Korean term: 이마 주름
What are forehead wrinkles
Forehead wrinkles, also called forehead lines, are horizontal creases. Cleveland Clinic counts them among expression lines, which form from small muscle contractions.
A review of trials describes two kinds. Dynamic lines show when you raise your brows, using the frontalis, the muscle that lifts the brow. Over time they can become static lines that stay visible at rest. The review says static lines can appear at a relatively young age, and that age, race, sex and sun exposure all affect how they develop.
Common causes
- Repeated brow movement. Forehead lines form from small muscle contractions (Cleveland Clinic).
- Ageing. Cleveland Clinic calls wrinkles a by-product of ageing, as the skin's collagen and elastin network loosens.
- Sun. Too much ultraviolet (UV) radiation can age the skin early.
- Smoking. Cleveland Clinic cites research that smoking reduces new collagen production.
Treatments clinics in Korea list for forehead wrinkles
The card below shows botulinum toxin: what it is, its downtime per the sources, and the lowest regular price a clinic in this directory lists. Clinics in Korea sell it by area, and the forehead is one such area. Our Botox page explains brands.
Botox
Botulinum toxin type A, injected into a muscle to relax it for a few months.
Downtime (per the sources): Effect starts in 1 to 2 days and builds over about a week; labels list side effects such as eyelid drooping
From ₩10,000 (≈ US$8)JRYN Skin Clinic Seomyeon · Wrinkle Botox, Korean toxin (Newlux), 1 session · VAT excluded
20 clinics in this directory list a regular price
All prices and clinicsWhat the sources say about results and limits
Botulinum toxin relaxes the muscle it is injected into. The BOTOX Cosmetic label lists moderate to severe forehead lines as an indication for adults.
In two pooled phase 3 trials of 1,178 people, about 53% of treated people improved by at least two grades at day 30, against none on placebo. Staff of the maker are among that review's authors. A Cochrane review of 65 trials found that the toxin reduces wrinkles within four weeks, describes the effect as lasting four to six months, and says treatment probably increases the risk of eyelid drooping. Almost all its evidence concerned the frown lines between the eyebrows, not the forehead.
On forehead-line trials the label lists headache (9%) and brow drooping (2%) as the most common side effects. It says dosing more often than every three months has not been clinically evaluated.
Other approaches in the sources: Cleveland Clinic lists filler for deep wrinkles, laser resurfacing, creams and peels. A brow lift can smooth forehead creases but does not stop new wrinkles. Thermage and Sofwave have FDA clearances for wrinkles or facial lines in general; the texts we read do not name the forehead.
Published prices
The table shows, for each clinic that lists a regular price, its lowest regular price for each treatment above; items, amounts and VAT basis differ between clinics.
| Clinic | Botox |
|---|---|
| Art of Shine Skin Clinic | ₩40,000 (≈ US$30) VAT excluded · Jaw Botox 50 units, Korean toxin |
| Beauty Park Skin Clinic Beomeo | ₩20,000 (≈ US$15) VAT excluded · Wrinkle Botox · 1 area · Korean toxin |
| Bellis Skin Clinic | ₩55,000 (≈ US$42) VAT included · Wrinkle Botox 1 area (Coretox) |
| DAMI Skin Clinic | ₩50,000 (≈ US$38) VAT excluded · Wrinkle Botox (forehead, frown lines or crow's feet), Botulax — per area |
| DayBeau Skin Clinic Myeongdong Premium | ₩30,000 (≈ US$23) VAT excluded · Wrinkle Botox, 1 area (Korean toxin) |
| JRYN Skin Clinic Nampo | ₩20,000 (≈ US$15) VAT excluded · Glabella (frown-line) Botox, Korean high-purity toxin |
| JRYN Skin Clinic Seomyeon | ₩10,000 (≈ US$8) VAT excluded · Wrinkle Botox, Korean toxin (Newlux), 1 session |
