Reputable non-surgical aesthetic medicine in Ho Chi Minh City: where to go, what it is, how safe it is, recovery time and cost

Reputable non-surgical aesthetic medicine starts with three things: a clinic licensed by the Department of Health, injections given by a doctor with a practising certificate, and products with a clear origin. In Ho Chi Minh City, BonBoz Clinic holds licences 11113/HCM-GPHĐ (Dermatology) and 10036/HCM-GPHĐ (Aesthetics), at 66–68 Võ Văn Tần, Xuân Hòa Ward (formerly part of District 3). The examining and injecting doctor is Dr. Bùi Thị Kim Kha (Level I Specialist), practising certificate 009784/ĐL-CCHN. This article explains what non-surgical aesthetic medicine is, how safe it is, how long recovery takes, how to choose where to have it done, and how costs are calculated.

In short: non-surgical aesthetic medicine involves no knife, but it is still a medical procedure, because drugs or materials are placed into your body. Safety depends on three things you can check before sitting in the chair: the facility's licence, who does the injecting, and what the product is. Most injections allow you to return to work right away or after a few days, but some warning signs mean you must see a doctor immediately, without waiting.

What is non-surgical aesthetic medicine?

Non-surgical aesthetic medicine, also called non-surgical cosmetic treatment, is a group of cosmetic interventions that need no skin incision, no general anaesthesia and usually no overnight stay. In aesthetic dermatology, this group includes injections (injections to soften dynamic wrinkles, dermal filler injections, hydrating injections, and injections that stimulate skin regeneration) and some procedures such as laser and chemical peel. Internationally, the injection group is usually called *injectable aesthetics* or *non-surgical aesthetic treatments*; Russian speakers call it *инъекционная косметология*, Spanish speakers *medicina estética no quirúrgica*, and Chinese speakers commonly say 微整形.

The name "non-surgical" can make people think this is as light as a spa visit. It is not. Botulinum toxin is a drug; filler, skin booster and recombinant collagen are products injected into the skin. For this reason, non-surgical aesthetic medicine must be carried out at a licensed medical examination and treatment facility, with a doctor recommending and performing the injection.

Non-surgical aesthetic medicine suits problems such as wrinkles caused by muscle movement, mild to moderate volume loss, or skin quality (dry, dull, less elastic skin). When the skin is very loose, the bone structure is lacking, or there is a lot of excess fat, injections only conceal the problem. A doctor who examines you carefully will be honest and suggest another direction, including surgery, rather than injecting just to complete a "course".

Common injections in non-surgical aesthetic medicine

Each type below has its own page on the BonBoz website. Here is only a summary so you know which one you are asking about, and then you can open the matching page to read in detail.

• HA filler (hyaluronic acid dermal filler): a gel that restores volume and shapes the cheeks, chin, lips and folds. A major advantage of HA is that it can be dissolved with the enzyme hyaluronidase when adjustment is needed. See HA dermal filler.
• Botox (botulinum toxin): a drug that relaxes muscles in a controlled way, used for dynamic wrinkles on the forehead, frown lines and crow's feet, or to slim the jaw muscle. It cannot restore volume and cannot erase deep wrinkles that remain when the face is at rest. See botulinum toxin.
• Mesotherapy (micro-point nutrient mesotherapy): a nutrient mixture is delivered into the superficial skin through many small points, and the effect builds up over multiple sessions. Before treatment, ask exactly which product you will be injected with. See micro-point nutrient mesotherapy.
• Skin booster (hydrating HA): thin HA with little cross-linking, injected into the dermis to make skin smoother and firmer; it does not make the face fuller like filler. See hydrating skin booster.
• Karisma Rh Collagen: according to information published by the manufacturer, the product is classed as a class III injectable medical device and described as a "bio-restitutive soft filler"; its ingredients include recombinant human type I collagen, high-molecular-weight HA and carboxymethylcellulose. This is a separate category and should not be treated as the same as a skin booster or a volumising filler. See Karisma Rh Collagen.
• Fat-dissolving injections: for small, localised fat areas; not a way to lose weight. How to choose where to have them and how many sessions are needed is covered in where to get reputable fat-dissolving injections in Ho Chi Minh City.

