Another worrying trend emerging on TikTok.
Like the ever more dangerous challenges that invade the Chinese social network, risky cosmetic surgery operations with botox are increasing.
If the use of botulinum toxin is approved in cosmetic surgery to treat wrinkles, provided that it is carried out by a doctor, it is unfortunately used far too much in an unconventional way, in particular because of social networks.
Also read: What is “Barbie botox”, this worrying trend that has emerged since the release of the film
After “Barbie botox”, which pushed several young women to inject botox into their necks to lengthen it and refine their shoulders, “calftox” is becoming a real success.
Many videos extol the merits of this practice which takes its name from the contraction of “calf” (“calf” in English) and “botox” and which consists of injecting botox into the calves to slim and shape them, reports the New YorkPost.
“I can’t buy certain boots”
To date, the hashtag “calftox” has more than 2.5 million views on TikTok, and there are many videos from influencers who highlight this practice of receiving numerous injections in the calves.
One of them explains that she resorted to this practice in part to be able to buy boots.
“I can't buy certain boots because I can't zip them.
» She then shows comparative “before and after” photos in which her calves appear thinner after receiving the injections.
@♬ -
What she doesn't say is that this cosmetic surgery operation is not without risk.
Contacted by BFMTV, cosmetic surgeon Christian Marinetti expressed his doubts about such a practice, which he categorically refuses to carry out, like many of his colleagues.
“I am a little cautious about the consequences (…) The calves, we need them to stand up, to stand on tiptoes, we can imagine having paralysis,” he told our colleagues.
For Dr Andrew Peredo, interviewed by the New York Post, these injections which relax the calf muscles by blocking the nerve endings can “affect gait and the way you walk, run or jump”.
Bruising and inability to play sports
According to Dr. Branden Seow of the Clifford Clinic, they can cause pain, swelling and bruising.
Worse, the injection can weaken the calf muscles and cause an inability to perform physical activities.
For any botox injection, it is advisable to obtain information from health professionals and especially to have it carried out by a specialist.
For several years, people who clandestinely perform botox injections have flourished on social networks such as Snapchat, Instagram or Tiktok.
Last April, two sisters were sentenced to ten months in prison for having performed hyaluronic acid injections on several hundred clients.