Korean Botox vs. American Botox

Botox is the ultimate treatment when it comes to facial wrinkles. It is known for its excellent ability to stop muscle contraction, thus preventing the occurrence of dynamic wrinkles, which are typically the first ones to develop. There are numerous brands that contain botulinum toxin-type.

A as their primary active ingredient, and knowing the difference between them is vital to provide your patients with the desired effect safely and effortlessly. Today, we would like to discuss the topic that has become quite popular over the past few months: Korean Botox vs. American Botox.

Many patients are curious about the products they are treated with, so it’s good to let them see behind the curtain and explain the peculiarities of each solution. Let’s start the discussion; make sure to share this piece with your customers to give them a better perspective on the effect they may achieve with each product.

The Definition of Botox and Its Effect

Botox is a special type of botulinum toxin products, aka neurotoxin, that temporarily paralyzes the muscle, providing relaxation and temporal relief to an individual. It is widely used in both medical and aesthetic spheres for numerous issues, from chronic migraines to forehead wrinkles, which explains the increasing popularity of this injectable.

Botulinum toxin treatments primarily control facial expressions, relax target muscles, and stop their contractions. Generally, people have to wait around two weeks to see the effect of Botox, as it must reach the target nerve endings and paralyze them.

Currently, there are two types of Botox available on the market: American Botox produced by Allergan (brand name Botox), and Korean Botox produced by such companies as Medytox (Neuronox) and Hugel (Botulax). While American injectables have been present on the market since the 1990s, Korean ones have been developed in recent years. Still, this product has many admirers worldwide, proving its effectiveness and reliability. Now, let’s take a closer look at the detailed comparison to understand the differences better.

Korean vs. American Botulinum Toxin: The Comparison

Below, we will mention all the essential features that must be discussed when it comes to American and Korean Botox products. Even though the difference is not that striking, certain things should still be taken into consideration to make a correct decision regarding your patients’ treatments. Without further ado, let’s start!

#1. Formula

Both types of Botox injections contain botulinum toxin type A in the composition, but formulation and purification processes are different. How exactly?

• Allergan, the company that produces American Botox, has established a purification process that is safe and has its FDA-approval;
• Korean Botox is similar but has different strains and processes, which leads to minor differences in the formulation. Still, it doesn’t affect the quality.

#2. Longevity

When it comes to the longevity, Korean and American products slightly vary as well:

• The average effect of American Botox lasts between 3 and 4 months;
• Korean Botox lasts 2.5 to 3 months, depending on the brand.

To enjoy the effect for longer, we recommend creating a treatment plan according to one’s needs and scheduling maintenance procedures to ensure target muscles remain paralyzed. When they regain their activity, they can develop dynamic wrinkles, typical for periorbital and perioral regions.

#3. Safety and Regulation of Botulinum Toxin Injections

• American botulinum toxin drugs are FDA-approved and are proven to be safe thanks to countless clinical tests performed in the past. It’s used all around the world without worrying about complications and extreme adverse reactions;
• Korean botulinum toxin brands are not FDA-approved in the USA. However, it’s approved in Asia and Europe. Even though all Korean manufacturers follow strict regulations and rules, some customers still prefer FDA-approved products, so they pick American beauty injections instead.

#4. Price

One of the main factors that must be discussed before botulinum therapy is its price. Numbers here vary a lot, so ensure you give this information to your patients:

• American Botox tends to be more expensive due to its FDA approval. That’s why the average price varies between $300-$600 per session. When you buying Botox online, make sure you purchase it from a reliable supplier;
• Korean Botox tends to be 20%-30% cheaper than American Botox, especially when we talk about the Asian market.

Typically, the price of the muscle relaxant in a clinic varies based on the recommended dose, the size of the treated area, the severity of the problem, the clinic’s policy, and some other essential factors that must be discussed with a patient in advance for them to understand expected costs better. Nobody wants any surprises when the check arrives.

