Scrotox is a new cosmetic surgery trend, but it’s not exactly new.
Gynecomastia — the surgery to reduce breast size in men — has been popular since the 1990s. Scrotox, on the other hand, just hit the mainstream in 2016.
Scrotoplasty — or male genital surgery — is becoming a thing. In fact, according to data from the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS), labiaplasty procedures increased by 44 percent from 2015 to 2016 and now total more than 12,000 procedures annually in the United States.
What Is Scrotox?
Scrotox is a slang term for scrotal botulinum toxin — or Botox for balls. It involves injecting Botox into the scrotum in order to reduce sweating and wrinkling, while also making your testicles appear larger. Although there are no firm statistics on the number of men who have undergone this procedure, we do know that it’s becoming increasingly popular and available around the world.
Botox is now used to treat a variety of medical conditions, but most people associate it with wrinkle-reducing cosmetic procedures. Keep reading to learn more about how Botox works and what benefits it can provide.
How Long Does Scrotox last?
How long does it take to work?
The effects of Scrotox will appear gradually, over the course of four weeks. By the end of that period, your scrotum should be looking and feeling smoother and more relaxed.
As with other cosmetic treatments, results won’t last forever. You’ll need to get a top-up every four months if you want to maintain the look.
The first benefit of Scrotox is that the results last for about 4 months, so it is a long-term solution to looking younger. You will not need to stay in bed for days as you would with other plastic surgeries. That means you can go on with your daily activities, which will be great news for some people.
Scrotox typically lasts for four to six months, Dr. Shafer said, adding that the procedure can be repeated as often as a patient wants.
While we’re on the topic of male grooming (or lack thereof), Dr. Shafer also gave Men’s Health a helpful piece of advice: If you do have a hairy back, neck and shoulders, keep it short. Letting it grow out is just going to make you look more like a Sasquatch.
A Scrotox treatment lasts between three and four months, according to Dr. Simon Ourian, a cosmetic dermatologist based in Beverly Hills, California. The treatment has become popular among millennial men as a way to smooth out wrinkles and improve their appearance in their underwear or swimsuit.
Dr. Ourian says the number of men who have received the procedure since he introduced it a few years ago is “in the hundreds.”
Scrotox is not a permanent procedure — the effects of this anti-aging treatment typically last three to four months, according to Dr. Marki. There are a few exceptions, though. “There are always risks associated with any type of botulinum toxin injection, including bruising, swelling, and droopy eyelids,” she warns. “As the area where Botox is injected is so delicate, there is also a small risk for nerve damage.”
“There may be some patients who have an immediate allergic reaction to the Botox that lasts for about 24 hours after the injection,” says Dr. Marki. “These symptoms include difficulty breathing and swallowing, muscle weakness or pain anywhere in the body, dizziness or fainting, and feeling like you might pass out.”
How Quickly Does Scrotox Work
The results of Scrotox are not immediate. It takes about three to four days for the muscles around your scrotal sac to begin their relaxation. This is because the Botox has to be absorbed into that area, and then it takes several days for it to reach its peak effect. Most patients will notice a noticeable difference within 10-14 days.
Some doctors have reported that it can take as long as three weeks before you see the full effect of Scrotox. This is because it takes time for the Botox to travel through your system and reach your scrotum. However, the results should last much longer than the effects of Dysport or Xeomin, which only last up to four months. The effects of Scrotox should last anywhere from six months up to a year.
The results of Scrotox will vary from person to person depending on the way they respond to the botox. Some patients will notice a difference immediately while others may take up to a few weeks. The affected muscles relax and smooth out, causing the scrotum to hang lower and appear larger.
It takes about 10-14 days for the effects to begin. Most of the injections that people report getting for Scrotox are Botox or Dysport, which are injectable forms of a neurotoxin called botulinum toxin (seriously, it is toxic and can kill you).
Botox works by blocking signals from nerves to muscles. The injected muscle can no longer contract, which causes the wrinkles to relax and soften, and also usually makes them look smaller. It usually takes three to seven days to take full effect and it is most effective for superficial wrinkles — in other words, those that involve only the outer layer of skin.
Botox is not a permanent fix. It wears off after three to six months on average, depending on the dose used.
After the procedure, your body can take up to a month to produce new collagen, which will result in the intended look. You may notice your scrotum is initially swollen from the procedure and it takes time for the swelling to go down. A full treatment generally takes about a month to six weeks, but you should see some results within just a few days!
As with any toxin, results won’t be immediate, and it may take three to five days before you start to notice the effects. If you’re worried you might get ahead of yourself and inject before you’re ready to reveal your new look, Dr. Shapiro says he’ll give you a topical anesthetic cream to use before treatment. “Some of my patients have even used over-the-counter numbing creams,” he notes.
You’ll likely need at least three treatments before you see the full results—and they can last four months, so plan accordingly.