What is TrapTox and why is #BarbieBotox trending on TikTok? Besides wrinkles, Botox can get rid of slouching and ‘tech neck’ when the beauty treatment targets the traps for better posture

Aug 16 , 2023

“TrapTox” or “Barbie Botox” is the new Botox trend that makes for better posture and an elongated neck, just like the doll. Photos: Contour Collection, Getty Images

The TrapTox cosmetic treatment involves injecting Botox into the trapezius muscles to reduce tension and flatten the shoulders for a more elongated neck – just like the Barbie doll

The procedure takes between 10 and 20 minutes, and 40 to 50 units of Botox are administered depending on muscle size, with results seen in just a few days

While we’ve grown accustomed to the remarkable effects of Botox injections in combating wrinkles and fine lines, a newly popular procedure is taking over a sometimes neglected area: the neck. Welcome to the era of “Barbie Botox”.

Botox injections to your back can improve posture. Photo: Vitality Aesthetics

On top of its aesthetic uses, Botox has long been a reliable method for muscle relaxation to alleviate conditions like migraines, TMJ (temporomandibular joint and muscle disorder) and excessive underarm sweat. The famous neurotoxin protein is now also being used for posture enhancement.

The Barbie film has sparked the new “TrapTox” Botox trend. Pictured is Superstar Barbie from 1977. Photo: Barbie Media

The trend has experienced an unprecedented surge in popularity in the past few months, with #Barbiebotox reaching over four million views on TikTok. The cosmetic procedure – also known as TrapTox – involves injecting Botox into your trapezius muscles to reduce tension and flatten the shoulders, creating the illusion of an elongated, Barbie-like neck.

What is TrapTox, or Barbie Botox?

The traps extend from spine to shoulders, and can stiffen from frequent motion. Photo: Getty Images

The trapezius (often dubbed “traps”) extend from the spine to the shoulders, playing a pivotal role in maintaining your neck and shoulders’ balance. “From lifting objects to reaching out, these muscles are in frequent motion during our daily routines, occasionally leading to discomfort from overexertion,” says Kacie Robinson, a certified APRN (advanced practice registered nurse) and aesthetic injector at The Wellness Club. That’s where Botox enters the picture, offering a solution that transforms these overworked trapezius muscles from rigid to supple, resulting in a longer and more graceful neckline.

Botox injected into the trapezius makes your neck look sleeker. Photo: Handout

During the procedure, Botox is injected into the two large triangle-shaped muscles situated between the back of your neck and upper back, across your shoulders, and down to your mid-spine. “It employs the same fundamental principle of traditional Botox injections: it temporarily immobilises muscles to create a smoother, more youthful appearance,” Robinson explains. Yet, when applied to the neck, this treatment goes further, diminishing the appearance of horizontal lines, reducing the prominence of neckbands, and even tackling the notorious “tech neck” that often accompanies our digital lives.