Ever had sushi and wondered if smearing some wasabi on your lips would be a beauty hack? Me neither. But I’m kinda thankful for those who actually do and took it a step further by rubbing the spicy green stuff over their lips with a belief that wasabi could work as a lip plumper.
If you’re curious to see how this works, social media star Farah Dhukai posted a video on Instagram where she uses wasabi to plump up her lips. The week-old video has since garnered an impressive 10 million views. Dhukai says wasabi paste is her favorite remedy for lip wrinkles and dryness, and claims that it acts as a natural enhancer. “They’ll be so plump people will think you’ve had them done,” she wrote.
While it definitely sounds safer than sucking on a cup ala the #KylieJennerChallenge, dermatologist Joshua Zeichner, MD, gave Refinery29 his take on the beauty fad. His conclusion? The paste is safe to use, trying it won’t hurt but only if done in moderation.
“Lip plumpers work by creating irritation in the lips, which results in swelling, making the lips look fuller,” he says. “Wasabi, by its very nature, is an irritant to the skin. Using a little on the lip will definitely result in temporary swelling and plumping. Just be careful not to overdo it. Irritants aren’t always well-tolerated.”
In the end, yes, wasabi will temporarily plump your lips — and probably clear your sinuses. But is it really worth the burn? Let us know your thoughts below!
