Botox isn’t just for the wrinkles on your face — and an increasing number of men are now getting it to smooth out a far more intimate area.
Scrotox – scrotal Botox – is one of the decade’s most-searched alternative uses for these injections, with over 46,000 online queries in the last four years.
It’s not just idle curiosity though; according to doctors, people are requesting the treatment in their droves right now, in some cases to emulate the bodies they see in porn.
While below-the-belt Botox itself isn’t new, it was previously only offered for medical reasons. In 2010, cosmetic scrotox was just a Saturday Night Live sketch, but by 2016 it had become a Hollywood craze, with Beverly Hills-based surgeon Jason Emer claiming he performed the procedure multiple times every week.
Nowadays, non-surgical ‘tweakments’ are more widely-available, meaning scrotox is no longer the preserve of the rich and famous.
Dr Mike Tee, senior doctor at the Harley Street Skin Clinic, says scrotox has been growing in popularity over the last 10 years, while Dr Abes, aesthetic doctor at ALTA Medispa claims it’s far ‘more common than most people think’.
He tells Metro: ‘Men’s tweakments are on the rise, and scrotox is one of those things people tend to ask about once they’re already familiar with treatments like Botox or fillers.’
What is scrotox?
Scrotal Botox (aka scrotox) is a treatment where botulinum toxin is injected into the scrotum, relaxing the muscles and tightening the skin around the testicles.
‘The main benefits are smoother skin, less sweating, and a more relaxed, lower-hanging look,’ says Dr Abes. ‘For some, it’s purely cosmetic – they prefer the aesthetic – but for others, it can genuinely improve day-to-day comfort.’
According to Dr Tee, a single session typically costs £1,200, and results last for three to four months, ‘in line with many botulinum toxin injections.’
‘Botulinum toxin is generally safe, with plenty of clinical studies and a long history of patient use to support it,’ he explains. ‘However, risks are significantly increased – especially with scrotox – if the injector is not a qualified and experienced medical professional (doctor or nurse).’
Bruising and tenderness the 72 hours following treatment are the most common side effects, but in rare cases it can cause:
- Asymmetry, where the scrotum hangs lower on one side due to uneven relaxation.
- Over-relaxation, where the scrotum hangs lower than desired if excessive loosening occurs.
- Weakness in nearby muscles if the toxin diffuses into adjacent muscles, which may affect their function.
- Allergic reaction, including rash, dizziness, or anaphylaxis.
- Urinary or sexual dysfunction if the toxin spreads too deeply, potentially impacting sensitivity and/or function.
- Infection, although this is a risk with any injection.
While recovery is typically quick, and most patients can return to normal daily activities immediately after treatment, Dr Tee advises patients to avoid sexual activity, hot baths, or exercise for 48 hours afterwards.
He adds: ‘It’s important to wear loose clothing, keep the area clean, and take general care for the following seven days. Effects will begin to appear gradually, with full results visible between two and four weeks.’
Like Brexit or mansplaining, scrotox is a portmanteau with the power to make half the population wince — after all, it involves a literal toxin being injected into the sensitive skin around the testicles.
But while the thought of a needle anywhere near your crown jewels might strike fear into your heart, local anaesthetic means it’s typically pain-free, aside from some mild tenderness or redness in the day or two hours afterwards.
And for some patients, scrotox is actually a way to alleviate pain due to a condition called cremasteric muscle hyperactivity, whereby the cremasteric muscle (responsible for retracting the testicles into the groin) becomes overactive and causes involuntary, frequent and agonising contractions.
It’s also regularly used to treat hyperhidrosis, excessive sweating of the scrotal skin which can lead to irritation, chafing, and unpleasant odours.
Scrotox can dramatically improve these symptoms, with Dr Abes recalling: ‘One client mentioned it made a huge difference during long-haul flights and gym sessions – he felt cooler, more relaxed, and less self-conscious.’
However, roughly 80% of the scrotox procedures Dr Tee administers these days are for cosmetic ‘genital rejeuvenation’ rather than to address a medical concern.
‘We all have things about our bodies we’re not fond of – for some, it’s the scrotum,’ he tells Metro. ‘Unfortunately, people have become more conscious of their appearance, as both pornographic content and social media have become more mainstream.’
He believes ‘the internet has a lot to answer for,’ when it comes to the growing popularity of treatments like this — although Dr Abes feels it’s more to do with ‘a real shift in how men approach self-care.’
‘From skincare to tweakments, men are much more proactive these days, and scrotox fits neatly into that space,’ he explains. ‘There’s also less embarrassment around asking for what you want, especially when it’s about feeling more confident or comfortable in your own body.’
While Dr Abes says he wouldn’t recommend the procedure ‘for the sake of it’, he adds: ‘For the right person, it can be a real game-changer – whether that’s better comfort during workouts or just a quiet confidence boost in day-to-day life. If someone’s genuinely bothered by how things look or feel, it’s worth looking into.’
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