Sunscreen causes cancer and dental braces with files... dangerous trends on Tik Tok, do not apply them

Weather of Arabia - In a rapidly developing world full of contradictory information, social media trends stand out as one of the biggest sources of both inspiration and fear. On TikTok, where young people meet to exchange the latest trends and innovative clips, trends have recently appeared that may be dangerous and unscientific, such as the claim that condoms The sun causes cancer, or using coolant to straighten teeth, and many others. These trends are not just jokes, but can lead to serious health consequences if applied without knowledge.

In this article, we will review these phenomena and their consequences, highlighting the importance of verifying information and consulting experts before adopting any of this troubling advice.

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Dangerous trends on Tik Tok

• Sunscreen causes cancer

Recently, some social media stars have begun promoting dangerous and misleading ideas about health, such as claiming that sunscreens "cause cancer" and encouraging excessive sun exposure.

For example, Jerome Tan, who has about 400,000 followers, called on his followers to “regularly expose themselves to sunlight,” without any scientific evidence to support this.

At a time when the United States is experiencing record temperatures, this misinformation is worrying experts, as it undermines public health advice on skin cancer prevention. There is a significant increase in skin cancer cases, which makes these trends particularly dangerous.

Some social media celebrities also promote videos with millions of views, showing recipes for “homemade” sunscreen, such as mixing beef fat, avocado butter, and beeswax. In one of the videos spread on TikTok, Jerome Tan claimed without any basis. Learn that eating natural foods can “allow the body to create its own protection from the sun.”

A survey conducted this year by the Orlando Health Cancer Institute found that about one in seven American adults under the age of 35 believed that daily use of sunscreen was more harmful than direct exposure to the sun, and about a quarter of participants believed that staying hydrated could prevent sunburn.

It is noted that the use of sunscreen products among Americans has decreased, a decline that is consistent with a lack of confidence in public health advice in general, including vaccines and combating the Covid-19 pandemic.

Some social media celebrities, who often lack educational qualifications, benefit financially from these trends, relying on promoting false beliefs about sun protection.

For example, someone posted on Instagram encouraging not to use sunscreen, while simultaneously promoting skincare.

Some experts, such as dermatologist Daniel Bennett of the University of Wisconsin, pointed out that “tanning without risk does not exist,” recalling that the evidence that ultraviolet rays are the main cause of skin cancer is strong and clear, and the American Academy of Dermatology confirmed that home-made preparations for prevention From the sun they lack effective protection, exposing users to the risk of burns, premature aging and cancer.

• Cold teeth

Experts pointed out the danger of using a nail file to file teeth in order to make them even, and they warned against attempts to extract teeth at home to straighten them. They stressed that teeth do not regenerate like nails, and that filing them at home can weaken them and cause permanent problems such as misalignment of teeth and difficulty chewing food.

• Teeth whitening at home

At-home teeth whitening tricks have been trending on TikTok using the hashtag #teethwhitening, which are often ineffective and dangerous. These methods include the use of baking soda, which erodes the calcific layers of the teeth, which increases tooth sensitivity and the risk of tooth decay and chemical burns.

The trend of filing teeth with a nail file invades TikTok...and doctors warn! #Scene_News #Scene pic.twitter.com/8ZhEbQXbdC

- Al Mashhad Al-Mashhad (@almashhadmedia) July 12, 2024

• Lip piercing at home

The practice of lip piercing at home is considered one of the most dangerous trends, and Dr. Mehra called for seeking help from specialists in this field. The mouth is a fertile environment for bacteria, and performing a piercing in an unsterile environment can lead to infection, bleeding, and nerve damage, in addition to the possibility of permanent scarring.

• Homemade dental fillings

Statistics show that about 91% of adults have at least one dental filling, but some people try to do it themselves. TikTok videos promoting the use of at-home fillings can be dangerous, as they may introduce bacteria and remove cavities without expertise.

• Close the gaps with rubber bands

Rubber bands are used in some fashions to close gaps between teeth, but this can lead to major problems. These bands are not designed for medical purposes and may cause severe pain, loosen teeth and not treat underlying alignment issues.

• Oil pulling

Oil pulling, which claims to remove bacteria and produce odor-free saliva, is considered one of the worst fad trends and although it is not very dangerous, it lacks scientific evidence proving its effectiveness and can be replaced with apple cider vinegar diluted with water to control bad breath.

While experts call for the need to consult specialists instead of relying on these dangerous trends, which may lead to permanent health problems.

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