Important Things to Consider to Safely Choose a Botox Salon or Clinic in Bangkok, Thailand

As a writer and long-time resident of Bangkok, Thailand, I often get emails asking for a recommendation of a safe beauty salon in Bangkok, for the purpose of getting Botox injections. Many westerners travel to Thailand every year and, on their list of things to do is get Botox. Botox injections in Bangkok are cheaper than in the west, they're perfectly safe if at a licensed salon or clinic, and the care given is exceptional. In fact, if you're one of those people coming to Bangkok in the hopes of getting Botox injections, I highly recommend it. Just make sure you follow these simple tips to help you safely choose the right salon or clinic.

Do Some Research Before You Get To Bangkok - I'm amazed at some tourists who arrive in Bangkok, pick the closest beauty salon and are having Botox injected into their faces two hours after they got off the plane. Before you leave for Thailand, to ensure you get treatment at a safe and licensed salon or clinic, do some research on the internet first. You'll find reviews, comments, information about licensing requirements in Thailand, as well as a variety of price options. Check each out carefully before making your decision.

The Cheapest Option Isn't Always The Best - With Botox injections at Bangkok salons and clinics around 6,000-8,000 baht on average, per treatment area (ie: for your forehead and frown lines would be one treatment, under eyes would be another), you're often better choosing the more expensive option. Even at 8,000 baht (currently $250), it's still cheaper than the west, and the treatment you receive will be exceptional.

At the 6,000 baht end, many of the clinics offering this price are using a cheaper Chinese-made product, that's not the licensed Botox product. I've been warned by my regular salon technician not to go to one of these clinics and, after a western friend did go and ended up with lopsided eyes for six months, I've followed her advice. Remember, it's your face (or body) you're having Botox injected into and, as it freezes the muscles, whatever the outcome is that's what you're stuck with for 3-6 months. That's why you need to make sure you're getting the real deal.

Get a Recommendation If Possible - Either get a recommendation from someone online, or from a friend who's already had Botox treatment in Bangkok. For instance, I always go to Apex Profound Beauty at the Emporium Mall branch, which was recommended to me by a Thai friend. Apex has been in operation for more than 15 years and is the salon of choice of Thai celebrities and the hi-so (high-society) of Bangkok.

While I end up paying around 8,500 baht ($265), so a little higher than other salons, their technicians are fully-licensed, a couple have received their training in the US, the treatment I receive there is personal and I always get perfect Botox injections. Apex has several branches throughout Bangkok, but don't take my word for it. Do your own research too before making your choice.

Get Your Botox Treatment at the Beginning of your Trip - If you decide to get Botox at a clinic in Bangkok, get the injections at the beginning of the trip. That way, if you have any problems, you can go back to the salon or clinic as soon as they begin, rather than having to deal with it when you get home. I've only once had a minor problem and it was only that I needed a little more Botox injecting on one side of my forehead. I popped back to the salon, the technician fixed it in 10 minutes for free, and I was off on my merry way again.

Getting Botox in Bangkok is safe, cheap and well worth doing. I've honestly never heard of anyone who's become sick from Botox while in Bangkok or had anything too tragic happen. Just the one friend with the lopsided eyes and another one who ended up paying twice, as the first clinic's Botox (the cheap Chinese version) simply didn't work. Make sure you do your homework, go to a clinic or salon that's licensed, and you should be extremely happy with your Botox treatment in Bangkok.

Sources:

Apex Profound Beauty (for Botox treatment) - My recommendation, but do your research yourself before choosing.