Trapezius Botox at Sinnonhyeon Dermatology: How Your Shoulder Line Changes

Does your neck look short and your shoulders look unusually raised? Have you ever hesitated each time you pick out clothes?

When your shoulder line looks sturdier than expected in photos, it can be discouraging. Many people have felt upset about it.

Even when you wear a knit or a shirt, the fit just doesn't look right, and you may find yourself constantly hunching your shoulders.

Hello, this is Dojagi Clinic at Sinnonhyeon Dermatology.

If you opened this article because you're curious about trapezius Botox, here's a step-by-step summary of what you should know before treatment.

The first thing we tell patients during a consultation is that we need to check why their shoulders look raised.

If the muscle has grown, Botox can help refine the shoulder line. But if posture is the cause, the order of steps changes.

Changes don't come right away. They gradually appear over more than a month.

Are raised-looking shoulders always caused by muscle?

The trapezius is a large muscle that broadly covers the area from the back of the neck to the middle of the back.

It's divided into upper, middle, and lower sections. What makes the shoulder line look rounded is mainly the upper trapezius. The middle and lower sections anchor the shoulder blades and support the upper part.

This area often enlarges because of posture rather than exercise. When you work with your head pushed forward, in what's commonly called turtle neck posture, your muscles must keep bracing against the weight of your head without rest, so they stay tense.

Muscles that stay tensed like this can lead to neck and shoulder pain. If you press on the knotted area, it may feel like a firm band.

On the other hand, some people look like they have raised shoulders even when their muscles aren't enlarged. When the shoulders roll forward, the back part rises and looks higher. In this case, correcting posture comes before Botox.

Check which type your shoulders are closer to:

□ The area between your neck and shoulders feels firmly knotted

→ You may be closer to the muscle-development type.

□ You spend long hours working with your head lowered

→ Tension may have built up.

□ Your shoulders are rounded forward

→ Let's look at your posture first.

□ Your job involves a lot of arm use

→ We'll go over your schedule and dosage together.

How does the shoulder line change after treatment?

Botox blocks the signal that tells the muscle to move. As a result, the muscle is used less and gradually decreases in volume.

Like what's often called square shoulders, the line that drops from the neck to the shoulders can look noticeably lighter and more streamlined.

The change doesn't appear right after treatment, though. You may feel your muscles weaken within a few weeks, but volume changes usually become noticeable only after more than a month.

If you have a set date, such as a wedding photo shoot, it's best to schedule treatment one to two months in advance.

Botox effects typically last about 3 to 6 months. Lifestyle habits and how much you use your muscles can make a big difference in duration, so please keep in mind that results vary from person to person.

Who tends to seek out this treatment?

Many people preparing for a wedding dress or an outfit that exposes the shoulders come to us. Broad-looking shoulders can make clothes fit less flatteringly and can make the face look relatively larger.

Many people who work with their shoulders tensed up, such as office workers who sit in front of a monitor for hours, also come in. If you keep your shoulders habitually hunched, your trapezius is essentially carrying a heavy load all day long.

On the other hand, if your job involves a lot of arm use, it may make work less comfortable, so the schedule and dosage need to be planned more carefully.

Are there any discomforts after treatment?

The trapezius is also used when you raise your arms. When it weakens, your arms may feel heavy when reaching for something high up or lifting something heavy.

Muscles that were used less may take over the work, so your back or other areas may feel stiff or sore. Most of these discomforts tend to ease as your body adjusts.

That's why it helps to start with a dose suited to your muscle condition instead of injecting a large amount at once, and to add more later if needed. This helps reduce the burden on your body.

In other words, where and how much is injected affects both the results and any discomfort you may feel.

If you already experience trapezius pain, tingling in your arms, or have a cervical disc problem, please let us know before treatment. As the strength supporting your neck weakens, discomfort can increase.

How should I take care of myself after treatment?

For a few weeks after treatment, your muscles are finding a new balance.

For this reason, we recommend avoiding periods when your body is under strain, such as heavy overtime, exam season, or caring for young children.

If your schedule is packed with no time to rest, postponing until you have more time is also an option. Try to lie down and rest more, and help your neck relax.

When you feel stiff, a quick trapezius massage can help loosen things up. It's also good to keep up with light stretching and good posture on a regular basis.

Ultimately, what keeps your muscles from growing back is your everyday posture.

At Dojagi Clinic, we don't decide on a treatment first. As a basic approach, Chief Director Park Si-hyun first examines your muscle condition and the cause of your raised-looking shoulders, and then decides on the method and amount.

Here are some questions we're often asked.

Q. How often should Botox be repeated?

A. Rather than setting a fixed date, we usually decide based on your shoulder condition at the point when the muscle that had shrunk begins to return.

Q. Won't I develop tolerance if I get repeated treatments?

A. Developing tolerance is rare. When people feel the treatment was less effective, it's often because the injection site wasn't right or the amount was insufficient for the muscle. That's why we carefully check the size and shape of the muscle during the first consultation.

Shoulder lines don't form overnight. They're the result of long-held posture and habits. The key is to first check why your shoulders look raised, and if the muscle is the cause, start with an appropriate amount and leave room to adjust.

Combined with rest and stretching after treatment, your shoulders should feel noticeably lighter.

If you're unsure which type your shoulders are, check it first during a consultation.

※ Results and duration vary from person to person, and side effects such as heaviness, stiffness, or pain in the arms may occur.

Dojagi Clinic Parking Guide. Patients undergoing procedures or surgeries receive 1 hour of free parking. After the free period, 1,000 won is charged for every 10 minutes. Valet parking is also available (valet fee: 5,000 won).

This post is a medical advertisement written by the clinic for the purpose of providing medical information, and it complies with Article 56, Paragraph 1 of the Medical Advertising Act. Results may vary depending on individual constitution and health status, so we recommend making treatment decisions after thorough consultation with your medical team.

Frequently Asked Questions

What causes raised-looking shoulders?

It can be caused by the muscle or by posture. The muscle-development type refers to a bulge below the back of the neck caused by prolonged tension, while the rounded-shoulder type refers to shoulders that look raised because they roll forward from a slouched posture.

How long do the effects of trapezius Botox last?

The effects typically last about 3 to 6 months. Lifestyle habits and how much the muscle is used can make a big difference in duration, so it's good to keep in mind that results vary from person to person.

Does the shoulder line change right away after treatment?

No, it doesn't change immediately after treatment. You may feel your muscles weaken within a few weeks, but volume changes usually become noticeable only after more than a month. If you have a set date, it's advisable to allow one to two months of buffer time.

Can there be discomfort after treatment?

Yes. Your arms may feel heavy, or your back or other areas may feel stiff or sore. Most of these discomforts tend to improve as your body adjusts. If you have trapezius pain or a cervical disc problem, please let your provider know before treatment.

Will I develop tolerance if I get Botox repeatedly?

Developing tolerance is rare. When people feel the treatment was less effective, it's often because the injection site wasn't right or the amount was insufficient for the muscle. That's why the size and shape of the muscle are carefully examined during the first consultation.

What is checked during a consultation before treatment?

The clinic first examines the cause of your raised-looking shoulders and your muscle condition, and then decides on the method and amount. You can also do a self-check to see whether your shoulders are closer to the muscle-development type or the rounded-shoulder type, and confirm it during your consultation.