A Deeper Dive into DIY Aesthetics

The Lawless Reddit Subs Where Advice is Without Accountability

First off, disclaimer: I’m not an injector. I have zero to gain from you going to your local med-spa, plastic surgeon, or dermatologist's office.

One of the largest communities centered around extensive at-home aesthetic treatments is r/DIYAesthetics, with its nearly 84,000 weekly visitors.

Their widely shared “master list,” most recently updated in 2024 (I’ve removed all discount codes), details where to purchase injectables online. Of the 18 sources listed, at least 10 have been issued warning letters from the FDA.

For those outside of the U.S., this may not raise immediate concern. But for any consumers, purchasing misbranded or unapproved injectables from mystery, unverifiable sources carries real risks. These products may be contaminated, counterfeit, improperly stored, contain inconsistent amounts of an active ingredient, or entirely different ingredients than advertised.

Quick reminder, we’re talking about a substance you inject into your face.

What I found especially curious was that the majority of the moderators of these internet communities often receive financial kickbacks tied to these source websites. Some even have their own individual resale pages to dole out products themselves.

It’s a system of advantageous education and tips and tricks that push product recommendations that line their pockets while explicitly prohibiting outsider codes. Money for me, not for thee.

Reddit mods

A similar pattern appears in another subreddit, r/DIYHEAVEN, though on a smaller scale.

Here, the overlap between personal experimentation and product promotion becomes even more apparent. Moderators will near spam the forum with discount codes for the same products they then document using — effectively “double dipping” by directing readers to view the process and follow their results in real time on websites like Rumble that allow this content to be shared.

I’ve personally noticed a lot of praise for these off-brand, overseas products, but still, many never post results. Where’s the before and after?

In my research, there was a specific user in particular, who curated heavily edited images to suggest a significant transformation… all thanks to these injectable fillers and peptides.

But interestingly enough, the tagged videos, even the second or third part of their series on jaw filler, truly showed no difference.

If there’s clear bias, if these promoters even spend their time disputing claims in other subreddits (like, for example, r/IsItBullshit? where folks can ask if “programs, products or services are legitimate”) just for the sake of making themselves money…. who is the real villain here?

Certainly not the medspas. They may be pricy, and they may try to upsell additional take-home skincare, but any reputable facility is correctly administering the authentic product you paid for.

Too Much Confidence, Zero Credentials

But neurotoxins, fillers, and questionable fat-dissolving injections aside, we haven’t even gotten to the bad advice.

The really bad advice.

I didn’t have to dig too deep into any archives to find some examples; there are plenty from just the past two weeks.

This is a recent post on AmLactin (Ammonium Lactin/Lactate) cream, it’s an exfoliant, good for cell turnover/smoothing skin texture. There is a lower concentration (7%) available that contains Vitamin C, which is what the poster is referring to. The thing that struck me was that if your skin is burning, your skin barrier is damaged. If applying sunscreen is causing irritation of any kind, you need to chill out and give your skin a break.

Even the lower concentration option is not suitable for the person who responded and stated outright that they always have an issue with sunscreen being effective. OP, who gauges the efficacy of a product on whether or not it burns and itches, has now advised someone with sensitive skin to use an alpha-hydroxy acid that will cause UV sensitivity.

This post is speaking on TCA (trichloroacetic acid) peels. Two to three weeks is not a universal guarantee across the board.

With no professional training or knowledge, this individual is advising someone to use a melanin inhibitor and Vitamin A (retinoids) with no further commentary on the strength of the product, or when to stop these products before the peel (5 to 7 days minimum, I don’t care how tough you think your skin is).

Also worth noting, this guidance is specifically for those with darker complextions because they run a much higher risk of hyperpigmentation when applying peels to the body.

Lord, have mercy.

50% is incredibly high. As someone whose skin has been the guinea pig for many different treatments for years now, I stick to 15%, and I consider myself lucky if I can come close to finishing three passes.

This comment truly shows these members operate purely on guesswork, but have no issue putting others in harm's way with gross misinformation or encouraging escalation.

More layers do not mean higher strength. Two layers/passes of 10% are not going to equal one layer of 20%. This is a chemical that can burn your skin or permanently scar it. It’s not a math equation.

Stronger strength peels applied to parts of the body also run the risk of more complications, like uneven or prolonged healing, unpredictable results, toxicity, infection, and more. There’s also the fact that higher Fitzpatrick skin types should never use higher concentrations.

This important detail seems to be missing in these comments.

It’s okay, everyone, he read the brochures!

OP is a mod in r/DIYHEAVEN, and this comment was a reply to someone questioning their post, where they share their usage of three different products from three different brands (possibly countries?), and of course, close with a discount code.

Here’s the thing: Ingredient overlap does not guarantee compatibility. Same ingredients do not equal the same concentrations, same stability, or safe interaction. Specific formulas are designed to function as they are, not be mixed at home like a mad scientist.

Microneedling at 0.3mm, along with this concoction, is only aiding in increasing absorption.

I also stand by, “Hit dogs will holler.” If you want to introduce and endorse (which you do when you provide a handy affiliate code) a course of treatment, the burden of proof is on you.

Alright, perhaps enough Reddit today.

It’s completely understandable if dropping hundreds or thousands of dollars is simply not an option. I respect individual choice to do what you see fit with your own body.

But if your reason is simply that you don’t trust the system, consider what you’re choosing instead: Snake oil salesmen (and women) who are simply part of a different system. One that is not regulated and offers absolutely no protection.