BANISHING forehead lines and crows feet are arguable some of the most popular cosmetic ‘tweakments’.
And once-upon-a-time, wrinkle-reducing jab ‘Botox’ was reserved for just for smoothing the face.
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But now, Botox and other Botox-like treatments are increasingly being used on other parts of the body, as people try to keep up with evolving beauty trends.
The non-surgical treatment is made from botulinum toxin which smooths out fine lines by temporarily paralysing muscles.
And the less a muscle can move, the less likely it is that wrinkles will form.
But aesthetics doctor from The Bruxism Clinic, Baldeep Farmah, tells Sun Health that increasingly people are asking for the jabs in altogether different parts of the body.
The wrinkle-busting jabs have both an aesthetic and medical benefits, he explained.
They can smooth out wrinkles, shrink, lift and define, stop excessive sweating and prevent teeth grinding.
And some parts of the body people are getting injected might shock you – at least if you can still raise your eyebrows.
1. Calves
An increasing number of women are getting Botox injected into their legs to make them look shapelier and less muscly, Dr Baldeep says.
Taking part in sports can lead to defined calf muscles, which is what some people strive for.
Take, for instance, Man City and England ace Jack Grealish, whose shapely lower legs get fans hot under the collar.
But many people (especially women) desire smaller legs. Which is why numerous clinics around the UK now offering the leg thinning treatment.
The procedure allegedly slims legs down by “temporarily relaxing the muscle fibres, potentially reducing its size and the appearance of muscular calves,” Dr Baldeep explains.
The emerging trend began in Southeast Asia, where petite legs have been in vogue for sometime.
According to Dr Baldeep the procedure is “relatively safe” when performed by a skilled practitioner but carries risks like muscle weakness.
“The effects can last between three to six months, necessitating ongoing treatments for sustained results.” he adds.
2. Armpits
Botox can also be used to treat excess sweating, also called axillary hyperhidrosis.
“It works by blocking the nerves responsible for activating your sweat glands, significantly reducing sweat production,” Dr Baldeep explains.
“This treatment has gained traction in recent years due to its high effectiveness and being minimal invasive.”
Celebs like Katie Price and Chrissy Teigen are known fans of the procedure, although both stars are believed to have it for cosmetic reasons.
Dr Baldeep adds: “Common side effects include injection-site pain or mild bruising, but severe complications are rare.
“The results typically last from four to eight months, depending on the individual’s physiology and the units administered.”
3. Scrotum
Believe it or not, more men are opting to have ‘scrotox’, – yep, that’s Botox in the scrotum.
The procedure has both aesthetic and medical benefits, Dr Baldeep reveals.
In 2016, The Sun reported the number of men enquiring about the procedure had doubled compared to the year before.
According to Dr Baldeep, some get the jab to “reduce wrinkles and make the scrotum appear larger by relaxing the muscles, or for reducing sweating”.
While others claim it helps with premature ejaculation, he adds.
He warns the treatment is not as commonly performed as other procedures and that robust clinical evidence regarding its benefits and longevity is “limited”.
“Potential risks include pain, bruising, and loss of sensation and given the sensitivity of the area, seeking an experienced professional is crucial,” he adds.
4. Traps
Trap Botox is becoming increasing popular way to improve posture, Dr Baldeep tells Sun Health.
The muscle relaxant is injected into the trapezius, a large superficial back muscle that connects to the neck, which allegedly makes the shoulders drop.
The treatment, coined “TrapTox” on TikTok, is also got by those seeking a more slender shoulder appearance, Dr Baldeep says.
“By relaxing specific parts of this muscle, Botox can temporarily reduce its bulk.”
He says the main risks of the procedure involve weakness in the shoulders or neck.
It usually lasts between thee and six months.
“As this is a sophisticated procedure, the expertise of the injector is vital to minimise risks,” he adds.
5. Jaw
Botox jabs in the jaw are also growing in popularity.
The paralysing effect is widely used to prevent tooth grinding, called bruxism, and to slim the face.
“Bruxism not only wears down the teeth but can also cause jaw pain, headaches, and sleep disturbances,” Dr Baldeep says.
The treatment reduces the size of the masseter muscles, the large chewing muscles located either side of the jaw, below the ears.
Many people also get their jaws injected to make change the shape of their face.
“An enlarged masseter muscle can give the jaw a square or bulky appearance.
“Botox injections relax this muscle, softening the jawline contour and promoting a more oval or heart-shaped face, which many find desirable,” the adds.
The effects of jaw Botox are temporary, typically lasting between four to six months.
HAD OUR FILL
In 2020, The Sun launched the Had our Fill campaign, to call for greater regulation of cosmetic procedures.
We called on the Government to:
- Make fillers illegal for those under 18
- Create a UK register for members of the public to find reputable practitioners.
- Crack down on social media sites promoting the procedures
There have been huge victories; from October 2021, it became a criminal offence to give filler or Botox to someone under the age of 18.
And, companies will no longer be able to advertise products such as lip and face fillers to under-18s on social media.
It will soon be illegal to inject Brits with Botox and lip fillers without a licence under plans to stamp out dodgy providers.
But ministers rejected recommendations earlier this year to make fillers prescription only, like Botox.