A recent survey conducted by the personal trainer app Zing Coach has revealed that more than 50% of Gen Z rely on TikTok for their health advice. In a survey of 1,000 students, 56% of them revealed that they go to TikTok for their health and fitness advice. 1 in 3 people claimed it as their main source of health information. 

TikTok is a very popular app among young people. It is also highly addictive. People scroll up to 4-5 hours a day on that app. It being highly addictive is one of the reasons that a whole portion of the population relies on it for their updates. One of the common reasons for this is that the app is highly convenient. 

But some people have paid the cost of this convenience. While TikTok advice is readily available and free, it’s often inaccurate and misguided. 1 in 11 of those surveyed said they’d experienced a negative health issue after following advice they found on TikTok.

The survey also noticed that people with certain conditions were more likely to turn towards TikTok instead of a doctor. People with conditions like irritable bowel syndrome and other stomach-related issues are one of them. People who suffer from various skin and hair conditions are also inclined towards TikTok for their health advice and solutions. 

People have suffered a lot of side effects on their skin and hair. This is because the remedies shared on TikTok are not for everyone and may cause more harm than good. Some of them include burning sensations on the skin, severe allergic reactions, and hair fall.

A lot of creators also suggest certain derma products that don’t suit everyone and give bad results. The knowledge shared on TikTok is incomplete most of the time. Half-knowledge is always dangerous. People tend to use these products and remedies without knowing everything about them. One has to know how to use a product properly like the quantity to be applied, when to use it etc. 

People using products without accurate knowledge usually end up at a dermatologist’s clinic. People on the app tend to adopt certain food habits that don’t work for them and often create problems like fatigue. This can also lead to hormonal imbalance. 

People with mental health issues like depression, ADHD, and other autoimmune conditions also rely heavily on TikTok. A lot of patients claim that they find their health expert ignorant of their conditions and are never satisfied with them. This has raised awareness about the behavior of medical experts everywhere. One recent study found that 84% of mental health videos on TikTok were misleading.

It is highly recommended to not experiment with any unknown product with active ingredients. It included dermatological creams and certain hair dyes. Using such products without supervision and professionalism can lead to bad consequences. 

The survey by the Zing app revealed that more than half think TikTok creators should be held legally responsible for the accuracy of their health advice and 1 in 10 want health advice to be banned on TikTok. 

Let this be a reminder, no matter your age, if you face any physical or mental condition, always go to a licensed doctor for your health advice.