The Beauty Standard with Dr. Roy Kim

Beyond Botox: How Global Politics Shape Your Beauty Routine

• Dr. Roy Kim

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How Trump's Tariffs and Beauty Trends are Shaping Cosmetic Procedures

In this episode of The Beauty Standard, Dr. Roy Kim discusses the intersection of global politics, social trends, and cosmetic procedures. Discover how Trump's tariffs on Irish pharmaceuticals might increase Botox prices, learn about the explosion of the Master Botox trend for jaw sculpting, and explore the rising number of men embracing plastic surgery. Additionally, Dr. Kim addresses FDA warnings on dermal fillers, celebrity plastic surgery rumors, and the psychological impacts of social media on cosmetic expectations. Tune in for a detailed breakdown of this week's beauty landscape and the essential need for patient safety and informed decision-making.

00:00 Introduction to the Beauty Standard
00:47 Impact of Trump's Tariffs on Botox Prices
03:33 The Master Botox Revolution
06:08 Men's Plastic Surgery Boom
09:06 Celebrity Plastic Surgery Speculation
10:48 FDA Warnings on Dermal Fillers
13:01 Psychological Insights into Cosmetic Surgery
16:12 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

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Speaker 1:

Welcome to the Beauty Standard with Dr Roy Kim. Picture this you're checking the news on Monday morning on your phone and you see that Trump's new tariffs might make your Botox appointments cost what? 15% more? Because all the world's Botox comes from one Irish town. Then you scroll to see Sheryl Burke defending herself against plastic surgery rumors, while men are getting more procedures than ever. Next, you learn that the FDA is issuing warnings about dermal fillers as master Botox becomes the hottest jaw sculpting trend.

Speaker 1:

Welcome to the Beauty Standard with Dr Roy Kim. I'm Dr Kim and this week we're navigating trade wars affecting your beauty budget trend wars through shaping faces and truth wars about who's had what done. As always, this podcast is meant for education only. Always discuss your needs with a board-certified plastic surgeon. Let's break down the numbers shaping this week's beauty landscape. One Irish town produces 100% of the world's Botox supply, generating $6 billion annually, and now faces a potential 250% tariff under Trump's pharmaceutical tariffs or trade war. Men's cosmetic surgery jumped 4% to 1.6 million procedures in 2024, with 2.2% of men now suffering from body dysmorphia. Masseter Botox costs $500 to $1,200 per session, typically requires 12 to 30 units per side for jaw sculpting, and the FDA issued new safety warnings after reviewing dermal filler complications. Across 50 million procedures annually. These numbers reveal how global politics now directly your beauty routine.

Speaker 1:

So first let's talk about the potential Botox tariff. This sounds like fiction, but it's actually completely real. One small Irish town controls the world's entire Botox supply Westport county male. Population of 7,000, houses the AbbVie facility that produces every vial of Botox used globally. This 61-acre campus employs about 1,300 locals plus 500 contractors, making it the economic backbone of the community. This facility processes and packages Botox in powder form before shipping it to 70 countries, with the US accounting for 70% of their business. Here's where it gets interesting for your beauty budget. Trump has announced 15% tariffs on all pharmaceutical exports from the EU, specifically targeting Ireland as the world's third largest pharma exporter. He has threatened to escalate tariffs to up to 250% over the next 18 months, saying that we want pharmaceuticals made in our country. The immediate impact Industry analysts predict 7-10% price increases for cosmetic Botox in the US, adding up to $13 billion annually to health care costs.

Speaker 1:

Since cosmetic Botox isn't covered by insurance, patients would fully absorb the increase. What makes this really frustrating is that it's impractical to move production quickly. The Westport facility took decades to build and to validate. Moving high-tech pharmaceutical manufacturing, especially biologic materials, isn't like relocating a clothing factory. You need specialized infrastructure, skilled workers, regulatory approvals and tests. Local officials in Westport called Trump's approach quote non-sensical, unquote, pointing out that lift-and-shift manufacturing ignores the complexities of pharmaceutical production. The skilled workers required for these operations are actually leaving the US at rapid speed, making domestic production even more challenging in the US.