#5. Availability

• American Botox is available globally and can be easily purchased by board-certified professionals;
• Korean brands of Botox have just started gaining popularity, mainly in Asia and Europe, where they are approved. However, it’s becoming more international due to lower prices and the quality of the products.

Is It Safe to Switch Between Korean Botox and American Botox?

Due to the fact that both American and Korean Botox contain botulinum toxin type A (which is derived from Clostridium botulinum), patients can safely switch between them without worrying about complications or any unwanted side effects. Nonetheless, you must remember that each person is unique, and so is their organism, so discuss the switching process with a patient to ensure it is safe for them.

Generally, discussing further treatment steps is vital with any cosmetic procedure, whether botulinum toxins or dermal fillers. Communication is key to providing people with the best customer experience and fulfilling all their wants and needs.

Korean Botox Brands That Gain Their Popularity

Korean botulinum toxin brands include three main products that occupy 90% of the Korean market:

• Botulax. This product is widely used globally, providing excellent results when it comes to reducing facial wrinkles. It is available in both liquid and powder form and is suitable for various purposes, from treating glabella lines to dealing with hyperhidrosis. The effect lasts for a few months, so all patients need is to schedule their treatments on time;
• Meditoxin. This one is among the most used ones; it occupies almost 40% of the Korean market and 1% of the global market and is loved and used by thousands of patients. Its effect is shorter-lasting, but it kicks in faster – after approximately four days;
• Nabota. This product is a creation of South Korean manufacturer Daewoong. It’s typically used for patients aged 20 to 65. Typically, specialists choose this brand for glabella lines. Solution is able to maintain natural facial expressions, while also providing a noticeable improvement in the areas where it’s most needed.

Features of Korean Botox You Should Know

Even though the cosmetic industry claims American and Korean Botox are the same, some vital differences in their features must be remembered if you want to pick the best option for your client:

• High quality. The Asian beauty industry is well-known for numerous unique and revolutionary technologies that have been used to maintain youthful and beautiful skin for a long time. It uses various modern technologies to produce products of the highest quality that can fulfill multiple needs and cosmetic goals;
• Beneficial price. Due to the lower production cost in South Korea, Korean Botox costs less if compared to American. In some cases, Korean Botox may cost half of the price of injectables of American production cost, which makes a great difference for numerous specialists out there;
• Long-lasting effect. Even though American Botox tends to last longer (up to 6 months), Korean Botox also demonstrates quite impressive results (up to 4 months). Overall, that’s not such a big difference, and patients need maintenance treatments every 4 months anyway, so specialists don’t see any significant difference in which Botox to use for the injection session.

Botox Trends in Korea

Speaking about the trends on the Korean beauty market related to Botox, they are a little different from the American ones we often hear about online and offline. Here are a few interesting positions you may be curious about:

• Male Botox treatments. Koreans break all the myths regarding cosmetic procedures that are ‘only suitable for women’. We believe it’s due to their pop industry (also known as K-pop), where male artists use cosmetic treatments just as often as female ones. There’s no judgment in one’s desire to keep skin youthful and glowing, so male treatments are definitely trendy there;
• Natural appearance. Dermal fillers are not as popular as Botox in South Korea due to their trend for maintaining youthful, glowing skin. The shiner and more natural-looking it is, the more attractive a person is considered. Thus, no wonder botulinum toxin for preventing wrinkles and lines is so popular there.

The Bottom Line

American and Korean Botox are quite similar, even though there are slight differences in their price, longevity, and manufacturing process. Korean Botox doesn’t have FDA approval in America. However, it has passed safety studies in Asia and Europe, which is why it’s more popular in those regions.

Overall, the main task of this product is the same as the traditional one – to help people prevent aging signs, eliminate lines and wrinkles, and make skin look glowing and youthful. Just remember that the quality of the product is vital, so always choose a reliable supplier to buy your botulinum toxins from!