Internet spawned DIY health options lead to pain, disaster
Despite people’s blind devotion to it, the internet is not always the most trustworthy source. From media outlets legally declared as propaganda, to the several monetary scams dozens of people fall for every day, the internet has proven to be a continued source of deception. However, internet users continue to trust this flawed system with their medical problems, oftentimes sharing symptoms with the general public and asking for advice.
Not only do individuals post about very personal matters in hopes that someone with a medical background will advise them, but they have also moved towards consulting ‘Dr. Google,’ the artificial assistant, instead of seeing a trained medical professional. While many individuals use the internet’s advice only in cases of life and death, an increasing number of individuals now rely on the web for do-it-yourself cosmetic procedures.
Cosmetic procedures are surgical and nonsurgical approaches to enhance and reshape structures of the body to improve appearance and confidence while not being necessary for an individual's survival. Nevertheless, not all cosmetic procedures are inherently bad, with one positive example being cosmetic reconstruction procedures for veterans who suffer nonfatal casualties while in conflict. However, the context in which these cosmetic surgeries are performed matters, as any negative complications can severely alter an individual's life.
Even trained professionals who post advice on the internet are not to be trusted without further research. During the COVID-19 pandemic, TikTok influencers reported that those who drank bleach were less likely to experience the severe symptoms caused by the virus. While there is a small possibility this might have been true for certain individuals, there was no scientific evidence that supported a correlation between bleach and COVID symptoms. This falsehood was further spread when several politicians and influencers endorsed these beliefs by telling their vast audience to consume bleach in order to stay safe from COVID symptoms. Luckily, there were no reports of fatal injuries due to this trend, however, that is not the case with all medical-related trends.
With increasing medical technology, many upper-class individuals have opted to spend out of pocket money on medical procedures in order to alter a specific aspect of their physical appearance, while simultaneously flaunting these changes to their amassed following online. Due to the scarcity of affordable cosmetic surgeries, a new branch of tourism has formed, commonly referred to as medical tourism.
Joe Hadeed, a plastic surgeon in Beverly Hills, told the American Society on Plastic Surgeons that “the reasons why somebody would want to travel can vary, but usually, it’s due to cost. They’re really trying to find the cheapest deal out there for the procedure that they’re interested in” (Freeman 2023). The procedure doesn’t necessarily have to be purely cosmetic. However, this is often one of the main motivations for medical tourism as most US-based insurance networks do not cover cosmetic procedures. Some of the most popular countries for cosmetic-based medical tourism include: Brazil, Turkey, the Dominican Republic, South Korea, Dubai, Mexico, and Singapore.
Just because the popularity of medical tourism has increased doesn’t necessarily mean it’s safe. In a collaboration with the Dominican Ministry of Health, the CDC found that 93 people have died due to complications from plastic surgeries performed in the Dominican Republic since 2009. The procedures abroad also aren’t the only risk as many of the aforementioned countries aren’t the safest to travel to in general. Four teenagers traveled to Mexico in 2023 and ended up being kidnapped and unfortunately losing their lives. Medical tourism has also started to make the rounds on TikTok, with several influencers sharing both their positive and negative experiences. A young adult male recently went viral on TikTok for sharing the all-inclusive stay he received as part of a hair transplant procedure done in Turkey; the entire experience cost less than it would’ve in the US.
When medical tourism is out of the picture, however, what is the next best option? Like many influencers have led people on the Internet to believe, it certainly is not operating on yourself or a close friend. Veneers, which are fake caps that cover shaved-down teeth, have recently gained popularity among influencers. Veneers, similar to many other procedures, aren't purely for cosmetic purposes as they can be used to cover up cracks and chips. Even so, they are often an alternative to, or in addition to braces in order to achieve the “perfect” white and straight look. To get veneers, one’s teeth must first be shaved-down, and in most cases, the nerves are left exposed to outside material.
This became an issue for influencers such as Tana Mongeau, as one of her veneers flew out of her mouth, leaving a painful shaved-down tooth in its place. While having an exposed nerve in one’s mouth seems painful enough as it is, imagine shaving down your own teeth without the proper anesthesia. That is exactly what one TikToker decided to do after deciding she couldn’t afford veneers. She, with the help of a friend, used both a nail drill and a metal file to achieve a perfectly smooth shape in which the caps were then placed over. She later reported feeling a constant sharp pain in her mouth which required extensive surgery to alleviate.
Despite what TikTok and other social media platforms may lead you to believe, veneers (and a large majority of other medical procedures) are not meant for everyone, and you should consult your doctor before making any abrupt decisions over something you see on the internet. Oftentimes the cheaper cost associated with these do-it-yourself procedures does not account for the risk taken, and more than what it’s worth will be spent in professional repairs.
HIPAA, the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Cct, has several rules surrounding the sharing of medical-based information on the Internet. However, these rules are seemingly outdated as the law was passed in 1996, long before the age of social media. One of the main reasons HIPAA was passed was to prevent medical professionals from sharing patient-specific information. A large majority of the issues referenced above don’t deal with specific cases and revolve more heavily around unsolicited advice provided about a broad medical concern. The Federal Trade Commission Act attempted to reform HIPAA by prohibiting the misleading of consumers about medical information using social media. This act also only covered medical professionals and not ordinary citizens providing advice.
With outdated laws and people willing to follow the nonsense seen online, it is evident that reform is needed as medical-related trends continue to gain popularity all over social media.
by Henry Bongers
Published November 4th, 2024
Oshkosh West Index Volume 121 Issue II