Q&A: Expert discusses risks of baby Botox as Simone Biles shares side effects
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Key takeaways:
- David Hill, MD, spoke about the risks of baby Botox following Simone Biles’ poor experience.
- According to Hill, baby Botox is akin to “undertreating” and can have side effects.
An expert discussed the downsides of “baby Botox” after Simone Biles opened up about her experience with the cosmetic procedure on social media.
In a TikTok Live, Simone Biles shared that the baby Botox she received for her 27th birthday caused eyebrow twitches, leading the Olympian to speak against the procedure saying she “did not like it” and is “so not doing that again.”
As the interest in Botox (botulinum toxin, Allergan) increases, it is important for experts to educate patients on the potential side effects of Botox trends such as baby Botox.
In this interview, Healio spoke with David Hill, MD, a plastic surgeon and co-founder and medical director of Fulcrum Aesthetics & Surgery, about the downsides of this type of Botox.
Healio: What is “baby Botox” and how does it differ from traditional Botox?
Hill: "Baby Botox" is a hot marketing term used to describe a treatment approach where smaller, more diluted doses of Botox are administered to achieve a subtler, more natural look. The main difference between baby Botox and traditional Botox lies in the amount of Botox used.
Traditional Botox typically involves higher doses to achieve more pronounced muscle weakening and smoothing of wrinkles, whereas baby Botox uses lower doses, resulting in less dramatic changes with the aim of preserving some natural facial expressions.
Healio: Why may someone opt for baby Botox over traditional Botox?
Hill: People might opt for baby Botox over traditional Botox for a variety of reasons. These include a desire for a more natural look, the goal of maintaining some muscle movement and facial expressions and being new to Botox and wanting to try a less intense version.
While a lighter dose may allow for some retention of normal muscle movements, dosing equals duration. So, undertreating with Botox can lead to a need for more frequent treatments and increased potential for resistance to the neuromodulator, making it less effective over time.
Healio: What are the side effects of baby Botox and is it safe?
Hill: With baby Botox, a few side effects such as muscle twitching or slight asymmetry (both temporary) may be more noticeable compared with traditional Botox, as muscles are incompletely weakened.
Other than that, baby Botox shares the same safety profile as traditional Botox, with the same common side effects of bruising, swelling or redness at the injection sites.
Healio: Can you share more about what causes the side effects of baby Botox to be more noticeable?
Hill: There is a lead time for Botox to fully “kick in,” which is about 2 weeks. During that time, the treated muscle is becoming weaker, and may twitch with attempted activation, as it is unable to perform the same amount of work.
This is more likely to occur when the Botox dose is not sufficient to fully relax the muscle but still impairs its function, as with baby Botox. Because the toxin effects are shorter lasting at low dosages and the muscles are only partially weakened, uneven results may also be more noticeable compared with traditional Botox.
Healio: How can practitioners minimize the potential side effects when administering baby Botox?
Hill: Rather than focusing on a set baby Botox dose, practitioners should utilize the appropriate amount of Botox to achieve an agreed-upon goal for a patient. Tailoring the dose based on the patient’s unique anatomy, muscle strength and desired outcome is crucial.
Proper technique, including the depth and location of injections, is also essential to limit uneven results or unintended muscle inactivation. To limit toxin resistance, sessions should be spaced out adequately, no more frequently than every 12 weeks.
Healio: Is there anything you would like to add?
Hill: It is important to understand that while baby Botox may sound appealing, it is essentially undertreating and comes with its own risks. These include the potential need for more frequent treatments, less predictable results and a higher chance of developing resistance to Botox.
The focus should be on delivering the precise amount of Botox tailored to the individual’s needs, rather than simply opting for a smaller dose or cutting costs. This ensures the most effective results without compromising the long-term success of the treatment.
For more information:
David Hill, MD, can be reached at dhill@fulcrumaesthetics.com.
Reference:
- Simone Biles said she's "not doing" Botox ever again, and she explained why. https://www.buzzfeed.com/chelseastewart/simone-biles-botox-experience. Published Aug. 4, 2024. Accessed Aug. 22, 2024.
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