Speaker 1:

For American consumers, this may create a perfect storm. Higher prices for cosmetic procedures coincide with increased demand. The master Botox trend we'll discuss later requires 12 to 30 units per side. So if prices increase 10%, that 800 treatment becomes 880. Multiply that across multiple sessions per year and the trade war directly impacts your beauty budget. Next up, the master Botox revolution.

Speaker 1:

Master Botox has really exploded from a niche treatment to a mainstream phenomenon. I personally have had it. This involves injecting neuromodulator botulinum toxin into the master muscles, the muscles that you can see or feel when you clench. So these large jaw muscles are responsible for chewing and biting. The medical justification is pretty solid. Nearly 11 million Americans suffer from TMJ temporomandibular disorder so these patients experience jaw tension, pain and grinding. Master Botox also addresses these symptoms by partially relaxing the overactive muscles. If you notice that you clench your teeth at night, or if your dentist has told you this, it can also address this issue.

Speaker 1:

But here's what's really driving the trend the aesthetic benefits. When you relax enlarged master muscles, they shrink, they become slimmer and you develop a more tapered jawline. Your face takes on what practitioners call the V-line shape. That's become highly desirable, especially among younger patients influenced by K-beauty standards. The procedure itself is pretty straightforward. After consultation and anatomy assessment, practitioners typically inject 12 to 30 units on each side, so that's a total of about 24 to 60 units total. We have to give it into the deep and superficial portions of the muscle. This cost ranges from $500 to $1,200 per session. It may vary depending on your local region and the results do last about three to six months. What's medically significant is how this represents the convergence of therapeutic and cosmetic medicine.

Speaker 1:

Patients often seek treatment for jaw pain and discover the aesthetic benefits. Insurance sometimes covers the procedure when performed for TMJ, making it financially accessible. The results are gradual but noticeable. Initial effects appear around day seven, with peak results at two to six weeks. Consistent treatment over time produces more dramatic muscle reduction and facial slimming. The risks are relatively low compared to other injection sites. The masseter is a large, well-defined muscle, reducing the chance of affecting neighboring structures. The main concern is over-injection, which might affect chewing efficiency or, if placed incorrectly, it may impact your smile or smile mechanics.

Speaker 1:

What concerns me most about this social media hype is unrealistic expectation. Master Botox works well in most patients. Tiktok videos show more dramatic transformations, but not necessarily typical results and of course, everyone is different and everybody's anatomy is different. This procedure works best for patients with slightly enlarged to very enlarged master muscles, as well as from grinding TMJ and you may have other genetic factors. It will not transform a naturally round face into a very sharp V-line.

Speaker 1:

Next up is the men's plastic surgery boom, which is breaking the gender barrier. I think the most significant trend this year is that more men are embracing cosmetic procedures at an unprecedented rate. According to a recent survey, men had 1.6 million cosmetic surgeries in 2024, which is a 4% increase from 2022, representing the fastest growing demographic in plastic surgery. The story of Chris Sanford illustrates this perfectly. After he lost 130 pounds, he struggled with body dysmorrhea and had excess skin. Despite the overall weight loss success, he felt uncomfortable in his own body, so he avoided fitted clothing and intimate relationships. Mr Sanford underwent extensive procedures for his loose skin. He underwent gynecomastia surgery, chest skin removal and extended tummy tuck and liposuction, with fat transferred to his buttocks. His transformation wasn't just physical. He describes feeling very confident and happy with results that allowed him to date and express himself authentically.

Speaker 1:

What's driving this trend? Several factors. Social media creates constant exposure to idealized male bodies. Zoom fatigue from remote work means men stare at their faces all day. Dating apps definitely prioritize visual first impressions. There is, of course, fat loss injectables, including Ozempic and others, and cultural stigma around male vanity continues to decrease.

