Foot botox, the trend that has been rising since the end of confinement

The most popular aesthetic procedure in the world, far ahead of hyaluronic acid injections, botulinum toxin injections – the famous Botox – have been booming for several years, seducing for their ability to get rid of certain wrinkles, fine lines, and others. crow’s feet, and get smoother – or younger – looking skin, at least temporarily. Young and old no longer seem to swear by this world-famous method, to the point that the hashtag #botox generates some 4.5 billion views on TikTok, a social network yet popular with the younger generations.

The craze for botulinum toxin injections is such that questionable practices have emerged in recent months. A problem that many countries, including France and the United Kingdom, have tackled head-on, whether by raising public awareness or by tightening legislation. A double objective at stake: to protect the youngest consumers, and to put an end to the excesses linked to “fake injectors”, these unqualified people – and even less authorized – to practice said injections most often rife on social networks.

Fraudulent practices which have not, however, tainted the enthusiasm for this aesthetic medicine procedure, the uses of which are not limited to obtaining a more youthful face. Something that can be observed today with an increase in botulinum toxin injections in… the feet, according to dermatologists, the benefits of which would be intended to compensate for the inconveniences directly linked to the successive confinements induced by the Covid-19 pandemic .

Against plantar pain

Dizzying heels died just as the world went into lockdown, having flattened people for a (very) long time. Something that has increased after the health crisis with an unprecedented craze for flat and comfortable shoes. Still, some – and some – ended up resolving to reconnect with stilettos, and at the same time with the associated plantar pain that only worsened after two years in slippers.

This is where foot botox would come in, according to Dr. Ava Shamban, an American dermatologist, interviewed by Fashionista magazine, who tells us that foot botox has again aroused interest since the return to normal life. “As strange as it may seem, these two years of Covid have left their mark, making those of us who have faced the brutal return of high heels suffer all the more,” she explains. And to add: “The weight is distributed more evenly in flat shoes, [tandis que] all the pressure is pushed on the front of the foot in a shoe with a heel”, to explain the use of botox of the feet. Botox would relieve this type of pain, “in paralysis[ant] the muscles of the heel bone”, underlines Dr. Nichols, also a dermatologist. The other more obvious solution would also be to avoid high heels…

Note, however, that in the feet, botulinum toxin can also help fight against excessive perspiration, something also valid for the hands and armpits. And these are not the only uses of the very popular botox, also indicated – by a knowledgeable health professional – in the treatment of certain spasms and migraines. A study conducted by researchers at the University of California at San Diego even recently showed that it would be effective in reducing anxiety in certain subjects. Still, its most frequent use remains anchored in aesthetic medicine, always in the hope of erasing certain wrinkles.