Meet "Baby Botox": The Wrinkle-Reducing Treatment That Gives You More Natural Results
"Hearst Magazines and Yahoo may earn commission or revenue on some items through the links below."
Maybe you've considered getting Botox but worry that you’ll turn into a “Real Housewife”—unable to emote or move your eyebrows—after your very first appointment. When it comes to neuromodulators and Botox in particular though, you don’t always have to go 0 to 100 overnight to reap some of the benefits of this turn-back-the-clock treatment. In fact, you should really be discussing the best personalized plan for your particular aesthetic goals and unique anatomy with a trusted provider long before any needles even come close to your face, and injectables can be a lot more discreet-looking than you think.
That’s where a trending treatment called “Baby Botox” might come into play, and it’s likely the route many celebs are going with their anti-aging regimens these days for their smooth-as-silk, enviable complexions that never stray into overly-frozen facial territory. Think Baby Botox could be right for you? Here’s a primer on the process so you can ask the right questions during any consultation.
Meet Our Experts: Dr. David Shafer, MD, FACS, double board-certified plastic surgeon and owner of Shafer Clinic in New York City, Sherie Becker, MSPAS, MPH, PA-C, aesthetic physician’s assistant at SkinSpirit
What is Baby Botox?
If the term “Baby Botox” sounds like injectables for toddlers, don’t worry—that’s not what this treatment’s about at all. “When most people say ‘Baby Botox,’ they are referring to lower doses than typically administered, almost like a starter dose for someone who is not sure if they want it yet or need it or for someone who is looking to start preventive treatments,” says Dr. David Shafer, MD, FACS, a double board-certified plastic surgeon and owner of Shafer Clinic in New York City. “Essentially, ‘Baby Botox’ is a lower dose than standard, and there are some preventive effects but also positive effects on the skin—just not full effect with standard dosing. A person should expect smoother and brighter skin but not as effective dynamic wrinkle reduction as standard dosing.”
According to Sherie Becker, MSPAS, MPH, PA-C, an aesthetic physician’s assistant at SkinSpirit, during both procedures, a tiny needle is used to place small amounts of Botox, or botulinum toxin, into targeted muscle groups. Like classic Botox, Baby Botox typically is administered to the same three FDA-approved treatment areas: frown lines (between the brows), forehead lines, and/or crow’s feet (around the eyes).
That said, Becker has seen some use of Baby Botox for the lower face as well, if a patient is looking to lift and tighten up things like smokers or marionette lines, for example, or thinking about something like a "lip flip” (though these treatments are all considered off-label applications).
How Does Baby Botox Compare to Traditional Botox?
The biggest difference again comes down to the dosing and potentially the number of injection sites also, which can be fewer with Baby Botox depending on your facial muscle strength and positioning.
“A typical Botox treatment can consist of 30 to 50 units, whereas a Baby Botox treatment may consist of 20 to 30 units,” says Becker. “The effect of the reduced dose is a more subtle outcome and can be used for those on a budget, those seeking subtle results, or those who are just getting started with treatment at a younger age range.”
Think of Baby Botox as being more akin to relaxing the muscles to a weakened state versus full paralysis, which is exactly the desired result some patients are seeking. “In this scenario, the goal is to soften their movement but not erase it completely,” says Becker.
In general, Becker says Baby Botox is best for patients in their mid-twenties to early thirties looking to prevent early onset wrinkles that have mild to moderate dynamic muscle movement with very minimal fine lines when the face is at rest.
“Not everyone is a good candidate for Baby Botox, which is why it’s important to seek a consultation from a skilled provider that can set accurate expectations and inform you if you can attain the goals you are looking to achieve with this style of Botox treatment,” she says. For example, those with deep resting lines or those looking for a brow lift would not be well served by Baby Botox’s dosing.
Dr. Shafer boils the Baby Botox versus traditional Botox Cosmetic debate down to this axiom: “There is not really an age but more of a clinical assessment examining the patient's dynamic wrinkles,” he says. “If the patient already has static wrinkles (the result of years of dynamic wrinkles and stress in the face), they definitely need full-strength Botox.”
