Who performs Chronic Migraine Botox at Kind Global Clinic Myeongdong?
Chronic Migraine Botox at Kind Global Clinic Myeongdong is performed personally by 2 licensed Korean co-directors with 20 to 30 minute consultation and zero nurse delegation. Dr. Lee Wonjin (KR Medical License 143124, Daegu Catholic University College of Medicine, 2022) or Dr. Lee Kangin (KR Medical License 141247) personally conducts the consultation, personally reviews your headache diary against PREEMPT eligibility criteria, personally administers the full 31-site Allergan PREEMPT protocol, and personally reviews you at the included week-12 next-cycle visit. The PREEMPT site mapping is never delegated to an assistant. Brand (Allergan, required for the FDA-approved indication), lot number, exact unit count at each of the 31 sites, and the patient's headache-diary baseline are recorded on each patient's chart at the time of treatment. The patient may request either co-director when booking; if the preferred co-director is unavailable, concierge will offer the alternative or reschedule at no charge. There is no junior-doctor rotation and no third-party technician involvement at any stage of the PREEMPT protocol.
How long do Chronic Migraine Botox results last at Kind Global Clinic Myeongdong?
Chronic Migraine Botox effect peaks at week 4 to 8 and gradually declines through week 12, which is why the PREEMPT protocol uses a fixed 12-week dosing interval. Each cycle delivers benefit across approximately 12 weeks; the response builds across cycles 2 and 3 per PREEMPT pooled data (Headache 2010, DOI: 10.1111/j.1526-4610.2010.01678.x), and the 50 percent or greater headache-day reduction criterion is observed in approximately half of treated patients by week 24. Long-term open-label data across 108 weeks (Headache 2020, DOI: 10.1111/head.13796) show sustained reduction in headache days per month across 9 consecutive cycles. Some responders eventually space cycles to 14 to 16 weeks if response is strong and stable, but extending beyond 16 weeks risks rebound. For trapezius-driven tension headache without chronic migraine criteria see <a href="/trapezius-botox-myeongdong-seoul-korea/">Trapezius Botox</a>; for the cosmetic Body Botox cycle see <a href="/calf-botox-myeongdong-seoul-korea/">Calf Botox</a>.
How much does Chronic Migraine Botox cost in Myeongdong Seoul 2026?
Chronic Migraine Botox at Kind Global Clinic Myeongdong runs KRW 450,000 to 1,200,000 per cycle depending on first-time versus maintenance and follow-the-pain add. Standard event pricing: PREEMPT 155U cycle 1 first-time KRW 850,000 (approx. USD 607); cycle 2 maintenance KRW 750,000 (USD 536); PREEMPT 195U full follow-the-pain add KRW 1,100,000 (USD 786); two-cycle prepaid bundle KRW 1,500,000 (USD 1,071); annual four-cycle plan KRW 2,900,000 (USD 2,071). The KRW 450,000 entry-tier reflects partial protocol pricing only available where insurance or partial cycles apply — standard self-pay starts at the 155U full-protocol tier. Korea pricing for the Allergan FDA-approved PREEMPT indication runs 50 to 65 percent less than United States pricing (USD 1,400 to 2,200 per cycle equivalent at US neurology practices, before insurance) and 30 to 45 percent less than Japan. Same KRW price applies to international and Korean patients with no surcharge. Korean medical-aesthetic pricing transparency for FDA-approved indications is one driver of the 600,000+ medical tourists Korea attracted in 2023 per KHIDI data.
Chronic Migraine Botox vs Trapezius Botox — how do the protocols differ?
Both protocols use botulinum toxin type A but PREEMPT is a fixed FDA-approved 31-site 155 unit regimen for chronic migraine, while Trapezius Botox is a cosmetic and functional 3 to 5 site per side protocol for shoulder-line slimming and posture tension. <table><thead><tr><th>Criteria</th><th>PREEMPT Migraine</th><th>Trapezius Botox</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td>Indication</td><td>Chronic migraine ≥ 15 HA days per month</td><td>Cosmetic + posture tension</td></tr><tr><td>Total dose</td><td>155 units fixed (up to 195U with FTP)</td><td>80-200 units per side</td></tr><tr><td>Sites</td><td>31 sites across 7 muscle groups</td><td>3-5 sites per side trapezius only</td></tr><tr><td>FDA status</td><td>Approved chronic migraine 2010</td><td>Cosmetic / off-label muscular</td></tr><tr><td>Dosing interval</td><td>Every 12 weeks fixed</td><td>Every 4-6 months</td></tr><tr><td>Brand required</td><td>Allergan (FDA indication)</td><td>Allergan, Xeomin or domestic</td></tr></tbody></table> PREEMPT is well suited for patients meeting chronic migraine criteria after 2 or more oral preventive classes failed. <a href="/trapezius-botox-myeongdong-seoul-korea/">Trapezius Botox</a> is well suited for patients with visible upper trapezius hypertrophy and posture-stress tension headache who do not meet chronic migraine criteria. Note that PREEMPT actually includes trapezius coverage (30U bilateral) as part of the 31-site protocol; patients with chronic migraine plus dominant trapezius bulk are well served by PREEMPT without adding a separate Trapezius Botox cycle.
