For a famous star, all those red carpet appearances in high heels can take a serious toll on the feet.
Now it seems that many are finding the solution to their problems in a treatment normally associated with the face: Botox.
The procedure, known as a “needle lift” or “Loub job” after Christian Louboutin’s shoes, involves injecting botulinum toxin and dermal filler into the arch and ball of the foot.
It is said to offer relief from the pain of designer footwear, and Nicole Kidman is believed to be among those who have tried it.
Nicole Kidman attends a red carpet, in very high heels, at the Venice International Film Festival in August 2024
Stars turn to Botox to relieve foot pain and “cushion” their feet in high heels
Botox is regularly prescribed as a medical treatment to stop excessive sweating in the hands, feet and armpits.
Consultant plastic surgeon Aenone Harper-Machin, who runs a private practice in Chester, said stopping sweat can help stability and reduce friction.
Botox can also relieve symptoms of plantar fasciitis, the most common cause of foot pain among women ages 40 to 60.
Meanwhile, the fillers are said to act as a shock-absorbing pad and absorb pressure.
But Ms Harper-Machin, a spokeswoman for the British Association of Plastic, Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgeons, warned: “People risk infection or a blockage in an artery if their doctor gets it wrong, and could even lose a toe.”
Julia Roberts wears a gold Sole Bliss shoe at the premiere of Ticket to Paradise in 2022
The procedure costs between £1,500 and £2,000 and the effects last around four months.
Lisa Kay, chief executive of shoe brand Sole Bliss, said: ‘We know that many celebrities now use Botox to cushion their feet.
‘However, there are comfortable heels. Stars like Julia Roberts, Helen Mirren and Meryl Streep wear our shoes on red carpet events to keep their feet comfortable, even in five-inch heels.’