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Medical aesthetic treatments · Chiswick and Covent Garden
Traptox, Botulinum Toxin for the Trapezius
Botulinum toxin placed into the trapezius to ease habitual tension across the shoulders and neck, and to lengthen the line from neck to shoulder.
Dr Harry JamesEvery treatment, personally
At a glance
Eases aching and tightness across the tops of the shoulders
Softens the bulk of an overdeveloped trapezius
Lengthens the visual line from neck to shoulder
Often helps tension type headaches that begin in the neck
£475
Dr Harry James
MBChB PGDip (CAIT), GMC 7528423
£75, book online
What Traptox Is
Traptox is the informal name for botulinum toxin placed into the trapezius, the large flat muscle that runs from the base of the skull across the top of each shoulder and down the upper back. It is the muscle that lifts and braces the shoulders, and in a lot of people it never fully lets go: desk work, driving, carrying a bag on one side, training, or simply holding tension there all day.
Treating it does two things at once. Clinically, softening a muscle that is permanently braced relieves the ache across the shoulders and the tightness at the base of the neck, and for some people it eases the tension headaches that start there. Aesthetically, a trapezius that sits lower and flatter lengthens the line from the ear to the shoulder, which is why the treatment is sometimes described as a shoulder line or a neck lengthening treatment.
It is the same medicine used for the face, placed in a different muscle and at a dose appropriate to that muscle. At Dr Harry Clinic it is carried out by Dr Harry James personally, as every treatment here is.
Who It Suits
Traptox tends to suit people who recognise at least one of the following: shoulders that sit high and feel permanently tight, a trapezius that looks bulky or overdeveloped relative to the neck, tension that builds through a working day and settles across the tops of the shoulders, or headaches that begin at the base of the skull.
It is not a treatment for a structural neck or shoulder problem, and it does not replace physiotherapy, strength work or a proper assessment of posture. If the picture suggests something other than a habitually overactive muscle, Dr Harry will say so at the consultation and point you to the right person rather than treat it.
What the Treatment Involves
The consultation comes first. Dr Harry examines the muscle with you sitting and standing, asks you to shrug and to relax, and marks the points where the muscle is doing the most work. Dose is decided from what he finds, not from a fixed recipe, because a trapezius that has been braced for years behaves differently from one that is simply strong.
The injections themselves take a few minutes on each side. Most people describe it as a series of quick pinpricks into a muscle that is already sore, which is uncomfortable for a moment rather than painful. There is no downtime and you can drive yourself home and go back to work.
Nothing changes on the day. The muscle begins to soften over the following week and the effect settles by around two to four weeks, which is also when the change in the shoulder line becomes visible. It typically lasts three to four months at first and often longer once the muscle has been treated more than once.
Aftercare
Stay upright for four hours, and leave heavy shoulder and upper back training for two weeks so the muscle is not being actively recruited while the medicine settles. Avoid massaging or firmly rubbing the treated area for 48 hours. Normal daily activity, walking and light exercise are all fine straight away.
A review is offered at two to four weeks. If one side has responded more than the other, which does happen with a muscle used asymmetrically, it is adjusted then.
Price
Traptox is £475 at both clinics. A consultation is £75 and is redeemable against the cost of your treatment if you go ahead. It is refundable if you decide not to proceed, and non refundable only if you cancel within 48 hours or do not attend. Full pricing is on our prices page.
Common questions
Frequently asked questions
01Does Traptox weaken my shoulders?
Not at a treatment dose. The aim is to quieten a muscle that is working harder than it needs to, not to switch it off. Most people notice the ache easing rather than any loss of strength. Heavy overhead and shoulder training is best left for two weeks after treatment, then resumed as normal.
02How soon will I see a difference in my shoulder line?
Nothing on the day. The muscle softens over the first week and the result settles by two to four weeks, which is when the change in the line from neck to shoulder is visible.
03How long does it last?
Typically three to four months to begin with. Once the muscle has been treated more than once it often lasts longer, because it is no longer being held in a permanently braced position between treatments.
04Can I have it at the same time as anti wrinkle injections?
Yes, it is common to do both in one appointment. Dr Harry will discuss total dosing with you so it is planned properly rather than added on.
05Is it suitable if my problem is really posture?
It can help the symptom, but it does not correct the cause. If the assessment points to posture, a structural issue or something that needs a physiotherapist, Dr Harry will tell you that at the consultation rather than treat it.
More in this range
Also treated with medical aesthetic treatments
Our locations
Two premium clinics across London
West London
Dr Harry Clinic, Chiswick
Dr Harry Clinic, Aesthetic Clinic in Chiswick300 Chiswick High Road, Chiswick, London W4 1NP
★★★★★ Rated 5.0 on Google
Central London
Dr Harry Clinic, Covent Garden
Dr Harry Clinic, Aesthetic Clinic in Covent GardenJubilee Hall, 30 The Piazza, Covent Garden, London WC2E 8BE
★★★★★ Rated 5.0 on Google
All treatments are available at both our Chiswick clinic and Covent Garden clinic.
Reviews
What patients say.
