Facts about TikTok health trends

1. Salmon sperm facial

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This is the real name – not a typo.

Salmon sperm facials have been making waves since celebrities like Kim Kardashian and Jennifer Aniston praised the treatment for smoother, younger-looking skin. And while we can certainly avoid wanting that celebrity glow, we have to deal with the cum in the room.

To our delight — disappointment? — the serum injected or drained onto your face during a salmon sperm facial is not real salmon sperm.

They are sterile fragments of DNA extracted from sperm called polynucleotides (PDRN). “They support skin repair and collagen production, but that statement applies to any skin care that contains peptides,” said Lauren Fine, MD, a board-certified dermatologist.

There are a few science behind the benefits of polynucleotides. A 2024 review The polynucleotides found helped smooth fine lines and wrinkles and improve skin elasticity and hydration. However, results have been mixed and there is limited research on the benefits of PDRN.

Fine also noted that skin care is not tested for safety and efficacy by the FDA, and adding salmon sperm to the mix raises a whole different level of concerns about how the ingredients are sourced and manufactured. “And ethical concerns about using animal-based products as well.”

Heart or hype? Hype for now. “It’s very new, and I’m not saying never do it, but I can’t tell you why I would recommend salmon sperm over a lot of other things that are widely used right now,” Fine said.

2. Japanese method of walking

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Social media loves a good walking trend (we see you, hot girl!). The latest scroll-worthy step: the Japanese method of walking, also known as interval walking. Basically, you alternate between brisk walking and walking at a slower pace. If you’re wondering how the name fits, the method is named after the prototype 2007 Interval Walking Study which took place in Japan.

“The Japanese method of walking is wonderful for increasing cardiovascular endurance in a shorter amount of time,” said Mindy Caplan, an exercise physiologist certified by the American College of Sports Medicine. “It’s easy to do with little stress on the body and helps you feel young.”

Interval walking is a low-impact version of high-intensity interval training that research shows that it burns fat and builds muscle — especially your hip muscles. “Interval walking helps women with weak hip muscles – it will strengthen the hips and thighs and allow for a more efficient gait so the hips don’t wobble.”

Walk the JWM way: Start by walking at a moderate pace — brisk but still able to hold a conversation — for three minutes. Then pick up the pace where it’s most difficult to speak for three minutes. Return to moderate pace and repeat.

Heart or hype? Hips don’t lie. Heart. “Elevating your heart rate for longer periods boosts cardiovascular fitness and can lower blood pressure along with many other benefits such as improving age-related diseases, depression, general mobility, sleep and even reducing belly fat,” Caplan said.

Read: Latest TikTok Fitness Trends: Heart or Hype? >>

3. Fibermaxxing

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We’re in our fiber age, folks. Fibermaxxing, the viral trend dedicated to increasing fiber intake, has millions of videos on TikTok and makes people eat foods like broccoli and beans. “This trend is one that I really like,” said the nutritionist Susan Greeley, MS, RDN. “Most Americans fall short of their daily fiber intake.”

The latest statistics show that about 9 out of 10 women do not get the recommended daily amount of fiber (25-28 grams) per day. Not eating enough fiber can lead to digestive problems like constipation, unstable blood sugars, and a higher risk of serious health conditions like heart disease.

The best way to get your fill is from whole foods like fruits and vegetables, beans, seeds and nuts. Greenley said to add more fiber gradually to prevent side effects. “If you add too much fiber without hydrating properly, you can end up with hard stools and bloating and have trouble racing. In other words, when you add high fiber foods, it’s very important to increase water/hydration to make sure things keep moving.”

Heart or hype? Heart. “This trend brings much-needed attention to the fact that women really benefit from eating more sources of natural fiber from whole foods every day,” Greeley said.

4. Wellness stacking

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Stacking anything but delicious pancakes is like doing a lot. But wellness stacking involves combining small practices that are good for you and incorporating them into everyday life.

For example, brushing your teeth and then taking your vitamins. Stretch while your coffee or tea is being prepared. Moisturize in the morning in natural sunlight.

The idea is that doing one healthy thing will motivate another and before you know it, you’re a solid wellness machine.

“The real value is in creating efficiency and ritual around self-care, which can reduce decision fatigue and increase compliance,” said the therapist. Erin Pass. “When done mindfully, it recognizes that our physical, mental and emotional health are interconnected systems.”

That said, wellness stacking can go awry if you try to add too many habits or turn the stack into a pressure-filled to-do list. “The biggest danger is that wellness stacking can become efficient productivity—just another way to optimize ourselves to exhaustion. When we treat self-care like a competitive sport or a productivity hack, we’ve completely missed the point,” Pash said.

The heart of the hype? Heart — if your heart is in the right place. “If your wellness stack looks like self-compassion in action, go for it. If you feel like you’re not measuring up in any other way, it’s time to strip it down to what really matters,” Pash said.

5. Red light treatment under the eyes

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Red light therapy is so hot right now. You would think a shiny Friday the 13th-esque mask would deter some from trying it, but the beauty trend is going strong and the devices are getting weirder and weirder.

The latest device: under-eye wearables. You wear the device as you would a pair of glasses with the red light hovering over the under eye area. The treatment is designed to help reduce under eye problems such as dark circles, fine lines, wrinkles and puffiness.

“Red light can have amazing benefits for overall collagen stimulation. With regular use, most people notice that the quality of their skin looks better, feels better, and is helpful with inflammation,” said Fine. “This goes for the skin under the eyes.”

Heart or hype? Heart. Bonus heart if you wear them as part of your wellness stacking routine.