Mini Rewind Report: TikTok Aesthetic Trends
Welcome back to a mini Rewind Report.
Today we’re talking about TikTok skincare and aesthetic trends because, as aesthetic providers, sometimes we cringe at what we see online. Other times we think, “Okay… should we actually look into that?”
And occasionally we’re already doing the treatment before TikTok discovers it.
Slugging with Aquaphor
The first trend: slugging with Aquaphor.
Our overall answer? No.
The one exception would be after a CO2 laser treatment, where an occlusive barrier is important to protect and hydrate the skin during healing.
But for everyday skincare, slugging with heavy occlusives like Aquaphor can feel overly clogging for many people.
A quality moisturizer is usually a better option for daily use.
Beef Tallow Skincare
Another viral trend is beef tallow skincare.
While some people swear by it, we’re personally not fans.
Maybe it made sense historically when people had limited skincare options, but today we have far more advanced formulations specifically designed for skin health.
Modern skincare simply offers cleaner, more effective alternatives.
DIY Lip Filler Pens
One of the more concerning trends online is DIY “lip filler pens” being sold on places like Facebook Marketplace.
These devices claim to create fuller lips without needles by using pressure to force filler into the tissue.
Our answer to this trend is a very strong no.
The lips contain superficial arteries, and improper injection or pressure placement can lead to:
- Vascular occlusion
- Severe swelling
- Tissue damage
- Permanent complications
Many of the people using these devices are not licensed medical providers.
Please do not let untrained individuals perform injectable procedures.
Face Taping at Night
Another popular TikTok trend is nighttime face taping.
This involves taping areas like the forehead, jawline, or smile lines to supposedly prevent movement during sleep.
Our opinion is mixed.
It probably won’t hurt you, and some people claim they’ve seen benefits, but we don’t believe it’s nearly as effective as properly placed neurotoxin treatments.
It’s also expensive, time-consuming, and not particularly comfortable for most people.
Castor Oil for Hair Growth
Castor oil for hair and lash growth is another heavily discussed trend.
We don’t think there’s strong evidence proving dramatic results, but it’s generally harmless for most people if used carefully.
Some people use it on lashes or brows after becoming concerned about potential side effects associated with certain lash growth serums.
That said, castor oil trends involving things like “belly button detoxing” or liver wraps are definitely not supported by science.
Lip Blushing
Lip blushing is a cosmetic tattooing procedure designed to add color and definition to the lips.
While it can initially look pretty, we generally don’t love it long term.
The lips constantly peel, heal, and change over time, which can cause pigment to fade unevenly.
It reminds us of older eyebrow microblading trends where pigments eventually shifted into orange, blue, or unnatural tones.
Our recommendation would be to use a quality lip stain or lip liner instead of permanently tattooing delicate lip tissue.
Korean Skincare & PDRN
Korean skincare continues to trend heavily online, and overall we think there are many excellent Korean skincare brands.
However, consumers should be careful because “K-beauty” has become a marketing buzzword. Some products claim Korean origins without actually being made by reputable Korean companies.
As for PDRN — sometimes referred to online as “salmon DNA skincare” — there are products we genuinely like.
But, as always, product quality, ingredient concentration, and manufacturer reputation matter significantly.
At-Home Microneedling
At-home microneedling devices like the “Dr. Pen” are extremely popular online.
Our answer is simple: no.
Microneedling may look simple on TikTok, but there are major concerns involving:
- Sterility
- Needle quality
- Depth control
- Scarring risk
- Hyperpigmentation
- Product safety
Professional microneedling devices are medical-grade systems purchased through licensed medical providers.
The needles are sterile, single-use, and opened at the bedside.
Professional treatments also use medical-grade topical products specifically designed for microneedling procedures.
Please don’t perform invasive skin procedures at home based solely on TikTok tutorials.
At-Home Botox
Yes — people are actually injecting their own Botox at home.
And no — we absolutely do not recommend it.
Even trained injectors often do not inject themselves because proper technique, anatomy knowledge, dosing, sterility, and complication management matter tremendously.
Medical aesthetics should always prioritize safety over trends.
PDGF Injections
Another emerging trend is PDGF injections.
PDGF stands for platelet-derived growth factor.
While PDGF has legitimate medical applications in areas like orthopedic surgery and wound healing, there is currently very limited research regarding cosmetic facial injection use.
The concern is that PDGF stimulates growth, but researchers still do not fully understand:
- What tissues it may stimulate
- How long stimulation lasts
- How to manage complications
Potentially stimulating fat, blood vessels, or other tissue growth in delicate facial areas without long-term studies creates significant uncertainty.
At this time, we are not offering PDGF facial injections until there is more research and FDA guidance available.
Injecting Exosomes
Exosomes are another major trend in aesthetics.
While topical exosomes may have a place in skincare and post-procedure healing, injecting exosomes into the face raises concerns.
Many exosome products are derived from human tissue sources such as:
- Umbilical tissue
- Placental tissue
- Other biologic materials
In medicine, introducing biologic products into the body typically involves strict safety protocols, testing standards, and oversight.
At this point, we believe more long-term safety data is needed before injectable exosome treatments become routine.
Final Thoughts on TikTok Trends
TikTok can absolutely introduce people to interesting skincare and aesthetic concepts.
But not every viral trend is safe, effective, or worth the risk.
Always talk to a qualified medical provider before trying trending aesthetic treatments — especially anything involving injections, microneedling, or biologic products.
And if you come across a weird TikTok trend, send it to us. We’ll gladly tell you what we think.
Thanks for watching the Mini Rewind Report.
