We’re all for trying new things, but after hearing about some of the latest beauty trends, we had to do a little bit of research. Check out this list and decide for yourself if these three beauty trends are really worth the risks.  

Story by Nancy Hernandez

Illustrations by Dani Muñoz

Scalp Botox

As if getting to the gym wasn’t enough of a struggle, post-workout you’re left to deal with a sweaty, tangled head of hair or an undone blowout. A new beauty treatment, Botox of the Scalp, may save your hairdo despite your intense workout, according to Dr. Egelman of the Manhattan Dermatology & Cosmetic Surgery. In an interview with Women’s Health Magazine, Dr. Egelman, the dermatologist behind this latest hair craze, shared that his scalp treatment is similar to botox for the underarms and feet, which treats hyperhidrosis. Scalp botox, or “blotox,” involves 150 to 200 units of botox injections into the scalp in order to block sweat glands, making your blowout last longer.

Though the process only takes 20 minutes it could lead to some long-lasting side effects if not done correctly, according to Egelman. An article on Mashable warns that some muscles located in the scalp are responsible for specific facial movement, meaning if the injections are placed too close to the temple or too far down the side of the face, they can jeopardize facial movements leaving the face stiff or causing drooping eyelids. As if that doesn’t sound scary enough, improper injection can sometimes lead to flu-like symptoms.

Scalp injections may temporarily tame your mane, but if you’re not willing to drop $1,500 to $2,000 every six to 12 months or a fan of needles then we suggest you stick to dry shampoo.

Eyelash Extensions

Eight swatches of mascara later and you’re left with a clumpy mess. What does a girl have to do to get long, thick lashes? For some women, getting eyelash extensions is an easy way to get Covergirl-style lashes and save time getting ready, according to Dana Faran, a University of Texas at Austin student who uses eyelash extensions.

Faran was obsessed with “big but still natural looking eyelashes,” and when she heard about eyelash extensions from a Youtube guru, Faran says she had to try them out. But before she dashed to the closest salon, she decided to do some research.

According to a piece in Women’s Health Magazine, the “addictive cycle” begins with a two hour session and can cost anywhere from $200 to $1,000. The treatment is supposed to last three weeks, but since eyelash extensions are attached to your natural lashes, they tend to shed with your natural ones. But a seemingly simple beauty fix may have a higher price than you originally bargained for.

The false lashes are glued onto your natural lashes using an adhesive which may contain formaldehyde, according to an article on Consumer Reports. Formaldehyde, a chemical you probably know best from dissections in your high school science classes, can sometimes provoke an allergic reaction and cause your eyes to swell. Your newly attached synthetic fibers can also scratch your cornea if placed incorrectly or can trap dirt, increasing your likelihood to contract bacterial infections in your eyes. To avoid this potential issue, Farran went to lash experts, Lash Genie, and requested a formaldehyde-free glue.

Over time, temporary eyelashes can thin out your natural eyelashes. This poses a serious health risk since eyelashes help keep dirt away from your eyes and preserve your vision, according to Dr. Rebecca Taylor, MD, an ophthalmologist in Nashville, Tennessee. This results in a cycle of getting artificial lashes, losing natural lashes and getting more artificial lashes to make up for the loss. Farran hasn’t experienced eyelash thinning but did admit that she’s “definitely becoming a lash addict.” Still, since getting eyelash extensions she no longer feels the need to cake on makeup in the mornings before class“[Eyelash extensions] have made me feel a lot more comfortable leaving my apartment with no makeup on at all,” Farran says.

Our advice? Find a good tube of mascara with Vitamin E, such as Maybelline Full N’ Soft, which will keep your lashes healthy and make them look fuller. If you feel like you absolutely have to try eyelash extensions, follow Farran’s lead and make sure you visit a reputable technician and ask for formaldehyde-free glue.

Waist Training

With celebrities like Khloe Kardashian and Amber Rose showing off their waist trainers on social media, it’s hard to resist the appeal of getting an hourglass figure. Waist trainers are corset-like belts made of latex that are meant to clench your waist and make you appear slimmer. They can be a quick fix to shrink your waist, but the health damages they cause can be permanent.  

Wearing a waist trainer can put pressure on the abdomen, squeezing your internal organs and causing acid to move from the stomach into the esophagus, according to the Los Angeles Times. This shift in acid can cause discomfort in the esophagus and lead to more digestive health problems down the road. Joshua Silverman, a personal trainer who spoke to The Huffington Post, says that the pressure placed on the abdominal walls can also prevent blood flow from reaching internal organs like your lungs and colon.

Waist training can also bruise and permanently damage your ribs. The first seven pairs of ribs may not be at risk, but your false ribs, or the eighth, ninth and tenth pairs of ribs, can be negatively affected by waist trainers. ”Over many years, these ribs are slowly pushed together,” says Galyna Selezneva, an aesthetic medical doctor, who specializes in non-invasive procedures. As a result, you may find yourself developing breathing problems. So if you really want a smaller waist, we suggest you try pilates.

We all aspire to get a Kardashian-thin waist and eyelashes to match, but consider the price you’re willing to pay. Whether it’s scalp botox, waist training, eyelash extensions or the next beauty trend, we suggest you channel your inner Nancy Drew and do some research.