From salmon sperm injections to bird droppings facials: The most bizarre skincare trends on social media - do they actually work?

Scrolling through social media lately?

You’ll spot influencers applying everything from fish sperm to bird poop for that glow-up. K-beauty crazes like salmon DNA injections are going viral online, with celebrities also jumping on the trend.

But where did the idea for all these hacks actually originate?

And do they really work, or is it all just social media hype?

These bizarre beauty trends have ancient origins

From Cleopatra's donkey milk baths to today's vampire facials, humans have always chased weird fixes for flawless skin.

However, the research on the most popular social media salmon sperm treatments is still limited, but some studies indicate the purified DNA fragments may reduce fine lines.

According to a BBC report, "They've been shown to help improve skin hydration, plumpness, texture and wrinkles," says Joshua Zeichner, associate professor of dermatology at Mount Sinai Hospital in the US. He has consulted for skincare companies and adds, "It's unclear how someone first decided to try this as a skin treatment, but nonetheless, it's being used."

South Korea's K-Beauty influence has popularized these fish sperm injections worldwide, boosted by celebrities like Charli XCX and Jennifer Aniston.

Salmon sperm injections

Salmon sperm DNA shots are a massive trend in Seoul clinics, injected into the skin's middle layer for repair, not filler volume. According to the BBC, Dr. Kyu-Ho Yi says they prime skin from regenerative medicine roots, helping scars heal. Studies show hydration and wrinkle benefits from purified polynucleotides. US dermatologist Joshua Zeichner also notes that they improve texture, though their origins remain unclear. And K-Beauty fame popularised it globally through celebrities.

Bird droppings facials or Geisha facials

"Geisha facials" use sterilised nightingale poop masks from Japanese dye traditions. Zeichner explains to the BBC that high urea softens skin like lotions, plus guanine amino acid brightens the skin. But, "You shouldn't just scoop up bird poop off the street," he warns. Purified versions pack real hydration science. Ancient geishas or professional Japanese artists, with whitened makeup, and modern spas sanitize for safety.

Vampire Facials

Vampire facials, or platelet-rich plasma (PRP) therapy, start by drawing a small amount of your own blood. A centrifuge then separates the platelet-rich plasma, which contains powerful growth factors that help skin cells to repair and regenerate. This concentrated plasma gets micro-needled back into the face, stimulating collagen production.

Studies show PRP improves skin elasticity, especially for people in their 50s and 60s, while reducing wrinkles and pigmentation.


However, machine differences and individual growth factor levels affect outcomes; some see visible improvement, others more subtle effects.