Botox · Apgujeong, Seoul
Gummy Smile Botox in Apgujeong & Cheongdam, Gangnam, Seoul
Gently relaxes the muscles that lift the upper lip, so less gum shows when you smile or laugh.
Quick answer
Every Botox plan at Oaro Dermatology Clinic begins with a 1:1 examination by a board-certified dermatologist, so the toxin, dose and injection points are set for your muscles rather than a template. Meet our doctors or see all injectables.
At a glance
| Procedure time | About 5–10 minutes |
|---|---|
| Anaesthesia | Usually not needed; numbing cream or a cold pack on request |
| Results start | 2–5 days; full effect at about 2 weeks |
| Results last | About 3–4 months |
| Downtime | Minimal; normal activities the same day |
| Sessions | One; repeat every 3–4 months to maintain |
| Performed by | Board-certified dermatologist |
Visual guide
Your treatment on one page
This infographic sums up the treatment the way our dermatologists explain it in consultation: the muscle or gland being treated, how long it takes, when results start and how long they usually last, plus the three steps of your visit. Save it to your phone before you come in, or share it with someone planning the trip with you.
- Typical timings, downtime and number of sessions
- Who the treatment suits, in plain words
- Your visit: diagnosis, precise injections, review at 2–4 weeks
Oaro Dermatology Clinic · 8F Cheongdam Tower, 327 Dosan-daero, where Apgujeong meets Cheongdam in Gangnam, Seoul · 8 minutes on foot from Apgujeong Rodeo Station
Overview
What is gummy smile Botox?
A gummy smile is when a wide band of gum shows above the upper teeth as you smile. It has several possible causes: strong lip-lifting muscles, a short or very mobile upper lip, the position of the upper jaw, or gums that cover more of the teeth than usual. Botox can only help with the muscular part, which is why diagnosis comes first.
When the lip elevators are the main reason, a small amount of toxin placed beside the nose, where these muscles converge, reduces how far the lip is pulled up. In a full smile the upper lip sits slightly lower and less gum shows. The aim is a smile that still looks like yours, not one that looks held back.
How gummy smile Botox works at Oaro
At Oaro Dermatology Clinic, where Apgujeong meets Cheongdam in Gangnam, your smile is assessed by a board-certified dermatologist, Dr. Chang-hyun Kim or Dr. Ji-ho Park. They look at your lip at rest, in a gentle smile and in a full laugh, compare the gum showing on each side, and then decide on the dose. Many smiles are uneven to begin with, so the two sides may need different amounts.
If the cause is mainly skeletal or dental, you will be advised to see a dentist or orthodontist. For a thin upper lip that rolls inwards when you smile, a lip flip may be discussed, and a tip that dips as you smile can be treated with nose tip Botox.
Why patients choose Oaro for Botox
- Dose and injection points set by a board-certified dermatologist after examining your muscles
- Korean-made toxins such as Nabota and imported brands explained honestly, with units compared fairly
- Written aftercare and a review at 2–4 weeks, in person or by message
- Private 1:1 rooms in Cheongdam Tower, 8 minutes from Apgujeong Rodeo Station
- English-friendly coordination and clear, itemised pricing
Treatment goals
Common goals for gummy smile Botox
Less gum on show in a full smile
The most common goal is seeing less gum when laughing or smiling widely. Toxin reduces how high the lip lifts rather than hiding the gums completely, which tends to look natural.
A more even smile line
Some people show more gum on one side. Slightly different amounts on each side can help balance the smile, although exact symmetry cannot be promised because faces are naturally uneven.
Smiling more freely in photos
Some people hold back their smile or cover their mouth when they laugh. Softening the gum display can make a natural, open smile feel easier.
A trial before longer-term options
Because the effect is temporary, Botox lets you see how a reduced gum display feels before considering longer-term dental or surgical options with a specialist.
Your visit
What to expect
1. Consultation & diagnosis
Your dermatologist asks about dental work, orthodontics, previous Botox or lip filler, medicines and health conditions. Your smile is examined from the front and side, and photos may be taken for comparison. You will be told honestly whether the gum display is mainly muscular and suited to toxin, or whether a dental opinion would help more.
