In a world where health and beauty standards are ever-evolving, keeping up can be a daunting task. One moment you’re splurging on the latest TikTok-trending scrub, and the next you’re informed it contains harmful ingredients and should be avoided at all costs.
Naturally, we want to look and feel our best at all times. And with social media trends chopping and changing daily, it’s incredibly easy to fall for the latest fads and quick fixes promising to help us live our best lives.
Such trends should be approached with caution, and I am here to guide you: below are 3 of TikTok’s latest trending beauty hacks that you should definitely stay away from!
Sunscreen Contouring
If, like me, you’ve seen this trend all over your For You page, I’m sure you’ve been just as curious to try it out. The main idea: apply sunscreen to the places on your face where you would usually apply your contour, and leave the rest of your face bare. Then lay down in the sun for a while to catch a golden tan. If all goes well, the sun will have naturally tanned your contour into your face.
Unfortunately, this isn’t as peachy as it sounds. Although it would save us lots of time and effort if this trend were effective, it appears to cause more harm that it does good. First and foremost, exposing your skin to the sun without any form of protection is one of the ultimate skincare no-go’s. As we know, doing so has heaps of negative implications for the condition of your skin and your health.
The sun has incredibly strong UV rays that, when in contact with unprotected skin, can cause some serious damage. We’re talking burns, hyperpigmentation, premature aging and even skin cancer. Simply put: leave no skin uncreamed!
Face Taping
Another trend I’ve seen quite a bit involves using tape to pull and stick parts of one’s face in such a way to reduce the appearance of wrinkles. For example, by applying tape to the end of the cheekbone and pulling it back to the edge of the face, one could slightly reduce the look of bags and/or lines around the eyes. Moreover, if done overnight, movement and strecthing of the face is restricted for a long period of time. This, too, is said to result in less wrinkling. At first glance, this seems like the cheaper and easier alternative to Botox and other cosmetic procedures!
Sorry to disappoint: this ‘hack’ is far from foolproof. First of all, tapes and adhesives are typically designed for stationery use and thus are not safe for the skin. As a result, they can cause allergic reactions, rashes and even breakouts. Of course, the stickier the tape the tighter the grip to the skin. This means there is more of a risk of pulling off the top layers of the skin when removing the tape. This can leave inner layers of skin exposed, allowing a window for infection. Haven’t got the ick yet? Allow me to continue.
Constantly pulling and stretching the skin unnaturally can cause a loss in elasticity over time. This means that if done regularly, taping your face can result in premature wrinkles and sagging. Don’t get me wrong; I’m all for embracing one’s wrinkles and lines. But if your goal is to reduce the appearance of these, my guess is you wouldn’t be happy to hear you’re causing the opposite in the long run.
There are so many other ways to reduce the appearance of aging without needing to invest in cosmetic procedures. Pharmaceutical companies are constantly evolving and bringing out products to combat the development of wrinkles and lines. They may be a little bit more expensive than your supermarket tape, but I can guarantee you they’re far less costly.
DIY Tooth Whitening
Finally, TikTok users have discovered an easy, cheap and effective way to whiten their teeth at home. To do this they mix some hydrogen peroxide (a bleaching agent commonly found in households) and baking soda (sodium bicarbonate). The mixed product is then smeared onto a toothbrush and brushed onto the teeth as one would toothpaste. The overall process is quick and highly effective, almost instantly creating a whiter and brighter smile.
If the thought of using hydrogen peroxide on your teeth isn’t making you shudder, you should probably keep reading.
Hydrogen peroxide is a bleaching agent. A simple internet search will instantly tell you all the reasons it is harmful to humans. If exposed to bleach for extended periods of time, its harmful fumes can cause resparitory issues and lung complications. If ingested it can cause severe gastrointestinal issues such as nausea, vomiting and even stomach ulcers. If exposed to the skin, hydrogen peroxide can cause burns, blisters and long-term damage. These risks are only scratching the surface. TikTok’s telling me to put this in my mouth?
Although baking soda isn’t a bleaching agent, it can still have adverse effects on your teeth. It is a highly abrasive product, and can therefore wear down enamel. Over time this can lead to higher tooth sensitivity and increased cavities. This abrasiveness can also irritate the gums, causing them to become sore and inflamed, and in severe cases, more prone to infection.
Bleaching agents are fantastic for cleaning surfaces and whitening laundry! Perhaps we should just keep them out of our beauty routines.
It isn’t a crime to want to keep up with the latest beauty hacks buzzing about on social media. The problem comes in, however, when these are invented with little knowledge about their potential long-term adverse effects. Of course, you want to live your best life. So perhaps do a little research before jumping on the next beauty bandwagon.