How does the shoulder slimming process work?

Do you have bulky shoulders? Are you looking for a more slender neckline? Or a more contoured, slimmer shoulder silhouette? If so, shoulder slimming Botox is a safe and effective option that can be used to improve the appearance of your shoulders.   

Botox is an FDA-approved medical treatment that uses a special type of neurotoxin to relax and reduce muscular contraction. On the face, Botox can help to improve wrinkles such as forehead lines, frown lines and crows feet wrinkles.

Relaxation of the muscle using Botox also leads to the reduction of muscle size through a process known as disuse atrophy. Simply put, the more the muscle is used, the larger the muscle grows. When there is less usage of the muscle, the muscle will gradually shrink in size, thereby giving a slimming effect. 

One popular example is Jaw Slimming Botox whereby Botox is used to shrink the masseter (jaw) muscle to give a slimmer, V shaped face. 

For shoulder slimming, botox is injected into a muscle known as the trapezius. It is a large diamond shaped muscle that runs along the neck, shoulders, and upper back and is involved in neck and shoulder movement.

Who can get this treatment?

Botox is generally a safe and effective treatment. However, people who are pregnant or breastfeeding should not receive Botox injections. Additionally, those who have certain medical conditions should not get Botox treatments because they may be at an increased risk for side effects.

For those reasons, it's important to speak with your doctor before you make any decisions about getting Botox treatments. 

How long do results last for?

Shoulder slimming botox will last on average between 4 to 6 months, depending on the amount of botox injected as well as muscular activity.

For example, athletic individuals who exercise and frequently use the trapezius muscle (rock climbing for example) may find that botox results are not as long lasting.

Does it hurt?

Shoulder Botox injections are well tolerated and would only feel like small ant bites / pricks. An icepack will be applied to the area before each injection to reduce discomfort as well as swelling and bruising.

What side effects are there? 

Shoulder slimming botox is safe when injected by an experienced injector. Done correctly, it has minimal to no side effects.

Possible side effects include swelling and bruising in the area of injection which disappears after 5 to 7 days.

Weakness of neck and shoulder movement is rare and usually is a result of injecting too much botox.

How much botox is needed?

Depending on the size and shape of the trapezius muscle, Dr Edwin may inject between 50 to 60 units of botox for each shoulder in 5 to 6 injection points.

Larger, more hypertrophied muscles may require more botox or injection points.