First published: 2026-05-17 / Last reviewed: 2026-05-17
This is a guide to Botox compiled by Dr. Choi Byeong-geun of SHINE U Clinic Konkuk (3 minutes' walk from Konkuk Univ. Station, Exit 1).
The two most common questions about Botox in the consultation room are "Which Botox should I get?" and "How often do I need to get it again?" Neither question has a simple answer. The answer varies depending on the area, the specific product, and whether the patient has a history of resistance. We will explain how we differentiate by area and product in the examination room.
1. Why Botulinum Toxin Products Differ
The word "Botox" actually started as a brand name and has become a generic term. In medical practice, there are various botulinum toxin products.
Product lineup available at SHINE U Clinic Konkuk:
- Resistance-prevention line: Coretox, Nabota, Xeomin, Allergan (Botox)
- Standard line: HitoX, Botulax
The resistance-prevention line consists of products with fewer or no complexing proteins, which reduces the risk of antibody formation during repeated treatments.
A lower protein content does not mean weaker efficacy. It means reducing the risk of antibody formation in patients undergoing repeated treatments to maintain long-term efficacy stability.
2. Square Jaw Botox, the Most Frequently Treated Area
This is one of the most frequently treated Botox areas in the examination room.
When square jaw Botox is recommended in the examination room:
- For those whose masseter muscles are developed, making their side profile appear square.
- For those with teeth grinding or clenching habits that overactivate the masseter muscles.
- For those who desire a refined V-line.
- For those with a square jaw accompanied by headaches.
Recommended dosage: 30-70 units, depending on the area and muscle thickness. The dosage is determined after palpating the masseter muscle thickness in the examination room.
Recommended frequency: Once every 4-6 months. Maintaining this interval consistently can lead to a gradual reduction in masseter muscle volume and cumulative V-line refinement.
3. Trapezius Botox, for Shoulder Line Refinement
This area is often recommended for those with developed trapezius muscles (the muscles connecting the shoulders to the neck).
When recommended in the examination room:
- For those whose shoulder line is rounded and raised, making their neck appear short.
- For those who frequently experience shoulder muscle stiffness and pain.
- For those who want to refine their dress line before a wedding or important event.
- For those who want to restore their shoulder line along with posture correction.
Recommended dosage: 100-200 units combined for both sides. The dosage can vary significantly depending on muscle thickness.
Recommended frequency: Once every 4-6 months. With cumulative treatments, muscle volume decreases, and posture changes, leading to a refined line.
4. Calf Botox, for Line Slimming
This is often recommended for those with developed inner calf muscles (gastrocnemius).
When recommended in the examination room:
- For those whose inner calf muscles are prominent, preventing a straight leg line.
- For those who frequently wear high heels, leading to developed calf muscles.
- For those who have lost weight through dieting but their calves remain unchanged.
Recommended dosage: 100-200 units combined for both legs.
Recommended frequency: Once every 6 months to 1 year. Calf muscles are used frequently in daily life, so their recovery speed is faster than other areas.
Consult by chat for each area now
5. Face Botox (Skin Botox), for Texture, Pores, and Fine Lines
This is a different concept from classic Botox, which paralyzes muscles. It is a procedure that involves micro-unit injections dispersed close to the epidermis and dermis to refine skin texture, pores, fine lines, and facial redness.
When recommended in the examination room:
- For those concerned about pores but hesitant about strong procedures.
- For those concerned about both fine lines and dullness.
- For those who need a glow with only a few days left before a wedding or important event.
- For those who want to finish their skin texture after TuneFace or Thermage FLX.
Recommended frequency: Once every 3-4 months. There is almost no recovery downtime, so it does not interfere with daily schedules.
6. Hyperhidrosis Botox, for Armpits, Hands, and Feet
This is a procedure that involves injecting Botox into areas with excessive sweating to block signals to the eccrine sweat glands.
When recommended in the examination room:
- For those with severe underarm sweating that causes daily discomfort.
- For those who have difficulty using paper or electronic devices due to sweaty palms.
- For those concerned about sweaty soles and foot odor.
- For those who feel deodorants are insufficient.
Recommended dosage: 100-200 units, depending on the area.
