion facials - which use a stamping device to deliver a cocktail of Botox, filler, and antioxidants such as glutathione to the superficial layer of the skin - are a pretty solid dupe with similar short-but-sweet longevity. (I scheduled one before my birthday years ago, and the next-level glow was the best present I could have asked for.)

"Radiofrequency microneedling and skin boosters provide similar aesthetic results," says Dr. Han. "But none mimic Botox's nerve-blocking mechanism." Lastly, while Dr. George offers skin Botox in her practice, she says that her patients tend to opt for laser and light treatments, alongside skin-care staples, for a longer-lasting glow.

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