⚙️ How it typically works

• Consultation: A practitioner assesses your smile dynamics—how much gum shows, how high your lip lifts, muscle activity, lip length, tooth/gum balance.
• Injection: Small amounts of Botox are injected at precise points above the lip. Because the muscle size is relatively small, dose tends to be modest.
• Downtime: Very minimal. You can usually resume most normal activities shortly after; there may be slight site redness or mild swelling.
• Timeline of results:
• Initial effect often seen in ~3–7 days.
• Full effect in ~1–2 weeks.
• Duration: Typically 3–5 months, after which the muscle activity gradually returns and the gum exposure may increase again unless treated.
• Aftercare: You’ll be advised to avoid rubbing/massaging the area, avoid heavy lip movements or chewing activities for a short period, and follow any specific clinic rules (e.g., avoid lying down flat, avoid sauna or heavy exercise for 24-48 hrs if recommended).

  💰 Typical cost range in Seoul

• The cost varies depending on brand of toxin used, number of units, clinic reputation, and area treated.
• As an approximate guideline: sessions often range from about ₩100,000 to ₩300,000 KRW for gummy-smile Botox.
• Some sources show a starting price around ₩110,000 for basic brands up to ~₩400,000 or more for premium brands and clinics.
• Note: Because this is a relatively small muscle region, doses tend to be lower than large-area treatments, but the cost still depends heavily on brand and clinic.

  🧐 What to ask / check before treatment

• Which brand of neuromodulator will be used (imported vs domestic) and whether the clinic uses official, certified product.
• How many units (or injection sites) are planned for your smile—ask how they determined the dose.
• Practitioner’s experience with gummy-smile correction and upper-lip muscle anatomy.
• How natural the result will be: you’ll want your smile to still look expressive (not frozen) but with reduced gum exposure.
• What aftercare is required and what you should avoid (heavy lip movement, massages, etc.).
• How long the effect is expected to last for your individual case, and what maintenance plan they suggest (e.g., every 3-5 months).
• Total cost breakdown: consultation, injection, follow-up, any touch-up.
• Whether additional/complementary treatments are needed (e.g., fillers, lip-volume correction, gum contouring) if the gummy smile is caused by multiple factors (muscle + gum tissue + short lips).

  📋 Smart tips & aftercare

• After treatment: avoid pressing or rubbing the treated area for at least 24 hours.
• Minimise exaggerated lip movement (big smiles, pursing) for a day or two if recommended to let the toxin settle.
• Stay upright for a few hours as recommended (some clinics advise avoiding lying flat immediately).
• Keep good lip and oral hygiene; maintain lifestyle habits that support your aesthetic goals (sun protection, avoid smoking/chewing that strain the area).
• Understand that this is a temporary solution—if muscle overactivity is the major cause, Botox works well; if other causes (gum overgrowth, short upper lip, bone structure) exist, you may need further treatments.
• Keep records of exactly what brand, how many units, which area was treated for your future reference and maintenance.