MORE DANGEROUS TIKTOK TRENDS

DIY DENTAL WORK Since the start of the pandemic, there’s been an increase in people trying DIY dentistry, dentists say. One trend is to file your teeth with a nail file to even out your choppers.

“It just makes my skin crawl thinking about it,” says Dr Caroline Robins, a dentist in Ireland.

Filing can cause irreparable damage to the enamel of your teeth, she warns. “Once the tooth structure is gone, it is gone forever, and it leaves a very sensitive tooth. It can be very damaging.”

Dentists have also warned against using hydrogen peroxide to whiten teeth. A video showing a woman apply the chemical to her teeth with a cotton swab had more than 15 million views on TikTok.

While hydrogen peroxide is an ingredient in toothpaste and other teeth-whitening products, the amount used in these products is strictly controlled.

US dentist Dr Chris Strandburg warns that “prolonged bleaching with these high concentrations of hydrogen peroxide, especially when used multiple days in a row, can lead to highly irritated gums and sensitive teeth”.

TAN ‘TATTOOS’ Tan tattoos are created by wearing a sticker while tanning, to create the outline of a shape on the skin. The trend is not new, but it went viral last year.

Dermatologist DR LIV KRAEMER warns against the trend. “It might look cute now, but in 10 years you’ll be in my clinic,” she posted on TikTok.

“Sorry to say but there is no such thing as a healthy tan. You will develop wrinkles and dark pigmentation later.”

FULL-FACE WAXING Some people think covering your face in hot wax will clear the skin of blackheads and fine hairs, but it can be deadly.

“This is a senseless practice which has more potential for harm than good and I would not advise it,” says dermatologist Dr Emma Wedgeworth, who explains that the wax can block airways and cause suffocation if it’s not removed quickly enough.

“Pouring or placing any hot wax onto the surface of your skin can put you at potential risk of burns,” says Dr Simran Deo from the UK. “Although wax strips are often used for hair removal, the risk of burns in these cases is minimal as it is not poured directly onto the skin.”

Burns from waxing can lead to pigmentation, blistering and permanent scarring, she adds.