Egyptian National Media Authority
Many women nowadays desire to have fuller and more attractive lips, whether through the use of fillers, Botox, or modern cosmetic products that provide a plump appearance.
Alternatively, some opt for cheaper methods, such as directly applying hot peppers to their lips, which has recently become a trend on TikTok, claiming it as a natural and inexpensive lip-enhancing product available in every household.
Not all natural products or ingredients are suitable, and using natural products without an understanding can cause significant harm. Specifically, applying concentrated hot pepper to the lips can result in severe damage and permanent distortion of the lips.
The danger of applying hot pepper to the lips lies in its content of capsaicin, which is quickly absorbed when applied to the lips or skin and concentrates in the surrounding area. It interacts with the TRPV1 receptors found in sensory nerve fibers. When it interacts with these receptors, it stimulates the sensory nerve fibers to send neural signals to the brain, causing a sensation of pain, heat, and sensitivity in the area surrounding the capsaicin.
This is followed by the inhibition of the activity of the same receptors, which results in numbness in the area accompanied by sensitivity, burning, tingling, and redness of the blood vessels, leading to immediate redness and swelling of the lips. Consequently, it can cause damage to the lips that is difficult to treat instead of improving their appearance. In other words, this fullness is temporary, but its damages are long-lasting.
The use of hot pepper as a lip filler is not recommended, as there are no substances in hot pepper that can act as lip fillers. Pepper only works to numb and kill sensory and nerve cells in the long term.
There is a natural product that can be used temporarily to give the lips a fuller appearance without any side effects, and it can be used daily. It is peppermint oil. In addition to its ability to dilate blood vessels and increase blood flow to the lips in a safe way, it provides them with an appealing texture and appearance. It has a pleasant scent and contains vitamins and antibacterial properties, making it a very suitable and safe alternative. As for the method of using peppermint oil, it can be diluted with sweet almond oil and applied twice daily on clean lips. It naturally opens up the lips, moisturizes them, and gives them a fuller and naturally attractive look.