Plastic Surgeon Dr. Frederick Weniger Separates TikTok Anti-Aging Truth from Hype

Plastic Surgeon Dr. Frederick Weniger Separates TikTok Anti-Aging Truth from Hype

www.wenigerplasticsurgery.com

From “prejuvenation” serums to anti-sunscreen influencers, Dr. Weniger breaks down what’s worth trying—and what’s potentially harmful.

TikTok may be today’s beauty classroom, but not every viral lesson deserves an A-plus. Board-certified plastic Hilton Head, South Carolina Plastic surgeon Dr. Frederick Weniger says he’s seeing more patients influenced by social media than ever before. “TikTok can inspire curiosity about skincare, but it also spreads half-truths,” he explains. “My goal is to help people tell the difference between science and spectacle.”

Below, Dr. Weniger weighs in on the newest anti-aging trends flooding social media:

1. The “#MorningShed” Layering Ritual

What it is: An elaborate pre-bedtime routine combining masks, chin straps, mouth tape, and multiple serums—all filmed for TikTok as a nightly performance.

Verdict:  Not necessary.

Dr. Weniger says: “This is more about aesthetics for the camera than for the skin. Over-layering can clog pores, irritate the barrier, and make products less effective. You don’t need ten steps—just the right few.”

What to do instead: A simple cleanser, one proven active (retinol or peptide), moisturizer, and SPF in the morning are still the most reliable foundation for healthy skin.

2. The Anti-Sunscreen Movement

What it is: Creators claiming that daily sunscreen use blocks vitamin D or is “unnatural,” encouraging minimal SPF or “sun exposure therapy.”

Verdict:  Dangerous and misleading.

Dr. Weniger says: “This is one of the most concerning beauty myths we’ve seen. UV damage is responsible for up to 80 percent of visible aging—and skin cancer. Skipping SPF accelerates wrinkles, pigmentation, and collagen loss.”

What to do instead: Use broad-spectrum SPF 30+ daily, reapply outdoors, and look for lightweight mineral or hybrid formulas if you dislike traditional sunscreens.

3. Hypochlorous Acid for ‘Inflamm-Aging’

What it is: HOCl sprays marketed as miracle anti-aging mists that calm inflammation and “reset” the skin.

Verdict:  Promising but not magic.

Dr. Weniger says: “Hypochlorous acid can soothe redness and support barrier recovery, especially after treatments like microneedling. But it’s not a wrinkle-eraser on its own. Think of it as supportive care, not a cure.”

What to do instead: Combine soothing ingredients with proven actives: retinoids, antioxidants, and professional treatments—to address structural aging at multiple levels.

4. ‘Prejuvenation’ and Cell-Derived Serums

What it is: TikTok’s newest buzzword—“prejuvenation, ”urges users to start anti-aging early with exosome, stem-cell, or growth-factor serums.

Verdict:  Conditionally positive.

Dr. Weniger says: “The idea of preventing aging before it shows is sound, but the science behind many of these products is still evolving. Almost none of the agents in these products are solidly proven.  Some do show promise; others are overpriced moisturizers in disguise. Always look for data and medical oversight.”

What to do instead: Integrate prevention with evidence-based skincare and, when ready, professional treatments that actually build collagen.

5. Skin Cycling (Still Going Strong)

What it is: Alternating “active” nights (retinol, exfoliation) with “recovery” nights for hydration and barrier repair.

Verdict:  Smart and effective—when personalized.

Dr. Weniger says: “This trend stuck around because it makes sense. It allows the skin to repair itself and prevents over-exfoliation. This can be good for thin skin and more aged skin.  People with thick, oily skin would probably be better with a more aggressive routine  Just remember that one routine doesn’t fit all, sensitive skin may need longer rest phases.  An experienced aesthetician is invaluable for personalized management of your skin.”

Dr. Weniger’s Final Take:

“Social media trends can make skincare seem complicated, but the fundamentals haven’t changed: protect your skin from the sun, support it with proven actives, and rely on professionals for advanced care. Everything else should pass the ‘science or show?’ test before you try it.”

Dangerous or Useless Tiktok Trends You Should Not Use for Your Vagina According to A Gynecologist

TikTok has spawned thousands of health and beauty trends and hacks. Some of them are useful and some are downright dangerous. The vagina has not been spared when it comes to these viral trends put forth by non-experts, but nevertheless, they have caught on. Dr. Mickey Karram is a Beverly Hills, California Board Certified in Obstetrics and Gynecology as well as Urogynecology and Reconstructive Pelvic Surgery of Visthetic Surgery Institute & MedSpa who seeks to dispel these dangerous practices.

