Is Their Advice Misleading and Potentially Dangerous?
- 3.3M snaps are sent by Snapchat users
- 3,472,222 YouTube videos are viewed by viewers
- 16,000 videos are uploaded by TikTok users
- 138.9M reels are played on Facebook and Instagram
Whew! This includes web ‘influencers,’ people we probably don’t know, and some celebrities, are often advising, recommending, preaching, selling, and influencing others with their brand, their personality, and pitches. Some have good intentions and share their specific talents and experiences in areas such as cooking, a variety of repairs, book reviews, and other areas.
With social media becoming an increasingly pervasive part of our daily life, what are we to make of these phenomena and how does it affect our everyday life and thinking? Dr. Donn R. Chatham discusses the blend of both positive and negative consequences.
Who Is Your Influencer…Who Do You Believe…Who Do You Trust?
Dr. Chatham has found that too many so-called influencers push trends that may or may not be for you. Others promote ideas that have no scientific validity. In our media-obsessed world, sometimes flash is valued over facts in the search for likes and followers. “Unfortunately, a lot in the cosmetic enhancement business can be overhyped nonsense or actually dangerous,” says Dr. Chatham.
We see many products and ‘procedures’ that are being promoted by influencers to address skin problems and help us look younger and more beautiful. For example, there are influencers promoting a variety of DIY products and treatments, including sandpaper shaving, leech therapy, lemon juice facials, vampire facials, blood infused facials, bee sting facials, newborn foreskin facials, animal derived ‘organic’ creams with beef tallow or salmon sperm for younger skin, just to name a few. Oh, and let’s not forget the many DIY skin serums, like “Botox in a bottle.” Additionally, there are at-home devices for sale, such as microneedling kits, anti-aging lasers, LED masks, and assorted facial contouring devices.
Really? So, where are the credentials of the influencers who promote these things? Influencers often lack valid credentials and prioritize engagement or over accuracy. Those who participate in this practice exploit trust in social media platforms. Just because an influencer is gorgeous, charming, and persuasive, can you really believe what they are saying?
So, when it comes to the health and appearance of your face, who is your influencer?
Recommendations From A True Expert
Dr. Donn R. Chatham, a double board-certified surgeon, recommends that all potential consumers of these products and treatments ask themselves the following question: “Is this influencer educated with real medical or health knowledge, and are all of their followers real?”
Dr. Chatham has seen the harm some of these treatments can cause and many don’t do what they claim. Do you remember some influencers recommending the ingestion of bleach as a cure for Covid, autism, and cancer? Anti-vaccination influencers contributed to measles outbreaks in Samoa leading to the deaths of innocent children. Some extreme diet influencers have convinced some of their followers to adhere to their magical diet which led to starvation and the hospitalization of some folks.
Influencers are not simply good or bad. It depends on whether their intent is good, if they are telling the truth, or have the critical thinking skills and knowledge to understand what they are promoting.
Dr. Chatham’s bottom-line advice is to use your common sense and question everything. Does it sound too good to be true? Is there science or actual validity behind it? His advice: if it’s just entertainment you want, fine. But, if its valid medical advice you want, be skeptical, double-check by researching, and resist the temptation for the easy sell. Choose YOUR influencers with care!
1 Badalyan, Albert. “How Many Ads Do We See A Day—Top Trends & Statistics.” June 30, 2025.2 DOMO. “Data Never Sleeps 12.0.” December 18, 2024.
