The price of looking like Barbie: Expert warns about potential dangers of 'Barbietox' trend

• "Barbietox" is taking over social media, with followers trying to get the iconic doll's slim shoulders and neck.
• The procedure involves injecting Botox into the trapezius muscle in order to relax it.
• But aesthetic medicine specialist Dr Alek Nikolic warns about the potential dangers of this trend.
• For more lifestyle news, go to the News24 Life front page.

Barbiemania continues - now, people are trying to get the iconic doll's slim shoulders and pronounced neck with a trend referred to as "Barbietox".

Barbietox or "traptox" is actually not a new procedure. It involves injecting Botox into the trapezius muscle in order to relax it.  

Activities like sitting hunched over a desk for hours, for example, can cause the trapezius muscle to become tense, resulting in pain and discomfort. While in the past "traptox" was used to alleviate that tension, now many are after it for its slimming effect.

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In a media statement, Dr Alek Nikolic, aesthetic medicine specialist and owner of Aesthetic Facial Enhancement, explains how the procedure works: "When botulinum toxin is injected into the trapezius muscles, it prevents them from becoming overworked by stopping the connection to the nerve. The botulinum toxin relaxes the muscles, which causes the shoulder area to slim down and results in the elongation of the neck."

After seeing the results shared by social media users, you may feel encouraged to follow this trend. But Dr Nikolic warns about its dangers. 

"What many don't know is that the trapezius muscle is near vital respiratory and central nerve control centres and is one of the few places where botulinum toxin can have fatal results. These negative effects are often not spoken about."

"I would advise anyone considering aesthetic treatments to do their research, consult with qualified medical doctors, and consider all aspects of the procedure, including their desired results, before proceeding."

Source: Distributed by The Friday Street Club on behalf of Dr Alek Nikolic