A NEW viral beauty trend popular on TikTok has prompted warnings from skincare experts.

Several videos showing people being covered in hot wax from their forehead down to their torso, have gone viral in recent weeks.

A barber who has posted some of the most watched videos claims the treatment is beneficial, but experts have disagreed.

Beautician Alex Eceverri, who works at John and Ginger salon in Shoreham, told the BBC that he is concerned people with no background or training are carrying out the procedure.

He said: "Our first consideration would be that it could cause suffocation. There’s no control element to smothering the face with wax. And wax hardens.

“So it could harden in the airways and have to be surgically removed.”

The British Association of Dermatologists has also warned against attempting a full-face “hot wax treatment".

A spokesman told the BBC: “Attempting to wax inside your nose or ears is not recommended.”

The British Skin Foundation said some of the videos on the social media platform show the procedure being carried out on children of primary school age.

Dr Emma Wedgeworth, a consultant dermatologist, told the BBC: "Personally I would not recommend treating children. It seems sensible to have a warning.”

"There is a lot of misinformation and potentially harmful DIY beauty practices on TikTok and other social media channels.

"And it would be good to see these more tightly regulated."

However, TikTok said the videos do not violate its community guidelines on dangerous behaviour as they show skilled professionals carrying out the treatment.