Botox & Dermal Fillers Abroad: Non-Surgical Treatments at Half the Cost

Why Get Botox & Fillers Abroad?

Botox and dermal fillers are the world's most popular non-surgical cosmetic treatments, with over 15 million procedures performed globally each year. In the US, a comprehensive treatment session — Botox for the forehead, frown lines, and crow's feet, plus filler for the cheeks and lips — can easily cost $3,000-$5,000. For patients who maintain their results with regular sessions, the annual cost becomes substantial.

Getting injectables abroad makes particular sense for patients who are already traveling for surgical procedures — at institutions like Koç University Hospital in Istanbul — and want to add non-surgical enhancements, patients who need large-volume filler treatments (such as a full-face liquid facelift), or frequent travelers who can incorporate treatments into their trips. The products used — Allergan Botox, Juvederm, Restylane — are identical worldwide.

Cost Comparison by Country

Injectable pricing varies significantly by region, but the products themselves are globally standardized. The cost differences are driven by practitioner fees, clinic overhead, and local market dynamics — not product quality. Below are verified prices for genuine Allergan and Galderma products.

Botox & Filler Cost Comparison 2025

Botox prices are per treatment area (e.g., forehead, crow's feet). Filler prices are per syringe (typically 1ml). Full-face treatments require multiple areas/syringes. All prices use genuine Allergan/Galderma products.

The savings are most dramatic for patients needing multiple syringes of filler. A liquid facelift using 6-8 syringes of Juvederm Voluma, Volbella, and Volift might cost $6,000-$10,000 in the US. The same treatment at top clinics like Liv Hospital Istanbul or leading providers in Colombia could be $2,000-$3,500 — a difference that makes regular maintenance much more affordable.

Types of Injectable Treatments

• Botox/Dysport: Neuromodulators that relax muscles to smooth wrinkles. Used for forehead lines, frown lines, crow's feet, and bunny lines. Results last 3-4 months.
• Hyaluronic acid fillers (Juvederm, Restylane): Volumize and contour cheeks, lips, jawline, and under-eye areas. Results last 6-18 months depending on the product.
• Lip augmentation: Uses HA fillers to add volume, define the lip border, and correct asymmetry. One of the most popular injectable treatments worldwide.
• Non-surgical rhinoplasty: Uses fillers to reshape the nose without surgery — smoothing bumps, lifting the tip, or improving symmetry. Results last 12-18 months.
• Liquid facelift: Comprehensive combination of Botox and fillers to lift, volumize, and rejuvenate the entire face without surgery. Multiple products used strategically.
• Profhilo/Polynucleotides: Bio-remodeling treatments that improve skin quality, hydration, and elasticity from within. Growing in popularity as a complement to fillers.

Best Destinations for Injectables

South Korea leads the world in non-surgical aesthetics innovation. Korean injectors are known for their precise technique and understanding of facial proportions. Seoul clinics offer combination treatment packages that address the entire face in a single session, and new technologies like skin boosters and polynucleotide treatments are available here before they reach Western markets.

Turkey has a thriving injectable market with highly competitive pricing. Many patients combine injectable treatments with surgical procedures at facilities like American Hospital Istanbul — having Botox and fillers done during the same trip as a rhinoplasty or eyelid surgery. Istanbul dermatologists and aesthetic practitioners are well-trained in the latest injection techniques, including the MD Codes system for structured filler placement.

I get my Botox and fillers done in Seoul every year when I visit family. A full-face treatment that costs $4,500 at my dermatologist in San Francisco is $1,600 in Gangnam — using the exact same Allergan products. The Korean injectors are incredibly skilled and precise.

Sarah K., treated in South Korea

What to Expect: Treatment Day

Injectable treatments are quick, typically taking 15-45 minutes depending on the number of areas treated. Botox involves tiny injections with a very fine needle — most patients describe it as a quick pinch. Dermal filler injections may use a needle or a blunt-tipped cannula (which reduces bruising risk). Topical numbing cream is applied before treatment, and most fillers contain lidocaine for comfort.

Risks & Safety Considerations

Injectable treatments are generally very safe but not risk-free. Common side effects include temporary bruising, swelling, and redness. Rare but serious complications include vascular occlusion (filler blocking a blood vessel), which can cause skin necrosis or vision problems. This risk underscores the importance of choosing a medically qualified injector who understands facial anatomy deeply.

Ensure your practitioner is a licensed medical professional (doctor, dermatologist, or nurse practitioner) with specific injectable training and certification. Ask about their emergency protocols for vascular occlusion, including whether they stock hyaluronidase (the enzyme that dissolves HA fillers in an emergency).

Frequently Asked Questions