If you are not sure which type suits your concern, the article comparing 5 aesthetic injections places them side by side by goal. The best approach is still to have a doctor examine you first and then choose, because many people come asking for filler when what they need is a skin booster, or the other way around.

Is non-surgical aesthetic medicine safe?

It is safe when done at the right place, by the right person, with the right product; no injection carries zero risk. Risks can be divided into two levels.

Common and self-resolving: swelling, redness, bruising and mild pain at the injection site. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) notes that these reactions usually appear soon after injection and in many cases resolve within a few days to a few weeks.

Rare but serious: with dermal filler, the most feared event is the product entering a blood vessel; the skin supplied by that vessel may then lose its blood supply, and the eyes may even be affected. With botulinum toxin, the American Academy of Dermatology (AAD) warns that injecting products bought without needing a professional licence has caused prolonged muscle paralysis, Bell's palsy-type facial paralysis and permanent eye damage; injections outside a medical setting (spas, parties, beauty shops, at home) can be very dangerous.

When to postpone: pregnancy or breastfeeding; inflamed acne, infection or cold sores in the area to be injected; a previous allergy to product ingredients; for botox, a neuromuscular condition or taking medication that may interact. The doctor will ask about these at the consultation, but you should mention them first.

Most of what keeps risk low lies with the injector and the place: a firm grasp of the anatomy of each facial area, placing the product in the right layer in the right amount, using only products with paperwork, and having emergency medication, for example HA-dissolving medication, ready in the procedure room. In other words, the question "is it safe?" should become "is this place equipped to do it safely?"

You also contribute to safety: tell the doctor about allergies, chronic conditions, medications you take (especially blood thinners), previous injections and the type of product used, if you remember.

How long does recovery take after non-surgical aesthetic treatments?

Most aesthetic injections do not require you to take time off work. What matters is how long until the signs disappear (swelling, bruising, injection bumps) and how long until you see results. The table below shows common timelines according to the sources listed beside each; every person differs depending on the injection area, the amount injected and individual constitution.

For botox, the American Academy of Dermatology (AAD) says most people return to daily activities as soon as they leave the clinic and can even apply makeup; the effect lasts about 3–4 months, and longer in some people. For dermal filler, the FDA notes that local reactions usually appear soon after injection and in many cases resolve within a few days to a few weeks. The Karisma study above is a single-group study without a control group, so it is only for getting an idea, not a promise.

If you have an important event (a wedding, a photo shoot, a business trip), tell the doctor the exact date; it is usually best to have treatment at least two weeks beforehand so swelling goes down and there is time for a follow-up adjustment.

Signs that mean you must see a doctor immediately, without waiting for the follow-up visit:

• After dermal filler: unusual pain, skin near the injection turning white, grey or blue-purple, blurred vision or changes in vision; or signs of a stroke such as difficulty speaking, numbness or weakness in the face, arm or leg (FDA).
• After botox: difficulty breathing, difficulty swallowing, blurred vision, ptosis (drooping eyelid), or numbness or weakness in an area that was not injected (Cleveland Clinic).
• After any injection: swelling, warmth and redness that keep increasing, fever, discharge, or a rash with difficulty breathing.

What does a non-surgical aesthetic session at BonBoz look like?

According to the process the clinic publishes for its non-surgical aesthetic medicine service, a session has three parts:

1. 1Preparation: the doctor examines you, takes your history of allergies, medical conditions and current medication, and determines the appropriate indication before carrying out the procedure.
2. 2Procedure: the doctor performs it personally at the clinic, using products with a clear origin and paperwork, according to the plan discussed with you. You can ask to see the sealed product box before the injection.
3. 3Follow-up: a check-up appointment after the procedure to assess the result, with instructions on what to avoid in the early period.

Preparation is the part many people most want to skip, yet it is the most important. A careful consultation helps avoid two common mistakes: injecting with the right technique but the wrong product for the problem, and injecting when there is a reason to postpone.

