Kim Kardashian Accused of Shoulder Contour Photoshop But There’s Actually a Treatment for That

With all eyes on her, Kim Kardashian cannot move (or remove) a muscle without fans catching on. In a recent Instagram post the star’s physique appeared a little more slender and refined than normal. In a TikTok video explaining her theory, content creator Caroline_in_thecity broke down how the reality star may have edited out her trapezius muscle from her snap by the pool.

While the internet takes a minute to gasp at Kardashian’s alleged altering of a “normal body part,” we wonder why the star hasn’t paid a visit to her expert injector. Believe it or not, there is such a thing as slimming your trapezius muscle with injectables and it’s called shoulder contouring.

What does shoulder contouring entail?

Some people call it “shoulder slimming” and it’s also been referred to as “Swan Neck.” Some expert injectors say treating the trapezius muscle with neurotoxin not only improves posture, it also helps to give the shoulders a more slender look. “By relaxing the muscle that hunches you over, your posture improves,” explains Beverly Hills, CA dermatologist Ava Shamban, MD. “Relaxing that muscle works in the same way as neurotoxin injections in the masseter muscles to slim the jawline. If you’re freezing muscle movement, it cannot ‘bulk up,’” says Dr. Shamban.

Is it safe?

“The treatment is very safe, especially when done correctly, with appropriate amounts of neurotoxin placed in the appropriate locations,” says Chico, CA dermatologist Kafele T. Hodari, MD. “The muscles injected, like the trapezius are large powerful muscles which can tolerate and respond well to moderate amounts of neurotoxin.” 

What are the benefits?

While there is no evidence that Kardashian has ever had her shoulders contoured, she may want to consider it as the benefits of having neurotoxin injections in the trapezius muscles are more than just slimmer shoulders and better posture. The end result is also less physical pain and stress. “The benefits include pain relief, the improvement of muscular constriction or tightness, postural improvement, and stress reduction,” notes Dr. Hodari.