BEAUTY

Why ‘Skin Botox’ Is The Answer To Instant ‘Glass Skin’

It's nothing like the Botox you know

If there’s one specific skincare trend synonymous with the increasingly popular world of Korean beauty, it would undoubtedly have to be ‘glass skin‘.

A highly evocative descriptor for a poreless, glowing complexion that’s as ‘clear as glass’, it’s a look that, until recently, was seemingly only achieved through multiple serums and a 10-step routine. As it turns out, however, there is one under-the-radar Korean treatment that is said to deliver the same look almost immediately: ‘Skin Botox’

While it may sound a lot like the standard Botox (after all, where else does one inject it?) we’re familiar with, make no mistake, it’s a whole other beast. And although it’s yet to become mainstream around the world, ‘Skin Botox’ is one of the most requested cosmetic procedures in the South Korean capital of Seoul. Locally renowned for its instant glass skin reputation, we dove deep and investigated the trend to understand exactly how the procedure works and where you can get it in Australia.

skin botox
(Credit: @saltbyhendrix)

What’s Involved In ‘Skin Botox’?

Besides targeting different skin concerns, Skin Botox also differs from standard Botox in its procedure. Different needles are used for different parts of the face, and are inserted around 40 to 50 times along the under-eye, forehead and jawline areas, which is significantly more compared to traditional Botox’s three to five times.

In Korea it costs approximately 350,000 KRW (AUD $426) for a locally produced Skin Botox formula, while an imported one would set you back around 500,000 KRW (AUD $609).

What Are The Results Like?

Besides creating an instant glass skin effect, the injectable is said to minimise the appearance of pores by tightening them. Although it can’t target deep creases the way standard Botox does, it is reportedly highly effective on very fine lines. According to Jivaka Care, an organisation that helps international patients find English-speaking cosmetic doctors in Korea, it has multiple other benefits.

“It can also improve skin elasticity and texture,” their website reads. “Research has also suggested that the treatment can also help to reduce several common skin concerns. These include overactive sebum production and facial flushing.”

Another one of its major draw-cards is that it doesn’t produce the ‘heavy feeling’ in the face often synonymous with traditional Botox. This is because the injections are considered very superficial and therefore unlikely to impact the muscles involved in creating facial expressions.

Much like Botox, results are estimated to last around three to six months.

Where Can You Get Skin Botox In Australia?

At this stage, the best place to get Skin Botox is, you guessed it, Korea. That being said, part of the reason why its availability isn’t immediately obvious in Australia is because it’s widely considered to fall under the category of ‘off-label‘ usage (meaning that is hasn’t been cleared for use by the Therapeutic Goods Association for this specific purpose). As a result, Allergan (the creators of Botox) cannot comment on its efficacy or availability.

In saying that, there are a few other very similar injectables available in Australia. One of them is AquaGold, which combines a hyaluronic acid-based filler with neurotoxin and a dilutent, and is injected into the the superficial layers of the skin for a similar ‘glass skin’ look.

Related stories