Where to find reputable non-surgical aesthetic medicine: how to choose a clinic and doctor

"Reputable" is hard to measure, but the following six points can be asked about and checked. Apply the same six points to every place on your list, BonBoz included:

1. 1The facility's licence number: ask for the number, then look it up on the Ho Chi Minh City Department of Health website to see whether the specialties granted include dermatology or aesthetics, and whether the address printed there is the place where you are standing.
2. 2Who holds the needle: the full name and practising certificate number of the person who will actually inject you, not the face that appears in an advertising video.
3. 3The product box: sealed, opened in front of you, with the manufacturer's name, batch number and expiry date readable. Botulinum toxin in particular is a drug, so ask for the registration number or import documents so you can look them up.
4. 4Medication and a procedure for handling complications on site, including HA-dissolving medication if HA filler is injected.
5. 5A consultation before a quote is given, and a quote that states the product name and the amount used.
6. 6A follow-up schedule and a contact person in the first few days.

An evasive answer on point 1, 2, 3 or 4 is reason enough to stop. The article 5 criteria for safe botox and filler injections in Ho Chi Minh City explains each criterion; and if you want to compare several facilities by their published licences, see the cross-check table of licensed botox and filler injection facilities.

About the doctor: choose someone with a practising certificate and relevant specialty training, who personally examines and injects you, can explain why that product, amount and technique were chosen, and is willing to say "not yet". At BonBoz, Dr. Bùi Thị Kim Kha (Level I Specialist) completed Level I Specialist training in Dermatology at Pham Ngoc Thach University of Medicine, holds practising certificate 009784/ĐL-CCHN, is in charge of the dermatology and non-surgical aesthetic medicine services, and personally examines and injects.

In District 1, Phu Nhuan, Tan Binh, Go Vap: choose a place near home or a place that meets the requirements?

Many people search for "non-surgical aesthetic treatment in District 1", "in Phu Nhuan", "in Go Vap" or "in Tan Binh". The six checks above stay the same whichever district you live in; a shorter journey does not make up for a vague answer about the licence or the product.

What is worth considering about location is whether you can easily come back: for the follow-up visit, and to be seen right away if something unusual happens in the first few days. BonBoz Clinic is located at 66–68 Võ Văn Tần, Xuân Hòa Ward (formerly part of District 3).

How is the cost of non-surgical aesthetic medicine calculated?

The cost of non-surgical aesthetic medicine is calculated from four factors, and all four can only be settled after the doctor examines you, so this article does not state a single general figure:

• Type of product: HA filler, botulinum toxin, skin booster, mesotherapy and Karisma are priced differently; even within one type there are many product lines.
• Amount used: filler is priced by amount (ml); botox by area and dose; mesotherapy and skin booster by session or visit.
• Number of sessions: skin booster, mesotherapy and Karisma are usually done as a course of several sessions; filler and botox may need top-ups after the follow-up visit.
• Area and goal: adjusting one small area is very different from balancing several areas.

How each type is priced is explained on the page cost of filler, botox and mesotherapy. BonBoz has a price list displayed at the clinic; the specific figure for you is quoted by the doctor after the examination, before you decide to proceed. A price given by message when no one has looked at your face tells you nothing; compare places against the same set of safety criteria, not by who is cheapest.

Should foreigners have non-surgical aesthetic treatments in Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon)?

For foreigners searching for *injectable aesthetics in Saigon* or *non-surgical aesthetic treatments in Ho Chi Minh City*, the checks are the same as for Vietnamese people: ask for the clinic's licence number, the name and certificate of the doctor who will inject you, and then look at the label and batch number on the product box. Keep the product name, batch number and injection date so that the doctor in your home country knows exactly what you were injected with.

If you are only in Ho Chi Minh City for a short time, plan for recovery and a follow-up visit before you fly home; avoid injections right before departure. BonBoz's licence, doctor and address information in English is on the international patients page.

Non-surgical aesthetic medicine at BonBoz Clinic

BonBoz Clinic is a Dermatology and Aesthetic Specialty Clinic at 66–68 Võ Văn Tần, Xuân Hòa Ward (formerly part of District 3), Ho Chi Minh City, operating under licences 11113/HCM-GPHĐ (Dermatology) and 10036/HCM-GPHĐ (Aesthetics) issued by the Ho Chi Minh City Department of Health. Dr. Bùi Thị Kim Kha (Level I Specialist; practising certificate 009784/ĐL-CCHN) personally examines, injects and quotes the price after the examination.

