Why Simone Biles Swore Off Botox^®

Simone Biles in 2024 at the U.S. Championships. Photo by Ocoudis under CC BY-SA 4.0.

Simone Biles, the celebrated gymnast, recently shared a surprising revelation about her brief experience with Botox^®. For her 27th birthday, Biles decided to try "baby Botox," a lighter version of the traditional cosmetic procedure aimed at preventing wrinkles while maintaining natural facial expressions. However, what was meant to be a simple treatment turned into an unsettling experience.

The Unwanted Side Effect

During a TikTok video where Biles detailed her makeup routine for the 2024 Paris Olympics^®, she recounted the story of how this side effect disrupted her life. She described how her rogue eyebrow would lift without warning, sometimes during practice, leading her teammates to point it out. Despite the eyebrow returning to its normal position after about 20 seconds, the unpredictability of the twitching was enough to make her swear off Botox for good.

Downsides of 'Baby Botox'

"Baby Botox" has gained popularity for its subtlety, allowing individuals to prevent wrinkles while retaining some muscle movement and facial expression. However, this lighter approach comes with potential downsides. The smaller doses can lead to temporary muscle twitching or slight asymmetry, as the Botox may not fully incapacitate the targeted muscles. This was precisely what happened with Biles, whose eyebrow twitch was both noticeable and frequent enough to cause concern.

Moreover, "baby Botox" might require more frequent treatments, as the effects don't last as long as traditional Botox. There is also a risk of developing resistance to Botox over time, which could reduce its effectiveness.

Biles' Decision to Quit

For Biles, the decision to quit Botox was straightforward. The unpredictability of her facial movements, especially in the high-stakes world of gymnastics, was not worth the risk. In her TikTok video, Biles emphasized that she now has full control over her facial expressions again and has no plans to revisit Botox in the future.

Biles' experience serves as a reminder that cosmetic procedures, even those as common as Botox, can have unexpected effects. It underscores the importance of understanding the potential risks and working with experienced professionals who can tailor treatments to individual needs. For Simone Biles, the choice to prioritize her natural expressions over cosmetic enhancements was clear, and it's a decision that resonates with her focus on maintaining consistency and control in all aspects of her life.

References: Simone Biles Shares Weird Side Effect That Made Her Quit Botox | Q&A: Expert discusses risks of baby Botox as Simone Biles shares side effects