Recent lockdowns have meant people have had a lot more time on their hands and TikTok has hugely risen in popularity as a means of distraction. You cannot escape it, with millions of videos from fitness, dance moves and entertainment to trending skincare and beauty tips it’s hard not to want to give these DIY trends a go. 

Videos with the hashtag #skincare alone rake in 30.2 billion views alongside #beauty with 38.5 billion views, although we all know that nothing comes close to the real spa experience. 

Experts at SpaSeekers have scrolled and scrolled, and have shared their opinion on the latest viral skincare trends, and which treatments you should be leaving to the professionals!

Debunked: The Ten TikTok skincare and beauty trends you should leave to the professionals

 

1. Slugging

@skincareryan

##duet with @abcdiy ##skincare ##doctor ##nurse ##nursepractitioner ##dermatology ##reaction ##vaseline

♬ COLD WINTER (RAP MIX) - Matthew Richard Harris

A Korean beauty trend named after the shine the trail of a slug leaves behind, the TikTok skincare trend Slugging is a moisturising technique where you coat your face in a layer of petroleum jelly overnight. This is because petroleum jelly works as a barrier preventing any water from leaving your skin, however this locks in moisture rather than adding it.

SpaSeekers says:

Slugging could do more harm than good, clogging pores and locking dirt and oil into your skin. Petroleum jelly or Vaseline is being used in a number of ways on TikTok for skincare but results are not proven so best to keep away from this one, especially if you have sensitive skin.

2. High frequency facial

@sebastianbails

this just made me lose all my confidence... I HOPE MY SKIN GOES BACK! 😳😭 #foryou #skincare

♬ original sound - sebastianbails

A popular treatment at our spas, high frequency treatments can be used to manage acne, reduce enlarged pores and wrinkles as well as working their magic on under eye bags. The treatment works using machines that use glass high frequency electrodes to treat the surface of the skin with an electric current.

SpaSeekers says:

A completely safe treatment when done by professionals will rejuvenate your skin but done at home it can easily go wrong. Devices shouldn't be used for more than 20 minutes at a time and should only be used to target specific areas of the face.

3. Sunscreen contouring

@stopiteli

I am convinced this works! #tutorial #contour #summer #lifehack #hack #beautyhack #snatched #tiktokwellness #hiddentalent

♬ original sound - Eli Withrow

A TikTok beauty tip that is causing a lot of concern is the trend for sun cream contouring. This involves applying sunscreen only to the points on your face you want to ‘highlight’ in order to create a natural contour whilst sunbathing.

SpaSeekers says:

Achieve the same effect with makeup or self-tanner, avoiding sun exposure that could result in aging, fine line and wrinkles as well discolouration or even skin cancer.

4. Erection cream pout

@jerrybmaldonado

If you know what movie I’m talking about please tell me because I want to watch it again #beauty #lips

♬ original sound - Jerry Mal

For temporary lip plumping topical erectile dysfunction cream was applied to the lips in this TikTok trend. With pain in less than three minutes the cream is a vasodilator which widens blood vessels and increases blood flow - in turn making lips fuller for a short period of time.

SpaSeekers says:

This unusual trend and its pain are not worth the temporary full lips, with side effects such as allergic reaction, blisters, swelling and stinging as well as headaches and blood pressure problems caused by absorption.

5. DIY Teeth whitening

@clauds244

I’m hungover so excuse the lack of enthusiasm #foryoupage #foryou #fyp #dentist #teeth #teethwhitening #advice

♬ original sound - Claud✨

This TikTok trend uses undiluted hydrogen peroxide to whiten teeth with other content creators going further by adding baking soda. However at 3% the hydrogen peroxide is higher than what is available in over the counter teeth whitening solutions.

SpaSeekers says:

Using these high levels of hydrogen peroxide unsupervised can irritate and inflame gums whilst also increasing sensitivity, with continuous significant usage creating permanent damage. Consult your dentist for safer whitening.

6. Skin icing

@skincareryan

##duet with @wndy_1229 does 🧊 really help your skin? ##ice

♬ Whatcha Say - Jason Derulo

Although cold therapy is a common treatment in spas, skin icing is the latest TikTok hack to reduce wrinkles and puffiness. It works by running an ice cube over your face, stimulating circulation to reduce puffiness, fine lines and wrinkles.

SpaSeekers says:

Although a simple hack, skin icing can be too harsh for sensitive skin with direct contact to the ice cube, to do this safely at home invest in an ice roller whilst patiently waiting for professional treatments to come back.

7. DIY coffee scrubs

@alessa.miki

Coffee eye scrubs are a no for me #diyskincare #skincareroutine #beautytips #tipsbyalessa #skincarehacks

♬ Savage Love (Laxed - Siren Beat) - Jawsh 685 & Jason Derulo

DIY body scrubs have always been popular but have seen a resurgence on TikTok, although what seems like a brilliant body scrub on the surface could actually be causing more harm than good. Coffee at home is much more coarse than in purchased beauty products and could be damaging the beautiful skin you are working so hard for.

SpaSeekers says:

Homemade scrubs are not fine enough for our skin, causing microtears which can be further inflamed by over scrubbing and aggravation. Steer clear and treat yourself to some spa vouchers for a body polish or stick to more sensitive treatments.

8. Microneedling at home

@trinaalbus

At home #microneedling #dermaroller #beautyreview #skincare #beautybeyond40

♬ Stunnin' (feat. Harm Franklin) - Curtis Waters

Microneedling is causing trauma to the skin with small needles that cause the skin to increase collagen production. However, the at home tools work differently, dragging tiny needles across your skin at an angle rather than stamped consistent pinpricks done professionally.

SpaSeekers says:

Traumatising the skin with at home microneedling can cause hyperpigmentation, scarring, infection and could even increase the skin issues you wanted to treat.

9. Dermaplaning at home

@hxlindx

How I remove peach fuzz! All products linked on my Instagram 🦋 No I dont break out & it does not grow back thicker!! #fyp #dermaplaning #homemade

♬ No Idea (DJ Purpberry Chopped and Screwed) - Don Toliver

Promising bright, glowing skin the dermaplaning TikTok trend helps smooth skin with the removal of hair with a blade whilst ridding you of dead skin cells with this exfoliation.

SpaSeekers says:

A treatment typically done by dermatologists, dermaplaning can irritate your skin if not done properly, especially if you are not aware of your own skin conditions. At home dermaplaning tools come with a guard which means you will also not be able to exfoliate like you would at a spa by a professional.

10. DIY eyebrow tint

@theamandaensing

eyebrow tint at home under $10 🤑#eyebrowtint #fyp #beautyroutine #allthedifference

♬ whip out the stick by pyt ny - 𝙒𝙚𝙣𝙨 <3

The DIY eyebrow tint trend across TikTok is all about using Just for Men beard dye to tint eyebrows. Although a hack that has been known for years, you still need to be careful when using products near your eyes.

SpaSeekers says:

Using a dye which is not specifically made to be used near eyes can be really dangerous. As well the risk of allergic reactions, including blistering and rashes. Hence why when visiting a beautician you go for a patch test first.

We know it is hard without access to professional treatments at the moment but better to be safe than sorry with these DIY hack!. Treat yourself in advance with some spa vouchers and think about all the treatments you’ll be able to have when it is safe to do so.

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