An Instagram influencer has faced criticism after promoting an air purifier amid fires continuing to blaze across California.

From January 7, multiple fires have left damage and destruction in their wake across California, thousands of buildings have been destroyed in Los Angeles, and at least 24 people have been reported as having passed away, with the number expected to rise.

The fires have triggered air quality warnings and health concerns and, with that in mind, social media influencer Draya Michele took to her Instagram to reveal what air purifier she’s been using.

Michele took to Instagram on Saturday (January 11) to share a video of her herself unboxing and setting up an air purifier device which is stated as costing $629.00 online.

The caption reads: “While the unimaginable is happening with the fires in LA… air quality is so poor, toxic even. I’m using the @sereniby_official air purifier to ensure that my kids and pets are breathing in fresh, double filtered air. The brand is now offering $200 off when you use my link in bio. There’s no price on peace of mind but having it is more valuable than most worldly things. #prayforla #airquality #airpurifier.”

And according to celebrity gossip page Bossip, she faced a divided response to the post.

The influencer filmed an unboxing video (Instagram/ @drayamichele)

The comments on the post have since been limited, however, according to the site, one Instagram user allegedly said: “Draya using the L.A. fires to promote an air purifier on her Instagram. Like she never does anything right. Tone deaf.”

However, a Twitter user questioned: “Honestly, I have been looking up air purifiers and haven’t purchased one yet because of the prices. Why is Draya wrong for promoting a brand that is offering a discount during this time so people can purify the air in their homes?!”

Although, another Instagram user reportedly said: “At the least she could be giving them away. But selling a product at a time like this is sure proof of creamed corn for brains.”

Another Twitter user added: “Soooo ain’t nothing wrong with Draya promoting an air purifier that at least 400, while ppl homes are on fire?? Tha purifier isn’t the problem, it’s the price that is.”

And a spokesperson for the purifier company Sereniby has since addressed the controversy.

The Sereniby spokesperson told PEOPLE Michele ‘and her team contacted’ the brand because the influencer ‘genuinely uses the product and believed it could help others dealing with the severe air quality in Los Angeles’.

“Together, we explored ways to make our purifier as affordable as possible during this difficult time,” it added.

The brand also clarified the influencer was ‘not compensated for her post’ and it’s ‘incredibly grateful’ for Michele’s ‘genuine support’.

The statement resolved: “Like so many others, we feel powerless against the devastation caused by the LA fires, but we want to help in whatever small way we can. […] If financial assistance affording an air purifier can help lighten someone’s burden, we encourage those in L.A. to reach out to us directly – we’ll continue doing everything we can to support the community during this difficult time.”

Sereniby also took to Instagram yesterday to note it will be ‘donating 10 percent’ of its January profits to the American Red Cross to ‘support relief efforts’.

UNILAD has contacted Draya Michele and Sereniby for comment.

A plastic surgeon has issued a warning against an unusual new trend that’s taking place in the world of cosmetic procedures.

With a brand new year comes a bunch of new trends taking over the internet, with the vast majority of them seemingly coming to fruition on TikTok.

Some have used fillers to enhance their appearance for years, but the harsh reality of that has now been detailed by a plastic surgeon.

Ear filler, in particular, has become increasingly popular in Asia, where the form of cosmetic procedure all began.

Ear filler is certainly popular (Getty Stock Photo)

Many decided on taking up ear filler to make their faces appear smaller, or even fix their drooping earlobes.

And while many who have undergone the procedure have been pleased with the results, the form of cosmetic surgery certainly doesn’t come without its risk, one surgeon has warned.

“Ear injections are a popular treatment in China for fanning out the ears and making the face look slimmer,” dermatologist Dr. Jenny Liu explained on social media.

In an Instagram video, she added: “Aside from the lifting effect, it actually fans out your ear and that creates a smaller face because in Asia the trend is all about having a smaller face.”

The procedure can often get mixed up with that which gives people pointy ears – something that’s particularly popular in the US.

