The “Kylie Jenner Challenge” became a widespread social media phenomenon around 2015, involving participants who attempted to achieve temporarily fuller lips using self-administered suction devices. Young people tried to emulate the celebrity’s appearance by creating an artificially plumped look. This article examines the mechanics of the challenge and investigates the physical dangers and potential long-term complications associated with the practice.
Understanding the Mechanics of the Trend
The challenge involves placing the mouth over the opening of a small, rigid container, such as a shot glass, jar, or bottle. The participant forcefully sucks the air out, creating a vacuum seal and generating negative pressure within the confined space.
The vacuum effect pulls the delicate lip tissue outward, causing a rapid expansion in volume. The negative pressure draws blood and other fluids into the lip tissue and surrounding blood vessels. The resulting temporary swelling is the intended effect, making the lips appear noticeably larger for a short duration.
This process is essentially a self-inflicted hickey. Medical professionals agree that the plumping effect is not a form of cosmetic enhancement but rather a trauma response. The enlarged appearance typically lasts for only a few hours, leaving behind the consequences of the forceful suction.
Acute Physical Trauma and Immediate Dangers
The primary danger lies in the sheer force of the negative pressure applied to the delicate tissues of the mouth. The sudden, forced expansion of the lip tissue strains the underlying vascular structure. This aggressive trauma causes the fragile capillaries within the lips and surrounding skin to rupture.
The bursting of these blood vessels leads to a hematoma, which manifests as severe, deep bruising around the mouth. Immediate, intense swelling (edema) results from inflammatory chemicals flooding the soft tissue. This painful swelling can persist for several days, accompanied by discoloration that may appear purple, green, or yellow as the bruise heals.
Dermatologists and plastic surgeons compare the self-inflicted trauma to punching the face. An additional immediate danger involves the physical apparatus itself; if the suction is too strong, the glass or jar can break, causing lacerations and cuts that may require stitches. These cuts introduce an immediate risk of infection and can leave behind prominent wounds on the face.
Potential for Permanent Damage and Complications
The risks associated with the challenge include the potential for lasting physical harm. Repeatedly subjecting the tissue to intense negative pressure can damage collagen and elastin, the proteins responsible for the firmness and plumpness of the lips. This cyclical stretching and shrinking of the skin can lead to skin laxity, potentially causing an aged appearance around the mouth over time.
One specific long-term complication involves the development of telangiectasia—spider-like broken capillaries that become permanently visible around the mouth and lips. This discoloration may require laser therapy for correction. Furthermore, if the skin breaks during the challenge, the resulting wound can lead to permanent scarring, especially with repeated attempts.
There is also a risk of nerve damage from the aggressive suction, resulting in long-term tingling, numbness, or a permanent loss of sensation in the lip area. Trauma to blood vessels can potentially lead to the formation of blood clots, which in rare cases, could pose a serious health risk if they travel to other parts of the body. These outcomes highlight that the challenge is a practice with the potential for serious, irreversible consequences.