Apart from interesting recipes and heartwarming videos, other things we’ve chanced upon on TikTok include beauty hacks.
Now, we do love ourselves a good life hack to help solve pesky problems like bulbous pimples and bad hair days, but we have to admit — some of these do seem a little questionable.
From using nail files to even out your teeth to applying erection cream as a lip plumper, here are some potentially dangerous beauty hacks you shouldn’t attempt no matter how desperate you are.
1. Shaving your teeth with nail files
This beauty hack already sounds like a horrible idea without us having to try it.
@antoinepierre_
Got carried away… ?? #Teethfile #teethwhitening #willsmith #fyp
♬ гуччи флип – быдло жидовское ?
A number of people have hopped onto this teeth filing trend and have taken videos of themselves sawing away at their pearly whites with a nail file in an attempt to straighten them.
@thebentist
@cheneltiara why you do dis to me! ?? PSA: I don’t recommend doing this ✌? have your dentist check to make sure it’s safe first! #teeth #braces
♬ original sound – The Bentist
We don’t need an expert to tell us that this is a terrible hack but orthodontist Benjamin White felt the need to make his own TikTok (@thebentist) to confirm this.
“Hopefully you didn’t go far enough to make some blood [squirt] out of there,” he says passionately in the video.
Dentist Kami Hoss shared the same sentiments in an interview with US news programme Inside Edition.
“We get one set of teeth and once you file it down, it’s never going to grow back,” he warns.
2. Sunscreen contour
Makeup Meets SPF: A New Twist on Contouring
Ever felt like the last piece of the puzzle in your makeup routine is missing? Model Eli Withrow decided to play a little trick on the world—she uses sunscreen to contour her face!
How It Works
Step one: Lay down a base coat of SPF 30 sunscreen across the whole face. Step two: Highlight the cheekbones, brow ridge, and jawline with a bold splash of SPF 90. The result? A subtle, sun-protected definition that moves the needle without the usual period.
What The Chrome Says: The Good, The Bad, The Bright
- Pros: Quick setup, extra sun protection, and a low-key glow.
- Cons: Surprise textures, potential heaviness, and questionable double-cooking of skin.
Dermatologist’s Verdict
Dr. Joshua Zeichner, a seasoned dermatologist, weighed in. “Direct UV exposure is the biggest culprit for early aging and skin cancer,” he said, sounding a mix of concern and disbelief. He advises that this sunscreen contouring hack could be risky and urges folks to stick to conventional methods.
Bottom Line
While it might sound like a clever shortcut, the high SPF gamble could do more harm than good. For anyone considering this, pounce on the conventional contour shade—a working set and a friend or family member are always a better backup plan!
3. Gorilla Glue hair
It goes without saying that glue and hair are not a good combination, but Tessica Brown discovered this the hard way.
@im_d_ollady
Stiff where????? Ma hair ??
♬ original sound – Tessica Brown
In a now-viral video, she tells her followers that she attempted to keep her hair in place with Gorilla Glue after she had run out of her usual hairspray. The result? Hair that completely doesn’t budge — and not in a good way.
“I washed my hair 15 times and it don’t move,” she lamented.
@im_d_ollady
Update ##gorillaglue ##viral ##update
♬ original sound – 60 second sounds
In the end, she had to seek professional medical attention to save her scalp.
After the incident went viral, Gorilla Glue themselves released a statement to emphasise that their products are only meant for crafts, home or office projects.
“This is a unique situation because this product is not indicated for use in or on hair as it is considered permanent. Our spray adhesive states in the warning label ‘do not swallow. Do not get in eyes, on skin or on clothing,'” they shared.
4. Erection cream lip plumper
In hopes of getting thicker and juicier lips, TikTok user Jerry Mal attempted to use erection cream as a lip plumper after seeing a girl in a movie try it.
@jerrybmaldonado
If you know what movie I’m talking about please tell me because I want to watch it again ##beauty ##lips
♬ original sound – Jerry Mal
While the cream did leave him with super luscious-looking lips, the procedure did sound rather painful.
“It’s burning really bad,” he said after a while before wiping the substance off his swollen lips.
Ross Perry, Medical Director of Cosmedics UK called the hack “utterly ridiculous” and “dangerous”.
“Individuals trying this could suffer an allergic reaction such as stinging, soreness, blisters and uncomfortable swelling. Other side effects from the absorption of the cream as it goes into the body can create headaches, blood pressure problems and even possible heart problems,” he warns.
5. DIY lash lifts
Some of us aren’t blessed with naturally long and curled eyelashes so we resort to eyelash extensions and eyelash perms to achieve the look.
@alexmorris.5
WORKS SO GOOD #fyp #lashlift #ThousandDollarCrocs #worthit
♬ Horses – PnB Rock & Kodak Black & A Boogie Wit Da Hoodie
While there are DIY lash lift sets in the market that individuals can try out, experts say that these can be dangerous.
“There is a high probability you will harm your eye or the structures around it with toxic ingredients that include ammonia, formaldehyde and lead,” Optometrist Dhruvin Patel shares with Refinery29.
“Blindness is highly possible if chemicals seep into eyes,” she adds.
6. Potatoes to remove pimples
Apparently, potatoes aren’t just versatile in the kitchen — some people have been using the root vegetable as a remedy for their angry pimples.
@sierrastyless
Reposting my first viral video bc we’re all breaking out under our masks #fyp #Fashion101 #skincare #skincareroutine #naturalremedy #beautytips
♬ original sound – sierrastyless
We have to admit, we too were pretty convinced after seeing the video but dermatologist and TikTok user Dr Muneeb Shah thinks otherwise.
While he does admit to British style magazine Dazed that “potatoes have a high salicylic acid content in them” and these are “beneficial in treating acne”, he does not recommend it.
“Why would you even resort to this when we have perfectly good, safe, relatively inexpensive salicylic acid products that you can buy at any drug store?” he says.
We have to admit, he has a point.
7. Henna freckles
Freckles: Love or Revile? Let’s Break the Bad Habit!
Why Some Folks Are All About the Spot‑Tarts
Freckles can be the shame of a sun‑burned ego or the Instagram‑gold standard of natural charm. If you’re a fan of the “spotted it” swagger, you’ll know that no amount of makeup can mimic that natural “pops” look.
The Henna Freckle Trend That’s Making Waves
That viral TikTok craze? It’s simple: slip a handful of henna dye on your cheeks and you’re allegedly f‑k yay, a freckled‑facia spritz! Some real‑talk creators, like the one sharing #hennafreckles, aim for bold spots around the nose & cheeks because “doing it everywhere takes forever!”
Quality Matters—Don’t Get Henna‑Harmed
- Natural Henna – the classic, sun‑kissed orange dye is generally safe and gives a natural tint that’s all sunshine.
- Black Henna – a tempting illusion that often comes wrapped in a toxic ingredient known as paraphenylenediamine (PPD). This chemical can cause a nasty allergic reaction to some folks.
Although not everyone will strike out against black henna, those who do can experience burning, tingling, irritation, swelling, redness, or even blistering—a total nightmare!
Take a Leaf of Advice from the Health Gurus
UK’s Cosmetic Authority’s Chris Flower says the discomfort ranges from mild “meh” to downright painful. The bottom line? Stick with the safe, natural blend and avoid the shady black‑dye alternatives.
