Trap Botox Is Making Waves (So Here’s What You Need To Know)

One of the latest TikTok trends is Barbie Botox, inspired by the hit summer film. Also called trap tox or trap Botox, this treatment is an injection for the trapezius muscles near the shoulders that produces a Margot Robbie-inspired accentuated neck.¹ Research also shows that trap tox injections can help with back pain and headaches.² 

What Is Trap Botox?

Trap Botox is a Botox injection that targets the upper part of the trapezius muscle. This is a large superficial muscle at the top of the back that resembles a trapezoid. It runs from the base of the skull to just the mid-back and extends over each shoulder.³ 

The trapezius is an important muscle that helps you move your head, neck, arms, shoulders, and torso. It also helps with posture and stabilizes the spine.⁴

Tightness or strains to the trapezius can cause upper back and neck pain. It may also contribute to headaches. Posture, exercise, and injuries can affect the trapezius, leading to chronic pain, difficulty correcting posture problems, and a bulky appearance.⁵

Medical Uses for Trap Botox

Botox and other neuromodulators, such as Dysport, work by temporarily immobilizing a muscle. This can be very helpful for people who struggle with back pain caused by muscle tightness, knots, or spasms.⁶ When administered to the trapezius, Botox can relax the muscles and alleviate painful spasms and contractions. It may also prevent headaches related to neck and back pain.⁷

Cosmetic Uses for Trap Botox

Because neuromodulators like Botox prevent muscle movements, they can also change the appearance of the muscles. Botox in the upper trapezius, near the base of the neck, causes the muscle to lay flatter and look less bulky. It gives the impression that the shoulders are lower. As a result, the neck looks longer and slimmer.⁸

Kim Kardashian has said she uses Botox to slim her trapezius muscles, and recent pictures show her with a slim-looking neck and shoulder area.⁹

Is Trap Botox Right for You?

Like all medical procedures, trap Botox has risks and benefits. As a method of managing muscle pain, it’s generally considered safe and effective.¹⁰ The injections last between three and five months.¹¹ Insurance may cover the procedure. Cosmetic trap Botox requires a higher dose, which increases the cost of the procedure. 

You may require touch-ups if the initial results are uneven, leaving you with an asymmetrical look. If you continue to receive treatments over the long term, it can have lasting effects on your muscle strength.¹² In some cases, you may affect the surrounding muscles if they have to work harder to accommodate the immobilized trapezius.¹³

To learn more about trap Botox and if it’s right for you, talk to your doctor or an experienced injector. You can also learn more about cosmetic procedures at My Body Treatment.

SOURCES:

1. CNN: “What is ‘Barbie Botox,’ TikTok’s latest beauty obsession?“
2. Byrdie: “Trap-Tox Can Help Reduce Shoulder Pain, According to Dermatologists.”
3. Cleveland Clinic: “Trapezius Muscle.” 
4. Cleveland Clinic: “Trapezius Muscle.” 
5. Pop Sugar: “Excuse Me, What’s This “Trap Botox” Trend on TikTok?.”
6. Byrdie: “Trap-Tox Can Help Reduce Shoulder Pain, According to Dermatologists.”
7. Byrdie: “Trap-Tox Can Help Reduce Shoulder Pain, According to Dermatologists.”
8. Health: “What Is ‘Traptox’? What to Know About the Newest Botox Trend Sweeping TikTok.”
9. Grazia Magazine: “KIM KARDASHIAN’S LATEST BIZARRE BEAUTY REGIME INVOLVES GETTING ‘TRAPTOX’.”
10. Health: “What Is ‘Traptox’? What to Know About the Newest Botox Trend Sweeping TikTok.”
11. Health: “What Is ‘Traptox’? What to Know About the Newest Botox Trend Sweeping TikTok.”
12. Reuters: “‘Barbie Botox’ goes viral but doctors inject caution.”
13. Health: “What Is ‘Traptox’? What to Know About the Newest Botox Trend Sweeping TikTok.”