Yasmin Tayag

And I'm Yasmin Tayag, a staff writer at The Atlantic. This season, we're going to find out if longevity culture is keeping pace with the science. And what we can learn about taking a different approach to aging. Listen to How to Age Up. New episodes of How to Age Up come out every Monday. Listen and subscribe wherever you get your podcasts.

And I'm Yasmin Tayag, a staff writer at The Atlantic. This season, we're going to find out if longevity culture is keeping pace with the science. And what we can learn about taking a different approach to aging. Listen to How to Age Up. New episodes of How to Age Up come out every Monday. Listen and subscribe wherever you get your podcasts.

And I'm Yasmin Tayag, a staff writer at The Atlantic. This season, we're going to find out if longevity culture is keeping pace with the science. And what we can learn about taking a different approach to aging. Listen to How to Age Up. New episodes of How to Age Up come out every Monday. Listen and subscribe wherever you get your podcasts.

Well, as a woman in her late 30s who is on Instagram all the time, I couldn't help but notice that some of my friends who are the same age as me look amazing. And I was like, wait, I know you're in your late 30s. Your face should not look that tight. What's going on here? So in person, I started to ask casually, like, what's your secret?

Well, as a woman in her late 30s who is on Instagram all the time, I couldn't help but notice that some of my friends who are the same age as me look amazing. And I was like, wait, I know you're in your late 30s. Your face should not look that tight. What's going on here? So in person, I started to ask casually, like, what's your secret?

Well, as a woman in her late 30s who is on Instagram all the time, I couldn't help but notice that some of my friends who are the same age as me look amazing. And I was like, wait, I know you're in your late 30s. Your face should not look that tight. What's going on here? So in person, I started to ask casually, like, what's your secret?

And everyone I spoke to was very happy to tell me that they've been doing baby Botox since their mid-20s.

And everyone I spoke to was very happy to tell me that they've been doing baby Botox since their mid-20s.

And everyone I spoke to was very happy to tell me that they've been doing baby Botox since their mid-20s.

You can interpret baby Botox in two ways. The main way is that you use baby doses of Botox. So typically, a normal Botox procedure might use 20 to 40 units of Botox. A baby Botox procedure uses only 10 to 20. But I think it can also be interpreted to mean that it keeps you looking kind of like a baby from the moment you start. So baby Botox is thought of as a preventative procedure.

You can interpret baby Botox in two ways. The main way is that you use baby doses of Botox. So typically, a normal Botox procedure might use 20 to 40 units of Botox. A baby Botox procedure uses only 10 to 20. But I think it can also be interpreted to mean that it keeps you looking kind of like a baby from the moment you start. So baby Botox is thought of as a preventative procedure.

You can interpret baby Botox in two ways. The main way is that you use baby doses of Botox. So typically, a normal Botox procedure might use 20 to 40 units of Botox. A baby Botox procedure uses only 10 to 20. But I think it can also be interpreted to mean that it keeps you looking kind of like a baby from the moment you start. So baby Botox is thought of as a preventative procedure.

The idea is that if you begin using it before you start forming wrinkles, so freezing your face at, say, 1%, age 20, you will not develop those wrinkles as long as you keep up the Botox. Huh. Yeah. I was really surprised. And they were very forthcoming about it.

The idea is that if you begin using it before you start forming wrinkles, so freezing your face at, say, 1%, age 20, you will not develop those wrinkles as long as you keep up the Botox. Huh. Yeah. I was really surprised. And they were very forthcoming about it.

The idea is that if you begin using it before you start forming wrinkles, so freezing your face at, say, 1%, age 20, you will not develop those wrinkles as long as you keep up the Botox. Huh. Yeah. I was really surprised. And they were very forthcoming about it.

Yeah, you would think, right? And I'll tell you that I used to work in a Botox clinic when I was in college. Well, I was a medical assistant to a doctor who began moonlighting as an injectables doctor. And so I was exposed to a lot of the people who were coming in to get Botox. And this was in the... mid to late 2000s. And at the time, it was very secretive.

Yeah, you would think, right? And I'll tell you that I used to work in a Botox clinic when I was in college. Well, I was a medical assistant to a doctor who began moonlighting as an injectables doctor. And so I was exposed to a lot of the people who were coming in to get Botox. And this was in the... mid to late 2000s. And at the time, it was very secretive.