Vaginal dabbing, as the name implies, involves applying vaginal secretions to specific areas on the body known as pulse points, such as the wrists, neck, and inside the elbows, much like you would apply a fragrance. This ritual is believed to make one highly attractive to a potential partner. This trend gained significant popularity on TikTok and received widespread attention on the internet. Advocates of this practice attribute its effectiveness to pheromones and deeply ingrained biological responses. They also argue that its low-risk and cost-free nature makes it harmless, although some dissenting voices disagree. To begin with, it's important to clarify that vabbing is not entirely without risks, despite being marketed as such. Whenever an object or body part is introduced into the vagina, there is a potential risk of infection. While thorough hand washing before the practice can help mitigate this risk, individuals with long fingernails may inadvertently introduce bacteria into the vagina. Conversely, there's also the risk of transmitting bacteria, yeast, or sexually transmitted infections (STIs) from the vagina to the vabbing points on the body and, subsequently, to anything that encounters the skin.

Moisturizing melts in the vagina. What exactly are these moisturizing melts? They're non-medicated vaginal suppositories that claim to enhance the natural scent and taste of your vagina. These products come in various flavors, such as strawberry and peach. In January, a TikTok user shared her experience, claiming that these melts can make your intimate area taste and smell like the flavor you select. Another user summarized her positive encounter with a video that received 2.2 million likes. It's important to note that even though these vaginal suppositories are made from "all-natural" ingredients, it's still possible to experience irritation or allergic reactions to these components. However, here's another crucial consideration: your vagina isn't meant to have the taste or fragrance of fruits or flowers. The vagina has its own natural scent, which is entirely normal and healthy as it is a self-cleaning organ. If you have concerns about an unusual odor, consult a healthcare provider. There are commercially available vaginal inserts with a clinically tested pH balance that may be recommended. 

Placing ice cubes inside the vagina has gained attention on TikTok. A TikTok user claimed that inserting an ice cube into the vagina can potentially tighten it and even address bacterial overgrowth issues. This assertion led to a surge in people posting videos of themselves attempting this unconventional trend. However, it's important to note this practice's potential risks and limitations. If the vagina is dry, the ice cube may adhere uncomfortably, causing significant discomfort. 

Furthermore, melting an ice cube within the vagina could potentially disrupt its pH balance. Water, with a pH level of 7, differs significantly from the vagina's natural pH range of 3.5 to 4.5. 

Taking a shot of lemon juice to delay the onset of a menstrual cycle  is simply ineffective. Menstruation is a natural process and is not influenced by what you consume. Ingesting lemon juice has no impact on the ovaries or the communication between the brain and the ovaries. While taking a shot of lemon juice isn't harmful, it lacks a logical basis. 

Utilizing Boric Acid Suppositories for Yeast Infections. While numerous individuals on TikTok have been advocating for using boric acid suppositories to address vaginal yeast or bacterial infections, it is advisable to seek direct guidance from a qualified medical professional before attempting this remedy. Although boric acid has the potential to modify vaginal acidity levels, which might, in turn, offer relief from yeast infections and their associated symptoms like itching and burning, its effectiveness can vary, especially in cases of recurring infections.

Furthermore, there are specific scenarios in which boric acid suppositories are not recommended, such as during pregnancy, breastfeeding, or if one has allergies to boric acid, diabetes, compromised immune system, or frequent infections. Additionally, it's important to note that boric acid suppositories can lead to discomfort during sexual intercourse, as the acid has the potential to erode condoms and diaphragms. 

Yoni pearls Yoni pearls, named after the Sanskrit word for "vagina," are small bundles of various herbs. Some people claim that inserting them into their vaginas helps improve odor, remove toxins, or treat bacterial and yeast infections. But there isn't enough medical research to properly understand the effects. Avoid them because they have been reported to cause dryness, stinging, and cramping."

Vaginal steaming

Users on TikTok who have tried vaginal steaming (essentially a steam bath pointed directly at the vagina, referred to as V-steaming or yoni steaming to get around the app's censoring) share tons of purported claims about the benefits, from increasing libido to tightening the vagina. The treatment has been promoted by Goop founder Gwyneth Paltrow and other celebrities, including Chrissy Teigen, but doctors have quickly called them out. The vagina steam is a scam. Potentially harmful. Vaginal steaming only reaches the outer parts of your vagina and doesn't affect your uterus or cervix. The only recommended way to properly clean the outside of your vagina is unscented soap and warm water."

