Marathon runner wears a Garmin watch while training. Then she takes it off and sees something shocking underneath: ‘Why is it only Garmins?’

A marathon runner posted a video of herself taking off her Garmin watch. Then she showed off her skin, which viewers said had “watch rot.”

Mlynn (@mlynn_strides) posted a video with more than 1.3 million views. In it, she revealed the “watch rot” or imprint that occurs after long runs and training sessions. 

Viewers who saw the content creator’s post said she should be “concerned” with the imprint her Garmin watch leaves on her wrist. Multiple commenters told the content creator that the imprint looked “awful.” But how common is watch rot, and why is TikTok so concerned with it?

What is ‘watch rot’?

Watch rot is essentially a form of contact dermatitis or skin rash that occurs due to watch-on-skin irritation. For many, it appears as though the skin underneath a watch or device is “rotting,” hence the name. Individuals wearing watches may notice the effect after long periods of usage or after they engage in extensive physical activity. 

Biology Insights explains that “sweat, dirt, dead skin cells, or soap residue become trapped between the skin and the watch band. A band that is worn too tightly can also cause friction, which further breaks down the skin’s natural barrier.”

“The problem can manifest as redness, itching, scaling, or small bumps,” the publication adds. 

Is there really a ‘watch rot’ trend?

It appears as though “watch rot” is trending in June 2026. Multiple content creators, including Mlynn, have posted videos of their wrists after long runs, which feature their watch tans or, in some cases, visible contact dermatitis.

The trend specifically features @Garmin Official watches, according to some posts on the platform. Content creators, such as BigManBikes (@bigmanbikes), have posted videos participating in it. 

BigManBikes said, “I’ve definitely had watch rot before but we’re getting better, the @Garmin Connects stays collecting data no matter what I’m doing …need the data…” 

Hayden Rue (@haydenrue_), a TikToker training for an Ironman, posted a video of his tanned wrist and said, “Hopefully no watch rot yet. Live, laugh, love garmin.”

What’s it like?

In a comment to The Mary Sue, Diego Medel, the owner of the TikTok account BigManBike, said, “I’ve worn a garmin since 2020 and watch rot is very real. The worst case I ever had of it was glossy scaly skin directly under the watch and band that would flake and peel off, it was red and irritated and almost always itchy.” 

He added that it took a lot of changing out bands, washing his wrist, and using different ointments to correct the watch rot. “At one point i had to stop wearing the watch for a month or two to clear up the rash or infection,” he said. 

Eventually, he learned that he was developing watch rot from the silicone sports bands that came from the watch and third party silicone bands.

“When I swapped to Nylon, it got better but still flares up on occasion.  I don’t think it clears up in between rides at least not for me, once it was going it was there and i had to consciously put the watch down to let it heal,” he said. 

What does the internet have to say?

While some athletes and Garmin enthusiasts are fans of the trend, other TikTok users have lambasted those who have posted as part of the trend. 

Mlynn, for instance, received a number of comments from concerned individuals. 

“You need to wash your watch and band daily …. You’re not having a reaction to silicone. It’s because there no airflow and moisture builds up,” one viewer said. 

Another commenter said, “It’s funny how people get a watch geared towards health monitoring but they fail to monitor their skin’s health directly underneath the watch.”

Some content creators, such as Lina Hara (@lina.hara), have posted about the trend and warned others not to participate in it.

“Do not post your watch tan online if when you take your watch off, there is a very visible infection underneath. No one wants to see that. That’s not a flex. That’s disgusting. I don’t wanna see your rotting flesh on my feed,” she said. 

@mlynn_strides Watch rot or art? ? #running #humor #training #marathon #run ♬ original sound – Mlynn

Viewers in her comment section agreed. One person said, “Watch rot is sick, I’ve never experienced it but I saw a video and never want to see it again.”

The Mary Sue reached out to Mlynn, Hara, and Hayden Rue via TikTok direct message for more information. The publication also reached out to Garmin via email for comment.

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