Botox injections to decrease shoulder muscle/create a more feminine neckline? (photos)

Question

Hi, I read online about a procedure available in Korea that involves injecting Botox into the trapezius muscles to shrink them, which creates a more slender looking neck and also relieves chronic neck/shoulder pain. I suffer from an extremely short neck and will do anything to make it seem longer, I also suffer from pain. PROBLEM: I can't seem to find an American doctor to do this. Where should I look? I'm desperate!

Jason Emer, MD · Answer

Botox to this muscle would help it relax, but wouldn't necessarily decrease its size. In my practice we do a combination of VASER and ThermiRF, sometimes even adding ultherapy and fraxel in order to rejuvenate the neck area, which would help its appearance.  Best, Dr. Emer.

Rupert Critchley, MD, MRCGP · Answer

I would avoid this as it is very much out of the remit of researched and safe injection zones. Botox can be used for larger muscle groups but for conditions such as cerebral palsy and increased muscle tone after strokes by neurology specialists.

Edwin Ishoo, MD · Answer

The reason why you see this in places like Korea but not in US is because we have medical liability and we will be sued as this is not an established treatment and will likely lead to shoulder and upper arm or back weakness and then you will want to sue the doctor for malpractice because he should have known better. No such problems for doctors in korea, Philippines or other countries where doctors can experiment on people without an approved IRB.

S. Randolph Waldman, MD · Answer

I personally believe it would require too much Neurotoxin to effectively reduce a muscle like the Trapezius.  Besides enormous expense every few months the amount of material required could potentially lead to a toxic level in the blood stream so I think other alternatives to give the appearance of a longer neck should be considered.

Botox injections to decrease shoulder muscle/create a more feminine neckline? (photos)

Answers (4)

Answer: Shoulder Muscles

Answer: Shoulder Muscles

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Botox injections to decrease shoulder muscle/create a more feminine neckline? (photos)

Answers (4)

Answer: Shoulder Muscles

Answer: Shoulder Muscles

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Recommended reading

Everything you need to know about Botox

Our mission is to create a world where every investment in modern beauty is Worth It.