The New Cosmetic Fix for High Heel Pain

Fleet Feet: Apparently, there’s a physiological reason you keep reaching for those comfy sneakers or flats on a night out, even though you used to favor your favorite heels. The fatty padding at the bottom of your feet naturally breaks down over time, to the point that some folks are now turning to foot fillers — injectable hyaluronic acid or body fat used to restore that lost cushioning — to address the issue.

What People Are Saying: A small clinical study found that about a third of participants reported no pain six months after a single hyaluronic acid injection, and those who still had some pain could wear heels roughly twice as long as before. Fat injections are increasingly the preferred option because they may last up to two years, compared to six to nine months for hyaluronic acid fillers.

What to Know: Practitioners caution that feet are more complex to inject than the face, so selecting a provider with the right expertise is important. A podiatrist is your best starting point for figuring out whether fillers or a more accessible option, like custom orthotics, makes sense for you.