Welcome to the trend zone, friends.
If you are reading this then you have successfully quit social media and read more about social media. Very meta, very reserved.
It’s true that social media is now a big part of everyday life for most of us. The number of people on social platforms has doubled since 2017, with an estimated 5 billion users – about 64% of the population – scrolling through cat videos and sourdough bread recipes.
But of course it’s not all kittens and carbs. Social media can spread misinformation and outright lies. And it’s not always easy to know what’s real or fake or even harmful to your health.
That’s why we asked experts to weigh in on some of the latest health trends on TikTok. Here’s what you need to know and when to start scrolling.
1. Salmon Sperm Facials
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That’s the correct 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 definitely support the desire for celebrity glitz, we have to deal with the sperm in the room.
To our delight – disappointment? – The serum that is injected or applied to your face during a salmon sperm facial is not real salmon sperm.
These are sterilized DNA fragments that are extracted from sperm and are called polynucleotides (PDRN). “They support skin repair and collagen production, but this statement applies to any skin care regimen that contains peptides,” said Lauren Fine, MD, a board-certified dermatologist.
There is some scientific basis behind the benefits of polynucleotides. A 2024 study found that polynucleotides help 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 pointed out that the safety and effectiveness of skin care products is not regulated by the FDA and that adding salmon sperm to the mix raises entirely different considerations about how the ingredients are sourced and manufactured. “And also ethical concerns about the use of animal products.”
Heart or hype? Hype at the moment. “It’s very new and I’m not saying never do it, but I can’t tell you why I would choose salmon sperm over a lot of other things that are widely available right now,” Fine said.
2. Japanese walking method
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Social media loves a good walking trend (see you, hot girl!). The latest advance worth browsing: the Japanese walking method, also called interval walking. Basically, you alternate between fast and slower walking. If you’re wondering how the name fits, the method was named after the original 2007 study on interval walking conducted in Japan.
“The Japanese walking method is wonderful for increasing cardiovascular endurance in a shorter period of time,” said Mindy Caplan, an American College of Sports Medicine-certified exercise physiologist. “It’s easy to do, puts little strain on the body and helps you feel young.”
Interval walking is a gentle variant of high-intensity interval training. Research shows that it burns fat and builds muscle – especially your hip muscles. “Intermittent walking helps women with weak hip muscles – it strengthens the hips and thighs and allows for a more efficient gait so the hips don’t sway.”
Go the JWM route: Start by walking at a moderate pace for three minutes—briskly, but still able to hold a conversation. Then increase the pace until it is more difficult to speak for three minutes. Return to a moderate pace and repeat.
Heart or hype? Hips don’t lie. Heart. “Prolonged elevation of heart rate improves cardiovascular fitness and can lower blood pressure, along with many other benefits such as improving age-related diseases, depression, overall mobility, sleep and even reducing belly fat,” Caplan said.
Read: The Latest Fitness TikTok Trends: Heart or Hype? >>
3. Fibermaxxing
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We’re in our fiber optic era, folks. Fibermaxxing, the viral trend for increasing fiber intake, has millions of videos on TikTok and has people eating foods like broccoli and beans. “I really like this trend,” said nutritionist Susan Greeley, MS, RDN. “Most Americans lack fiber on a daily basis.”
The latest statistics show that about 9 out of 10 women do not consume the recommended daily amount of fiber (25-28 grams) per day. Too little fiber can lead to digestive problems such as constipation, unstable blood sugar levels and a higher risk of serious health problems such as heart disease.
The best way to fill up is with 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 drinking enough fluids, you may experience hard stools, bloating, and have trouble pooping. In other words, if you add fiber-rich foods, it’s very important to increase your water/fluid intake to make sure everything stays moving.”
Heart or hype? Heart. “This trend brings much-needed attention to the fact that women actually benefit from consuming more natural sources of fiber from whole foods every day,” Greeley said.
4. Wellness stacking
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Stacking anything other than delicious pancakes feels like you’re probably doing too much. However, wellness stacking is about combining small, beneficial exercises and integrating them into everyday life.
For example, brushing your teeth and then taking vitamins. Stretch while your coffee or tea brews. Moisturize in the morning in natural sunlight.
The idea is that one healthy thing stimulates another, and before you know it, you’re a constant wellness machine.
“The real value lies in creating efficiencies and rituals around self-care that can reduce decision fatigue and increase adherence,” said therapist Erin Pash. “When done mindfully, it recognizes that our physical, mental and emotional health are interconnected systems.”
However, wellness stacking can go wrong if you try to add too many habits or turn stacking into a stressful to-do list. “The biggest risk is that wellness stacking can become performative productivity — just another way to optimize ourselves to the point of exhaustion. If we treat self-care like a competitive sport or a productivity hack, we’ve completely missed the point,” Pash said.
Heart full of hype? Heart – when your heart is in the right place. “If your wellness stack feels like self-compassion in action, move on. If it feels like another style that you can’t keep up with, it’s time to strip it down to the essentials,” Pash said.
5. Red light therapy under the eyes
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Red light therapy is so popular right now. You’d think a glowing Friday the 13th mask would deter some people from trying it, but the beauty trend is going strong and the devices are getting weirder and weirder.
The newest device: wearables under the eyes. You put the device on like glasses, with the red light hovering over the eye area. The treatment is designed to help reduce 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 their skin quality looks better, feels better, and helps with inflammation,” Fine said. “This applies to the skin under the eyes.”
Heart or hype? Heart. Bonus heart if you wear them as part of your wellness stacking routine.
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