Biohacking Beauty: The Anti-Aging Skincare Podcast
Episode Title: Botox Myths You’ve Believed – UNTIL NOW
Host: Amitay Eshel & Anastasia Hochaiba
Release Date: April 23, 2025

Overview

In Episode 7 of the Biohacking Beauty podcast, hosts Amitay Eshel and Anastasia Hochaiba delve deep into the world of Botox, unraveling seven prevalent myths and misconceptions surrounding this widely-used anti-aging treatment. The episode aims to empower listeners with accurate information, enabling them to make informed decisions about their skincare and aging gracefully.

1. Botox Alters Facial Movements Over Time

Timestamp: [00:50 – 04:34]

Amitay sets the stage by emphasizing that Botox is often mistaken as a casual beauty routine rather than a regulated medical procedure with complex long-term effects.

Anastasia elaborates, stating, “Botox alters facial movements over time. So most people know that Botox relaxes the muscles to smooth wrinkles. But what many don't realize is that over time, repeated use can change your facial muscles function” ([01:15]). She explains that continuous Botox use can lead to diminished natural expressions, muscle weakening, and even facial asymmetry after prolonged periods (e.g., 5-10 years). This change can result in a "frozen" appearance, detracting from genuine emotional expression.

2. Botox Can Contribute to Perception Drift

Timestamp: [04:34 – 06:24]

Anastasia introduces the concept of "perception drift," coining it with insights from Dr. Cameron Chestnut. “What we believe is normal facial function looks like drifts together with the amount of evidence we see to that in the environment” ([04:41]). She explains that as more people use Botox, societal perceptions of youthful appearance shift, making the standard look more homogenized and potentially leading individuals to feel anxious about even minor changes in their appearance.

She addresses a misconception propagated by some doctors that Botox “kills the emotional intelligence center in your brain,” clarifying, “...if you cannot mimic certain emotions, you are less able to read other people's emotions” ([04:43]). This reduced facial expressiveness can hinder emotional communication, although it doesn't directly impact brain function.

3. Overuse of Botox Can Lead to Muscle Atrophy

Timestamp: [06:55 – 08:50]

Amitay introduces Fact Number 3, highlighting that excessive Botox use can cause muscle atrophy.

Anastasia explains, “When you repeatedly inject Botox into the same area, those muscles aren't being used, so they shrink... And what happens when facial muscles shrink? Well, there's looking more hollow. Things start to sag...” ([06:58]). She warns of a "filler spiral," where users compensate for atrophied muscles by introducing fillers, potentially leading to an unnatural, puffy appearance.

To combat muscle atrophy, Anastasia advises cycling off Botox treatments and incorporating facial massages or muscle stimulation to maintain muscle integrity ([08:02]).

4. Botox Can Weaken the Ligaments That Support the Face

Timestamp: [11:00 – 12:43]

Amitay discusses how Botox's muscle-relaxing effects can inadvertently weaken the facial ligaments. By limiting muscle movement, Botox reduces blood circulation and compromises the facial support structures, leading to sagging, especially in the lower face and neck ([11:10]).

Anastasia adds that overcompensated muscles might cause areas like jowls and marionette lines to become more pronounced. She recommends using facial toning tools, fascia release, and lymphatic drainage to support facial structure and prevent imbalances ([12:21]).

5. Botox Is Often Used Too Early

Timestamp: [12:43 – 16:49]

Amitay introduces Fact Number 5, questioning the trend of "preventative Botox" among individuals in their early twenties.

Anastasia critiques the injectables industry's push for early Botox usage, highlighting the bias from companies like Allergan that profit from increased sales. She debunks the notion that Botox is truly preventative, clarifying that while some studies suggest Botox reduces skin cell response to UV radiation, these findings are often misrepresented and lack practical applicability ([14:27 – 16:33]).

Instead of preemptive Botox, Anastasia advocates for focusing on cellular regeneration with treatments like NAD peptides and red light therapy to support skin resilience and health ([16:36 – 16:49]).

6. Botox Doesn't Actually Improve Skin Quality

Timestamp: [16:49 – 17:56]

Amitay prompts Anastasia to elaborate on Fact Number 6, emphasizing that Botox does not enhance skin texture, hydration, or elasticity.

Anastasia confirms, “Botox doesn't do a thing for your skin texture, hydration, elasticity. It just stops movement that causes certain wrinkles” ([17:06]). She stresses the importance of pairing Botox with skin-boosting treatments like red light therapy, microneedling, and exosome injections to address comprehensive skin health needs.

7. Botox Can Create an Unnatural Face Shape Over Time

Timestamp: [18:10 – 19:34]

Amitay presents the final fact, asserting that long-term Botox use can distort facial proportions.

Anastasia explains that consistent Botox injections can alter the balance between facial muscles, leading to a loss of jawline definition and overall facial harmony over years of use ([18:39]). To maintain a natural appearance, she recommends working with skilled injectors knowledgeable in muscle mapping and incorporating practices like facial yoga and resistance training to support and balance facial features.

Amitay adds a cautionary note on the "bow trap," where increased Botox use leads to higher dependency and dosage requirements due to muscle tolerance ([19:25]).

Conclusion

Timestamp: [19:34 – 20:04]

Anastasia wraps up the episode by reiterating that while Botox isn't inherently negative, its long-term effects necessitate a thoughtful, informed approach to usage. She emphasizes treating Botox as a tool that requires mindful application to avoid unintended consequences.

Amitay hints at future discussions, encouraging listeners to stay tuned for Part Two of their Botox breakdown, where they will explore additional facts and insights submitted by their audience ([20:02 – 20:04]).

Final Thoughts

Hosts Amitay Eshel and Anastasia Hochaiba provide a comprehensive examination of Botox, challenging common beliefs and shedding light on the nuanced effects of long-term use. By debunking myths and presenting factual information, they empower listeners to navigate the complexities of anti-aging treatments with greater awareness and caution.

Notable Quotes:

• Anastasia Hochaiba: “Botox alters facial movements over time... you might notice your expressions don't look as natural” ([01:20]).

• Anastasia Hochaiba: “What we believe is normal facial function looks like drifts together with the amount of evidence we see to that in the environment” ([04:41]).

• Anastasia Hochaiba: “Botox doesn't do a thing for your skin texture, hydration, elasticity. It just stops movement that causes certain wrinkles” ([17:06]).

• Anastasia Hochaiba: “Botox can create an unnatural face shape over time... it can sneak up to you after years of regular use” ([18:10]).

Disclaimer: This summary is based on the transcript provided and is intended for informational purposes only. For personalized skincare advice, please consult a qualified professional.