2. Treatment
After cleansing, usually one small point is marked on each side of the nose, near the groove between the nose and cheek. The injections take a minute or two with a very fine needle. You may feel a brief sting; a cold pack or numbing cream can be used if you prefer.
3. Aftercare & follow-up
You go home with written aftercare. The effect builds over the first days and peaks at about 2 weeks. A review at 2–4 weeks, at the clinic or by message with photos, lets your dermatologist check symmetry; a small top-up on one side is sometimes considered if the smile looks uneven.
Cost guide
Gummy Smile Botox cost in Seoul
Gummy smile treatment uses little toxin, so costs in Seoul are modest. The ranges below are typical of Seoul clinics, not fixed prices; the toxin brand and any other areas treated make the main difference. Units differ by brand and cannot be compared unit for unit. International patients receive an itemised quote in English.
| Option | Typical range (KRW) |
|---|---|
| Gummy smile, Korean-made toxin (e.g. Nabota) | ₩50,000–₩150,000 |
| Gummy smile, imported toxin | ₩100,000–₩250,000 |
| Gummy smile with mouth corners or chin, Korean-made toxin | ₩80,000–₩250,000 |
Exact pricing is confirmed at consultation after examination.
Aftercare
Aftercare
- Keep your head upright for about 4 hours and avoid lying face down for the rest of the day.
- Avoid pressing, rubbing or massaging the area beside your nose that day, including when you cleanse.
- Skip strenuous exercise, saunas and alcohol for 24 hours to reduce the chance of bruising and swelling.
- Postpone facials and face massage for about a week; a wrapped cold pack helps if a bruise appears.
- Contact the clinic if your upper lip feels heavy or stiff, or your smile still looks uneven at 2 weeks.
Medically reviewed by
Dr. Chang-hyun Kim, M.D.
Board-certified dermatologist and Representative Director of Oaro Dermatology Clinic, Cheongdam. Member of the Korean Dermatological Association, the Korean Filler Society, the Korean Society for Dermatologic Laser and the Korean Anti-Aging Society.
FAQ
Frequently asked questions
Will my smile look unnatural?
The dose is set to reduce the lift rather than stop it, so most people simply see less gum. The risks specific to this area are a smile that looks uneven, an upper lip that feels heavy or looks slightly longer, or a flatter smile if the effect is stronger than expected. These effects are temporary, and a cautious first dose helps limit them. Small bruises, mild swelling and a brief headache are also possible.
Can Botox help every gummy smile?
No. It works when overactive lip muscles are the main cause. When the upper jaw is long, the teeth look short or the gums cover much of the teeth, toxin may change little, and a dentist, periodontist or orthodontist is the right specialist. Your dermatologist will explain which applies to you.
Who should avoid gummy smile Botox?
Please postpone if you are pregnant or breastfeeding, have a cold sore, infection or broken skin near the mouth or nose, or are unwell. Toxin is not suitable if you have a neuromuscular disorder such as myasthenia gravis or an allergy to any toxin ingredient. Tell your dermatologist about all medicines, including blood thinners and aminoglycoside antibiotics.
How should I time treatment around a trip to Seoul?
Try to book in the first few days of your stay. There is no real downtime, so you can keep exploring Gangnam the same day, and flying afterwards is generally considered fine. Because the effect builds over about 2 weeks, plan a wedding or photoshoot at least 2 weeks after treatment. If you leave before your review, follow-up continues by message.
How often will I need repeat treatment?
Most people repeat about every 3–4 months. If you stop, the smile simply returns to how it was. Patients living in Seoul often book repeats at our Cheongdam clinic alongside other facial Botox.
Explore related care
Often considered together
- Lip Flip Treatment — for an upper lip that rolls inwards when smiling
- Mouth Corner Botox — softens downturned mouth corners
- Nose Tip Botox — for a nose tip that drops when you smile
- Injectable Treatments — an overview of toxin and filler options
- Korean Botox brands — what international patients should know
- Contact & Booking — book a consultation in Apgujeong, Seoul
Private 1:1 consultation
Plan your Botox with a board-certified dermatologist in Apgujeong
Tell us what you would like to change. We will examine the muscles involved, explain which toxin and dose suit you and give you a written plan with clear pricing. English-speaking coordinators help international patients visiting Cheongdam, Gangnam and the rest of Seoul.