BonBoz states that it uses genuine imported botulinum toxin (botox) from Korea, with labels and certificates; clients can check and open the box themselves before the injection; for fillers, it uses self-resorbing products: biodegradable HA (dissolvable with hyaluronidase) and CaHA when the doctor indicates it; no permanent fillers are used. The clinic keeps HA-dissolving medication on hand for use when needed.

Full information on the services, common concerns and questions to ask the doctor is on the page non-surgical aesthetic medicine at BonBoz.

Frequently asked questions

Where can I find reputable non-surgical aesthetic medicine in Ho Chi Minh City?

At a place licensed by the Department of Health for dermatology or aesthetics, where the doctor named on the practising certificate is the one who examines and injects you, the product is sealed with a batch number and expiry date, and complication medication is always ready in the room. BonBoz Clinic (66–68 Võ Văn Tần, Xuân Hòa Ward) holds licences 11113/HCM-GPHĐ and 10036/HCM-GPHĐ; whichever place you choose, check it against the same list.

What is non-surgical aesthetic medicine?

It is a group of cosmetic interventions without surgery: injections to soften dynamic wrinkles, dermal filler injections, hydrating injections, injections that stimulate skin regeneration, and some procedures such as laser and chemical peel. There is no knife, but it is still a medical procedure that needs a doctor to recommend and perform it.

Is non-surgical aesthetic treatment safe?

It is safe when done at the right place, by the right person, with the right product. Common reactions are swelling, redness and bruising, which resolve on their own; serious complications such as vascular occlusion are rare but real, so you need a doctor who understands the anatomy and has emergency medication ready.

How long does recovery take after non-surgical aesthetic treatments?

Botox and skin booster usually allow you to go back to work right away; botox starts to take effect within a few days; according to the manufacturer's prescribing information, results are assessed at week 4 after injection, and treatment should not be repeated more often than every 3 months. HA filler usually causes mild swelling and bruising for a few days. Skin booster injection bumps usually resolve on their own within about 1–2 weeks. If you have an important event, have treatment at least two weeks beforehand.

Which doctor should I choose for non-surgical aesthetic treatment?

Choose a doctor with a practising certificate and relevant specialty training, who personally examines and injects you, can explain the choice of product, and is willing to advise against treatment for now. At BonBoz, the examining and injecting doctor is Dr. Bùi Thị Kim Kha (Level I Specialist), who completed Level I Specialist training in Dermatology at Pham Ngoc Thach University of Medicine, practising certificate 009784/ĐL-CCHN.

How much does non-surgical aesthetic treatment cost?

It depends on the type of product, the amount used, the number of sessions and the treatment area, so it can only be settled after the examination. BonBoz has a price list displayed at the clinic; the doctor gives a specific quote after the examination, before you decide.

Is non-surgical aesthetic medicine in Ho Chi Minh City safe for foreigners?

The criteria are the same as for Vietnamese people: the facility's licence, a doctor with a practising certificate, and a product with a label and batch number. Keep the product name and batch number, plan the follow-up visit before your flight, and do not have injections right before departure.

References

• U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA): Dermal Fillers (Soft Tissue Fillers)
• American Academy of Dermatology (AAD): Botulinum toxin therapy: FAQs
• Cleveland Clinic: Botox (Botulinum Toxin): What It Is, Results & Side Effects
• Cleveland Clinic: Dermal Fillers
• Study of intradermal HA injection at Ramathibodi Hospital (Bangkok), Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology 2025: PMC12042064
• Di Rosa L. et al. *New Regenerative and Anti-Aging Medicine Approach Based on Single-Stranded Alpha-1 Collagen for Neo-Collagenesis Induction.* Biomedicines, 2024. PMC11048055
• BonBoz Clinic: service process for non-surgical aesthetic medicine and the profile of Dr. Bùi Thị Kim Kha (Level I Specialist)

*This article belongs to the Doctors Share section of BonBoz Clinic. The information in it helps you prepare questions before your consultation; the type of injection, the dose and whether to proceed are decided by the doctor after a direct examination.*

Content compiled by the BonBoz Clinic professional team.