Injection into a dream: why Russians do extreme injections and how dangerous it is
The so-called exotic botox is gaining popularity in Russia. Women are increasingly requesting injections into their ears, feet, and chewing muscles. On social media, injections in the ears are promoted as a way to "block appetite," and filling the heels with botox is an opportunity to wear shoes without pain. However, doctors warn that there is no evidence base for such statements, and the risks may be more serious than the expected result. Izvestia tells us why the trend has become in demand and why it is dangerous.
The "hunger point" in the ear: what cosmetologists promise
In late January and early February 2026, many ads about botulinum toxin injections into the auricle appeared on social networks and on the websites of cosmetology clinics. The procedure is most often promoted as an injection into the "hunger point" on the ear, which is allegedly connected to the centers responsible for appetite, and is able to "remove cravings for snacks" for several months.
From a medical point of view, botulinum toxin is a drug of local action that blocks the transmission of nerve impulses to the muscle in the injection area, due to which the muscle temporarily relaxes. In aesthetic medicine, it is used, for example, to correct facial activity, and in clinical practice — for a number of neurological and other indications.
In the descriptions of such services, it is noted that the duration of the session is about 15 minutes, and its price starts from 5 thousand rubles. According to experts advertising the procedure, botulinum toxin allegedly blocks signal transmission along the vagus nerve, resulting in reduced hunger.
Dermatologist-cosmetologist, Candidate of Medical Sciences Natalia Zhovtan notes that this trend should be considered as a dangerous speculation based on patients' misunderstanding of the physiology and pharmacodynamics of botulinum toxin.
"No international randomized clinical trial confirms a decrease in appetite when botulinum toxin is injected into the auricle, the tragus is a small cartilaginous protrusion located on the outer ear of a person, or the lobe," she told Izvestia.
According to the doctor, the very mechanism of blocking the vagus nerve, which is described in the advertisement, is a common profanity.
— The auricular branch of the vagus nerve innervates only a small area of the skin of the ear canal. Botulinum toxin works locally by blocking neuromuscular transmission. To influence the feeling of hunger, it is necessary to influence the hypothalamus and signals from the gastrointestinal tract. This is physically impossible when injected into the ear," Zhovtan stressed.
The specialist noted that the subjective decrease in appetite in such cases is associated with the placebo or nocebo effect — the expectation of a result, supported by the cost of the procedure and the belief in its "innovativeness."
Injections in the feet "for heels": what are the dangers of insensitive feet
Another trend is injections into the plantar part of the foot in order to "freeze" the pain and allow you to wear high heels for longer. Natalia Zhovtan draws attention to the fact that botulinum toxin is actually used for hyperhidrosis of the feet — excessive sweating. However, even in this case, we are talking about specific indications.
— This is the only official indication for injections into the soles. But cosmetologists substitute concepts: they don't talk about sweating, but about biomechanics — as if relaxing the muscles of the foot will relieve stress on the knees," she explained.
According to the expert, the foot is a complex anatomical structure, and its "forced paresis" can lead to a violation of the spring function, which can eventually worsen the load distribution.
— Pain relief is achieved not through treatment, but through temporary "disconnection" of nerve endings. In fact, this is tissue injury, not therapy," the doctor added.
What are the complications of mindless injections?
The expert emphasizes that the anatomy of the ear and foot is much more complicated than, for example, the forehead or armpits. If botox is injected incorrectly into the ears, swelling, hearing loss, and facial asymmetry may occur if the toxin affects neighboring areas associated with facial and chewing muscles.
In the case of stops, according to her assessment, the problem is not only the painfulness of the injections themselves, but also the functional consequences. The foot carries a daily load, and any violation of the tone of small muscles can affect gait, stability and load distribution.
— If the foot stops being a spring, the shock load is transferred to the knee and hip joints, and then to the spine. Instead of helping, we create conditions for osteoarthritis and protrusions," Natalia Zhovtan warned.
The doctor also pays attention to the risk of infection in the presence of microcracks and corns, and with repeated interventions, the likelihood of persistent muscle weakness. The expert also recalled the contraindications of such procedures for pregnant women, nursing mothers, patients with impaired blood clotting, neurological and orthopedic diseases.
Why do people believe in a "magic" injection?
Clinical psychologist Ksenia Savelyeva attributes the popularity of such procedures to a combination of several psychological mechanisms.
— First of all, this is magical thinking. When a person struggles with excess weight or pain for a long time and unsuccessfully, the brain begins to look for a "magic pill." The injection is positioned precisely as such a solution: I did it and the problem disappeared," she noted.
The second factor is the phenomenon of expert authority.
— A white coat, diplomas on the walls and scientific terms create the illusion of evidence. The patient rarely checks for international studies, he trusts the attributes," Savelieva explained.
According to her, the effect of social contagion also plays a role.
— When we see how bloggers calmly perform a strange procedure, the activity of the anxiety center decreases. It seems to us that if others are doing this, it means that it is safe," the expert emphasized.
Separately, the psychologist explains why some people can actually feel the changes after the procedure.
— This is not self-deception. When the patient believes in the procedure, the opioid and dopamine systems of the brain are activated, endorphins are released. A person may actually temporarily feel a decrease in pain or appetite. But the placebo works at the level of sensations, not at the level of the cause of the disease," Savelyeva said.
According to the clinical psychologist, stable psychological attitudes — the external locus of control and tunnel thinking — strengthen faith in quick solutions.
— Instead of "I need to change my lifestyle," there is "I need to boost my metabolism." This is an attempt to solve a complex problem with the push of a button," she concluded.
Today, botulinum toxin remains an effective drug in the framework of evidence-based indications, for example, for the correction of facial wrinkles or the treatment of hyperhidrosis. However, using it based on trends does not make the procedure a medical treatment.
— At the moment, there are no qualitative controlled studies confirming the effectiveness of such injections for weight loss or pain relief. Until they are performed, the procedure remains a cosmetology service with no proven therapeutic value," Savelieva emphasized.
Paying for hope is a personal choice for everyone, but, as experts point out, it should be informed and based on an understanding of risks, not on marketing promises.
Переведено сервисом «Яндекс Переводчик»
