As someone who is an avid TikTok “watcher,” I do think there can be a lot of value in what you can learn from the platform. Many talented and educated influencers have a lot to share. But of course while watching, you have to take your common sense with you. Over the past few years, there have been many beauty trends that have blown up that can be very harmful! This week we will look into the trends that you should not follow.
Why you should not use needles at home: A faux freckle disaster
Microneedling is a medical procedure done by professionals that involves making small punctures in the skin that are supposed to reduce fine lines and acne scars by producing more collagen. This procedure is pretty popular and is harmless when done by a professional. Unfortunately, it was trending on TikTok for young users to try it at home which did not end well.
Tilly Whitfeld, a 21-year-old Australian reality TV star, suffered severe skin damage after attempting a TikTok beauty trend to give herself freckles using sewing needles and counterfeit tattoo ink. The DIY procedure led to infection, temporary vision loss in one eye, and permanent scarring. Despite spending nearly $12,000 on medical treatments, she has been unable to correct the damage, highlighting the dangers of following unverified beauty trends on social media platforms. (New York Times)
Healthy skin is more important than contour
One addition to my daily routine that I wish I added sooner was sunscreen. Daily sunscreen on your face is something that I highly advise. Sunscreen helps maintain youthful-looking skin and avoid skin cancer.
A recent TikTok trend has been edging youths to wear sunscreen only on certain parts of their faces to induce a natural highlight, by only putting coverage on the bridge of their noses and their cheekbones to keep those parts lighter. Health professionals say this can be very dangerous and leaves the rest of your skin to burn.
Why your imperfect teeth should be left alone
A few years ago in 2020, the trend of filing teeth at home became viral. This trend started from girls not liking the imperfection in the natural unevenness of their top teeth. Young influencer Mia Dio was one of the first to try this crazy idea. She used an average nail file to shave away at her teeth. Luckily she did not end up with any lasting damage, but unfortunately, not everyone was so lucky. Her video got over 500,000 views which pushed many more to try this out.
In the Washington Post article, we hear what dentist Benjamin Winters, an orthodontist whose TikTok account, “The Bentist,” has more than 5.5 million followers has to say “Don’t get mad at me when your teeth are more sensitive than a 2-year-old crying over spilled milk because I ain’t going to help you,” Winters says in one video. He later adds, “I can’t handle you guys anymore.”
With so many beauty trends circulating on TikTok, it’s crucial to prioritize safety and well-being over fleeting internet fame. Always consult professionals before trying new beauty hacks!
Ella Marinace 
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