Chronic Migraine Botox vs CGRP monoclonal antibodies — which fits which patient?
Both are FDA-approved chronic migraine preventives but the mechanism, frequency and side effect profile differ. <table><thead><tr><th>Criteria</th><th>PREEMPT Botox</th><th>CGRP mAb</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td>FDA approval</td><td>Chronic migraine 2010</td><td>Migraine prevention 2018+</td></tr><tr><td>Mechanism</td><td>Toxin blocks NMJ at 31 sites</td><td>Anti-CGRP or anti-CGRP receptor</td></tr><tr><td>Frequency</td><td>Every 12 weeks</td><td>Monthly or quarterly subcutaneous</td></tr><tr><td>Onset</td><td>Cycle 2-3 (week 12-24)</td><td>1-3 months</td></tr><tr><td>Side effects</td><td>Local injection, neck stiffness</td><td>Constipation, injection site</td></tr><tr><td>Indication scope</td><td>Chronic migraine only</td><td>Episodic + chronic migraine</td></tr></tbody></table> PREEMPT Botox is well suited for patients with co-existing head and neck muscular tension, those who prefer quarterly visits, and those who have not responded to or tolerated CGRP agents. CGRP monoclonal antibodies are well suited for patients with episodic migraine who do not meet chronic migraine criteria, patients who prefer at-home monthly injection, and those with intolerance to local injection site reaction. Many patients use both in layered combination under their neurologist's direction. Co-director consultation reviews headache diary, prior preventive trials and current regimen to identify the right path for the next 12 weeks.
Chronic Migraine Botox vs oral preventives — when to consider PREEMPT?
Oral preventive medications (beta-blockers, anticonvulsants, antidepressants, oral CGRP-receptor antagonists) are first-line for both episodic and chronic migraine. PREEMPT Botox is generally considered after 2 or more oral classes have failed or not been tolerated. <table><thead><tr><th>Criteria</th><th>PREEMPT Botox</th><th>Oral Preventives</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td>Line of therapy</td><td>Second or third line</td><td>First line</td></tr><tr><td>Frequency</td><td>Every 12 weeks injection</td><td>Daily oral</td></tr><tr><td>Indication scope</td><td>Chronic migraine ≥ 15 HA days</td><td>Episodic + chronic migraine</td></tr><tr><td>Onset</td><td>Cycle 2-3 (week 12-24)</td><td>4-8 weeks</td></tr><tr><td>Cost cycle</td><td>KRW 750-1,100k per 12 weeks</td><td>Variable by agent</td></tr><tr><td>Side effects</td><td>Local injection, neck stiffness</td><td>Class-specific (sedation, weight)</td></tr></tbody></table> PREEMPT is well suited when daily oral preventive adherence is hard, when oral side effects are limiting, or when chronic migraine criteria are met with co-existing muscular tension. Oral preventives are well suited as first-line for both episodic and chronic migraine. Many patients combine PREEMPT with one tolerated oral preventive under neurology guidance. The <a href="/botox-myeongdong-seoul-korea/">Botox hub</a> covers all toxin indications at the clinic.
How painful is Chronic Migraine Botox at Kind Global?
Most patients rate PREEMPT Botox injection at 3 to 5 out of 10 across the full 31-site protocol — discomfort is distributed across many sites at low per-site volume (5 units each) rather than concentrated at one painful point. The injection uses a 30G needle at the standard PREEMPT depth (intramuscular at trapezius, cervical paraspinal, occipitalis, temporalis; subcutaneous-to-intramuscular at frontalis, corrugator, procerus). Topical lidocaine 4 percent is applied across forehead, temporalis and occipital regions for 15 to 20 minutes before injection; vibration anesthesia is offered to sensitive patients at no extra charge. Most patients describe the trapezius and cervical paraspinal sites as the most pressure-heavy and the frontalis and corrugator sites as the lightest. Patients who have tried <a href="/jaw-botox-myeongdong-seoul-korea/">Jaw Botox</a> or <a href="/trapezius-botox-myeongdong-seoul-korea/">Trapezius Botox</a> typically describe PREEMPT as similar discomfort distributed across more sites. Total injection contact time is 10 to 15 minutes.
What are the side effects and risks of Chronic Migraine Botox?
