What Is "Baby Botox"—And Is It Worth It?

While "Baby Botox" sounds like an adorable way to smooth out lines, there's a lot more to the treatment than a pint-sized wrinkle relaxer. Ahead, dermatologists and a facial aesthetics doctor reveal everything you need to know about the popular Botox alternative. If you're curious about Baby Botox, keep reading to learn about its benefits, potential downsides, what to expect from a treatment, and more.

What Is Baby Botox?

"Baby Botox was a term coined on social media referring to individuals in their early 20s preemptively getting Botox as a preventative measure to aging," says board-certified dermatologist Amy Forman Taub, MD, FAAD. "The idea is that even though these individuals may not be candidates for a full Botox treatment, they are getting it on a smaller scale. Botox inhibits their muscles from moving, therefore later in life they won’t have as deep of wrinkles as they would have had without it. As a result, perhaps they won’t have to invest as much in their anti-aging routine when they’re older. We have also used the term in our practice to indicate a much smaller than normal dose for patients’ first treatment if they are particularly apprehensive about starting Botox."

Board-certified dermatologist Jennifer Chwalek explains that there is no standard definition of a "baby" size; however, the name refers to "a micro-droplet technique of injecting fewer units more precisely and superficially to give a more natural and even look."

Benefits of Baby Botox

A benefit of Baby Botox is that it can also be used in more areas of the face and body than the traditional strength treatment. “Baby Botox can be focused into the usual areas where you would have traditional Botox, the frown lines, forehead, and crow’s feet, but Baby Botox can also be used to give a lot of areas a little lift and tighten,” says facial aesthetics doctor Pamela Benito. Other benefits of Baby Botox include:

• More natural appearance
• Fewer side effects than regular Botox
• Retain facial movement
• Prevent wrinkle formation
• Release tension in the jaw

Who Is Baby Botox For?

Baby Botox is spread across the face in smaller amounts and may be best suited for people who want to get a head start on anti-aging measures or those who have lighter lines. While Baby Botox is a great entry-level treatment, facial aesthetics doctor Pamela Benito explains, “It’s also for anyone who doesn’t want a heavy look.”

Chwalek says that Baby Botox "works best for younger patients, or patients who have less defined or etched lines." So if you have deeper lines, you may want to go with the usual Botox. Baby Botox might not give the desired results if you have deeper lines but always check with your doctor.

How to Prepare for Baby Botox

First, you should know what you're getting into as you prepare for Baby Botox. "As with any cosmetic treatment, it is important to discuss your individual concerns and goals with your doctor before any treatment," says Chwalek. Talk to your doctor about any concerns you have, and make sure they tell you exactly where they plan to administer the Botox. Ask to see a portfolio of before-and-after images to ensure that you like their work. And it's probably a good idea to skip heavy makeup on the day of your appointment.

What to Expect During a Baby Botox Treatment

"The process is the same as regular Botox injections," says Chwalek. "The only real difference is the amount used and possibly the number of total injections."

"The idea is that we don't completely relax the muscle so that there is no movement (ie. frozen), but instead weaken it enough so that it doesn't contract with the same intensity (resulting in a smoother appearance of any facial lines). Rather than look completely frozen, there is still some natural facial expression," she adds.

Baby Botox vs. Botox

You might be surprised to learn that it isn't a different formula in Baby Botox. "There is no difference in what is injected, the difference is the amount that is injected," Taub explains. "For regular Botox treatments generally 30 units to 40 units are used when treating the forehead and frown lines, also known as the '11 line.'  Crows Feet adds another 16 to 30 units.  Baby Botox treatments are generally around half these amounts."

Where Is Baby Botox Used?

Baby Botox can be used in various areas of the face, and even in the gums. Here's a breakdown of how it works in different areas.

• Lower face: “When it comes to the lower third of the face, you have to be more careful and use less [Botox],” Benito says. And this is where Baby Botox really comes into play. “You can use it to treat the Marionette lines around the mouth, which can make you look sad, and the bunny lines on the nose. It can treat smoker’s lines, or, in older women, it can even be used to tighten the chin,” she adds.
• Neck and décolletage: And it’s not just the face where Baby Botox can be employed. “We can use it on the neck to lift, on the décolletage to tighten any fine lines, and under the arms to prevent sweating,” adds Benito.
• Jaw: Baby Botox can be injected into the muscles where your jaw joins your skull to prevent clenching and grinding of the teeth. This means that Baby Botox can be helpful for people who are looking to address jaw pain and pressure. “As a side effect of this, we noticed that these muscles relaxing gives the jawline a V-shape and actually slims the face,” Benito told me. Win, win.
• Above the lips: "In our experience, those who are interested in Baby Botox have also shown interest in a trending treatment called lip flip," Taub says. "This is where a small amount of Botox is injected above the lip in order to elevate the upper lip which can give the appearance of a fuller lip. Young patients sometimes try this before they decide to do lip filler, to see what they look like with fuller lips during a “trial period.”
• Gums: Most surprisingly, Benito revealed that Baby Botox can be injected into the gums to drop the lip and conceal a gummy-looking smile. Be aware that if you want to explore the lesser-known uses for Baby Botox, you need to visit a professional with plenty of experience, as there can be complications with injections in the lower part of the face.
  

Potential Side Effects

The side effects of both types of Botox are pretty similar. While already a generally safe experience, Baby Botox has even fewer side effects than regular treatments. These can include bruising around the injection sites, asymmetrical results, and more.

"Like regular Botox injections, there is always a risk of potentially dropping the brow or eyelid ptosis if the injection is placed incorrectly or if it migrates. However, this is less of a risk with Baby Botox since fewer units are being used so it is less likely that it would be enough to fully relax a muscle," says Chwalek. Overall, the side effects should be fairly minor.

The Cost

The cost can also be similar for Baby Botox because you are paying for the experience of the practitioner as well as the product. "Sometimes Botox is charged by the unit and sometimes by the area," says Chwalek. "Depending on the practitioner, it may cost the same or may be slightly less. It doesn't always cost less because it still requires in-depth knowledge of anatomy and the skill of knowing how much to inject and where." Baby Botox with Benito, for example, starts at $268.

How long does Baby Botox last>

Traditional Botox lasts around four to five months, while Baby Botox lasts three months (longevity can change from person to person). "Duration of Botox can be affected by dose," Taub explains. "In general, higher dosages last longer.  However, if prevention is the main use and the lines treated have barely developed, then Baby Botox does last approximately three to four months, the same as regular Botox. If higher dosages are warranted for more muscle volume, Baby Botox may not last as long, and higher, more appropriate dosages may be needed.  In addition, the longevity of neurotoxins is individually based; those noted here are averages."

Aftercare

"We tell our patients directly following their treatment not to fall asleep or rest lying down for 5 hours, and to do muscle exercises in the treated areas every 10-15  minutes for an hour," says Taub. "Other than, that no other aftercare is required."

The Final Takeaway

Baby Botox is a fantastic option for those who are just starting out with Botox or who want a more natural-looking result. If you have shallow lines or want to prevent wrinkles down the line, it could be the perfect procedure for you. The downtime is limited, and you don't need to do much to prepare or recover.