Last fact-checked: 12 November 2020

Aside from the unavoidable onset of age, a number of factors can make you look older than you really are: sunbathing, smoking, lifestyle, alcohol, late nights, illness and hereditary traits. Botox® can be a saviour in the fight against time; helping to soften those frown lines, wrinkles, crow’s feet and laughter lines.

The tropical paradise of Phuket is fast becoming a top destination for medical tourists seeking top-class, affordable treatment. It also offers the opportunity to spend your initial recovery time on the beautiful, mountainous island of Phuket; situated in the clear waters of the Andaman Sea, fringed by the most beautiful beach resorts and limestone cliffs. Inland; discover the rainforests, tuk-tuks, temples, funky shops, excellent restaurants and friendly locals. 

Over the past few years, Thailand has gained a reputation as a fantastic medical-vacation destination. The majority of the doctors and surgeons are trained in the US, Japan or Europe and keep up to speed on procedures, technology and treatments by attending global seminars to keep them on the cutting edge of any advances. Clinics are modern meeting international standards on hygiene and safety.

So, are the costs of cosmetic treatments here so low compared to other developed countries? It’s not because the treatment is inferior, the clinics are run down or the doctors and medical staff are untrained, it’s simply because of the low cost of living. Infrastructure, rent, salaries and the cost of living are so much lower and the medical tourism industry so vast that the savings are passed on to you. In return, you will spread the word and keep the wheels of the medical tourism industry turning.

Botox is a drug medically used to temporarily paralyze muscles in order to treat certain muscular disorders or to cosmetically smooth wrinkles and fine lines to improve appearance. Just one, quick-fix, lunch-hour visit to the local clinic and between 72 hours and one week later, people will be asking you what you did differently because suddenly, you appear to have reversed the sands of time.

You need to be make-up free for this procedure so if you’re wearing any, you will be asked to remove it before the procedure starts. You will then be asked to make all kinds of facial expressions so the main character lines can be marked on your face. These are the ones that generally receive the most attention.

The finest needles are used, so other than a bit of redness for a couple of hours following the procedure or perhaps in some extremely delicate cases, minor bruising, there is no sign of anything having happened. From walking in the door and back out again will only take around 15 or 20 minutes.

Side effects are incredibly rare and due to the nature of the treatment, temporary. You may have a dull headache for a few hours and the worst that can happen is the ‘frozen’ appearance of some of the movie stars and celebs - which is usually a case of too much Botox. A professional surgeon will know how much is too much and advise against this. 

Apart from the possibility of a bit of redness, minor swelling or slight bruising, there is no recovery time necessary and return to everyday activities can be immediate. You may be advised not to rub or massage the treated area or bend over for the first 24 hours and it’s a good idea to try to sleep upright for the first night or so.

It’s advised that if you do have Botox on your medical vacation, to have it done at the start of your stay because your doctor will want to check the results and add more if necessary.

The average cost of a Botox in Phuket is around half the price than it is in Australia, for example.

As Botox is charged per unit, your savings will all depend on how much you are having. In most cases, patients can save a hundred or so dollars, so it's obviously not worth your while flying all the way to Phuket just for Botox. However, if you are in Thailand anyway on holiday and have already considered Botox - or you are traveling for more extensive cosmetic or dental work, undergoing a course could well make financial sense. 

Get started by checking out these top clinics in Phuket for Botox:

• Dermaplus Phuket
• Healthy Skin Clinic
• Innova Clinic

Find a quality-checked surgeon via our Phuket listings page here.

Ready to book right now? See below for easy ways to get an appointment or contact our Customer Care Team if you’d like to find out more about Botox in Phuket, Thailand.

Sources:

Phuket. Lonely Planet. Website accessed: 12 November 2019. 
https://www.lonelyplanet.com/thailand/phuket-province

Cosmetic Uses for Botox. WebMD. 12 March 2019.
https://www.webmd.com/beauty/botox-cosmetic

Botox Injections. Mayo Clinic. 13 February 2019. 
https://www.mayoclinic.org/tests-procedures/botox/about/pac-20384658