Sep 29th, 2023

Tony Scianna

Barbie Botox can relax the shoulders and help portray an elongated neck similar to the original Barbie doll.

DAndreev - stock.adobe.com

Barbie has exploded in popularity since the recent release of the Barbie movie starring Margot Robbie as the representation of the classic Mattel doll from the 1950s. However, Barbie's influence has now spread beyond the big screen and into the medical aesthetics world by inspiring the Barbie Botox trend. The procedure is all over Tik Tok and gaining attention from beauty influencers for its ability to relax the shoulders and make the neck look longer, providing a silhouette similar to the elongated neck appearance of a Barbie doll.

What is Barbie Botox?

The Barbie Botox treatment involves injecting botulinum toxin, or a similar muscle-paralyzing neurotoxin, into the trapezius muscles, or traps, with the intent of flattening the shoulders to give the appearance of a longer neck, according to a report from USA Today. Dermatologists told the publication that trapezius Botox, the original name for Barbie Botox, has historically been used in fields like neurology, pain management and orthopedics to treat a host of medical concerns.

CNN reports that the procedure was originally devised to aid the release of severely overworked trapezius muscles which could cause migraines and intense neck tension. The treatment is considered generally safe and can make a subtle difference in appearance, but can be expensive and require multiple treatments.

Aesthetic Uses for Barbie Botox  

Although it's impossible to actually elongate the neck, Barbie Botox can relax the shoulders and make the neck appear longer by contrast, and according to USA Today, many patients who seek the treatment strive to achieve as close to a 90-degree angle between their neck and shoulder lines as possible, similar to how the Barbie doll looks, which is aesthetically unnatural to the human form.

Multiple rounds of Barbie Botox over several months are often necessary to see and maintain a difference in appearance. The treatment usually takes about two weeks to notice effects, and one round of treatment can last about three to four months or more, depending on the neurotoxin used. It is also possible to experience non-cosmetic benefits from the procedure like alleviating neck and shoulder tension, muscle spasms, migraines and trapezius hypertrophy.

As with all beauty trends on social media, medical experts recommend patients consider the pros and cons and always consult a medical professional for consultation before the procedure. The trapezius muscle helps keep the head up, so any complications or improper doses could result in posture problems or worse.