10 Dangerous Health & Beauty Trends To Avoid

#10: NyQuil Chicken

You can thank 4chan for this not-so-bright idea. Originally created in 2017, NyQuil chicken is exactly what it sounds like: a poultry dish cooked in cough medicine. In 2022, the recipe went viral on TikTok. The user claimed it was to help his sick wife. The Food and Drug Administration immediately warned against it, and it’s clear to see why. The cooking process itself comes with several risks, particularly lung damage from fume inhalation. Ingesting it is even more dangerous, as there’s no way to properly portion the medicine. Every bite comes with the chance of an overdose, which can lead to seizures and even death. With the plethora of edible spices available, we’d recommend leaving this one in your medicine cabinet where it belongs.

#9: Removing Blackheads with Glue

Dating back to the late 90s, people have used sticky strips as a way of removing blackheads. Mass produced ones already come with slight risks, and strips made at home are worse. In 2014, model Victoria Brito claimed that glue was her secret to a perfect complexion. Since then, the trend has stuck — literally. People rub the sticky substance in, let it dry, and then pull it off. It may appear to work, but comes with far more dangers than benefits. Elmer’s is non-toxic, but that doesn’t make it inherently safe. Applying it could clog pores, cause allergic reactions, and heavily irritate sensitive skin. So while it’s tempting to grab your craft supplies and go to town, it’s better to stick with regulated products instead.

#8: At-Home Chemical Peels

Doing anything from home for a reduced cost may seem like the smart choice. However, there are some activities that require professional help, and chemical peels are definitely one of them. Many of the do-it-yourself treatments tout anti-aging or acne-reduction properties, and they contain several different acids to get the desired effects. Applying one without understanding its concentration or the length needed for treatment can cause burns. Like regular peels, they remove the top layers of flesh, and one wrong move can result in horrific consequences. Some people may experience changes in their skin coloration or even disfigure themselves. It may be more expensive, but going to a licensed professional reduces the chances of disaster significantly.

#7: Waist Trainers

Shapewear has been a fashion staple for centuries. Its popularity has increased in the past few years, particularly waist training. Wearing these pulls in the lowest ribs, creating the illusion of an hourglass figure. Some will wear them non-stop to maintain it, which is where the danger comes in. Doing so can damage your nerves and weaken important muscles in your core. They can also cause superficial damage like rashes. The highest risk, however, is to your organs. Not only can waist training redistribute them, it can also lessen blood flow and therefore reduce their important functions. While we’d recommended skipping them altogether, if you do wear one, be sure to take it off after a few hours to be safe.

#6: Using Magic Erasers to Fix or Remove Self-Tan

It makes sense that people would want to have an evenly applied self-tan, and to correct any mistakes they made. Using household cleaning products to achieve that, however, doesn’t make sense. In the late 2010s, people began using Magic Erasers to scrub off any lingering product, to disastrous results. The sponges are made with melamine foam, an abrasive substance that’s amazing for kitchens and bathrooms — not human flesh. Using it to scrub anything off your body will result in that tan being removed, along with some of the skin it was previously on. Some who have attempted this have reported giving themselves awful chemical burns and rashes. The likely pain you’d experience drastically outweighs any convenience the hack offers.

#5: Treating Skin Cancer with Black Salve

Despite the availability of modern medicine, some choose alternative treatments for their health issues. When it comes to something as serious as cancer, that choice can quickly become harmful. Black salve has been purported as a cure, and people perpetuating that false claim in the media has made it stick. The caustic product destroys skin cells, whether they’re healthy or not. Using it can also lead to tissue necrosis and disfiguration that can only be fixed with plastic surgery. There’s also a high chance it misses the cancerous cells entirely, meaning one could permanently mar themselves for nothing. It goes without saying, but you should consult with a doctor before beginning any treatment — especially one so unsafe.

#4: DIY Mole & Skin Tag Removal

The desire to eradicate skin growths has resulted in people turning to desperate measures. The internet has made it easy to learn hacks or buy products to take off skin tags and moles, regardless of their safety. Mole removal pens burn the offending mark off, which can cause scarring. Household items like rubber bands, string, or nail clippers are even riskier, and can cause infections or severe bleeding. Taking the DIY route leaves the root cause of the mark a mystery, with no way of knowing if it's cancerous or not. If it is, not only could it come back, it will be even harder to treat. Those with concerns should seek medical attention before taking things into their own hands.

#3: Dry Scooping Pre-Workout

In theory, powdered supplements can be helpful before hitting the gym. When added to a drink, they can help boost energy and promote muscle growth. This trend aims to make it as dangerous as possible. Dry scooping challenges people to throw back a serving of their pre-workout without a drink. Influencers and regular gym-goers alike have been filming themselves participating in this, and claim that it hits even harder. Many end up inhaling it and choking — and that’s just where the risk begins. Pre-workout is loaded with caffeine, and taking too much at once can cause myocardial palpitations. In 2021, a woman even had a heart attack after attempting it. Taking it the correct way will help boost your workout and prevent a near-death experience.

#2: Melanotan II Nasal Sprays

Tanning already comes with plenty of risks, and this makes it even worse. Nasal sprays containing Melanotan II boast a glow from the inside out. Inhaling it causes hormones in the body to duplicate, resulting in a temporarily darker complexion. It also comes with a host of negative side effects, from minor ailments like nausea and diarrhea to more serious diseases like Rhabdomyolysis. It isn’t approved by the FDA or even legal in the U.S., so you might not know what you’re snorting until it’s too late. Plus, inhaling it nasally gives it a one-way ticket to your bloodstream, meaning whatever chemicals are inside it will be distributed throughout your body. Those who want some color should go about it the safe way.

#1: Self-Injecting Fillers & Botox

Considering both procedures involve needles being inserted into the face, it’s hard to believe they’re done anywhere but a doctor’s office. Yet, people all over are buying knockoff versions of Botox and filler that they inject themselves. Everything from the application to the products themselves proves that it’s a bad idea. Most people aren’t aestheticians, and therefore have a limited idea of where they’re supposed to be injecting. That alone runs the risk of facial asymmetry and drooping eyelids. The damage goes much deeper than the exterior, as paralysis or circulation blockage could occur. The scariest part is that the ingredients in unregulated Botox and dermal fillers may be unknown or incorrect, meaning you have no way of knowing what you’re putting into your body.

What’s the craziest beauty or wellness trend you’ve seen online? Let us know in the comments below!