From dancing to cooking recipes, TikTok has been the source of many viral trends. However, the app has also been known to be the start of many dangerous health trends such as dry scooping and DIY mole removals. 

These challenges encourage users to engage in dangerous acts without knowledge of the consequences these can have on their body. While many of these trends are well-intentioned and are the result of experimenting, the results have horrified dentists, doctors and optometrists alike.

Whether you’re continuing to work from home, or simply obsessed with the latest Netflix series, we spend a lot of time using technology and it’s important we are protecting our vision. 

From lack of sleep, a salty meal, ageing and even stress, having bags under our eyes is something we all experience. Whilst many of us are looking at ways to reduce them, it’s important to understand the science behind them, why they occur and how we can lessen them.

Roshni Patel, BSC (Hons) MCOptom reveals the truth behind bags under our eyes, the causes of them and some advice on how to help reduce them.

TikTok’s popularity has boomed and become one of the biggest social media platforms in the world, with over 1.7 billion active users worldwide, across 154 countries. Brits spend an average of 37 minutes on the app daily in 2023. The simple scroll through a never-ending stream of 15-second videos fits seamlessly into our lives, temporarily gratifying our emotional and social needs for a natural relief from our stresses.