Six popular TikTok beauty trends to avoid
The beauty and health industry is growing rapidly set to be worth £26.7 billion by 2022. And from slugging to micro-needling, there are many new beauty hacks gaining millions of views online.
But do they really work? And, more importantly, are they genuinely safe to try? As attractive as influencers can make these treatments seem – and as dramatic as the results they claim to achieve may be – not every trend is worth trying at home.
To help you weed out the good TikTok trends from the bad, Waleed Taleb, an aesthetician at Vera Clinic, reveals six of the most popular beauty hacks you’re better off avoiding.
1) Skin icing
Skin icing is a new skincare trend that promises glowy skin and has 10.3 million views on TikTok. So what is this popular trend about? The trend involves massaging ice cubes into your face as the action of skin icing tightens and contracts your skin, leaving it sculpted and plump with an outdoorsy glow.
Although this is not the most dangerous hack, the extreme change in temperature can cause redness and sting so is not recommended by professionals.
2) Slugging
Another popular viral skincare trend is called ‘slugging’. Slugging involves coating your face in Vaseline to moisturise your skin overnight, and reaches 117.1 million views on TikTok. However, this hack can clog your pores and cause a further breakout. So instead, use a moisturiser suitable for your skin type overnight.
3) Microneedling
Microneedling is a beauty treatment using a derma roller to prick the skin with tiny needles as a way of generating collagen production for its smoothing, firming and toning effects. Microneedling has over 364.9 million views – wow!
But although micro-needling is considered safe, it does have risks. To start with, it can cause an allergic reaction from the cream or serum that goes on your skin after the micro-needling, and the wounds might get infected if you don’t keep your skin clean.
The needles can also cause irritation and rashes to your skin. So make sure that you are aware of the after-effects before having the procedure.
4) Gua sha massage
A gua sha massager is a new tool that is used during the final stage of a skincare routine which claims to smooth skin, improve elasticity, and prevent skin-ageing. On TikTok the hack has 92 million views. The tool is produced from crystals, however there is little evidence that supports using them in your daily skincare to provide benefits.
5) Toothpaste on spots
The next hack is putting toothpaste on spots overnight. While it’s true that several ingredients found in toothpaste are drying to the skin, this hack can cause irritation and may not benefit your skin. Ultimately, this home remedy for breakouts isn’t worth the risk.
If you’re looking for more trustworthy tips, you can learn more about how to treat acne here.
6) DIY face masks
With over 2.9 million TikTok views there are many DIY home face exfoliating scrubs made from household ingredients including lemon, honey, sugar and coffee.
Although they do not include any harmful ingredients the granules commonly used in DIY exfoliating scrubs can have rough or jagged edges and these can be harsh on the skin, potentially leaving it red and raw and ultimately a shop-bought face mask can do a better job.
Photo by Isabell Winter
