TREND: The Kylie Jenner Lip Challenge has harmful repercussions.
By Michelle Boulos, Staff Writer
Everyone is guilty of doing one foolish thing or another for the sake of being funny, but when “fun” compromises one’s health, these foolish acts result in dangerous consequences. The recent trending hashtag, “Kylie Jenner Lip Challenge,” is a prime example of viral comedy going completely wrong.
Around April 21, teenagers featured themselves on social media putting their lips into a shot glass and sucking, attempting to imitate the famous full lips of the youngest sister of the Kardashian-Jenner clan, Kylie Jenner. Jenner’s lips came into the spotlight after it was speculated that she either over-lined her lips, utilized a suction lip enhancer or received injections to achieve the full pout look. It was only recently confirmed that she admitted to using temporary lip fillers.
But that’s not the point. This nonsensical trick people are using creates overly swollen lips, resulting in bruises and cuts. According to medical experts, the Kylie Jenner Lip Challenge may cause future scars and permanent lip deformation. Dermatologists recommend to just use lip liner or a safer, more professional and effective lip enhancer called CandyLipz, which also uses a suction method with a special tool.
In the past, popular internet challenges like the Cinnamon Challenge have also posed health risks. In 2010, many people uploaded videos of themselves swallowing a spoonful of cinnamon and waiting sixty seconds to drink water. This challenge created controversy over risks such as choking and infection, and in 2012, the American Poison Control Centers received over 100 emergency calls due to it.
After the lip challenge took off, Jenner took to Twitter to motivate people to be proud of their natural facial features and to deter them from further harming themselves. “I’m not here to try to encourage people/young girls to look like me or to think this is the way they should look (…)I want to encourage people/young girls like me to be YOURSELF & not be afraid to experiment w[ith] your look,” she tweeted.
Just like Jenner stated, everyone should be themselves. Conformity doesn’t always guarantee safety, so teenagers of this generation should learn that just because something’s popular, it isn’t always wise.