Healthcare groups have warned that DIY beauty trends popular on TikTok could be harmful. Examples include applying bleach to whiten teeth, removing moles at home, and using eyelash glue to make lips appear larger, BBC News has found. These viral videos encourage others to copy the so-called 'beauty hacks', which could cause permanent damage.
The British Association of Dermatologists, the British Dental Association and the British Skin Foundation have issued warnings about copying these treatments. Dr Anjali Mahto, spokesperson for the British Association of Dermatologists, said: 'It is important to remind people that social media should not be used as a primary source for dermatology issues.'
Experts advise against removing moles at home. Dr Ross Perry, NHS GP and medical director of Cosmedics skin clinics, said: 'There is no safe way to remove a mole at home. Using chemicals or attempting to scrape off a mole could lead to infections, bleeding, scarring and deformity.'
Applying eyelash glue to lips to create a plumping effect could lead to scarring or permanent disfigurement, warned Dr Adil Sheraz, consultant dermatologist and British Skin Foundation spokesman. 'Eyelash glue contains cyanoacrylate, which is known to be a contact allergen. Applying a potentially allergenic chemical to lips could result in a severe reaction.'
The British Dental Association expressed concern about DIY teeth whitening with high levels of hydrogen peroxide. A representative said: 'Using higher concentrations unsupervised raises the risk of damage to teeth and gums, including burns, sensitivity, and irritated or inflamed gums.'
Other trends include applying sun cream to create a contour effect, which could increase skin cancer risk, and using citrus fruits on skin before sun exposure, which is dangerous. TikTok told BBC News the videos did not violate its community guidelines.
