6 Surprising Places You Can Get Botox

Botox, mainly used to smooth forehead wrinkles, frown lines, crow's feet and bunny lines, is becoming increasingly popular as an off-label treatment for ailments like sweating, spasms and migraines. We asked the professionals about the most unexpected places patients are getting injected. 

1) Armpits 

Dr Stafford Broumand, a board-certified plastic surgeon in NYC, says injecting Botox into the armpit is "a wonder treatment for eliminating baseline sweating in the area", whether it's for hyperhidrosis or excessive perspiring during exercise. "You'll sweat in other places, but normally not in your armpits [after treatment]," says Dr. Broumand, "It's a game changer." The results tend to last between three and five months.

2) Hands and feet 

Not just relegated to the armpits, hyperhidrosis can also manifest in the hands and feet. Injecting the palms, fingertips and soles works to block the chemical signals from the nerves that stimulate sweat glands. Be prepared, however, for a high price tag: Experts say between 50 to 100 units are needed for total elimination. 

3) Stomach 

"The use of Botox injections in the stomach for weight loss is nothing new," says Dr Matthew Schulman. But a recent study, showing that the toxin may help obese people lose weight by blocking a nerve that controls feelings of hunger, has sparked interest. The research group, however, was small. Though two thirds of participants lost up to 17 per cent of their bodyweight within the first year, one third did not. "I think that people will do anything to lose weight and weight loss is a multi-billion-dollar industry, so unfortunately there will be many physicians eager to start doing this. Botox injections are not 100 per cent safe in the stomach, where paralysis of the muscles and vagus nerve can lead to bloating, vomiting, digestive problems and breathing issues," says Dr Schulman. Like Botox injections in the facial area, the results are temporary and will require upkeep approximately every six months, but contrary to standard Botox procedures, stomach injections require sedation and the insertion of an endoscope in the mouth, down the oesophagus and into the stomach. 

4) Buttocks 

Dr Broumand, who performs this procedure, says it is necessary "for those who perspire in the groin, perineal area and buttocks. It works wonders to rid women of sweating in the pant-crease line."

5) Scalp 

Want to stop excessive moisture on the head and, as a bonus, extend the length of your blowout? Enter scalp Botox. According to Dr Dendy Engelman, typical patients require between 150 to 200 injections to cover the entire area, but Dr Broumand finds that "most patients are not asking for the whole scalp".

6) Neck 

Before getting a neck lift for the skin banding that occurs as we age, consider trying Botox first. Injecting the platysmal muscle, that runs down the length of the neck, can tighten and smooth the wrinkles and lines, but it is a pricey treatment that requires a very skilled doctor. 

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