Five Disastrous Tik Tok Beauty Trends You Should Never Try
A new study by the American Academy of Dermatology (AAD) found that over 70% of young adults have tried at least one TikTok-inspired beauty trend in the past year, often without any professional guidance. While viral beauty hacks can spark creativity, they can also promote risky practices that harm the skin more than they help.
Dermatologists at Aventus Clinic have weighed in on some of the most damaging beauty trends currently sweeping social media — and why they might be setting your skin up for long-term trouble.
1. Sunscreen Contouring
Influencers are encouraging people to apply sunscreen only to certain parts of the face to create “contoured” tan lines.
“The idea of selectively exposing parts of your face to UV radiation is incredibly dangerous,” warns Dr. Suhail Alam from Aventus Clinic. “Sun damage accumulates invisibly over time, leading to premature wrinkles, sun spots, and a significantly higher risk of skin cancer. No tan is worth that risk — and once the damage is done, it’s extremely difficult to reverse.”
2. At-Home Microneedling
Affordable microneedling rollers and pens have flooded the market, promising professional-level results at home.
“Microneedling is highly technique-sensitive,” explain the experts at Aventus. “Clinics carefully control depth, sterility, and aftercare. DIY devices can’t guarantee that, and improper use can cause infections, scarring, and pigmentation problems, especially in darker skin types. It’s not something to experiment with on your bathroom counter.”
3. Face Taping for Wrinkle Prevention
Taping the forehead, cheeks, or under-eye area overnight is being promoted as a simple anti-aging hack.
“Face taping might temporarily smooth the skin by immobilizing muscles, but it does nothing to stop the underlying aging process,” say Aventus Clinic dermatologists. “Over time, repeated taping can actually stretch the skin, weaken its elasticity, and even contribute to faster sagging. It’s a classic case of short-term gain, long-term harm.”
4. DIY Acid Peels
Social media is filled with users trying aggressive acid peels at home using high-concentration chemical solutions.
“Professional chemical peels are carefully customized to your skin type, condition, and tolerance,” caution the Aventus experts. “At-home misuse of potent acids can easily lead to chemical burns, long-term hyperpigmentation, and scarring. Without proper neutralization and post-care, the damage can be far worse than the skin concerns you’re trying to treat.”
5. Skin Flooding
A viral trend encourages layering five or more moisturizing products at once to “flood” the skin with hydration.
“Hydration is vital, but overwhelming the skin with too many layers can trap dirt, clog pores, and lead to breakouts and irritation,” explain the dermatologists at Aventus Clinic. “More product doesn’t necessarily mean better results — targeted, balanced hydration tailored to your skin’s needs is much safer and more effective.”
The Expert Takeaway
“What looks like innovation online is often just poor science repackaged in a trendier format. Healthy skin isn’t built through hacks — it’s built through understanding how your skin functions, protecting it from cumulative damage, and respecting its natural rhythms,” advises Dr. Suhail Alam.
“Quick-fix trends often ignore one crucial truth: skin injury and inflammation, even when ‘controlled,’ are accelerators of aging, not shortcuts to youth. Sustainable beauty comes from consistency, minimalism, and medical evidence — not viral gimmicks.”
These hacks are the epitome of “don’t try this at home!” If you want to learn more about the correct way to take care of your skin contact Aventus Clinic for professional advice.
