5 Beauty Trends Doing More Harm Than Good
A recent study by the American Academy of Dermatology (AAD) found that more than 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.
Belle About Town spoke to a group of dermatologists at Aventus Clinic to investigate some of the most damaging beauty trends currently sweeping social media — and shares 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,” say the experts. “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 and an easy at-home beauty trend to follow.
“Face taping might temporarily smooth the skin by immobilizing muscles. However, it does nothing to stop the underlying aging process,” the dermatologists told us. “Over time, repeated taping can actually stretch the skin. It weakens its elasticity, and even contributes 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, but this is another beauty trend to be wary of.
“Professional chemical peels are carefully customized to your skin type, condition, and tolerance,” caution the experts. “At-home misuse of potent acids can easily lead to chemical burns. Other side effects could be 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,” say the experts. “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 on Harmful Beauty Trends
“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,” says 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.”
