Xeeis — Isabelle Lux, a 32-year-old content creator residing in Palm Beach, Florida, recently shared her apprehensions while awaiting her ‘Barbie Botox’ treatment. This cosmetic procedure involves injecting 40 units of neurotoxin into each trapezius muscle, which supports the neck. Lux’s motivation for this treatment was to slim her shoulders in preparation for her wedding while also alleviating upper back pain. She recounted her thoughts, saying, ‘I was thinking the whole time, ‘If it goes right, this is going to be great and I can’t wait to share it (online). If this goes wrong, I better warn people. So basically I figured no matter what happens, I’m going to tell people.’ And God, I just prayed it went well.’
Originally developed to relieve severely overworked trapezius muscles, which could lead to migraines and severe neck tension, ‘Barbie Botox’ is now being used off-label to aesthetically reduce shoulder size and create the illusion of a longer neck. This trend has gained popularity on social media platforms.
Dr. Parisha Acharya, the lead cosmetic doctor at the renowned London medical aesthetics clinic Waterhouse Young, explained the procedure, stating, ‘When Botox is injected into a muscle, it stops the connection to the nerve. Over time it leads to a weakening and paralysis of the muscle. Indirectly, the muscle shrinks away.’
The hashtag ‘Barbie Botox’ has garnered over 7 million views on TikTok, where MediSpas and clinics document the injection process with pastel pink captions and sparkle emojis. Lux, who coined the term, shared her own experience, which has now been viewed over 250,000 times. She believes the treatment gives individuals a more ‘Barbie-like’ appearance, emphasizing how it elongates the neck, slims the shoulders, and creates a delicate physique when done correctly.
However, administering the treatment incorrectly or in the wrong dosage could result in complete muscle paralysis, warned Dr. Acharya. Additionally, the neurotoxin may occasionally migrate from the injection site, affecting the nerve connection of surrounding muscles, which could be particularly problematic if it occurs around the neck and impacts one’s ability to hold their head upright.
Lux, who received the $1,200 treatment as a gift from an on-demand aesthetic services booking app, was advised to avoid heavy backpacks, strenuous exercise, and massages for at least 72 hours after the procedure. She initially felt tension and stiffness in her neck, shoulders, and upper back during the first week but now reports feeling ‘better than ever’ and is planning a follow-up session in the winter.
Nevertheless, Lux emphasizes that this treatment should not be taken lightly. She recommends consulting a surgeon or medical doctor for proper administration, saying, ‘If you’re not able to get it done at the right place, I would say it’s honestly not worth it.’
Dr. Acharya shares these concerns, particularly as ‘Barbie Botox’ trends on social media, attracting a younger audience. She stated, ‘I think a medical procedure should be treated as a medical procedure. And in the UK, (the aesthetics industry) is unregulated. So shockingly anyone can administer botulinum toxin injections. That could be a beautician or hairdresser with no clinical experience and no anatomy knowledge. It really does worry me.’
The global facial injectable market is predicted to more than double in the next decade, reaching $36.8 billion by 2032. A 2021 survey by The International Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery reported a 54.4% increase in minimally invasive procedures like Botox and fillers since 2017.
Lux argues that the pursuit of doll-like features and thinness should not be condemned. She has faced criticism online, being called anti-feminist and insecure, but she counters, ‘The desire to look a certain way has for centuries been seen as silly, a waste of time, waste of money, and pointless, especially for women. But when a man wants to look a certain way, it’s scientific, it’s cool. I think that we need to stop belittling women for things that they’re interested in, including looking a certain way if they want to. It’s not silly. Like, it’s real.’
Ironically, ‘Barbie Botox’ seems to conflict with the themes of the newly released Barbie movie, which promoted feminism and a move away from objectifying women’s bodies. Dr. Acharya expressed her reservations about the trend, saying, ‘I don’t like the fact that this trend is using Barbie to say we should have slim necks. We should embrace ourselves for who we are.