How much does Trap Tox cost in NYC?

At The Dermatology and Laser Group, Trapezius Botox is a flat fee of $1,200. This is a comprehensive treatment that includes up to 100 units of neurotoxin, ensuring full correction for both slimming and tension relief.

Does Trap Tox affect arm strength?

No. The trapezius is primarily used for shrugging the shoulders. Functional arm movement relies on other muscle groups. You can continue your daily activities, though we advise avoiding heavy shoulder lifting for a few days post-treatment.

Trapezius Botox NYC: The "Swan Neck" Treatment (Trap Tox)

Q: How long does it take to see results from Trap Tox?

You will feel the tension relief within 14 days. However, the slimming effect takes longer because the muscle needs time to atrophy (shrink). Most patients notice a visible elongation of the neck starting at 4 weeks, with peak results around 16 weeks.

It is the treatment that has taken social media by storm, but at The Dermatology and Laser Group, we have approached "Trap Tox" and other Botox treatments with medical precision for over a decade in NYC.

Trapezius Botox (often called "Barbie Botox" or "Swan Neck Botox") is a dual-purpose treatment. It relaxes the large muscles on top of your shoulders, delivering two powerful benefits:

Aesthetic: It slims the neck and shoulders, creating a longer, more elegant silhouette.
Therapeutic: It relieves the tension, knots, and headaches caused by "Tech Neck" and poor posture.

Before we discuss aesthetics, we must address how you feel. For many of our patients—especially corporate executives, lawyers, and women who work at desks—the trapezius muscle carries the weight of the world.

Years of hunching over laptops and looking down at phones creates a condition known as "Tech Neck." The trapezius muscles become chronically tight and inflamed, leading to:

Tension Headaches: Radiating from the neck up to the skull.
Poor Posture: The tight muscles pull your shoulders up toward your ears, creating a permanent "shrug."
Shoulder Pain: A constant, dull ache that massage only temporarily relieves.

By injecting neurotoxin deep into the trigger points of the trapezius, we force the muscle to relax. The result is often an immediate sense of "dropping" the shoulders and a significant reduction in daily pain.

Beyond the pain, there is the aesthetic effects of overdeveloped trapezius muscles that patients want to address. When the trapezius is overworked, it becomes hypertrophic (bulky), just like a bicep after lifting weights.

This bulk creates a "sloped" appearance between your neck and shoulder, which visually shortens the neck and widens the upper body. By relaxing this muscle, we cause it to shrink (atrophy) over time.

The Result: The slope disappears, revealing more of a crisp 90-degree angle at the shoulder. This creates the optical illusion of a significantly longer, leaner, and more feminine neck—often called the "Swan Neck" effect.

Comparison	Typical Med Spa	DLG Medical Standard
Injection Depth	✘ Superficial. Often use short insulin needles that miss the deep muscle belly, leading to weak results.	✔ Deep Muscle. We use appropriate needle length to hit the motor points deep in the muscle for maximum atrophy.
Dosage	Capped / Low Dose. Often capped at 40-50 units total. This is rarely enough for visible slimming.	Full Correction. We include up to 100 Units to ensure the muscle actually relaxes and shrinks.
Longevity	Short-Lived. Results often fade in 8-10 weeks due to under-dosing.	Extended Duration. Correct dosing + deep placement = results that typically last 4-6 months.

We believe in doing it right the first time.

Trapezius Botox Treatment: $1,200

Includes: Up to 100 Units of Botox/Daxxify/Xeomin.
Why this is a better value: If you visit a clinic charging $14/unit, a proper 80-100 unit treatment would cost you $1,120 – $1,400, often performed by a less experienced injector. At DLG, you get the full medical dose and board-certified expertise for one flat price.

(Note: In the rare event that a patient requires more than 100 units, additional units are $14/each. You can view our full pricing philosophy on our Botox Cost Guide.)

Does the injection hurt? Most patients report very little discomfort. The trapezius is a large, thick muscle, so the injections are generally felt less than those on the face. We use specialized techniques to ensure the process is quick and comfortable.

Will it affect my arm strength? No. The trapezius is primarily used for shrugging the shoulders. Functional arm movement relies on the deltoids and other muscle groups. You can continue your daily activities and workouts, though we advise avoiding heavy shoulder lifting for a few days post-treatment.

How long does it take to see results? You will feel the tension relief within 14 days. However, the slimming effect takes longer because the muscle needs time to atrophy (shrink). Most patients notice a visible elongation of the neck starting at 4 weeks, with peak results around 16 weeks.

Arash Akhavan, MD, FAAD

Arash Akhavan, MD is founder and owner of The Dermatology and Laser Group, one of the top centers for cosmetic procedures in New York City for over a decade. Arash Akhavan, MD, FAAD is a Board Certified Dermatologist and an Associate Professor at The Mount Sinai School of Medicine. Dr. Akhavan is a Castle Connolly Top Doc, New York Magazine Best Doctor, and Super Doctor featured in The New York Times. Dr. Akhavan is a key opinion leader that has been featured on hundreds of media publications including The New York Times, Allure, Marie Claire, Women’s Health, Cosmopolitan, ABC News, Fox News, Fox 5, NY1, WPIX, and more. He has been featured on nationally syndicated television programs such as The Doctors.

Dr. Akhavan serves as an educator and lecturer for multiple aesthetic device and injectable companies. This allows his office access to newer technologies at an earlier date than other offices, as well as a higher level of expertise in the use of these devices. This, in turn, translates to more effective and safer treatments for our patients.

By Arash Akhavan, MD, FAAD | July 10th, 2023 | Categories: Botox, Face and Neck

Trap Tox in NYC

Medically Reviewed by Arash Akhavan, MD, FAAD

"Tech Neck" & Tension Relief: The Therapeutic Benefits

Why Your "Traps" Make Your Neck Look Short

Barbie Botox

The DLG Difference: Why Depth & Dosage Matter

Pricing: Transparent & Comprehensive

Who is the Ideal Candidate?

Frequently Asked Questions about Trap Tox

About the Author: Arash Akhavan, MD, FAAD

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