Yeah, you would think, right? And I'll tell you that I used to work in a Botox clinic when I was in college. Well, I was a medical assistant to a doctor who began moonlighting as an injectables doctor. And so I was exposed to a lot of the people who were coming in to get Botox. And this was in the... mid to late 2000s. And at the time, it was very secretive.

You know, people didn't want others to know that they were getting Botox. We would have women come in paying in cash because they didn't want their husbands or family members to know that they were paying for Botox. And I think a lot has changed since then. So when I was doing reporting for the story, something that came up a lot was the impact of reality TV.

You know, people didn't want others to know that they were getting Botox. We would have women come in paying in cash because they didn't want their husbands or family members to know that they were paying for Botox. And I think a lot has changed since then. So when I was doing reporting for the story, something that came up a lot was the impact of reality TV.

You know, people didn't want others to know that they were getting Botox. We would have women come in paying in cash because they didn't want their husbands or family members to know that they were paying for Botox. And I think a lot has changed since then. So when I was doing reporting for the story, something that came up a lot was the impact of reality TV.

Multiple women I spoke to mentioned Vanderpump Rules and The Real Housewives series. So I don't really watch these shows, but what my friends told me was that on these shows, the women are very open about their Botox use. I get Botox and I get filler. I've always done that.

Multiple women I spoke to mentioned Vanderpump Rules and The Real Housewives series. So I don't really watch these shows, but what my friends told me was that on these shows, the women are very open about their Botox use. I get Botox and I get filler. I've always done that.

Multiple women I spoke to mentioned Vanderpump Rules and The Real Housewives series. So I don't really watch these shows, but what my friends told me was that on these shows, the women are very open about their Botox use. I get Botox and I get filler. I've always done that.

And I take care of my skin. Lots of water.

And I take care of my skin. Lots of water.

And I take care of my skin. Lots of water.

And I lost some weight. And I think that openness just sort of bled out into the wider culture, leading us to a place where people aren't really embarrassed anymore.

And I lost some weight. And I think that openness just sort of bled out into the wider culture, leading us to a place where people aren't really embarrassed anymore.

And I lost some weight. And I think that openness just sort of bled out into the wider culture, leading us to a place where people aren't really embarrassed anymore.

There are some other things, of course, driving this baby Botox trend. I mean, the fact that so many people are on their phones all the time, taking photos of themselves, streaming on TikTok. You know, you're looking at your face constantly.

There are some other things, of course, driving this baby Botox trend. I mean, the fact that so many people are on their phones all the time, taking photos of themselves, streaming on TikTok. You know, you're looking at your face constantly.

There are some other things, of course, driving this baby Botox trend. I mean, the fact that so many people are on their phones all the time, taking photos of themselves, streaming on TikTok. You know, you're looking at your face constantly.

I'm 39 years old, I'm obsessed with skincare, and this is my nighttime routine for glass skin, including a new product.

I'm 39 years old, I'm obsessed with skincare, and this is my nighttime routine for glass skin, including a new product.

I'm 39 years old, I'm obsessed with skincare, and this is my nighttime routine for glass skin, including a new product.

And the same goes for having been on Zoom for all of the pandemic.

And the same goes for having been on Zoom for all of the pandemic.

And the same goes for having been on Zoom for all of the pandemic.

When you're looking at your face all the time, you're spending more time with the wrinkles and the fine lines that are forming. I think broadly our culture has just become so visual. We're always looking at faces on social media. We're seeing our faces juxtaposed with those of celebrities who look incredible, possibly because they are doing so much baby Botox and other procedures.

When you're looking at your face all the time, you're spending more time with the wrinkles and the fine lines that are forming. I think broadly our culture has just become so visual. We're always looking at faces on social media. We're seeing our faces juxtaposed with those of celebrities who look incredible, possibly because they are doing so much baby Botox and other procedures.

When you're looking at your face all the time, you're spending more time with the wrinkles and the fine lines that are forming. I think broadly our culture has just become so visual. We're always looking at faces on social media. We're seeing our faces juxtaposed with those of celebrities who look incredible, possibly because they are doing so much baby Botox and other procedures.

