TikTok: the app that’s made us all beauty experts, news junkies, and, let’s face it, occasionally obsessed with the latest trends. Whether it’s learning how to contour your face or getting lost in endless “before and after” transformations, TikTok has a way of capturing our attention. But lately, there’s one trend on the app that’s raising eyebrows—and not for the right reasons. Enter the “glow up” trend.

If you’ve been scrolling through TikTok lately, you’ve probably seen it: people showing off their “transformations” under the hashtag #GlowUp. It’s the winter season’s favorite obsession, where influencers suggest that, instead of New Year’s resolutions, we should focus on setting goals before October to emerge as the best version of ourselves. Sounds inspiring, right? But there’s a catch. The best version of ourselves is apparently a slimmer, toned version—preferably with a much lower body weight.

But here’s the thing: it’s all starting to feel a bit toxic. The so-called “glow up” is often masked as self-care. Still, it’s actually about extreme diets. It involves excessive workouts and unrealistic beauty standards. Influence’s parade their “before and after” pictures, showcasing their body transformations. They add in tips for better sleep, skincare routines, and a few “life-hacks” for physical wellness. The message? A “toned body” and a “revenge body” are the keys to feeling good about yourself.

Why Is the “Glow Up” Trend Harmful?

Let’s be clear. Weight and body shape are personal, and it’s normal for them to fluctuate. Complimenting someone on their transformation or encouraging them to feel good about their body is one thing. Social media—and TikTok in particular—labels the “glow up” as the ultimate form of self-improvement. This subtly reinforces the idea that your body before the change wasn’t good enough.

This problem intensifies with the rise of weight-loss drugs like Ozempic. It also escalates with body-shaping trends like low-rise jeans and shorts. TikTok is flooded with ads for strange products that promise to shrink your jawline or reduce belly fat fast. The culture surrounding weight and appearance is getting increasingly confusing, and we need to ask: what’s the real message here?

Should We Really Celebrate Weight Loss and “Perfect Bodies”?

Of course, the wish to feel good about yourself is natural. But we must acknowledge that there are many reasons why a person’s body can change. Stress, hormones, mental health, medical conditions—the list goes on. The next time we’re tempted to compliment someone’s transformation, let’s pause. We should ask: am I glorifying unhealthy habits or simply recognizing someone’s personal journey?

The truth is, weight loss doesn’t necessarily equate to being healthier or more attractive. In fact, some of the most talked-about “celebrity transformations” may be the result of extreme dieting or even unhealthy practices. Take Adele, Ariana Grande, and Christina Aguilera, for example. These “glow up” transformations have become tabloid fodder. We rarely hear about the potential struggles behind such changes. We also don’t often learn about the emotional toll they take. It’s time to stop measuring a person’s value. Their worth shouldn’t depend on beauty standards that benefit only a few.

The Problem with the “Glow Up” Culture

This trend has gotten out of hand. We live in an era where social media is the primary platform for everyone to share their thoughts. It doesn’t matter if you’re an influencer or just a regular person sharing your life. The result? More judgment, more body comparisons, and more pressure to fit into a box that we never asked for. We often forget that we can be happy with who we are. We don’t need to look like someone else. We also don’t need to follow every viral fitness trend.

Here’s the kicker: a person’s value isn’t defined by how closely they match the latest TikTok beauty trend. Social media platforms should be spaces for celebration, inclusivity, and self-expression. They should not perpetuate diet culture and unrealistic beauty standards. It’s time to hit pause and rethink what we really want from these trends.

What Can We Do About It?

If you find yourself getting sucked into the “glow up” hype, take a step back and ask yourself why. Is it because you feel pressure to look a certain way? Or is it because you’re genuinely trying to improve your health and well-being? Either way, remember: health is holistic, and real beauty comes in all shapes and sizes.

Let’s take a break from the constant pursuit of the “perfect body” and start embracing our real selves. Body positivity, mental health, and self-love should be the real “glow-up” we’re after.