Skin Botox in Korea, used for oily skin and visible pores, is botulinum toxin diluted and placed as many shallow droplets in the dermis, where it quiets the signal that drives oil glands. A 2026 review of the published studies reports an effect lasting two to four months. Normal expression stays because each point carries a tiny dose. Pores look less stretched and shine drops; they do not disappear.
Clinics in Korea
0 clinics for Botox and fillers in Korea
Every clinic below lists Botox and fillers among its treatments. Message a clinic directly.
Guide
How a diluted toxin reaches oil glands and pore openings
Oil glands sit in the dermis and respond partly to acetylcholine, the same chemical messenger that tells muscles to contract. Toxin placed at that shallow level is thought to dampen the signal to the glands and to the tiny muscle fibers attached to each hair follicle, so less sebum reaches the surface and the pore openings look tighter.
That makes the injection quite different from a frown-line treatment. The product is diluted further, the needle enters only a short way, and points are spaced in a grid across the oily zone. The toxin brands are the same imported and domestic products used for wrinkles; only dilution and placement change.
Guide
What a 2026 review of pore and sebum studies reports
Sungtrakankul and colleagues, writing in the Journal of Pakistan Association of Dermatologists in 2026, reviewed trials, split-face studies, cohorts and mechanistic reports from 2000 to 2025, and found that intradermal toxin reduced measured sebum output by roughly 30 to 75% and improved how large pores looked, typically within one to two weeks.
The authors are open about the limits: doses, dilutions, techniques and outcome measures varied widely, so no standard protocol exists yet, and larger randomized studies with longer follow-up are needed. Reported side effects were mild and short-lived, such as redness, swelling and bruising, with rare facial weakness.
Guide
Checking your own result with blotting paper and photos
Oiliness shifts with weather, sleep and skincare, so a vague sense of less shine is easy to misjudge. A simple before-and-after routine gives a fairer answer than memory, especially when the second check happens at home.
| Check | When | What to look for |
|---|---|---|
| Blotting paper on forehead and nose | Before treatment, then at two and four weeks, same time of day | Less oil collected after the same hours since washing |
| Close-up photos | Same light, same distance, bare skin | Pore openings on the nose and cheeks look less stretched |
| Makeup wear | An ordinary day out | Foundation shines or slides later in the afternoon |
| Expression in the mirror | First two weeks | Smile and cheek lift feel normal; report any droop |
Guide
Where the droplets go, and which areas are left alone
Most plans cover the forehead, nose and central cheeks, where oil glands are dense. The lower cheek near the mouth and the skin beside the smile folds are often treated lightly or skipped, because toxin that drifts into the muscles that lift the lip can make a smile look uneven for several weeks.
Ask the doctor to outline the planned zones before numbing. A session usually means about half an hour of numbing cream and a few minutes of injecting; small raised bumps settle within hours, while pinpoint bruises can last a few days.
Guide
When large pores are not mainly an oil problem
Pores can also look bigger because the skin around them has loosened with age or sun, stretching them into downward ovals on the cheeks. Toxin works on oil output, so it tends to help shiny, oily skin more than drier skin with sagging pores. For laxity-driven texture, doctors usually discuss energy devices or skin boosters instead of, or alongside, toxin.
It is also not suited during pregnancy or breastfeeding, with a known nerve or muscle condition, with an allergy to the product, or with irritated or broken skin on the area that day.
Evidence
Research behind this page
- Intradermal botulinum toxin type A for enlarged facial pores and sebum control: A focused narrative review with practical injection considerationsJournal of Pakistan Association of Dermatologists · 2026 · doi:10.66344/jpad.v36i3.3532
Narrative review reporting that intradermal toxin reduced sebum and improved visible pores for two to four months, with mild, short-lived side effects.
FAQ
Questions about Botox and fillers in Korea
Will skin Botox in Seoul make my pores disappear?
No. The aim is pores that look less stretched and skin that shines less, not pores that vanish. Pores are a normal part of skin, and the studies summarized in the 2026 review measured visible improvement rather than removal. Thick, oily skin with open pores across the T-zone tends to show the clearest change. Expect a subtle difference that shows most in close photos and in how makeup wears, and judge it two to four weeks after the session.
Does makeup last longer after the injections?
Many people notice foundation stays matte for more of the day once oil output drops, which is one of the more practical signs the treatment is working. Skip makeup on the injection points for the rest of that day so the tiny entry marks can close, and avoid pressing or massaging the treated zones for several hours. From the next morning, normal makeup is usually fine. If the skin feels tight or dry, a lighter moisturizer generally helps.
Is one session enough to tell whether it suits my skin?
Usually, yes. Because a change in oil tends to show within a couple of weeks, one round reveals whether your skin responds. If it does, the effect fades over a few months and repeating it is a choice rather than a schedule. If nothing changes, ask whether dilution or spacing could be adjusted, or whether loose skin is the main reason your pores look large. Keep a note of the product and number of points so a second round can be compared fairly.
Can a second round be done before the first wears off?
Doctors generally prefer to wait until the effect has faded rather than stacking doses close together. Frequent, closely spaced toxin treatments may raise the chance of the body forming antibodies that weaken later results, although this is uncommon. Spacing rounds by a few months also makes it easier to see what each one achieved. If you are having toxin for wrinkles or the jaw at the same time, tell the doctor so the total amount is planned together.
Should I change my skincare routine before the appointment?
Mostly no, but pause anything harsh. Strong exfoliating acids, scrubs and peels in the days before can leave skin sensitive and more likely to sting or bruise. Arrive with a clean face so the numbing cream works evenly. Tell the doctor about every medicine and skin product you use, including blood thinners, since some affect bruising and timing, and let the doctor advise on them. Gentle cleansing and sunscreen can continue as usual.
Why does my face look bumpy right after the droplets?
Each point lifts a tiny bleb of fluid in the skin, so a freshly treated face can look covered in small raised dots in a grid. These usually flatten within an hour or a few hours as the fluid spreads out. Pinpoint bruises are less common but can take several days to fade, so plan photos and events for later in the trip. Avoid saunas, hard workouts and rubbing the area for the rest of the day.