| Kleam Skin Clinic Myeongdong | ₩40,000 (≈ US$30) VAT excluded · Wrinkle Botox (Korean/Excl. Forehead) 1 area |
| Louave Skin Clinic | ₩50,000 (≈ US$38) VAT included · Botox (starting price, fee notice) |
| Marble Plastic Surgery | ₩200,000 (≈ US$151) VAT excluded · Botox, eye area (fee notice starting price) |
| MIN Skin Clinic | ₩50,000 (≈ US$38) VAT excluded · Glabella or Nostril Botox — Domestic toxin |
| Newline Plastic Surgery | ₩24,000 (≈ US$18) VAT excluded · Wrinkle Botox (forehead, frown lines or crow's feet), Liztox, 12U 12 units |
| NewRizz Skin Clinic | ₩10,000 (≈ US$8) VAT excluded · Korean standard toxin "뉴럭스": wrinkle Botox, one area 1 area |
| Oaro Skin Clinic Cheongdam | ₩100,000 (≈ US$76) VAT not stated · Botulinum toxin (fee notice range) |
| Obliv Seoul Origin Skin Clinic | ₩88,000 (≈ US$66) VAT not stated · Botox · Korean toxin |
| The Walts Clinic | ₩35,000 (≈ US$26) VAT excluded · Neulux Botox, wrinkles, 1 area |
| Val:U Skin Clinic Myeongdong | ₩25,000 (≈ US$19) VAT excluded · Wrinkle Botox · 1 area · Newlux (Korean) |
| YAAN Skin Clinic | ₩100,000 (≈ US$76) VAT not stated · Wrinkle Botox — Xeomin |
| Youngjong Central Skin Clinic | ₩87,500 (≈ US$66) VAT excluded · Liztox Botox · forehead, crow's feet, frown lines or nose · per area 1 area |
| YUNO Plastic Surgery | ₩50,000 (≈ US$38) VAT not stated · Botox (starting price) |
Lowest regular price each clinic lists, with its own item and VAT basis.
Questions to ask the clinic
- Which botulinum toxin product will you use, and can I see the box or vial label?
- How many units go into the forehead, and will the area between my eyebrows be treated too?
- How will you protect my brow position, and what if my eyelids droop?
- Who injects, and is a touch-up included if the result is uneven?
- Does the written quote cover the forehead only or several areas, and does it include VAT?
- Whom do I contact, and how, if I notice a problem after I leave Korea?
FAQ
What causes forehead wrinkles?
Mainly repeated movement of the frontalis muscle that raises the brow, plus ageing, sun exposure and smoking, according to Cleveland Clinic and a review of trials. Over time lines that show only in movement can become static and stay visible at rest.
Does botulinum toxin remove forehead wrinkles?
The sources describe a reduction, not removal. In pooled trials about half of treated people improved by at least two grades at day 30, while none did on placebo. Results vary, and the doctor decides after an examination whether it suits you.
How long does the effect last?
The sources differ. A Cochrane review describes four to six months across studies, while the BOTOX Cosmetic label gives about three to four months for frown lines. The label says dosing more often than every three months has not been clinically evaluated.
What are the risks of botulinum toxin?
On forehead-line trials the label lists headache and brow drooping as the most common reactions, and eyelid drooping also occurred. A boxed warning says the toxin's effects can spread beyond the injection site. Infection at the injection site is a reason not to be treated.
Sources
- Cleveland Clinic: Wrinkles & Fine Lines: Types, Causes & Prevention
- Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery Global Open (PMC): OnabotulinumtoxinA Treatment for Moderate to Severe Forehead Lines: A Review (De Boulle et al., 2020)
- Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews (PMC): Botulinum toxin type A for facial wrinkles (Camargo et al., 2021)
- DailyMed, U.S. National Library of Medicine: BOTOX Cosmetic prescribing information (Allergan/AbbVie, revised 10/2024)
- Cleveland Clinic: Brow Lift: What It Is, Procedure Options, Surgery & Recovery
- U.S. Food and Drug Administration: K170758 clearance letter and 510(k) summary, Thermage FLX System
- U.S. Food and Drug Administration: K191421 clearance letter and 510(k) summary, Sofacia System