Why spend on cosmetics when a simple banana can possibly banish dryness, redness and wrinkles? Photo: AFP
You may already be aware of the benefits of bananas when it comes to quashing hunger pangs, giving you energy or even promoting gut health, but now, users of the Chinese social network are shining light on their benefits for the skin.
That's according to TikTok users, at least, who have been busy transforming the yellow fruit into a beauty must-have.
Whether it's a new fad, yet another wacky gimmick or a genuine miracle product, fans of the fruit seem to believe that bananas can help them get banish redness and wrinkles.
The code name for this trend is "banana botox", and it's already racked up over five million views on the social network popular with young people.
It's no secret that traditional concoctions and age-old beauty secrets are all the rage on social networks, allowing people to use natural products without having to spend a fortune.
Read more: Flaxseed beauty masks are seen as the homemade Botox, but do they work?
And while some of them may be truly effective – such as salt scrubs, sugar waxing, rice water hair masks and baking soda toothpaste – others give rise to some pretty wild trends and tricks.
A case in point is "banana botox", which, according to some users, has almost the same effect as botulinum toxin.
To reap these benefits, TikTokers explain that all you have to do is peel a banana (or eat it, but that's not the point), then rub your face gently with the inside of the fruit's peel, then leave the residue on your skin for around 10 minutes.
All that's left to do then is rinse it off and continue with your usual beauty routine to discover smoother, brighter, more elastic skin, free of the signs of passing time.
The only problem is that this trend is not based on any scientific evidence. To date, there are no studies confirming that bananas can have the same kinds of effects as botox.
This tip – which, it turns out, isn't really one at all – is reminiscent of another viral trend from the spring of 2022.
A dermatologist previously extolled the virtues of bananas, as used by her own mother in her 1970s, arguing that the fruit was packed with nutrients such as potassium, zinc, amino acids and a host of vitamins.
These were said to have moisturising, exfoliating, antioxidant and anti-ageing properties. Sound familiar?
Read more: What is 'Barbie Botox', and why are health experts against this beauty trend?
At the time, Dermato Drey, a dermatologist who has been practicing in France for 10 years, and who is popular on social networks like YouTube and Instagram, said: "This is one of the reasons I started the videos on TikTok!
"There was so much nonsense... dangerous recipes or simply scams to sell anything. Sometimes it starts from a good intention, wanting to be helpful by sharing a so-called miracle recipe, but honestly, if acne could be cured by applying slices of banana or potato to the face, there wouldn't be so many people suffering from it."
Botox is also a subject of great interest on social networks, with users looking for alternatives that are both affordable and natural.
A recent example is the craze for the "flax seeds mask", another so-called hack that's also said to have similar virtues to botulinum toxin. – AFP Relaxnews
