Skin Botox, Dermatoxin, Dermotoxin. Because several similar-sounding names are in circulation, many people assume they refer to different procedures. This article explains how conventional Botox and Skin Botox differ, and what to check if you want a satisfying result from this treatment.
Conventional Botox and Skin Botox go to different depths
Both use botulinum toxin, but the layer the product is placed into is not the same. The Botox most people know is injected deep into the muscle layer, temporarily limiting muscle movement and gradually reducing its volume. It is used for expression lines on the forehead, glabella and around the eyes, or for well-developed muscles such as the masseter, calves and trapezius.
Skin Botox, on the other hand, places the same ingredient shallowly into the dermis. When acetylcholine release is reduced within the dermal layer, pores, fine lines, sebum production and skin texture tend to settle down, and as overall firmness improves you can expect a subtle lifted feeling.
Dermatoxin and Dermotoxin are simply other names for the same treatment
Dermatoxin (derma + toxin) and Dermotoxin (dermo + toxin) are coined terms that combine "derma/dermo", meaning skin, with "toxin". Only the names differ. All of them refer to Skin Botox placed shallowly in the dermis, so there is no need to be confused by the terminology.
Condition one: deciding whether the treatment suits your skin
Skin Botox is strongest at softening fine lines and creating a subtle sense of tautness. Put the other way around, if you have few fine lines or your skin is already firm, the change may be hard to perceive, and depending on your skin condition a skin booster or a glow injection may be the better fit. Rather than heading straight to the treatment room on a friend's recommendation, it is worth choosing a clinic where a doctor examines your skin first and tells you whether the treatment is appropriate. At Skinique Clinic, even when patients arrive on a recommendation, we make it a principle to say honestly whether the treatment is likely to help that particular skin.
Condition two: shallow, closely spaced, even injections
Technique also shapes the outcome to a large degree. The injections need to be evenly spaced and closely placed across the whole face, holding a consistently shallow dermal depth from beginning to end, so that the intended change is preserved while the chance of side effects such as unnatural expressions is kept low. It looks like a simple injection procedure from the outside, but because depth has to be adjusted while reading each person's differing skin thickness and wrinkle pattern, satisfaction can vary with the operator's experience.
Condition three: verifying the product and the dose
The product used and the amount injected form the basis of the result. Too much toxin, or too little, makes the expected change harder to achieve. Dilution ratios differ from clinic to clinic, so the treated area alone is not a fair basis for comparison. We suggest checking how many units are actually used. At Skinique Clinic we use 50 units for a full face, diluted at a consistent concentration, and we show you the product name, volume and expiry date for confirmation before the procedure begins.
How Skin Botox proceeds at Skinique Clinic
The first step is a consultation with the doctor. We decide together whether to proceed only after judging whether the treatment can realistically work on your skin.
Once treatment is agreed, numbing cream is applied. Many patients worry about discomfort because the injections cover the entire face, but the cream and a careful, unhurried technique help reduce the burden. How much discomfort you feel varies from person to person.
Next, the genuine product is prepared at the stated dose. A total of 50 units is divided across five syringes, and at this stage too we show you which product is being used and its expiry date, right in front of you.
Last comes the treatment itself. Watching skin thickness and wrinkle patterns, the injections are placed shallowly and broadly across the whole face at an even depth.
Detailed costs are available on the price guide.
Wrapping Up
Skin Botox (Dermatoxin, Dermotoxin) places toxin shallowly in the dermis to settle fine lines, pores and skin texture, and the result rests on three conditions: an accurate reading of your skin, injection technique, and the use of a genuine product at a proper dose. Responses do vary from person to person, so if you are wondering whether this treatment suits your skin, feel free to ask through a chat consultation about what suits your skin.
This article was written by Dr. Park Tae-hyung, Chief Director. He is the Chief Director of Skinique Clinic and serves as Senior Director of the Korean Society for Laser Dermatology and Trichology. First published September 19, 2023 - Last reviewed August 24, 2026
This text is general medical information. Skin condition and response to treatment can vary between individuals. Whether and how to treat should be decided through an in-person consultation.