About Dr. Karram

Dr. Mickey Karram is an internationally renowned urogynecologist and pelvic surgeon. He is Board Certified in Obstetrics and Gynecology and Urogynecology and Reconstructive Pelvic Surgery. He completed his fellowship training in Urogynecology and Reconstructive Surgery at Harbor UCLA School of Medicine. He is currently the Director of Urogynecology and Reconstructive Surgery at The Christ Hospital and a Clinical Professor of Obstetrics and Gynecology at the University of Cincinnati School of Medicine.

He is the past Editor-In-Chief of the International Urogynecology Journal and the consumer publication Women’s Health Today and is past President of the American Urogynecology Society.  He has published more than 200 scientific articles and book chapters and has co-authored numerous textbooks including Urogynecology and Reconstructive Pelvic Surgery; Atlas of Pelvic Anatomy and Gynecologic Surgery, and The Pelvic Surgery Video Atlas.

He is the Founder and CEO of The Foundation for Female Health Awareness www.femalehealthawareness.com a 501©3 non-for-profit organization dedicated to educating women on pelvic and breast health as well as supporting unbiased research.

Dr. Karram has directed a number of post-graduate teaching courses throughout the United States, Europe, Asia, South America, and Australia. Dr. Karram has been designated by Good Housekeeping Magazine as one of the “Best Doctors in America for Women.”

How I Started My Beauty Blog & Became a Micro-Influencer

The beauty industry has blown up over the last 10 years or so and keeps on growing! Like many others, I've had a keen interest in beauty products since middle school (let's not talk about how long ago that was 😉). Back then, my friends and I only had access to beauty information through a few magazines publications and our regular trips to the drugstore to check out the latest beauty releases. The selection of beauty products was so limited back then. I keenly remember that it seemed there was only one choice for foundation and my friends and I proudly walked around with our orange coloured faces thanks to the limited products and information back then. Thankfully, things have changed tremendously since those days, mostly thanks to the vast world of beauty that can now be found online!

Nowadays, we needn't look far to find information on the topic of beauty, from tips and tricks, to reviews and new product launches, the internet is our oyster. Beauty platforms and Influencers both large and small, from all parts of the world are providing us with everything we want to know online. Whether you are looking for the Best Beauty Trends of 2020 or you want to find out if a skincare product might work for you, beauty Influencers from around the globe are letting us in on the latest beauty releases, provided makeup tutorials, and sharing what we need to know before we make our next beauty purchase. All of this information is now easily accessible to all of us and once I discovered it, I wanted to be a part of it!

I first discovered the world of online beauty in 2011 after reading a magazine article about how it wasn't a good idea to keep your makeup in the bathroom. So I did an online search "how to store makeup." The internet responding with an enormous amount of information. There were all kinds of videos and blogs with the answers to my burning question. I had no idea that this online world of beauty existed, and once I discovered it, there was no turning back. I got sucked into the vortex of beauty online and I found myself frequently checking out YouTube, Blogs, and Vlogs for the latest beauty information. There were regular gals like me who were sharing their favourite beauty products but filming it from their bathroom floors, now known as Micro-Influencers. And, then there were the big beauty Bloggers and Vloggers, now known as Influencers, who were either famous or beauty professionals. They were also sharing their beauty tips, tricks, favourite products, new product launches and so much more.

My love for beauty grew even more after I had found others with the same interests and I started my little blog in 2015 as I wanted to share my tips and favourite products, too. I literally searched "how to start a blog" and went from there. The first thing was to choose my blog's platform, once I did that, the name of my blog came to me right away, it combines 2 of my favourite topics; health and beauty. Since starting my site, I have had so many amazing opportunities as a "Micro-Influencer." I've been able to work with well-known brands as well as brands that are just starting up. I love helping them get the word out about their products or services. It's a blast and takes my hobby and interests to the next level as being an influencer comes with some perks like testing out free products and/or services. Luckily, nowadays, there is a place for everyone, which I'm so grateful for. Like me, many people fell into the world of being an influencer by doing something that they love Jenna Citrus is just one example of this.

Using micro-influencers to promote products makes sense. How many of us purchase a product or service based on a friend or relatives recommendation? It's a similar concept. Anyone remember the old commercial that said: "she'll tell 2 friends and so on..." Plus, it's more cost-effective for the brands!

Whether you have aspirations to become an influencer, a micro-influencer or are considering starting a blog, all I can say is to take your hobby or interests and go for it! You don't even need a blog these days to be an influencer (although some brands do prefer it). There are so many social media outlets and platforms where you can promote brands. If you want to share your hobby, interests or knowledge with others, and it's something you enjoy, you just might get some great perks from it!

This post is in collaboration with Intellifluence. All opinions are my own.