Not All Beauty Trends Are Worth It – What We're Not Fans Of (Sorry, Not Sorry)

As a professional skin and beauty clinic, we fully support self-care and at-home beauty rituals. A good skincare routine is an essential part of healthy, glowing skin, and we love seeing people invest time and effort into looking after themselves.

But every now and then, some home beauty trends pop up that make us pause (and sometimes cringe). While social media can be a great source of inspiration, it can also promote risky or ineffective beauty hacks that could harm your skin rather than help it.

Here are some of the most recent (and worrying) home beauty trends we recommend you skip, and what you should do instead:

DIY Facial Peels and Acid Treatments

At-home exfoliating masks and peels can be great in moderation, but lately we’ve seen a rise in people using high-strength acids (like glycolic or salicylic) purchased online and applying them without professional guidance.

Why we’re not fans: Overuse or incorrect application of these products can lead to burns, irritation, hyperpigmentation, and long-term damage to your skin barrier. Professional chemical peels are carefully chosen and applied based on your skin type and condition – it’s not one-size-fits-all!

Our advice: Stick to gentle, professionally recommended exfoliants at home. If you’re interested in deeper resurfacing or peels, book a consultation with a trained skin therapist.

Microneedling at Home

Microneedling is trending hard on social platforms right now — and while it’s an incredible treatment when done professionally, many people are now trying it themselves at home.

Why we’re not fans: Using poor-quality tools or incorrect techniques at home can cause skin tearing, scarring, infection, and breakouts. Plus, home devices rarely penetrate the skin deeply enough to give you the real collagen-boosting benefits of a clinical treatment.

Our advice: Leave microneedling to the professionals who use medical-grade equipment under strict hygiene protocols for safe, effective results.

DIY Lip Plumping and Facial "Sculpting" Devices

TikTok and Instagram have exploded with home suction devices, “lip plumping” gadgets, and dubious facial massagers promising lifted, sculpted features.

Why we’re not fans: Excessive use of these devices can lead to broken capillaries, bruising, and stretched skin over time – the opposite of the youthful, toned look you’re after.

Our advice: A qualified dermal therapist or cosmetic nurse can offer safe, proven options like professional skin tightening or cosmetic injectables that achieve real, lasting results.

Overusing Pore Vacuums

These devices promise to "suck out" blackheads and clear pores (and they can be weirdly satisfying) but the risk outweighs the benefit for most people.

Why we’re not fans: Pore vacuums can damage delicate facial skin, cause bruising, or even create broken blood vessels. Plus, they don't address the underlying causes of congestion or blackheads.

Our advice: If clogged pores are your concern, opt for a professional extraction facial, enzyme therapy, or a customised skin treatment plan for long-term clarity.

Explore our facial options

Slugging (For the Wrong Skin Types)

Slugging (coating the skin with a thick occlusive layer like petroleum jelly overnight) is another viral trend. While it can be beneficial for very dry or compromised skin types, it’s not for everyone.

Why we’re not fans: For acne-prone, oily, or congested skin, slugging can trap oil and bacteria, leading to breakouts and inflammation. Trendy doesn’t mean suitable!

Our advice: Always choose products suited to your individual skin type, or better yet, let us help you design a personalised skincare routine that works with your skin, not against it.

Ultimately, leave your skin's heavy lifting to the professionals.

We get it: beauty trends are tempting and cost-effective, and some home hacks do have merit. But when it comes to your face and skin health, the safest, most effective approach is professional guidance, evidence-based treatments, and customised skincare advice.

Want to know what will work for your skin goals? Book a consult with our team, and we’ll take the guesswork (and danger) out of your skincare journey.

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