TikTok is packed with bite-sized videos claiming to change your life. But not every viral hack is worth your time. Especially when it involves your health. A growing number of so-called wellness influencers are spreading dangerous advice that looks fun in a short video but carries real risks when tried in real life. While it might seem harmless to copy a trending routine, these fads often lack common sense and basic safety. Below are five of the worst offenders circulating right now that could seriously hurt you if you follow them blindly.
Drinking Borax for “Detox”
Yes, you read that right. Some TikTok creators are encouraging viewers to mix borax, a laundry booster, into water and drink it for supposed anti-inflammatory and detoxifying benefits. Borax is a cleaning agent, not a supplement. It contains boron, which is a real element, but it is already found in safe amounts in food and the environment. Ingesting industrial borax is a different story. It can cause nausea, vomiting, skin peeling, kidney damage, and in extreme cases, even death. The amount needed to cause harm is small, especially for children or smaller adults. The label on a box of borax warns against internal use for a reason. There is no medically approved reason to ingest borax. If you want to “detox,” your liver and kidneys are already doing that job for you.
Dry Scooping Pre-Workout Powder
This trend exploded in gym and fitness circles on TikTok. Dry scooping involves swallowing a scoop of pre-workout powder without mixing it with water. Supposedly, this gives users an extra kick of energy before exercise. The reality is far more dangerous. Pre-workout powders are highly concentrated and can contain large amounts of caffeine and stimulants. Taking it dry increases the speed and intensity of the absorption, which can overload the heart and nervous system. There have been reports of chest pain, palpitations, shortness of breath, and even heart attacks after dry scooping. Inhaling the powder accidentally can also irritate the lungs, leading to coughing, choking, or worse. These powders are meant to be diluted for a reason. Swallowing them raw is a shortcut to serious harm.
Tanning With Nasal Spray “Melanotan”
Tanning hacks are nothing new, but the latest twist involves a synthetic peptide sold as “melanotan.” Some TikTok users are promoting nasal sprays that claim to boost melanin production for a fast, dark tan without sun exposure. The idea may sound like a dream for tan lovers, but these products are unregulated and potentially dangerous. Melanotan compounds have not been approved for cosmetic or medical use in many countries. Using them may result in side effects like nausea, facial flushing, and irregular moles. In some cases, users report that existing moles have darkened or new ones have formed. Since these changes mimic symptoms of skin cancer, the risk of missing early signs of melanoma increases. You might also be introducing unknown chemicals into your bloodstream. Tanning is already linked to increased cancer risk, and this shortcut adds more risk without any proven benefit.
Taping Your Mouth Shut While Sleeping
This trend claims to promote nasal breathing by taping your mouth closed before sleep. Supporters say it helps prevent snoring, improves oxygen flow, and promotes deep rest. While nasal breathing does have known benefits, taping your mouth shut is a risky and unnecessary approach. It can be especially dangerous for people with sleep apnea, asthma, or allergies. Blocking the mouth can restrict airflow and lead to suffocation in extreme cases. If you are congested from a cold or allergies, mouth taping can reduce your oxygen intake instead of improving it. There are safer ways to encourage nasal breathing, including positional sleep aids, humidifiers, or saline rinses. Restricting airflow manually with tape is not one of them.
Doing DIY Eyeball Tanning or “Sunburn Tattoos”
This trend is as bizarre as it sounds. Some TikTok users are exposing their eyes or skin to sunlight in patterns to create designs. Eyeball tanning involves removing sunglasses to deliberately tan the whites of your eyes. Sunburn tattoos involve placing a stencil on the skin and getting sunburned so the area around it darkens. Both of these practices are incredibly harmful. Direct sun exposure to the eyes can cause long-term vision problems, cataracts, or even retinal burns. The eyes have no way to tan safely. Skin exposure used for sunburn tattoos promotes burns and increases the risk of skin cancer. Sunburn is not a beauty tool. It is a sign of cell damage. No temporary design is worth the long-term cost of UV radiation on your skin or eyes.
Why People Still Fall for These Trends
Many of these trends are framed as shortcuts or hidden secrets the public is just now discovering. The fast pace of TikTok makes it easy to forget that proper health advice takes time and research. Influencers often have no qualifications in medicine, nutrition, or fitness. What they do have is confidence, fast edits, and followers. That can make dangerous claims look appealing. Some users think if a trend worked for one person, it must work for everyone. But the body is complex, and what looks like a simple trick can go horribly wrong in the wrong circumstances. Online popularity is not proof of safety. There is no replacement for critical thinking when it comes to your health.
Stick to What Works and Ignore the Hype
The rise of DIY health trends on TikTok is part of a broader movement that encourages people to take control of their well-being. But true wellness is built on consistency, not viral moments. If a tip sounds too good to be true, it probably is. Real health changes take effort, patience, and often guidance from trained professionals. Instead of chasing viral hacks, focus on proven habits like regular sleep, balanced meals, staying active, and staying hydrated. Those might not make for flashy videos, but they will actually help you feel better over time. TikTok is fun, but your health is serious. Treat it that way.
Read More: The Hidden Hormonal Dangers Behind These 8 Wellness Trends
Disclaimer: This article was created with AI assistance and edited by a human for accuracy and clarity.
Disclaimer: This information is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment and is for information only. Always seek the advice of your physician or another qualified health provider with any questions about your medical condition and/or current medication. Do not disregard professional medical advice or delay seeking advice or treatment because of something you have read here.