Speaker 1:

The most common procedures reflecting men include gynecomastia, followed by liposuction and eyelid surgery. Many patients are executives in their 50s and 60s who fear looking like somebody's grandfather in competitive business environments. There are specialized practices that cater exclusively to male patients. These practices recognize that men want different results than women. Also, plastic surgeons are very mindful of the aesthetic difference between men and women. Male facial procedures usually aim for strength and definition rather than softness. Body contouring focuses on athletic, muscular appearances rather than curves. The psychology behind this is fascinating, because body dysmoria affects about 2.2% of men and eating disorders are unfortunately increasing faster among men than women. The traditional gender gap in body satisfaction has narrowed or disappeared entirely. Men also now face the same pressures that women have experienced for decades regarding their body.

Speaker 1:

What's concerning from a medical or plastic surgery perspective is the potential for unrealistic expectations. Social media shows curated, perfect bodies that are often unattainable. Even with surgery. Some patients develop surgical addiction, always finding one more thing to fix. As Sanford acknowledges, these procedures carry real risks. It's real plastic surgery. Tummy tucks involve significant recovery, lots of complications or potential complications, including seroma, fluid fluid collection, infection, bleeding and blood clots. The psychological benefits are also not guaranteed. Some studies have definitely shown dramatic improvement of self-esteem, while others find little to no change, and it's important to note that about 5 to 15 percent of patients who have underlying body dysmorphia have surgery and about 5 to 15 percent of patients have underlying body dysmorphic disorder, but surgery can't fix it.

Speaker 1:

The next story is about Cheryl Burke. This celebrity story generated headlines because it's her response to plastic surgery speculation. The Dancing with the Stars professional recently addressed rumors about cosmetic procedures, so this represents a broader trend of celebrities directly talking about speculation about their appearances. Ms Burke's approach is interesting from a PR perspective. Rather than ignoring the rumors or giving vague responses, she has directly addressed this the psychology behind plastic surgery speculation. In my opinion, it sort of reveals our complicated give and take relationship with aging and authenticity. So when celebrities look different, we assume that they're surgical intervention, rather than considering makeup lighting software edits weight changes or even natural age. This creates literally impossible standards where looking too good suggests artificiality while aging naturally sort of invites criticism. Ms Burke's situation highlights the double standard facing public figures, in my opinion, especially women. They're criticized for aging naturally, but they're also criticized for looking great because they have maybe some procedures. Have maybe some procedures. There's no winning here and in a culture obsessed with detecting surgical invention, there's no winning approach in this culture which is obsessed with detecting surgical intervention. What's medically relevant is how celebrity speculation really affects patient expectations. When stars are accused of having work done, patients often bring photos requesting similar results. They don't realize that perceived changes might result from non-surgical factors or professional styling rather than procedures. The trend toward transparency is healthier for everyone. When celebrities honestly discuss their choices, whether that's having procedures or choosing natural aging, it normalizes both approaches and reduces shame around cosmetic decisions.

Speaker 1:

Fda has issued some filler warnings and also some other warnings about safety. I think the most serious story this week is that a panel of experts from the FDA urged caution and requested more data on filler use after reviewing complication patterns across millions of these procedures. Dermal filler is among the most popular cosmetic procedures, with over 5 million Americans receiving treatments annually. The procedures are generally safe when performed properly, but complications do occur. The FDA's concerns center on several areas vascular occlusion, granuloma formation, migration of filler material and difficulty reversing complications. While serious adverse events are rare, the massive volume of procedures means a lot of patients experience problems. So what's particularly concerning to the FDA is the rise of unqualified or potentially unqualified providers doing your filler injections.

Speaker 1:

Medical spas, beauty salons and even non-medical practitioners offer these treatments, often without proper training in facial anatomy or complication management. The most serious complication is vascular occlusion, which means that your blood vessel is blocked because a filler blocks blood flow. What that means is that if there's blocked blood flow in a blood vessel, it can block blood flow to the skin and, rarely, your eye. This creates tissue death, skin necrosis and potentially permanent scarring or even blindness. While treatable with immediate intervention, many providers lack the training to recognize or treat these emergencies. The FDA panel specifically requested more data on long-term effects, optimal injection techniques and provider training standards. They're considering requirements for additional clinical studies before approving new filler products. For patients and for you, this highlights the importance of really choosing qualified injectors Board-certified dermatologists, board-certified plastic surgeons and similarly trained injectors. We have extensive training in facial anatomy and complication management. We are equipped to handle emergencies and we're also trained to achieve optimal results.