Chronic Migraine Botox at the PREEMPT 155 unit fixed protocol is documented as a low-risk preventive when administered by licensed physicians using Allergan Botox to match the FDA-approved indication. Common temporary effects from the PREEMPT trial data: neck pain or stiffness in 5 to 8 percent of patients (typically 3 to 7 days), tiny injection-site marks 1 to 2 hours, mild forehead or occipital soreness 12 to 48 hours, faint pinpoint bruise at 1 to 3 sites in 5 to 10 percent. Less common: eyelid ptosis from frontalis or corrugator under 1 percent (self-resolves over 2 to 4 weeks); transient mild neck weakness uncommon at the trapezius and cervical paraspinal dose. Serious adverse events were rare in PREEMPT and long-term COMPEL data (Headache 2020, DOI: 10.1111/head.13796) with no antibody-mediated treatment failure documented across 108 weeks. Contraindications include pregnancy, breastfeeding, active infection at any of the 31 sites, neuromuscular disorders (myasthenia gravis, Lambert-Eaton), known hypersensitivity to botulinum toxin type A or human albumin, and secondary headache disorders requiring neurology workup. The co-director reviews diary, prior trials and red-flag screen at the consultation before any toxin reconstitution.
Is the toxin brand at Kind Global Clinic original Allergan Botox?
Yes — Kind Global Clinic Myeongdong uses Allergan Botox exclusively for the Chronic Migraine PREEMPT protocol to match the FDA-approved chronic migraine indication. Allergan Botox carries the US FDA-approved chronic migraine indication granted in October 2010 based on the PREEMPT 1 and PREEMPT 2 phase 3 trials, and no other botulinum toxin brand has been approved for this specific indication. Brand substitution to Xeomin, Coretox or KFDA-cleared domestic is not performed for PREEMPT because the dose and site protocol are calibrated to Allergan onabotulinumtoxinA unit potency, and substitution would deviate from the FDA indication. We use only original, unopened, in-date Allergan vials for every PREEMPT injection. Each sealed vial has a unique lot number, manufacturing date and expiry date printed on the package. Kind Global records the brand, lot number, exact unit count at each of the 31 sites and expiry on your patient chart at the time of injection. On request before reconstitution, we will show you the unopened sealed Allergan vials so you can verify lot and brand. Reconstitution uses preservative-free saline within 4 hours per Allergan PREEMPT guidance.
How many sessions are needed and when do PREEMPT results appear?
Chronic Migraine Botox is administered as a fixed quarterly cycle (every 12 weeks). Cycle 1 sometimes shows early headache-day reduction by week 2 to 4, but most patients do not see meaningful response until cycle 2 or 3 (week 12 to 24) per PREEMPT pooled data (Headache 2010, DOI: 10.1111/j.1526-4610.2010.01678.x). The published response criterion of 50 percent or greater reduction in headache days per month is observed in approximately half of treated patients by week 24. The PREEMPT regimen recommends completing at least 2 to 3 cycles before judging whether the patient is a responder. Long-term COMPEL open-label data (Headache 2020, DOI: 10.1111/head.13796) show sustained response across 9 consecutive cycles in responders. Patients should maintain their headache diary throughout each cycle and continue all current oral preventive and abortive medications unless their prescribing neurologist directs otherwise.
Can I get Chronic Migraine Botox as a same-day procedure when visiting Seoul?
Yes — same-day Chronic Migraine PREEMPT Botox is available at Kind Global Clinic Myeongdong for international visitors who can submit a 4-week headache diary in advance via WhatsApp, LINE Official or WeChat for co-director pre-review. Plan 75 to 105 minutes in clinic: 20 to 30 minutes co-director consultation with diary review and PREEMPT eligibility confirmation, 15 to 20 minutes topical lidocaine across forehead, temporalis and occipital regions, 10 to 15 minutes 31-site PREEMPT injection, 10 to 15 minutes aftercare brief with next-cycle scheduling. Flying home the next day is fine — PREEMPT has no pressure-related contraindication and does not affect ear pressure or cabin altitude tolerance. We recommend avoiding head, neck or shoulder massage and sauna for 24 hours, and avoiding heavy upper-body exercise for 24 hours. Continue all current oral preventive and abortive migraine medications unless your prescribing neurologist directs otherwise. Many international patients combine PREEMPT with the cosmetic Body Botox cycle in the same trip — see the combination FAQ.
Do you have English-speaking staff and translators for Chronic Migraine consultation?
Yes — both Kind Global Clinic co-directors conduct Chronic Migraine PREEMPT consultations directly in Korean and English at our Myeongdong 6F location. For Japanese, Spanish, Simplified Chinese and Traditional Chinese, HEIM Global concierge provides professional medical interpretation at no additional fee — message via WhatsApp Business, LINE Official, WeChat Official or Telegram before your visit to schedule. Pre-treatment interpretation covers headache diary review (chronic migraine criteria), prior oral preventive medication trials, current oral preventive and abortive regimen, secondary headache red-flag screen, and PREEMPT site mapping. Post-treatment interpretation covers aftercare and the week-12 next-cycle plan. Written treatment summaries with brand, lot number, per-site unit counts at all 31 sites and aftercare instructions are provided in your language for sharing with your home neurologist. For Arabic, Vietnamese, Thai or Russian, contact us via email at info.kindglobal@gmail.com to request a contracted interpreter for your visit window. KHIDI 2025 Medical Tourism Survey notes language accessibility is a top-3 factor for international patients selecting Korean clinics.
