Boots are made for walking and that’s just what they’ll help you do; however, you have to fit into them first or they won’t do much of anything.

‘Tis the season for wearing boots, but how far would you go just to fit into your favorite pair? Botox may be the answer. Botox treatments have long been used by women — and now men — for cosmetic purposes in order to achieve a more youthful appearance. The injections reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles on the face, but the latest trend in Botox is focusing on an entirely different part of the body: calves.

Some women naturally have larger calf muscles due to either genetics or athletics. These muscles can also bulge and thicken over time from everyday activities such as walking, wearing heels, and exercise. Injecting Botox into the calf muscle works in the same manner as Botox facial injections by “freezing” the muscle. The calf muscle is unable to fully contract, which in turn may cause up to a two-inch reduction in girth, resulting in a slimmer calf for up to six months (just in time for flip-flop season).The trend has taken off in Asia, and is just beginning to hit the United States.

“The use of Botox to slim the contour of the calf originated in Asia about a decade ago,” says Dr. Janis P. Campbell, Dermatologist at Laser Rejuvenation Clinic & Spa of Calgary. “It does help individuals who can’t pull up the zipper on tall boots if it is due to muscle thickness. When the weeks at the gym have paid off in more ways than one there is a temporary fix.”

With all the recent attention women’s rear ends have been receiving — think Nicki Minaj’s latest album cover and there’s always Kim Kardashian — why the sudden interest in calves? Surprisingly, this is a common issue for many women with larger calf muscles, many of which have difficulty finding fashionable clothes and boots that fit properly.

According to a December 16 article published by the Daily Mail, one of the most common fashion search terms on the Internet during boot-season is “wide-calf boots.”

While many women view calf Botox as a long overdue godsend, the injections pose possible health issues. The typical Botox calf injection is reportedly 125 units per leg, compared to the 20 units used for a facial injection.

Such a large dose of Botox could cause the calf muscle to diminish over time, altering the way a woman walks. This, in turn, may put undue pressure on her knees, hip and back. Also, temporarily paralyzing the muscle may restrict blood flow from the lower leg to the heart, which may lead to an increased risk of blood clots that can prove fatal if they detach and travel into the lungs, forming a pulmonary embolism.

Despite the potential health risks involved, many women feel the injections are well worth it.