Why are people getting Botox in their feet?

Feet are the latest frontier for Botox.

These days, what can’t Botox do? Since it sprung onto the cosmetics scene in the late ’80s, users have become all too keen to inject it into themselves whenever and wherever they are allowed. Lately, Botox has breached a new frontier – feet.

No, it’s not about having perfectly plump, wrinkle-free toes (although if that’s your beauty standard, we won’t judge). Instead of improving aesthetics, foot botox helps to alleviate pain associated with injury, long days of standing, and most importantly, wearing uncomfortable shoes.

Looking for more thought-provoking reads? Try our Life section.

Remember those ankle-breaking YSL stilettos that always end up in your handbag at the end of the night? Well, with a few well-placed shots, there’s a chance you’ll be able to add them back to the roster. 

“The treatment is for anyone who wears high heels regularly and gets significant pain in their feel while wearing them,” Dr Stephen Humble, Aesthetic Medicine Consultant at Hedox Clinic told The Independent. The unlikely procedure has been gaining popularity and some believe it’s related to the post-COVID-19 rise in the popularity of sky-high heels.

What is foot Botox?

Although the botulinum toxin gained most of its fame and fortune in the cosmetics industry, it’s actually been used in medicine long before it was approved to help get rid of fine lines. It was first introduced as a way to help treat muscle spasms and correct crossed eyes.

It may sound a little sinister, but Botox works by blocking the chemical signals sent by nerves that cause our muscles to spasm. When injected, the muscle is, for lack of a better word, frozen. 

While this works well to help the face appear more relaxed, it’s also useful for preventing pain – nerves are unable to recognise that they are even hurting. As an added bonus, Botox can also help prevent excessive sweating, meaning no more slipping and sliding out of those leather sandals. 

Botox is typically injected into the heel muscles, which bear the brunt of the pain associated with tall shoes. Sometimes, a syringe or so of filler can be added as well to add some extra cushioning to the bottom of the foot in a process endearingly titled a ‘Loub job’ (named after famously uncomfy Christian Louboutin shoes). Botox can also be used to treat calluses and bunions by preventing them from getting worse. 

But it’s not all good news. As with any procedure, there are potential negative side effects including pain and bruising during the procedure and slight loss of balance and sensitivity after. 

Why is it trending?

Foot Botox has been on the upswing since the end of the COVID-19 pandemic. As reported by the fashion publication Glossy, sales of high heels dropped by 71 per cent in the second quarter of 2020 – an astronomical amount that had trend forecasters wondering if they would ever come back. 

But it’s safe to say they have. While I doubt any of us were parading around our home offices in pointy pumps( that would simply be masochistic), now we’re allowed outside again, we’ve been hitting the shoe stores with a vengeance. New designs, including Versace’s viral Autumn/Winter ’21 platforms, Dior’s logo ribbon tape slingbacks and those unforgettable Heaven by Marc Jacobs Kiki boots have shown that designers are still betting on heels as well. 

This could also have something to do with what’s known as the ‘heel index’. There’s been a longstanding historical correlation between periods of economic turbulence and the heights of our heels. It seems that as our economic circumstances decline, we opt for more teetering, towering footwear.

This was observed during the Great Depression, the 1970s oil crisis, the 1990s internet boom and the 2008 financial crisis (those hoof-like heel-less heels are forever burned into my memory). As inflation soars, threats of a recession loom and finding a place to live has become trickier than ever, we’re certainly in a moment of instability right now. 

There are a few theories as to why we tend to gravitate toward more dramatic footwear during times of chaos. Some feel that we turn to extravagant fashion as an escape from our dire circumstances, while others think women opt for an extra boost of height in an attempt to gain more power in the workplace.

The pandemic left us with not only financial uncertainty but also an increase in foot pain. Podiatrists have noticed a significant spike since the pandemic, which could be related to the rise in the popularity of high heels. With both high heels and foot pain on the rise, it makes sense why those with the cash are turning to foot Botox.

For more on foot Botox, head here.