Adding “baby” before any word tends to make it sound irresistibly cute. Baby giggles? That’s the sweetest sound ever. Baby deer? Classic! Baby Crocs? Surprisingly, my nephew can make those unappealing shoes look charming. But when it comes to baby Botox? Not so fast, beauty industry.

This phrase needs to be retired. It’s nonsensical. There’s no child-friendly alternative to Botox. No watered-down version exists, no matter how much one might hope. To be perfectly clear: there is no Botox formulation that can give you the youthful look of a baby. Cry.

We need to stop using this term because it creates confusion. At a dinner party, one might hear someone say, “No, no, I don’t use Botox; I have baby Botox,” as they animatedly raise and lower their unwrinkled forehead.

Let’s be clear, Jennifer: you either use Botox or you don’t. Baby Botox is simply the exact same procedure as standard Botox. It brings to mind those who insist they don’t use Ozempic: “Me? Never. I just microdose it for diabetes, not for weight loss.”

What really irks me is when someone says baby Botox in an overly cheerful, giggly manner. Botox isn’t something cute; it’s a brand for a purified form of botulinum toxin. It’s intended to immobilize muscles temporarily, helping to reduce fine lines and wrinkles on the forehead and around the eyes. Some individuals rely on it to manage sweating, while others use it for tension relief. Not exactly adorable, right?

I checked in with some colleagues in the industry to confirm my frustration. Many feel the same. Consultant dermatologist Dr. Anjali Mahto responded with an amused acknowledgment: “You and me both. I dislike that terminology. It’s more of a marketing gimmick than a medical term.” We agree that this term is meant to make clients feel they’re exercising restraint or aiming for a natural look—but shouldn’t that be the goal of every Botox procedure? No one should walk in hoping to emerge with exaggerated features.

The term baby Botox seems designed to make someone like Jennifer feel better about her choice. It suggests that she’s willing to make only the smallest adjustments. And please don’t get me started on the term tweakment—yet another whimsical word intended to downplay the reality of cosmetic enhancements. A bigger question remains: why do we still feel embarrassed about cosmetic procedures? Why is there a need to sugarcoat such treatments with a term that makes them feel less concrete?

According to Dr. Mahto, this phrase is often used to attract newcomers who want minimal alterations. While I recognize that “baby” can be a helpful term for those unsure about expressing their desires, I would rather adopt Dr. Ifeoma Ejikeme’s suggestion of “micro Botox,” which accurately denotes a “very small, microscopic quantity.” That’s what the Jennifers of the world should be aiming for, rather than baby, which implies “a newborn or recently born child.” *Emails editor for adjustments. Micro Botox in. Baby Botox out. @sarahjossel