However, Dr. Deepak Dugar has warned against the procedure for certain patients as it can cause ‘cauliflower ear’, a condition which sees the ear permanently swollen.

A warning has been issued (Getty Stock Photo)

The doctor told the Daily Mail: “Using filler to reshape the upper ear — specifically around the helical rim — is not commonly performed in the United States.

“In my opinion, doing filler in the upper and lateral aspect of the ear is extremely risky and I personally would never recommend this for my patients.”

Dr. Dugar added: “Ear filler in the USA is usually performed in the lower earlobe, used to re-volumize aging ears to prevent a wrinkled or sagging look.

“Sometimes we also use fillers in the lower earlobe to strengthen the area under an ear piercing to keep it strong and prevent it from weakening with heavy earrings.”

In Asia, the trend has become increasingly popular as a result of popular K-pop stars such as Haerin undergoing the procedure.

This isn’t the first time that experts have spoken out on ‘trendy’ procedures and their potential health risks. Just last year, the rise in ‘mesotherapy’, described by Healthline as a ‘technique that uses injections of vitamins, enzymes, hormones, and plant extracts to rejuvenate and tighten skin, as well as remove excess fat’, made headlines as a skin-rejuvenating treatment.

However, certain medical professionals warned of ‘reptilian-like skin’ as a potential side effect, along with a myriad of other risks.

“Lumps and bumps are probably the most common complication from mesotherapy,” writes the International Academy of Cosmetic Dermatology.

“They can result when the solution is distributed unevenly or when the solution is not homogenous and has different effects in different zones.

“Concentrations vary when the mix is not homogenous and one area may have totally different materials from an adjacent one.”

Unfortunately, there are some other, more serious, risks that come with having Mesotherapy.

There’s a risk of infection which could cause long term tissue death or damage, says Dr Viktoryia Kazlouskaya, a New York-based dermatologist.

“Patients may experience long-lasting bruising, severe allergic reactions, skin necrosis due to product placement in blood vessels, or even permanent eye damage,” she added.

Warning: This article contains discussion of cancer diagnosis which some readers may find distressing.

A TikTok exec has taken to social media to raise awareness after receiving a preliminary diagnosis of stage four cancer despite being fit and healthy.

Head of Global Music Partnerships at TikTok Govind Sandhu has opened up about his cancer diagnosis and how he realised something was wrong with his health a day after completing a half marathon.

Govind Sandhu is the Head of Global Music Partnerships at TikTok (Instagram/ @govindsandhu)

In a video the 38-year-old shot over the weekend uploaded to his Instagram yesterday (12 June), Govind explains he had just received a preliminary diagnosis of ‘stage four Non-Hodgkin lymphoma’.

“Non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma is a type of cancer that begins in your lymphatic system, which is part of the body’s germ-fighting immune system,” Mayo Clinic explains. “In non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma, white blood cells called lymphocytes grow abnormally and can form growths (tumors) throughout the body.”

Govind reflects how he’s not ‘been feeling well at all’ over the past six weeks and the day after he finished the Sydney Half Marathon, he noticed he had a ‘swollen knee’.

He initially thought the changed appearance to his joint and injury was ‘from a stack’ when he was running on ‘some trails’ in Hobart. However, he then experienced ‘really bad body aches and sweats’ – ‘everything that would make you think it was the flu or Covid’ – and his health just ‘went downhill’ from there.

Govind Sandhu is raising awareness after being diagnosed with stage four cancer (Instagram/ @govindsandhu)

Govind says ‘over a four week period [he] just deteriorated’ and so he quickly sought medical help.

And after ‘multiple’ visits to the doctor alongside blood tests, scans and biopsies, doctors were able to get ‘a pretty comprehensive overview of where things were at’.

He adds: “But there’s also been some complications as they found some abnormalities just above my pancreas and on my heart.”

Thankfully, Govind says his heart looks ‘okay’ and the finding above the pancreas ‘will need to get zapped’.

“And if it’s cancer, the chemo which I will start soon will be aggressive. And so it should get that,” he continues.