Benefits of Baby Botox
While Baby Botox might not have as dramatic of results as traditional Botox—as Dr. Shafer puts it best, “smaller doses means smaller effects”—the right candidate can still expect a net positive in terms of looking and feeling fresh-faced.
“For patients with very fine resting lines—or lines with animation—Baby Botox should relax those fine lines, elevate the brow ever so slightly, and soften a portion of their crow’s feet,” says Becker. “The result of Baby Botox will be a lot more subtle than a regular Botox treatment would be, but for some patients, it can be just enough to help them feel that they appear well-rested but still feel that they have some of their natural expressions and feel more confident.”
If you're just starting to see wrinkles and lines popping up on your face, Baby Botox can also give you a leg up in staving off deeper wrinkle formation. “If started early on (mid- to late-twenties), you can expect that with routine treatments of Baby Botox, we should be able to soften the movement of the upper face and prevent fine lines from permanently setting in,” says Becker.
One thing you might not necessarily expect from Baby Botox’s lower dosage though: a shorter life-span of the results. “It is important to know that the results of Baby Botox treatments may not last a full three months,” says Becker. “If you are wanting more longevity with your Botox treatments, then you will likely need to increase your Botox dosing to a more standardized regimen.”
How Much Does “Baby Botox” Cost?
According to Dr. Shafer, full Botox treatments typically range from $1,500 to $2,500, but he puts the estimate for Baby Botox closer to the neighborhood of $500 to $1,000, depending on the number units used and areas treated. In some markets, Becker says it’s not unheard of to spend from $250 to $500 for Baby Botox. The difference in cost is directly related to the amount of Botox used, but going this more “budget” route won’t always be viable for everyone for the reasons described above.
Side Effects
According to Dr. Shafer, most patients are candidates for traditional Botox. “Botox is the safest, most effective treatment with minimal complications that exists for improving the skin,” he says. So it follows that Baby Botox would be just as safe—if not safer—considering its lower dosage and potential fewer injection sites.
“The biggest downside to this treatment is the longevity of the results is diminished when you use less units, and you may not get the degree of relaxation of the lines you were hoping for,” says Becker. “This may tempt patients to get more frequent treatments rather than waiting the full 90 days in between treatments, which is the standard recommendation for treatment intervals.”
Even Baby Botox performed more frequently than 90-day intervals could lead to a patient’s increased risk of developing an immunity to the neurotoxin being used. “Treatments will become less effective over time,” she says, in this scenario.
In general though, Botox treatments are relatively painless and quick with minimal side-effects or complications and fairly effective with regular maintenance. “Most patients can have treatments and head right back to work or to lunch,” says Dr. Shafer. “There is no downtime. It can take three to five days for the effects to show, so patients need to know it's not an immediate result.” Additionally, because Botox and Baby Botox are both injected via small needles, minor bruising at the injection site can occur post-treatment and last about a week, says Becker. Swelling is also possible. “The injection site can swell for five to 10 minutes – similar to the appearance of a mosquito bite—but quickly fades,” says Dr. Shafer.
Like all cosmetic procedures, it’s imperative that you seek out a reputable, experienced provider and familiarize yourself with their work—and you’re sure you are a good candidate for Baby Botox, considering the above criteria and the nature of its results. An experienced professional should make the occurrence of asymmetrical results less likely, too.
Aftercare and Healing
To minimize bruising from Baby Botox, Becker suggests avoiding alcohol the day before treatment and refraining from taking blood thinners (Advil, Aspirin, NSAIDs) and fish oil/Vitamin E supplements for five days prior.
“After the treatment, it is important to remain upright and avoid rubbing the treatment area or applying pressure to the treated area for six hours, including facial treatments,” says Becker. She also recommends sitting out from strenuous physical activity for about a day or so post-treatment.
As far as what to put on your face after Botox, some topicals can help with bruising and healing, should you want to go that route. “Topical products, such as Alastin Skincare INhance Post Injection Serum, can be applied four times daily following injectable treatments to help speed up recovery and diminish bruising should you have any,” says Becker. Keep in mind that you’ll likely have to return to your provider every three months to maintain results. Again, every person reacts to Botox a little bit differently, so it’s possible you might wait four months or longer in between Baby Botox treatments.
You Might Also Like