Yeah.

Yeah.

Yeah.

Yes.

Yes.

Yes.

You know, it's supposed to make us look better on camera, but it also magnifies everything on your face.

You know, it's supposed to make us look better on camera, but it also magnifies everything on your face.

You know, it's supposed to make us look better on camera, but it also magnifies everything on your face.

So it's become really popular. I saw this statistic that said between 2019 and 2022, the number of people in their 20s who got Botox rose 71%. It's a lot. It's a lot. And these are people who in the early 2000s you wouldn't really think of as people who would get Botox.

So it's become really popular. I saw this statistic that said between 2019 and 2022, the number of people in their 20s who got Botox rose 71%. It's a lot. It's a lot. And these are people who in the early 2000s you wouldn't really think of as people who would get Botox.

So it's become really popular. I saw this statistic that said between 2019 and 2022, the number of people in their 20s who got Botox rose 71%. It's a lot. It's a lot. And these are people who in the early 2000s you wouldn't really think of as people who would get Botox.

Great question. I mean, you're right. 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. And if you were to keep it up, you'd probably have to do it at least twice a year because Botox— Tends to wear off between three and six months.

Great question. I mean, you're right. 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. And if you were to keep it up, you'd probably have to do it at least twice a year because Botox— Tends to wear off between three and six months.

Great question. I mean, you're right. 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. And if you were to keep it up, you'd probably have to do it at least twice a year because Botox— Tends to wear off between three and six months.

Not nothing, but... The way that my friends framed it, if you take it in the context of other procedures or other cosmetics that people are using to try to stay young, such as, you know, all the fancy anti-aging creams or facials, massages, all of these things that a lot of people do pretty regularly, those can cost easily up to $100.

Not nothing, but... The way that my friends framed it, if you take it in the context of other procedures or other cosmetics that people are using to try to stay young, such as, you know, all the fancy anti-aging creams or facials, massages, all of these things that a lot of people do pretty regularly, those can cost easily up to $100.

Not nothing, but... The way that my friends framed it, if you take it in the context of other procedures or other cosmetics that people are using to try to stay young, such as, you know, all the fancy anti-aging creams or facials, massages, all of these things that a lot of people do pretty regularly, those can cost easily up to $100.

You know, in New York City, at least, a mani-pedi can go for $100 easily.

You know, in New York City, at least, a mani-pedi can go for $100 easily.

You know, in New York City, at least, a mani-pedi can go for $100 easily.

It's too much, yes, with the tip. It's crazy. And so I think when you view it as just a part of your normal skincare routine, you know, $200 isn't that big a leap, especially if you consider it as potentially reducing your reliance on other types of cosmetics or anti-aging procedures.

It's too much, yes, with the tip. It's crazy. And so I think when you view it as just a part of your normal skincare routine, you know, $200 isn't that big a leap, especially if you consider it as potentially reducing your reliance on other types of cosmetics or anti-aging procedures.

It's too much, yes, with the tip. It's crazy. And so I think when you view it as just a part of your normal skincare routine, you know, $200 isn't that big a leap, especially if you consider it as potentially reducing your reliance on other types of cosmetics or anti-aging procedures.

I think something that should really give people pause is that we don't really know that much about the long-term effects of Botox, of regular Botox use. So the baby Botox trend began somewhere in the aughts. And we just don't really know what happens because there just hasn't been enough time to see what the long-term effects can be.

I think something that should really give people pause is that we don't really know that much about the long-term effects of Botox, of regular Botox use. So the baby Botox trend began somewhere in the aughts. And we just don't really know what happens because there just hasn't been enough time to see what the long-term effects can be.

I think something that should really give people pause is that we don't really know that much about the long-term effects of Botox, of regular Botox use. So the baby Botox trend began somewhere in the aughts. And we just don't really know what happens because there just hasn't been enough time to see what the long-term effects can be.

But some of the dermatologists I spoke to for this article told me that broadly, one issue with Botox is that if you paralyze the muscles in one part of your face... The other muscle, like it still wants to move. Your face still wants to move. And so other muscles can try to compensate. And so, you know, you'll start seeing wrinkles in those areas and potentially need to get Botox there.