Govind warns cancer ‘doesn’t discriminate’ (Instagram/ @govindsandhu)

Govind explains he’s currently being started on steroids and antibiotics.

Thanking all the staff at the hospital he’s being treated at for taking care of him, he concludes the video: “It’s safe to say I’m about to embark on the biggest challenge of my life yet.

“And I’m going to do my best to keep everyone updated with my progress – the highs, the lows.

“Of course, I can’t believe it, but at the same time, so many things are out of one’s control. I’ve had my time to process the ‘Why me?’ All the things I do that would make me think that I would be in a category not susceptible to this, but it doesn’t discriminate. So go get your check ups, go get your blood work done. If you’re feeling sick don’t just try and fight it off. But we’re going to get through this.”

In his caption, he explained he’s sharing his story for his ‘own healing’ and for an ‘outlet’ while also ‘hopefully putting good vibrations & useful info into the world through the many highs & lows which there will be many’.

Govind said: “I appreciate it might not be for everyone which is totally fine. If there are any specifics you want covered along the way or need context drop it in the comments & I’ll try to come back to that in time.”

He resolved: “Long road ahead, but this won’t be the end of my story, it can’t be! I’m 38 years old, lived the most blessed life to date & have so much more to live for.

“Reality is, I have a chance to fight this f**%%* so I’ll take the W there.

“Life is beautiful, I am lucky & grateful for what I have. The mission continues.”

UNILAD has contacted Govind Sandhu for comment.

If you’ve been affected by any of these issues and want to speak to someone in confidence, contact the American Cancer Society on 1-800-227-2345 or via their live chat feature, available 24/7 every day of the year.

Johnny Gaureau’s widow has broken her silence following the NHL star’s tragic death.

The 31-year-old and his brother Matthew Gaudreau were knocked down by Sean M. Higgins, while the pair were out cycling on a New Jersey highway, at around 8pm on Thursday.

The brothers were cycling north on County Road 551, in Salem County, when they were struck by the alleged drunk driver in his Jeep, while attempting to overtake two cars – the second being an SUV.

While passing the cyclists, the SUV moved over to allow plenty of space to pass – at the exact point the 43-year-old, who police documents state told an officer that he had ‘five to six’ beers, attempted to pass.

In what seems like a fit of rage Higgins then drove up the inside not knowing 29-year-old father-to-be Matthew, and dad-of-two Johnny, were cycling along the side of the road – crashing into them both.

Now, the Columbus Blue Jackets player’s wife, Meredith Gaudreau, has taken to Instagram to honor her husband and their kids’ father for the ‘best years’ of her life as she uploaded two separate posts for the first time since mourning her loss.

Johnny Gaudreau celebrated his 31st birthday last month with his two children and wife Meredith (Instagram/meredithgaudreau_)

The first read: “Thank you for the best years of my life. Despite losing you, I am still the luckiest girl in the world to have been yours. I love you so so much. You were perfect. Some days it felt too good to be true.

I love every single thing about you. You are my forever and I can’t wait to be with you again. I love you so much forever and ever.”

While the second was captioned: “The absolute best dad in the world. So caring and loving. The best partner to go through parenthood with.

“John never missed a single appointment. Was the best at putting the baby to sleep and the Apple of Noa’s eye. I love how much she looks like him. We are going to make you proud. We love you so so so much daddy.”

The Gaudreau brother’s pictured together with friends at the back of a minibus (Instagram/meredithgaudreau_)

Johnny and Matthew were due to be groomsmen at their sister’s wedding the morning after their deaths.

Higgins, who has been arrested and charged with two counts of death by auto, attended Salem County Court via a video link on Friday.

Judge Michael J. Silvanio informed him that Higgins will be remaining in custody for six more days, to which the Daily Mail reported that he responded in disbelief: “So… I’m here until Thursday.”

The holding period of three days has been extended due to the holiday weekend the judge explained, leading to Higgins leaning back in his chair and letting out a heavy sigh, according to the publication.