Today, Explained – “The Rise of Baby Botox” (December 26, 2025)

Overview

This episode of Vox's Today, Explained, hosted by Noel King, investigates the growing phenomenon of "baby Botox"—the trend of younger women in their 20s and 30s turning to small-dose Botox as a preventive anti-aging measure. With insight from Yasmin Tayag (The Atlantic), the episode explores how cultural pressures, technology, and the beauty industry are reshaping attitudes toward cosmetic procedures. Dermatologist Dr. Michelle Huri also joins to discuss the medical, psychological, and ethical impacts of this trend.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. The Personal and Cultural Shift Around Botox

• Amanda's Experience
  Amanda Llewellyn recounts being swept up by a high-pressure skincare salesman, highlighting the persistent societal pressure to “fix your face,” even for someone relatively young:

  "He tells me this stuff costs $1,300, but it is so worth it because you won't need Botox for another three years." (00:35–00:44)

• Botox Out in the Open
  Yasmin Tayag observes a marked shift from secrecy to openness about cosmetic procedures among women in their 20s and 30s:

  “Everyone I spoke to was very happy to tell me that they've been doing baby Botox since their mid-20s.” (02:53)

  Where Botox was once a hush-hush indulgence (often paid for with cash to hide from family), it’s now shared openly in social circles.

2. Defining Baby Botox & Its Preventative Appeal

• What Is Baby Botox?
  Baby Botox involves using smaller doses—typically 10–20 units—compared to standard procedures (20–40 units). The intent is to start early (even in your early 20s) as a preventative measure:

  “If you begin using it before you start forming wrinkles...you will not develop those wrinkles as long as you keep up the Botox.” (03:00–03:23)

3. Technology, Social Media, and the New Beauty Pressure

• Influence of Reality TV and Social Media
  The shift is amplified by celebrities and reality stars (Vanderpump Rules, Real Housewives) openly discussing cosmetic treatments, making them feel mainstream and accessible. (05:12–05:30)

  Social networks and tech like ring lights, filters, and the constant scrutiny of Zoom calls have made people hyper-aware of their appearance:

  “Our culture has just become so visual. We're always looking at faces on social media, juxtaposed with those of celebrities who look incredible...” (06:41–07:11)

• Funny Cultural Commentary
  Noel King jokes about returning to the days of poor lighting, blurring imperfections instead of highlighting them:

  “We need to return to the days of poor lighting... Everything gets blurry anyway.” (07:22–07:29)

4. Prevalence, Costs, and Economic Realities

• Popularity and Accessibility
  Usage among people in their 20s jumped by 71% between 2019 and 2022:

  “The number of people in their 20s who got Botox rose 71%.” (07:57)

  Despite high living costs and inflation, many justify the cost as comparable to or cheaper than other beauty treatments:

  “If you take it in the context of other cosmetics...$200 isn't that big a leap...” (09:03–09:38)

5. Medical Concerns and Psychological Impact

• Uncertainty About Long-Term Effects
  There’s a lack of data on what decades of regular Botox use might do, since the trend is relatively new:

  “We don’t really know that much about the long term effects...There just hasn’t been enough time.” (10:05)

• Chasing the Aging Process:
  Use can become a moving target—preventing wrinkles in one spot might cause new signs of aging elsewhere:

  “If you paralyze the muscles in one part of your face...other muscles can try to compensate. You’ll start seeing wrinkles in those areas.” (10:25–10:44)

• Psychological Toll:
  The trend risks sparking an “arms race” to look youthful, potentially raising the stakes and pressures for future generations to maintain a perpetually young look.

  “If baby botoxing becomes a bigger trend, could it become...an arms race?” (11:05)

  Yasmin recaps concerns about losing the dignity and privilege that sometimes comes with visible aging:

  “If you manage to stay looking 20 for the next 30 years...what do you miss out on? ...As I got older, I found that people treated me differently, often in a positive way.” (12:56–13:35)

6. The Doctor’s Perspective—Ethics and Industry Pressures

• Dr. Michelle Huri’s Experience & Concerns
  Dr. Huri noticed a marked increase in young, cosmetically motivated patients after the pandemic and widespread adoption of digital communication (Zoom, TikTok):

  “I didn’t start seeing that uptick of younger cosmetic patients until the pandemic.” (15:50–16:02)

  She shares an anecdote about a young woman obsessed with a “phantom” facial crease, raising concerns about body image distortion:

  “She was just...pointing to her cheek as if there was something there, but there was nothing there. It’s a phantom nasolabial fold. It didn’t exist.” (17:40–18:09)

• Commercialization and Harm in Cosmetic Practice
  Huri explains that cosmetic clinics are often incentivized to upsell procedures, sometimes at a patient’s expense:

  “In the larger practices...private equity owned...You are absolutely meant to sell as many products, as many procedures as possible.” (19:27–19:56)

  She shares her discomfort—and actions taken—when instructed to withhold medically necessary advice to boost profits (e.g., discouraging sunscreen use):

  “I was told, 'Don’t talk to them about using sunscreen...We want them to get skin cancer and come back.'” (20:06–20:25) “This goes against everything that I believe in, my oath.” (20:40)

• Risks and Downsides
  Dr. Huri stresses both the medical risks (infection, tissue damage, blindness), financial burden, and psychological dependency that come with starting young:

  “At some point, you become dependent...And then you’re going to look in the mirror and it’s not you.” (22:02–22:29)

  The psychological effect of repeated, incremental changes—dubbed “perception drift”—can lead to people no longer recognizing themselves:

  “At some point, you will do these little treatments until you are an entirely different person.” (22:49)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Yasmin Tayag on the changing secrecy around Botox:

  “We would have women come in paying in cash because they didn’t want their husbands or family members to know...” (04:04)

• On social media’s role in rising self-scrutiny:

  “You're looking at your face constantly.” (05:51)

• On the economic normalization of expensive beauty routines:

  “In New York City, at least a mani-pedi can go for $100 easily.” (09:09)

• On insecurity and competition:

  “She felt like she was in competition with women to look youthful... They’ve got a head start.” (11:51–12:07)

• Dr. Huri on medical ethics:

  “Providers need to say no. Unfortunately, they’re incentivized not to.” (18:18)

• On the risk of psychological change:

  “It’s going to be a point where you look in the mirror and it’s not you.” (22:23)

Timestamps for Key Segments

• Amanda’s Skincare Encounter / Introducing “Baby Botox” – 00:00–02:26
• What is Baby Botox / Why It’s Trending – 02:26–06:00
• Role of Social Media / Ring Light Culture – 06:00–07:49
• Stats, Cost, and Practical Considerations – 07:49–09:50
• Medical and Social Risks of Early Botox – 10:00–11:51
• The ‘Arms Race’ to Stay Young / Societal Implications – 11:51–13:48
• Interview: Dr. Michelle Huri on Young Patients & Medical Ethics – 15:48–24:31

Summary

This episode offers a nuanced look at the “rise of baby Botox,” weaving together personal stories, journalistic investigation, and critical medical insight. It reveals how shifting norms (bolstered by social platforms and reality TV) have made Botox not only more accepted, but also seemingly imperative for younger generations. Amid glowing skin and social conformity lurk unanswered questions about psychological well-being, the medical risks of preventative cosmetic procedures, and the ethical quandaries providers face. As Dr. Huri concludes, the procedures meant to empower can, if unchecked, become yet another engine of insecurity.

Recommended for listeners interested in:

• Cultural trends in health & beauty
• The impact of social media on self-image
• The ethics and risks of the modern beauty industry