Recommended frequency: Once every 6-9 months. The effects are stably maintained in these areas.
7. At-a-Glance Comparison
| Area | Product Priority | Recommended Dosage Range | Recommended Frequency | Downtime |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Square Jaw | Resistance-prevention line priority | 30-70 units | 4-6 months | Immediate return to daily life |
| Trapezius | Product irrelevant | 100-200 units | 4-6 months | Immediate return to daily life |
| Calves | Product irrelevant | 100-200 units | 6-12 months | Immediate return to daily life |
| Glabellar/Forehead Wrinkles | Resistance-prevention line priority | 10-30 units | 4-6 months | Immediate return to daily life |
| Face (Skin) Botox | Product irrelevant | 50-100 units | 3-4 months | Immediate return to daily life |
| Hyperhidrosis | Product irrelevant | 100-200 units | 6-9 months | Immediate return to daily life |
The recommended dosages are general guide ranges and will be determined in the examination room based on the patient's muscle thickness and treatment history.
8. Common Confusions Often Brought Up in the Examination Room
Q1. "What does it mean for Botox to develop resistance?" During repeated treatments, the body may form antibodies to the botulinum toxin protein. If antibodies develop, the effectiveness of subsequent treatments may decrease. The resistance-prevention line consists of products that minimize complexing proteins to reduce this risk of antibody formation.
Q2. "Should I use resistance-prevention products from the beginning?" Not necessarily. However, for areas like the square jaw, glabella, and forehead, which are treated repeatedly every 4-6 months, it is generally safer in the long term to prioritize the resistance-prevention line. For areas with longer cycles, such as the calves, trapezius, and hyperhidrosis, the standard line can also be a reasonable choice.
Q3. "The effects seem to disappear too quickly." We check for the following possibilities:
- The treatment interval is too short, increasing the possibility of antibody formation (in this case, consider switching to a resistance-prevention line).
- Differences in product storage or dilution concentration.
- The patient's individual metabolism or muscle activity.
We will review your treatment history in the examination room and decide whether to switch products.
9. Post-Treatment Care
Common recommendations regardless of the treated area:
- Do not lie down for 4 hours after the procedure (to stabilize product distribution).
- Avoid strong massage or rubbing of the treated area.
- Avoid saunas, jjimjilbangs (Korean bathhouses), and strenuous exercise on the day of the procedure.
- Small bruises or swelling in the treated area will gradually improve.
- Avoid strong peeling or exfoliation procedures for one week after the treatment.
Makeup is possible after Face Botox, but for muscle injection areas like the square jaw, trapezius, and calves, please avoid strong stimulation on the day of the procedure.
10. Frequently Asked Questions
Q. When do the effects become visible? Effects begin to appear 3-5 days after the procedure and are most noticeable at the 2-week mark. For thick muscles like the square jaw and trapezius, volume reduction progresses gradually over 1-2 months.
Q. Can I receive filler on the same day? It is common to perform both on the same day in the examination room. The flow of refining muscle movement with Botox and supplementing volume with filler is natural.
Q. Can I receive it with lifting procedures? It is common to perform it with procedures like Ultherapy PRIME, Thermage FLX, and Titanium lifting. However, it is not recommended to do them on the same day; it is better to leave a 1-2 week interval for stable recovery.
Q. Can I receive it during pregnancy or breastfeeding? It is not recommended during pregnancy or breastfeeding. If you are planning a procedure, we recommend waiting at least one month after the treatment.
Botox is a procedure designed differently depending on the area, product, number of sessions, and patient history. It is not a procedure that can be summarized by a single dosage, so we will decide the appropriate approach for your case together in front of the mirror. You can inquire immediately via Chat for non-face-to-face consultation.
Authored by: Dr. Choi Byeong-geun (Chief Director of SHINE U Clinic Konkuk / Member of the Korean Society for Filler & Botox Research, Korean Society of Fillers, Korean Society for Laser Dermatology and Hair / Completed MERZ (Xeomin) Academy, Allergan Seminar) Last reviewed: 2026-05-17
This article provides general information about procedures and does not replace diagnosis or treatment. Suitability for treatment and results may vary by individual.