Calf reduction with Botox (botulinum toxin)
Can calf reduction be achieved with Botox ® (botulinum toxin)?
We should also mention the Botox ® (Botulinum toxin A) calf reduction method (8). Botox is a neurotoxin which causes myoparesis (slight muscular paralysis). Botulinum toxin is currently a standard treatment for mimetic wrinkles. It also has other uses, however – including calf reduction. Botox ® is injected into the muscle using numerous small punctures (10 to 15 per side). The procedure does not require anesthetic.
However, if your calf is mainly fatty than muscular then a calf liposuction could be a good way of treatment. If there is no fat located on the calves but muscle then a calf reduction surgery by total gastrocnemius resection in severe cases of calf hypertrophy or selective neurectomy (denervation) in light cases could be the right way of treatment. Another treatment ist muscle reduction with radio frequency, which is less predictable.
Advantages of treatment with botulinum toxin:
- Barely invasive, does not cause scars.
- The treatment is simple to carry out and requires no surgical skill.
- There is no recovery period required.
- If you do not like the results, the muscle returns to normal within 3-6 months.
Disadvantages:
- Minimal reduction of calf size after repeated treatment.
- Lasts only 3-6 months.
- A costly method, long term. The procedure has to be repeated once every 3 to 6 months, and the required dose is high due to the size of the muscle.