Today, Explained: How to "Fix" Your Face
Release Date: May 16, 2025
Hosts: Sean Rameswaram & Noel King
Produced by: Amanda Llewellyn
Network: Vox Media Podcast Network
Introduction: The Allure of Advanced Skincare
The episode kicks off with Amanda Llewellyn sharing a personal experience that underscores the burgeoning interest in high-end skincare procedures. While vacationing in Portland, Oregon, Amanda encounters an aggressive skincare salesperson who convinces her to try a $1,300 treatment claiming it can eliminate the need for Botox for three years.
Amanda Llewellyn [00:00]:
"I have the beginnings of crow's feet, but I'm looking in the mirror and they're, they're gone."
This anecdote sets the stage for a deeper exploration into the pressures and trends surrounding facial aesthetics today.
Unpacking Baby Botox: A Preventative Trend
Yasmin Tayag, a staff writer at The Atlantic and host of the podcast How to Age Up, delves into the phenomenon of "baby Botox." Initially secretive in the mid-2000s, Botox has become more mainstream, particularly among younger demographics aiming to prevent wrinkles before they form.
Yasmin Tayag [03:03]:
"Baby Botox is thought of as a preventative procedure. The idea is that if you begin using it before you start forming wrinkles, you will not develop those wrinkles as long as you keep up the Botox."
Baby Botox refers to the use of smaller, less noticeable doses of Botox, typically ranging from 10 to 20 units compared to the standard 20 to 40 units. This approach aims to maintain a youthful appearance without the overt "frozen" look often associated with traditional Botox treatments.
The Cultural Shift: From Secretive to Open
Noel King and Yasmin discuss the transformation of Botox from a clandestine procedure to a widely accepted norm, influenced heavily by reality TV shows like Vanderpump Rules and The Real Housewives.
Noel King [04:16]:
"I'm a couple years older than you. My impression of Botox is that it is something we do in the shadows."
Yasmin Tayag [05:35]:
"The openness just sort of bled out into the wider culture, leading us to a place where people aren't really embarrassed anymore."
This normalization is further propelled by social media platforms where individuals constantly scrutinize and compare their appearances, exacerbating the desire for cosmetic enhancements.
Social Media’s Impact on Self-Perception
The incessant use of smartphones and platforms like TikTok has intensified self-examination, making users hyper-aware of their facial features and imperfections.
Yasmin Tayag [06:10]:
"You're looking at your face constantly. I think broadly, our culture has just become so visual."
The advent of tools like ring lights, which are designed to enhance on-camera appearances but also highlight every minute detail of one's face, contributes to this heightened self-awareness.
Economic Considerations: Is It Affordable?
A critical discussion emerges around the affordability of baby Botox, especially for younger individuals grappling with economic pressures like inflation and rent.
Yasmin Tayag [08:38]:
"Even baby Botox, which uses fewer units than normal Botox, is still expensive. It can run up to between like $200 and $400 per session."
Despite the costs, many perceive it as a part of their regular skincare routine, often comparing it to other beauty treatments that also require consistent financial outlay.
Long-Term Risks and Ethical Concerns
Dr. Michelle Huri, a dermatologist, provides a professional perspective on the long-term implications and ethical dilemmas posed by the increasing trend of cosmetic procedures among younger populations.
Dr. Michelle Huri [10:10]:
"We don't really know that much about the long-term effects of regular Botox use."
She highlights potential physiological consequences, such as muscle dependency and the emergence of new wrinkles due to imbalanced facial muscle activity. Additionally, Dr. Huri emphasizes the psychological risks, including the development of dependency on cosmetic procedures for self-esteem.
Dr. Michelle Huri [23:05]:
"At what point is it kind of be not enough? Right. So you're gonna do more and more and more, and then you're not gonna look like yourself."
The "Perception Drift" Phenomenon
A term introduced by Dr. Huri, "perception drift," describes the gradual shift in an individual's appearance due to continuous cosmetic interventions, potentially leading to a loss of one's natural look.
Dr. Michelle Huri [24:00]:
"At some point, you will do these little, little incremental treatments. Until the end, you are entirely a different person."
This concept questions the sustainability of altering one's appearance to align with ever-evolving beauty standards and the possible identity crisis that may follow.
Economic Sustainability of Cosmetic Procedures
The conversation also touches upon the financial burden of maintaining such beauty standards over time.
Yasmin Tayag [09:40]:
"If you view it as just a part of your normal skincare routine, 200 bucks isn't that big a leap."
However, as procedures like baby Botox require regular touch-ups, the cumulative costs can become substantial, posing challenges for long-term affordability.
Professional Integrity vs. Market Demands
Dr. Huri discusses the ethical tension between medical professionals' duty to prioritize patient well-being and the commercial pressures to maximize procedural offerings.
Dr. Michelle Huri [21:37]:
"I had to start my own office and be on my own. That goes against everything that I believe in, my oath."
Her experience reflects a broader conflict within the cosmetic industry, where economic incentives often overshadow medical ethics, leading to potentially harmful practices.
Conclusion: Balancing Beauty with Health and Authenticity
The episode wraps up by pondering the societal implications of cosmetic enhancements. While advancements in skincare and cosmetic procedures offer individuals the means to maintain their desired appearance, they also raise questions about authenticity, psychological health, and the true cost of adhering to rigid beauty standards.
Yasmin Tayag [13:54]:
"If you manage to stay looking 20 for the next 30 years of your life, what do you miss out on?"
This reflective query invites listeners to consider the broader impact of beauty trends on personal identity and societal values.
Key Takeaways:
- Baby Botox is a preventive cosmetic procedure gaining popularity among younger demographics to stave off wrinkles.
- Social Media Influence: Platforms like TikTok and tools like ring lights amplify self-scrutiny, driving the desire for cosmetic enhancements.
- Economic Factors: While perceived as part of a regular skincare routine, the cumulative costs of procedures like baby Botox can be significant.
- Health Risks: Long-term and psychological risks of continuous cosmetic interventions remain under-researched and potentially harmful.
- Ethical Dilemmas: Medical professionals face conflicts between patient well-being and commercial pressures in the cosmetic industry.
- Cultural Reflection: The pursuit of maintaining a youthful appearance raises questions about authenticity and the societal value placed on aging.
This episode of Today, Explained offers a comprehensive examination of the pressures to maintain youthful appearances, the rise of preventative cosmetic procedures, and the complex interplay between social media, economic factors, and ethical considerations in the beauty industry.