From TikTok beauty hacks to viral skincare gadgets, it seems many people are plucking, pinching, pumping, and pulling their way to youth in the comfort of their own homes. But how effective – or safe – are these at-home anti-aging DIYs? We checked in with board-certified Dallas plastic surgeon Dr. Raja Mohan about some of 2025’s most popular DIY dermatology and plastic surgery trends. While some may have a place in your at-home anti-aging arsenal, others should remain far from your beauty routine. Dr. Raja Mohan is a Board-Certified Plastic surgeon in Dallas who focuses on aesthetic and reconstructive surgery of the face and body. He is one of the few surgeons in the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex with specialized fellowship training in aesthetic surgery.
Trend: DIY Filler Pens
Claim: Inject hyaluronic acid into lips or cheeks for fuller, plumper cheeks.
Doctor Says: “These at-home filler pens and injection devices are unregulated and very dangerous. When fillers are injected improperly, you can have serious and permanent complications, such as infection, vascular occlusion, or loss of a blood vessel, and even permanent scarring. Never DIY filler injections!”
Trend: Face-Taping for Wrinkle Prevention
Claim: Taping your face overnight can keep muscles from moving and prevent wrinkles.
Doctor Says: “Face taping might reduce the number of creases you wake up with the next morning, but it’s only temporary. Face taping can irritate or stretch your skin with repeated use.”
Trend: Ice Rolling for Tight Skin
Claim: Rolling a cold sphere over your skin can reduce puffiness, shrink pores, and tighten skin.
Doctor Says: “Cold therapy can have an anti-inflammatory effect in the short term, but it’s no substitute for proven in-office or at-home skin tightening treatments like RF microneedling, red light therapy, or injectable fillers to promote long-term collagen production.”
Trend: Slugging with Vaseline
Claim: Petroleum jelly seals moisture into skin and can fight wrinkles.
Doctor Says: “Slugging can be a useful step to repair the skin’s barrier function on dry skin, but it doesn’t help improve collagen production or reduce sagging. Think of it as a hydrator, not a facelift in a jar.” Other treatments can be used for hydrating or moisturizing that are not as thick.
Trend: Bee Venom and Snail Mucin Creams
Claim: Ingredients like bee venom and snail mucin are natural anti-agers.
Doctor Says: “While these ingredients may have some mild benefits, they aren’t magic. Most wrinkle-fighting skincare still comes from retinoids, peptides, and in-office treatments.”
Trend: Sunscreen Contouring
Claim: Apply sunscreen only to the areas of your face that you would normally highlight, to create a naturally contoured “tan” look.
Doctor Says: “Uneven application of sunscreen puts you at risk for sun damage, dark spots, and even skin cancer. I cannot stress enough the importance of applying sunscreen to your entire face.”
Trend: Facial Cupping for Sculpting
Claim: Facial suction tools lift and tone the face.
Doctor Says: “Facial cupping may have a short-term de-puffing effect on your skin from lymphatic drainage, but it won’t tighten your skin or sculpt your jawline.”
Trend: At-Home RF and Microcurrent Devices
Claim: Skin tightening and lifting at home.
Doctor Says: “Some at-home RF and microcurrent devices can offer slight, subtle results with consistent use, but they don’t penetrate as deeply or have as much power as in-office treatments.”