Can I combine Chronic Migraine Botox with Trapezius, Calf or facial Botox in the same visit?
Same-visit PREEMPT Botox plus other indications is possible at Kind Global Clinic Myeongdong but constrained by the FDA single-session 400 unit total recommendation. PREEMPT alone uses 155 units (or 195 units with full follow-the-pain), leaving headroom for limited additional indications. <table><thead><tr><th>Criteria</th><th>PREEMPT Botox</th><th>Combined toxin plan</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td>PREEMPT base dose</td><td>155 units fixed</td><td>155 + add-on indication</td></tr><tr><td>PREEMPT + FTP</td><td>Up to 195 units</td><td>195 + smaller add-on only</td></tr><tr><td>Single-visit ceiling</td><td>400 units total recommended</td><td>400 units total recommended</td></tr><tr><td>Add-on candidates</td><td>Light facial Baby Botox (20U)</td><td>Light Jaw Botox (40U bilateral)</td></tr><tr><td>Not recommended same visit</td><td>Trapezius 200U bilateral</td><td>Calf 200U bilateral</td></tr></tbody></table> PREEMPT covers trapezius and cervical paraspinal coverage as part of the 31-site protocol, so additional <a href="/trapezius-botox-myeongdong-seoul-korea/">Trapezius Botox</a> is not typically needed at the same visit. <a href="/calf-botox-myeongdong-seoul-korea/">Calf Botox</a> at full 100U per calf bilateral plus PREEMPT 155U would exceed the 400 unit ceiling and is usually scheduled at a separate visit. Light facial additions such as <a href="/baby-botox-myeongdong-seoul-korea/">Baby Botox</a> or <a href="/jaw-botox-myeongdong-seoul-korea/">Jaw Botox</a> can fit within the ceiling. Your co-director plans the sequence based on PREEMPT priority and total unit budget.
Will Chronic Migraine Botox affect my expressions, eyebrows or facial appearance?
PREEMPT Botox uses low per-site doses (5 units each) at frontalis, corrugator and procerus that overlap with cosmetic upper-face indications, so some patients notice a mild cosmetic softening as a side effect of the protocol. The cosmetic effect is intentional in the PREEMPT design — the frontalis (20U total across 4 sites), corrugator (10U total across 2 sites) and procerus (5U at 1 site) are part of the FDA-approved injection map. Most patients describe a subtle reduction in frown lines and brow furrow rather than a frozen appearance, because the per-site dose is calibrated for the migraine indication rather than maximum cosmetic effect. Eyelid ptosis from frontalis or corrugator was under 1 percent in PREEMPT trial data and typically self-resolves over 2 to 4 weeks. Patients who want stronger or more targeted cosmetic upper-face effect can layer <a href="/baby-botox-myeongdong-seoul-korea/">Baby Botox</a> within the FDA single-session 400 unit ceiling. Patients who want minimal cosmetic change can discuss with the co-director whether to skip the frontalis-corrugator-procerus component, though this deviates from the FDA-approved 31-site protocol.
How do I prepare for my Chronic Migraine Botox appointment at Kind Global?
Before Chronic Migraine PREEMPT Botox: maintain a daily headache diary for at least 4 weeks pre-treatment recording headache days, migraine days, pain intensity, abortive medication use, and likely triggers. Bring records of your prior oral preventive medication trials (drug name, duration, response or reason for stopping) — target documentation of 2 or more classes tried. Avoid aspirin, ibuprofen, fish oil, vitamin E, ginkgo and alcohol for 48 hours pre-treatment to reduce minor bruising risk. Continue all current oral preventive and abortive migraine medications including the day of treatment unless your prescribing neurologist directs otherwise. Eat a normal meal — the procedure is not performed under sedation. Wear a loose top with wide neckline or button-front shirt for easy neck and shoulder access. Arrive at Kind Global Clinic Myeongdong 15 minutes early for paperwork; if you messaged us in advance via WhatsApp, LINE or WeChat with your headache diary, paperwork is pre-completed and PREEMPT eligibility is pre-reviewed. After Chronic Migraine Botox: no head, neck or shoulder massage 48 hours, no sauna or hot bath 24 hours, no heavy upper-body exercise 24 hours, no alcohol 24 hours, no lying flat 4 hours post-injection. Book your week-12 next-cycle appointment at the time of injection.