Is there anything Botox can’t do? It’s FDA-approved to smooth wrinkles and lines, stop excessive underarm sweating and prevent migraines. And its off-label uses are plentiful, too. Chances are, you’ve caught a viral TikTok video or two singing the praises of “TrapTox” or “Barbie Botox”. The buzzy treatment involves injecting Botox, Xeomin or any neurotoxin into the trapezius (trap) muscles to create a longer, leaner neck and better-defined shoulders.
Injecting these large muscles (the muscle group runs from the base of the neck across the shoulders and down the upper part of the back) with Botox helps them to relax and, in turn, improve posture, neck and shoulder stiffness, and pain, and create more of a contoured and elongated neck. Ahead, two dermatologists break down everything you need to know about TrapTox.
What Is Trapezius Botox?
Even though trapezius Botox may be trending, Botox has been used for years to relax overused muscles. The trapezius muscles, essential for daily movement, stabilize the neck and shoulders for good posture. But they can become inflamed and enlarged from certain weightlifting exercises, reaching overhead, poor sleeping positions and posture, and sitting hunched over. Treating the trap muscles with Botox can create a longer-looking neck if it is overworked and looks shortened.
Treating the trapezius muscles with Botox also relieves muscle contractions and shrinks the muscle. Using Botox on the traps has proven effective for unforgiving muscle knots and chronic migraines, well!
The Benefits of Trapezius Botox
- Relaxes the trapezius muscles
- Reduces pain and stiffness
- Alleviates excessive muscle contraction
- Makes the neck and shoulder look elongated and lean
Pain relief from the partial relaxation of overused muscles is the most significant benefit of the treatment. Many people hold tension in the trapezius muscles, which causes shoulder pain and stiffness. Injecting the large trapezius muscle group with Botox, or any other neuromodulator, releases tension in the area and recurring tension headaches and tech neck.
From an aesthetic standpoint, TrapTox can create an elongated neck and leaner-looking shoulders. Botox relaxes and partially inactivates the injected muscles, causing them to lose size and volume. Injecting the trap muscles with Botox can also alleviate excessive muscle contraction, releasing them so that the front and back of the upper body are more balanced to improve posture. Botox has been clinically proven with a statistically significant difference in thicknesses to reduce trapezius hypertrophy.
Does Trapezius Botox Hurt?
Injecting Botox into the trap muscles hurts no more than injecting Botox into the face or elsewhere on the body. There will be a slight pricking sensation with each injection as the needle pierces the skin. But other than that, there’s little discomfort or pain during the treatment or afterward. Your dermatologist can apply topical numbing cream before the injections to make the treatment more comfortable.
How to Prepare for Trapezius Botox
Prep work for trapezius Botox follows the same protocol as any other Botox or Xeomin treatment. While there’s no major prepping, there are a few do’s and don’ts to follow in the days leading up to the injections to make the treatment more effective. For starters, try and relax the muscles as much as possible to reduce stress and tension in the area. Avoid exercising for at least two hours before TrapTox and refrain from workouts for the rest of the day.
What to Expect
Even though different types of neuromodulators are available at your dermatologist’s office, including Botox, Dysport, Jeuveau, Xeomin, and Daxiffy, one specific brand doesn’t necessarily work better for treating the trapezius muscles than another, so stick with the one you feel most comfortable with.
Trapezius Botox is a quick and easy procedure that takes 10 to 20 minutes. On average, 50 units of Botox are injected into the left and right trapezius muscles, but some people need more depending on their muscles’ size. Every person should be evaluated on a case-by-case basis to ensure they have a curated treatment approach.
First, your practitioner will mark the areas to inject along the shoulder. Then, they will quickly inject the Botox into each area. The nice thing about TrapTox is that there’s no downtime, but the results take time to develop. They can usually be seen two to three days after the injections and kick in over two weeks. Once the Botox starts to weaken the muscle, you’ll feel less tightness and pain in the shoulders, neck, and back and have a greater range of motion. On average, the results last four months, although some may notice the effects lasting an extra month or so.
Potential Side Effects
Trapezius Botox is a relatively uncomplicated treatment, and the potential side effects are rare yet the same as what you could experience with Botox injections for wrinkles and lines. Post-injection, redness and mild swelling and bruising are common.
The Final Takeaway
We are seeing an uptick in patients requesting trapezius Botox, and for a good reason: it helps reduce tension-related pain while creating a more contoured look around your neck and shoulders. Like Botox injections for the face, the results of TrapTox take a few days to a few weeks to fully take hold, but they don’t last forever. If you want to ensure the effects hold up, you’ll need to visit your dermatologist about two to three times annually. Sempre Day & Medical Spa is ready to help you determine if “Trap Tox” is right for you. Call us with any questions and Book a Free Consult online today!