But some of the dermatologists I spoke to for this article told me that broadly, one issue with Botox is that if you paralyze the muscles in one part of your face... The other muscle, like it still wants to move. Your face still wants to move. And so other muscles can try to compensate. And so, you know, you'll start seeing wrinkles in those areas and potentially need to get Botox there.

But some of the dermatologists I spoke to for this article told me that broadly, one issue with Botox is that if you paralyze the muscles in one part of your face... The other muscle, like it still wants to move. Your face still wants to move. And so other muscles can try to compensate. And so, you know, you'll start seeing wrinkles in those areas and potentially need to get Botox there.

So I think one potential consequence of regular Botox use from a very young age is that you become dependent on it.

So I think one potential consequence of regular Botox use from a very young age is that you become dependent on it.

So I think one potential consequence of regular Botox use from a very young age is that you become dependent on it.

You know, it's interesting. One of the women I spoke to actually brought this up. She felt like she was in competition with women to look youthful. And her concern was that all of these younger women started baby Botox earlier than she did. And so she's like... they've got a head start. You know, I only started in my late 20s. These women have seven years on me.

You know, it's interesting. One of the women I spoke to actually brought this up. She felt like she was in competition with women to look youthful. And her concern was that all of these younger women started baby Botox earlier than she did. And so she's like... they've got a head start. You know, I only started in my late 20s. These women have seven years on me.

You know, it's interesting. One of the women I spoke to actually brought this up. She felt like she was in competition with women to look youthful. And her concern was that all of these younger women started baby Botox earlier than she did. And so she's like... they've got a head start. You know, I only started in my late 20s. These women have seven years on me.

And if we're going to end up continuing to do this procedure, I'm not going to ever catch up to where they are. And it's funny because intellectually, I can understand, yes, we're supposed to be celebrating aging and feeling good about the wrinkles and the gray hairs and all of the wisdom and experience that come with it.

And if we're going to end up continuing to do this procedure, I'm not going to ever catch up to where they are. And it's funny because intellectually, I can understand, yes, we're supposed to be celebrating aging and feeling good about the wrinkles and the gray hairs and all of the wisdom and experience that come with it.

And if we're going to end up continuing to do this procedure, I'm not going to ever catch up to where they are. And it's funny because intellectually, I can understand, yes, we're supposed to be celebrating aging and feeling good about the wrinkles and the gray hairs and all of the wisdom and experience that come with it.

But at the same time, I'm still looking at myself in the mirror trying to pull out my white hairs. And it comes from this immense cultural pressure, especially on women, to... look good for their age, but I wonder if looking good for your age isn't even going to be good enough if this trend keeps up. You don't want to just look good for 30 or 40, you want to look 20.

But at the same time, I'm still looking at myself in the mirror trying to pull out my white hairs. And it comes from this immense cultural pressure, especially on women, to... look good for their age, but I wonder if looking good for your age isn't even going to be good enough if this trend keeps up. You don't want to just look good for 30 or 40, you want to look 20.

But at the same time, I'm still looking at myself in the mirror trying to pull out my white hairs. And it comes from this immense cultural pressure, especially on women, to... look good for their age, but I wonder if looking good for your age isn't even going to be good enough if this trend keeps up. You don't want to just look good for 30 or 40, you want to look 20.

One thing that has come up for me a lot as I think about this baby Botox trend is that if you manage to stay looking 20 for the next 30 years of your life, What do you miss out on? You know, as I got older, I found that people treated me differently, often in a positive way. I was taken more seriously. I was told I had more gravitas. And if you never look that way, what happens to you?

One thing that has come up for me a lot as I think about this baby Botox trend is that if you manage to stay looking 20 for the next 30 years of your life, What do you miss out on? You know, as I got older, I found that people treated me differently, often in a positive way. I was taken more seriously. I was told I had more gravitas. And if you never look that way, what happens to you?

One thing that has come up for me a lot as I think about this baby Botox trend is that if you manage to stay looking 20 for the next 30 years of your life, What do you miss out on? You know, as I got older, I found that people treated me differently, often in a positive way. I was taken more seriously. I was told I had more gravitas. And if you never look that way, what happens to you?