★★★★★
Dr Harry is absolutely amazing, I can’t recommend him enough. I had my usual skin maintenance treatments yesterday, and for the first time I decided to try a lip booster. Harry was so informative, knowledgeable, and reassuring throughout, and he made me feel completely at ease. I was originally offered standard lip filler, but as I’m in my 60s I wanted something more subtle and natural-looking, the lip booster felt like the perfect choice. I left the clinic with only a little swelling (nothing too bad at all) and my lips already look healthier, more youthful, and beautifully natural. I’m genuinely thrilled with the result and can’t thank him enough. Five-star-plus treatment every time. His prices are very reasonable, and his manner with patients is kind, professional, and wonderful. I’m already looking forward to my next appointment, even if I have to wait a few months because the results last so well. Thank you Dr. Harry ❤️
IIvana SwanCovent Garden · via Google
★★★★★
Dr. Harry is incredibly knowledgeable and really takes his time to talk you through everything, answer any questions, and ensure you’re comfortable throughout the whole appointment. I never felt rushed, and he explained the treatment and expected results clearly, which made me feel really confident in the process. I’m so pleased with my results and wouldn’t hesitate to recommend him.
NNatasha-LaraChiswick · via Google
★★★★★
Great experience for an ultrasound-guided filler dissolution treatment. Dr Harry was very patient, caring and professional. I really appreciated the thorough consultation and felt well looked after throughout the treatment. Very happy with the results!
KKasey SongCovent Garden · via Google
★★★★★
I visited Dr Harry after having my lips done by a few, other practitioners and my experience was positively incomparable. Harry was extremely thorough with his questioning, support and actual practice, I felt reassured and at ease, alike did my Mum, at the hands of Harry. I had 0.6ml of lip filler and was extremely impressed that he reevaluated my lips afterwards, adding in the remaining filler into specific areas. I did not have 1 single bruise, despite coming up black and blue in the past, and my lips are the most symmetrical they have ever looked. 1 million percent the best investment I have made to my face and I would never recommend going to anybody else! I visited the Chiswick clinic and it was beautiful🫶🏼 thank you Harry
EEmmaChiswick · via Google
★★★★★
I went to Dr Harry Clinic after both a recommendation and doing a lot of research, as this was my first anti-wrinkle injection treatment and choosing someone I truly trusted was really important to me. From the moment I arrived, Dr. Harry immediately made me feel at ease. He was so lovely, professional, and took the time to explain everything in detail. Most importantly, he really listened to what I wanted - especially my preference for a very natural look. Two weeks later, I had my complimentary follow-up appointment and I was already so happy with the results. At the follow-up, Harry was an absolute perfectionist, carefully assessing everything to ensure it was as balanced and natural as possible, with a small top-up where needed. Overall, my experience exceeded all expectations. If it’s your first time having treatment, or you’re looking for a new injector, I genuinely cannot recommend Dr Harry Clinic enough. One of the best decisions I’ve made.
YYasemin AksoyChiswick · via Google
★★★★★
Dr Harry is absolutely amazing, I can’t recommend him enough. I had my usual skin maintenance treatments yesterday, and for the first time I decided to try a lip booster. Harry was so informative, knowledgeable, and reassuring throughout, and he made me feel completely at ease. I was originally offered standard lip filler, but as I’m in my 60s I wanted something more subtle and natural-looking, the lip booster felt like the perfect choice. I left the clinic with only a little swelling (nothing too bad at all) and my lips already look healthier, more youthful, and beautifully natural. I’m genuinely thrilled with the result and can’t thank him enough. Five-star-plus treatment every time. His prices are very reasonable, and his manner with patients is kind, professional, and wonderful. I’m already looking forward to my next appointment, even if I have to wait a few months because the results last so well. Thank you Dr. Harry ❤️
IIvana SwanCovent Garden · via Google
★★★★★
I visited Dr Harry after having my lips done by a few, other practitioners and my experience was positively incomparable. Harry was extremely thorough with his questioning, support and actual practice, I felt reassured and at ease, alike did my Mum, at the hands of Harry. I had 0.6ml of lip filler and was extremely impressed that he reevaluated my lips afterwards, adding in the remaining filler into specific areas. I did not have 1 single bruise, despite coming up black and blue in the past, and my lips are the most symmetrical they have ever looked. 1 million percent the best investment I have made to my face and I would never recommend going to anybody else! I visited the Chiswick clinic and it was beautiful🫶🏼 thank you Harry
EEmmaChiswick · via Google
★★★★★
I went to Dr Harry Clinic after both a recommendation and doing a lot of research, as this was my first anti-wrinkle injection treatment and choosing someone I truly trusted was really important to me. From the moment I arrived, Dr. Harry immediately made me feel at ease. He was so lovely, professional, and took the time to explain everything in detail. Most importantly, he really listened to what I wanted - especially my preference for a very natural look. Two weeks later, I had my complimentary follow-up appointment and I was already so happy with the results. At the follow-up, Harry was an absolute perfectionist, carefully assessing everything to ensure it was as balanced and natural as possible, with a small top-up where needed. Overall, my experience exceeded all expectations. If it’s your first time having treatment, or you’re looking for a new injector, I genuinely cannot recommend Dr Harry Clinic enough. One of the best decisions I’ve made.
YYasemin AksoyChiswick · via Google
Not sure which treatment is right for you?
Every journey begins with a consultation.
Schedule a consultation with Dr Harry James to discuss your goals and discover the right treatment plan. Dr Harry will assess your concerns, explain suitable treatment options, and create a personalised plan designed to achieve your desired results.
Chiswick, W4 and Covent Garden, WC2020 3633 8687