Increased Expression of Interest for 'TrapSlim' Treatment:
The surge in interest for the 'Barbie Botox' trend, prominently influenced by the recent Barbie movie, revolves around the desire to emulate Barbie's distinct features, particularly her absence of trapezius muscles and elongated neck. This aspiration to resemble Barbie's physique, perceived as a symbol of elegant femininity, has motivated individuals to seek the shrinkage of their trapezius muscles using botulinum toxin, aiming to mimic this aspect of the doll's appearance. Dr. Danielle has been quite surprised about the number of recent consultations she has had involving discussion around this cosmetic treatment.
Medical Applications:
The medical application of injecting trapezius muscles with botulinum toxin for treatment of torticollis and migraine management has been utilised for many years, primarily to address muscle tension causing neck pain, potentially triggering migraines. A secondary consequence to this treatment is reduced trapezius muscle size.
The concept of reducing muscle size through botulinum toxin isn't novel within aesthetic medicine. Dr. Danielle Richards amongst many other clinicians often treat masseter muscles not only for medical reasons in individuals with bruxism or teeth grinding, but also for cosmetic effects like jawline slimming, often amongst females who wish for a more slender face shape.
The potential risks associated with 'TrapSlim' treatment stem from weakening a muscle crucial for supporting the head and neck:
Dr. Danielle expresses concern regarding the strain this may place on the neck, considering the forces exerted on this region. While there isn't concrete clinical evidence indicating adverse effects, caution is urged due to the possibility of patients experiencing negative outcomes due to focal muscle weakness including the inability to perform certain movements limiting function, or early muscle fatigue resulting in localised or referred pain. This concern intensifies with trapezius treatment, given its significant role in supporting the neck and head.
Should Cosmetic Injectors Promote this TrapSlim Barbie Botox Trend?
Dr. Danielle advocates prudence regarding the Barbie Botox trend and cautions against hasty adoption of new treatments or products in Medical Aesthetics. Despite the initial hype and attention, complications are most likely to surface after several months as recurrent treatments are likely to be required to achieve the desired cosmetic affect, prompting a more cautious approach. While practitioners may feel pressure to keep pace with emerging trends, Dr. Danielle advises acknowledging the risk of harm of this particular procedure. It's prudent to observe outcomes, learn from experiences, and only integrate these procedures after thorough evaluation and training to prioritise patient safety and well-being.
Botox® is a registered trademark of Allergan Aesthetics plc.
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