The days when lasers, peels, and injectables were used only on the face are long over; noninvasive treatments are routinely performed all over the body. But there’s one area that’s remained mostly untouched until recently: the feet. The podiatry field is getting a little more sexy though, thanks to the advent of more and more cosmetic offerings that focus on making the feet not only feel better but also look better. These are the four cosmetic procedures in high demand, say top podiatrists.<\/p>
“The biggest thing we’re doing right now is treating patients who have pain in the ball of their foot with injectable fillers<\/a>,” says podiatrist Dr. Brad Schaeffer<\/a>, owner of Sole Podiatry in New York City. It’s a common concern not only for those who are on their feet all day (nurses, doctors, chefs) but also for older patients. The fat pad that covers the bones in this area thins and breaks down with age, causing lots of pain when walking or standing. “Injectable fillers are a game changer. You feel like you’re walking on clouds,” says Dr. Schaeffer. <\/p> Dr. Timothy Oldani<\/a>, a podiatrist in St. Louis, agrees, noting that they’re a great alternative to previous options, which were limited to surgery and\/or having to wear bulky inserts. Plus injecting filler into the fat pads can help alleviate corns and other unsightly issues that may crop up between the toes, he adds. He uses hyaluronic acid fillers, which typically need to be injected once or twice per year (at a cost of several thousand dollars each time). Dr. Schaeffer prefers Leneva<\/a>, an injectable that delivers an extracellular matrix for new fat to grow into. It costs $1,000 to $1,500 per foot, and the results last up to a year and a half. <\/p> Botox<\/a> is frequently used to treat hyperhidrosis in areas such as the underarms, scalp, and hands, and the feet are no different. There, the injections help with sweating as well as foot odor, another common complaint among patients, particularly in the summer, says Dr. Schaeffer. “This is an easier treatment for patients, in the long term, because they don’t need to worry about applying topical medications daily and the results do last longer,” adds Dr. Oldani. Results last six months to a year, though Botox for feet can get expensive quickly, given that you do need a good number of units per foot, points out Dr. Schaeffer. <\/p>Foot Botox for excessive sweating & odor<\/h2>