How Much Is Botox in Korea for Foreigners?
Korean app prices for jaw Botox in October 2026 by brand (Korean, Coretox, Xeomin), why a foreigner's quote can come out higher, the VAT refund that ended in 2025, and the four things to get in writing.
Short answer: Fifty units of jaw Botox cost about ₩15,000 to ₩30,000 ($11 to $21) with a standard Korean toxin, ₩40,000 to ₩60,000 ($29 to $43) with Coretox, and ₩90,000 to ₩120,000 ($64 to $86) with Xeomin, according to Gangnam Unni's October 2026 averages. Foreigners pay the same menu price at many clinics, but quotes through agencies often run higher, and the VAT refund for foreign patients ended on December 31, 2025.
Botox is the cheapest thing on most Seoul itineraries, and that's the trap. When a treatment costs $20, nobody asks what's in the syringe.
Korea's health ministry counted 705,044 foreign patients at dermatology clinics in 2024, up from 239,060 the year before, according to the Korea Economic Daily. Plenty of them came for toxin.
What does Botox cost in Korea in 2026?
It depends far more on the brand than on the clinic. Gangnam Unni's square-jaw guide, updated October 15, 2026, gives these app averages per session:
| Toxin | 50 units | 100 units |
|---|---|---|
| Standard Korean brands | ₩15,000–30,000 ($11–21) | ₩40,000–70,000 ($29–50) |
| Coretox (Korean, "pure") | ₩40,000–60,000 ($29–43) | ₩80,000–100,000 ($57–71) |
| Xeomin (imported, "pure") | ₩90,000–120,000 ($64–86) | ₩180,000–240,000 ($129–171) |
Allergan's Botox, the brand Americans know, usually sits at the top of Korean menus. Korean brands include Botulax, Meditoxin and Nabota, which is sold in the US as Jeuveau.
What does "pure toxin" (순수 톡신) mean?
It's a toxin with the extra proteins removed. Korean clinics charge more for it because those proteins are linked to resistance (내성), where repeat doses stop working as well.
The same guide says a standard toxin can still keep that risk down if the interval and dose are respected. If you get Botox every few months at home, mention it. The guide notes doctors may lower the dose when you've had toxin in the past three to six months.
How many units do you need?
For the jaw, 50 to 100 units across both sides, says Gangnam Unni. A moderate masseter takes 40 to 50, a well-developed one about 100. Some menus list cc instead of units. Ask for units.
Forehead and frown lines take fewer. Quotes per "area" (1부위) are common, so confirm how many units an area means.
Do foreigners pay more for Botox in Korea?
Sometimes. Clinics set their own prices for cosmetic (non-insured) treatment, and those that work through agencies or brokers often build a commission into the quote. A 2024 Asia Economy report said the old habit of overcharging foreign patients had eased with competition. It didn't say it had gone.
The safest comparison is the clinic's own Korean price list. Gangnam Unni's global app, UNNI, shows clinics' won prices converted at the exchange rate, which gives you that baseline. Our facelift pricing post explains how a foreign package differs from a domestic price.
Can foreigners still get a VAT refund on Botox?
Not right now. The refund on cosmetic treatment for foreign visitors expired on December 31, 2025. A bill to bring it back through 2027 went to a National Assembly subcommittee in July 2026. Until it passes, expect 10% VAT on top of many listed prices. More in VAT refunds for foreigners.
What should you get in writing?
Four things, before the needle comes out:
- The brand, by name.
- The number of units.
- Whether VAT is included.
- Whether the price is a first-visit event (첫방문).
Bruising, soreness when chewing and a weaker bite are common after jaw Botox and usually settle within one to two weeks, per the same guide.
How do we help?
- Send the form below and we come back with free, itemized quotes from 2–3 dermatology clinics, brand and units on every line.
- Our quotes are clinic prices. Your bill doesn't carry a broker markup.
- An interpreter in the room, and a schedule that puts Botox alongside filler or a laser if you want both.
Frequently asked questions
How much is jaw Botox in Korea?
For 50 units, Gangnam Unni's October 2026 averages are ₩15,000 to ₩30,000 for standard Korean toxin and ₩90,000 to ₩120,000 for Xeomin.
Is Korean Botox the same as American Botox?
Not the same product. Korea makes its own toxins, such as Botulax, Meditoxin, Coretox and Nabota (Jeuveau in the US). Imported brands like Xeomin and Allergan's Botox cost more.
Do foreigners pay more for Botox in Korea?
Sometimes, especially through agencies. Compare against the clinic's won price list and get the brand and units in writing.
Is there a VAT refund on Botox for tourists?
Not currently. The foreign-patient refund on cosmetic treatment ended on December 31, 2025, and a bill to restore it was in committee in July 2026.
How many units of Botox for the jaw?
Usually 50 to 100 units in total, depending on the muscle.
Get free, itemized quotes from 2–3 specialist clinics
Two taps and an email address. We ask clinics run by board-certified specialists for line-by-line quotes and the dates they can take you, and email them to you, usually within two business days. Free, and no obligation.
Keep reading
- How Do Korean Clinics Treat Acne Scars, and Can You Do It in One Trip?
Korean dermatologists match the treatment to the scar shape: CO2 fractional for ice-pick, Potenza and subcision for boxcar and rolling, TCA CROSS for deep narrow pits. Sessions, spacing, downtime, 2026 prices, and what a single visit can achieve.
- Can You Get Dental Crowns in Korea in One Week?
Yes, for most crowns. How a one-week crown trip to Seoul runs, why clinics with an in-house lab finish faster, what a root canal does to the schedule, and what Korean patients pay for zirconia, porcelain and gold crowns.
This guide is general information for people researching treatment abroad. It is not medical advice and does not establish a patient relationship. Only a licensed surgeon who has examined you can say whether a procedure is appropriate for you.