In a viral video, an influencer posted of a chilli lip-plumping hack that has the internet in stitches. During a viral Instagram video, Shubhangi Anand, a Delhi-based influencer, cuts a green chilli and rubs it on her lips as a “natural lip plumper.”
It received over 24 million views and garnered mixed responses from netizens, but occasionally backfired when she was made fun of for her experiment and for promoting unrealistic beauty standards and dangerous hacks.
Reacting to the same, Dr Teena Singh, a facial aesthetic specialist from Lucknow, shared how flashy stunts to gain more views on the video is harmful for the skin.
Facial doctor comments on video claiming chillies will make your lips more plump
“In reality if anyone applies chilli or any sort of compound on the lips irritation will occur first. Then the irritation will inflame, and this inflammation will cause vasodilation which is an increase in blood flow and the expansion of blood vessels.
While this might appear plumper in the moment, it is not reliable or effective for fullness of lips,” said Dr Teena Singh, a facial aesthetics expert, and hair transplant surgeon based in Lucknow, according to her Instagram.
Dr Singh advised against using this hack completely, since it could lead to significant injury – particularly for those with sensitive skin.
“If anyone has cracked or chapped lips, the use of clearer applications of chilli will mean that prominent inflammation, worse than the manufacturer warnings, will overcome clear damage,” she explained.
Is it Safe Scientifically?
Capsaicin is the activating compound in chilli with high heat. However, the potential swelling and redness caused by it, is more irritating than volumizing.
Certainly, there are risks presented in alternatives which range from allergic reactions to skin pigmentation problems, but the worth will not nearly outweigh the benefits including lasting skin injuries.
Dermatologists generally have safer options for enhancement – over the counter lip plumpers with hyaluronic acid, or professional treatments by medical specialists – which will generally give more effective results and keep the skin safe.
Key takeaway
The trend of using green chillies for lip plumping, started by influencer Shubhangi Anand, has raised a lot of concern about the safety and efficiency of it in the world of facial features.
Dr Teena Singh highlights that not only can applying chillies create irritation, or inflammation, but will create more injury, than just temporary plumping.
Dermatologists have clearly articulated safer alternatives than lip plumping with chilli. Lip plumpers with hyaluronic acid, or many more professional treatments (if safe – and done by medical specialists).
Lip plumpers are more sensible, safe, without compromising the technique quality. Beauty trends will always change from time. Always put your well being before any trends and fads.