There’s much to be said about how accessible beauty treatments have become. From facials to fillers, the world of injectables has quickly become normalised in day-to-day life. So much so that your average ‘For You’ page might have a TikTok or two about Baby Botox. But what is it? And even though everyone online is doing it, should you? We sat down with Dr Shagoon Modi, an aesthetic doctor at Orskin Aesthetics Clinic, to gather insight on everything you would want to know about this treatment.
What were once exclusive beauty secrets have now become everyday occurrences for the average woman. But normalised doesn’t mean necessary—if invasive cosmetic treatments aren’t your thing, then you shouldn’t have to partake in them. But if it’s something that’s been on your mind, then research and asking the right questions is the way to go. After all, knowledge is power, and finding out everything you need to know can help you advocate for a safer procedure.
With that being said, here’s the A-Z on Baby Botox. But remember, don’t do this treatment on a whim; consult a qualified professional before committing to it.
But First, The Term “Botox”
‘Botox’ as a term has become common knowledge these days, but did you know that Botox is just the name of a brand? The actual medicine that is being injected is called botulinum toxin, and Botox is just the most popular brand of it. So while you might hear unfamiliar names at the doctor’s office, keep in mind that those are just the brand names, and as long as it’s confirmed that the medicine is botulinum toxin, you’re good to go! And for the sake of clarity, we will continue to use Botox as the generic term.
How Does Botox Work
Botox is primarily used as a preventative treatment for fine lines and fine wrinkles. “Botulinum toxin is injected into the nerve cells, which stops them from causing muscle contractions. By stopping the muscle contraction, you are preventing the lines on the face from settling into the skin,” says Dr Shagoon. Although mainly used for anti-ageing, Botox can also be used to treat migraines, excessive sweating, and other conditions.
Why Baby?
Baby Botox gives the impression that babies are involved, but trust me, they’re not. It just means a lighter dose of the already more well-known Botox, i.e. botulinum toxin. Because of its lighter dosage, it can be seen as an entry-level injectable, meant for younger folks in their mid-twenties to early thirties. But there are a lot of misconceptions regarding the trending treatment.
Baby VS Botox
If Baby Botox is the same as regular Botox, then what’s the difference? Apart from the lighter dosage, there’s practically no difference. There is a common misconception that Baby Botox is better because you can achieve a more natural look and skip having that “frozen” or “stiff” expression. “What many people don’t know is that that isn’t supposed to happen!” says Dr Shagoon. “Botox, when done right, will give you a natural look. The “frozen” look comes from overdosing, which is the fault of irresponsible practitioners.”
Another misconception is that a lighter dosage is safer. “When it comes to dosage, it depends on the person. With Baby Botox, you run the risk of underdosing, which makes the treatment last a shorter duration than what you would normally expect. You also run the risk of an asymmetric result when you underdose,” says Dr Shagoon. “It’s important to get the dosage right just once instead of underdosing and repeating the treatment after two months.”
Should You Be Getting Baby Botox?
It goes without saying that those who should get Baby Botox are those who really want to. If you are starting to see signs of fine lines and fine wrinkles, or want to prevent them altogether, then Baby Botox can help. But with deep-set wrinkles, it’s already too late. Once the wrinkle is set in the skin, there is not much Botox can do since it works with the muscles and nerves beneath the skin. And as mentioned before, if you’ve never done an injectable before, Baby Botox is a safer starting point.
What to Expect at a Baby Botox Treatment
According to Dr Shagoon, it can be a pretty quick treatment. “During the consultation, you will be asked to do some facial movements so we can understand how much of a muscle pull you have. When we get right down to it, we inject the area with a very fine needle so we have precise movement. We don’t usually use numbing cream, but we will if the patient is really averse to pain. Overall, the injecting process takes 5 minutes.” Once done, you should be fine to leave the doctor’s office and resume your normal routine. And the results of a standard treatment should last for 3 – 6 months.
Side Effects of Baby Botox
Like any other treatment, Baby Botox does come with some side effects. What’s common is bruising and swelling on the skin right after the treatment. Rarer side effects would be an asymmetrical result, or having the Botox spread to a nearby muscle and stopping its movement. “Although I’ve never seen it happen, if aftercare isn’t done properly, then you can possibly get a drooped eyebrow or a droopy eyelid. It’s important to follow the aftercare instructions properly so you can minimise any possible issues once the treatment is done.”