Speaker 1:

I think the economic impact is also going to be huge because if FDA requirements become more stringent, the cost of filler may increase. Combined with potential Botox tariffs or other pharmaceutical tariffs, cosmetic procedure expenses may rise across multiple treatment categories. Next up is recent research into cosmetic surgery psychology. A recent 2024 study found that social media usage directly correlates with procedure dissatisfaction. Patients spending more than three hours daily on image platforms had higher expectations and lower satisfaction rates, regardless of the surgical outcome. Another study looked at the psychological profile of male cosmetic surgery patients. Unlike women, who often cite anti-aging motivation, the men focused on competitive advantages in business and dating. So this, I would say, more utilitarian approach sometimes leads to better satisfaction because the goals are a little more concrete.

Speaker 1:

Research on master Botox efficacy confirms that it is both therapeutic and aesthetic. A recent study found that 70% of TMD or TMJ patients had reduction of pain and 92% reported improved facial aesthetics. So this dual benefit explains why master Botox is so popular. Other long-term studies on repeated Botox treatment show interesting patterns. While the treatment remains safe, some patients do develop partial resistance over time, either requiring higher doses or a change to a different brand name or company type of Botox. So this has implications for cost and effectiveness, given the potential for possible tariff increases.

Speaker 1:

The most sobering research involves body dysmorphic disorder in cosmetic surgery patients, because 5 to 15 percent of patients have underlying BDD that surgery won't be able to fix or address. So these patients often get multiple medical procedures or surgical procedures and yet still remain dissatisfied. So be wary of feeling that. So one question I'm asked by a lot of people is will Botox prices definitely increase due to President Trump's tariffs? I am going to take a contrarian approach. I am going to speculate and guess no or less likely. The reason why is? Botox is really meant for health insurance as well as cosmetic reasons. It is used for specific muscle spasm issues, for overactive bladder, other things like that, and this is why I think that the tariffs won't be as high or may not even exist. Of course, there are other alternatives, so products that are similar to Botox but not made in Ireland may have a lower tariff, and there is one product known as Daxify which is actually made in the good old USA, so that would obviously be subject to no tariff.

Speaker 1:

Now this is just pure speculation. I have no idea. I have no inside track and, let's be honest, president Trump sometimes he says something but in terms of actually doing it he does not, or maybe the tariff will be lower. I don't know what's going to happen. This is now late August 2025, and I have no idea. But let's be honest, I think that no one else does either, except people who are close to President Trump.

Speaker 1:

Next question I often get is is Master Botox worth it for jaw sculpting? In most patients, absolutely, because it's the most direct way to deal with the width of your face and if you clench your teeth, if you have TMJ, yes, it is actually a treatment for these two issues. So, as a wrap up, these weeks story reveal how global politics, social trends and safety concerns are reshaping the beauty industry. From Irish trade wars affecting your Botox budget to men embracing procedures at at record rates, to jaw sculpting trends and FDA filler safety warnings, the cosmetic surgery landscape is evolving rapidly. I think the common thread here is the need for patient safety and informed decision making. Whether you're navigating price increases, considering new procedures or evaluating safety claims, I think that knowledge protects you. It also protects your wallet and it also protects your overall well-being.

Speaker 1:

So celebrity speculation, like Ms Sheryl Burke, shows how our culture struggles with authenticity versus enhancement. But remember the choices of celebrities. Don't dictate your choices. Your face, your body, your goals, your budget and, ultimately, your decision and your safety are what are the keys to making the best decision for you. So, as a final question, in an era where trade wars affect beauty budgets and social media drives procedure demand, how do you maintain perspective on what truly enhances your life versus just following trends? As always? Thanks so much for hanging out with me. If you have any comments or questions, please let me know. If you have any future topics you want me to discuss, please definitely let me know. And thanks so much for listening to the beauty standard with me. Dr roy kim, have a great day. Thank you for listening to the beauty standard with dr roy kim. Make sure to follow for future topics and episodes.