TikTok users are being warned against inhaling dangerous tanning products due to devastating side effects and potential health conditions.
Slater and Gordon Public Liability Lawyer Lily Boskovski said young people, especially women, were falling prey to social media influencers promoting inhaling or snorting the synthetic hormone Melanotan to fast-track their summer glow.
"Melanotan is being pushed as a quick way to tan your skin but it's actually an incredibly unsafe and unregulated product. There have been previous warnings issued by the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) following reports of people injecting melanotan and other related tanning products, due to the serious side effects," Ms Boskovski said.
"Buying a product like this online is extremely dangerous as melanotan is a prescription-only medicine and you do not know what other chemicals the product may contain. No one should be risking their health and wellbeing for the perfect tan. It pays to question what is being promoted online and to only use a drug if it has been prescribed by a health professional for a specific health condition."
Side-effects of melanotan include darkened skin, increased moles and freckles, nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite, flushing of the face, involuntary stretching and yawning and spontaneous erections, according to the TGA. In the UK, side effects such as acne, kidney, brain and heart problems have been reported.
Ms Boskovski said millennials and Gen Z should be cautious when trying out risky beauty trends promoted on social media platforms.
"Some women have been badly scarred and left with permanent injuries as a result of fat freezing procedures gone wrong, both in clinics and at home," Ms Boskovski said.
"If risky treatments like this are not performed correctly and safely by a professional who has received proper training, they can do more harm than good. There have been cases of people suffering from burns and other injuries which may require corrective surgeries."
Inhaling tanning products
Social media influencers are inhaling melanotan, a synthetic hormone which mimics a melanocyte-stimulating hormone to darken skin pigment. The long-term effects of the product are unknown and there are fears the spray could cause deadly skin cancer such as melanoma.
Knives for contouring
Using sharp objects such as knives to contour your face and apply foundation could result in more harm than good. Injuries could be commonplace and there may be a risk of infection. Makeup application should be hygienic and done with proper brushes and sponges.
Fat freezing devices
This procedure, which typically involves part of the abdomen pulled between cold plates and chilled at subzero temperatures, can result in devasting scarring, extreme pain, bloating and even frostbite if not done safely. At-home procedures using "sculpting" machines advertised on social media platforms could be dangerous if the correct technique is not applied.
Laser hair removal
If the laser machine is not used correctly there is potential for second-degree burns across legs, arms, underarms, bikini area and even the face. Burns and scarring can occur if the machine setting is too high or the machine is not kept clean or serviced regularly.
Teeth whitening
If not done by a professional dentist, the at-home kits can be risky to use due to too much bleach or overly frequent use which can strip the teeth of enamel or cause further damage. Other concerning trends include TikTok users shaving down their teeth with nail fails to improve their shape, potentially causing pain, chipping, cracking and discoloration.
Illegal sun beds
Skin creams to speed up sunburn and tanning, as well the use of sunbeds which are illegal in Australia, are being promoted on social media. Sunbeds have been banned due to the ultraviolet (UV) rays increasing your risk of developing skin cancer.
Floating pods
Check the reviews and make sure the spa you are planning to attend is a reputable one and specialises in floating, with beds that are cleaned and serviced safely and regularly. Injuries could potentially occur if the pod's drainage system set on a timer or if faulty.
