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"Cortisol face." Puffy face. Moon face. Facial inflammation.
If social media is to be believed, almost every change in your face can now be blamed on inflammation. Searches for "how to reduce facial puffiness" and "facial inflammation" continue to rise, while TikTok is flooded with advice ranging from ice baths and lymphatic massage to supplements and facial taping.
But is facial inflammation really becoming more common, or has it simply become the latest beauty buzzword?
Experts say there is some truth behind the trend, but the reality is far more complex than social media suggests.
Not every puffy face is inflammation
According to Dr Tom Kamal, Aesthetic Doctor and Founder of Dr Tom Clinic , one of the biggest misconceptions is assuming every change in facial appearance is caused by inflammation.
"The term 'facial inflammation' is being used very broadly online, when in reality facial puffiness can have many different causes. It could be fluid retention, allergies, hormonal changes, poor sleep, diet, medication or simply genetics. Not every swollen face is inflamed, which is why it's important not to self diagnose based on what you see on social media."
He says understanding the underlying cause is far more important than chasing viral beauty hacks.
"Before trying the latest trend, it's worth asking why your face looks different in the first place. Once you understand the cause, the right treatment or lifestyle changes become much clearer."
Lifestyle plays a bigger role than many people realise
While there isn't one single cause, experts agree that modern lifestyles can certainly contribute to facial puffiness and inflammation.
Poor sleep, chronic stress, high salt intake, dehydration, alcohol and smoking can all affect how the face looks and feels.
Orsolya Matheisz, Founder of Orskin Aesthetics , believes this is why more patients are asking about facial inflammation during consultations.
"Patients are becoming much more aware of the connection between lifestyle and skin health. We regularly see people who are worried about looking puffy or tired, when often it's a combination of stress, poor sleep, dehydration and compromised skin health rather than a problem that requires aesthetic treatment."
She says focusing on skin quality often delivers better long term results than searching for a quick fix.
"Healthy skin starts with good habits. A consistent skincare routine, sun protection, hydration and looking after your overall wellbeing will usually have a much greater impact than chasing every new beauty trend."
Can aesthetic treatments help?
For patients where puffiness is being confused with ageing or changes in skin quality, aesthetic treatments may sometimes have a role to play, but only after a proper assessment.
Dr Leonard Josipovoic, Plastic Surgeon, says the answer depends entirely on the individual.
"People often assume facial puffiness automatically means they need a cosmetic treatment, but that's not always the case. The first step is understanding what's causing the change. Facial puffiness can be influenced by lifestyle factors, the natural ageing process, hormonal imbalances, fluid retention or, in some cases, an underlying medical condition. Treating the underlying cause, whether that's improving lifestyle habits or addressing a hormonal imbalance with the appropriate healthcare professional, is often just as important as any aesthetic treatment. A proper consultation is always the starting point."
When appropriate, treatments that improve skin quality or address structural changes can make a noticeable difference.
"The best outcomes come from treating the underlying concern rather than the symptom. That's why a personalised treatment plan will always achieve more than following a trend you've seen online."
So, what’s the verdict?
Experts agree that facial inflammation has become one of social media's favourite beauty buzzwords, but it's rarely as simple as TikTok makes it seem.
Rather than assuming every puffy morning or tired looking face is caused by inflammation, the most important step is understanding what's driving the change in the first place.
Whether it's stress, poor sleep, dehydration, lifestyle or ageing, identifying the cause will always be more effective than following the latest viral hack.
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