Interview & Article: T.Cooper
Dr. Tabasum Mir is the perfect combination of brains and beauty; this is probably why she was cast as one of the stars of the Bravo TV dating series, “The Singles Project”. Aside from being a gorgeous reality star, Dr. Mir is also a successful dermatologist, and owner of MirSkin Inc. in New York City. The rising popularity of the “Kylie Jenner challenge” has caused Dr. Mir to be concerned for young people who do not understand the possible dangers of partaking in the lip plumping challenge. We recently spoke with Dr. Mir to discuss her participation in reality TV, her career as a dermatologist, and the health risks of t.
America knows you best for your appearance on “The Single’s Project”, how was your experience on the dating show?
It was really interesting because of the fact that it was done in real time. A lot of people were watching us [the cast of the “Singles Project”} and would want to date us, but I felt like they were memorizing what we like, and then pretended to be that person [we described]. It was really hard to separate genuine people from people with ulterior motives. I remember being on the Today Show, and the guy there who said he wanted to date me literally reiterated everything I said that I needed in a man over the last few episodes [of “The Singles Project”]. I felt like people were watching so that they knew what to say to us when they met us in person. One guy even said to me that he told the producers to make sure that his business name was featured – he said that to me directly!
Would you ever do reality TV again?
Yes. I am going to do reality TV again, I can’t tell you what just yet, but you will see me again soon.
How long have you been a dermatologist?
I’ve been a doctor since 1998 but I’ve had my own practice for over 10 years now.
What has been the key to having such a successful career in dermatology?
I love it, I feel like I’m doing what my purpose is in life. In med school I thought this was such an interesting field, and I find [practicing] it rewarding. Sometimes the patients can be a little high maintenance when they are coming in for something cosmetic, and you have to manage that, but I’ve gotten really good at [dealing with] that. I won’t lead people down the wrong path, or [tell them to] do anything they shouldn’t be doing because it’s still medical; although the world seems to make [dermatology] more of a spa thing. To this day it still shocks me that people don’t realize that you have to be a physician to practice dermatology, a lot of people don’t know that and I’m stunned by that some times.
For people who may not know, can you please tell us what the Kylie Jenner challenge is, and how it started?
The Kylie Jenner challenge is when you use a shot glass, plastic cup, or anything that is a round cup-like device to put your lips into, and suck so that the fluid and blood flow to your lips is increased. It engorges your lips and they literally triple in size, this lasts for up to an hour. Some people are doing it with such force that they have broken glasses, burst blood vessels, split their lips open, and have gotten extensive bruising around their mouths. I recently read about a girl whose mother took her to the emergency room because her lip split in three different places – I don’t even understand how hard she must have been sucking.
I’m not sure who started this whole thing, there were rumors of it being a certain YouTube blogger, but she’s denying it.
via Twitter
What were your initial thoughts when you first found out about the Kylie Jenner challenge?
I was horrified. I didn’t find out about it over the news or internet, I had a patient call me freaking out because her 13 year old daughter tried it. Her daughter’s lips turned black all the way around from being so bruised. I couldn’t believe that this is what these impressionable young girls are willing to do because they idolize her [Kylie].
Photo: StarTraks / Getty / StarTraks
Why do you think that the Kylie Jenner challenge has become so popular?
Because she [Kylie] is so popular. She has over 20 million followers on Twitter and is always posting pictures of her lips. Girls want to emulate her lips to the point that if she says she wears a certain lipstick, it sells out. I’m surprised that people are willing to hurt themselves and go to that level, but I’m not at all surprised that people are trying to do what she’s doing to get those lips – everyone wants bigger lips.
Some people would say that this challenge is just kids having fun. What are your thoughts on that?
Some people are doing it to be funny and stupid, but others are taking it seriously thinking that they really can get lips [like Kylie] this way.
Why is the Kylie Jenner challenge such a bad idea?
It’s extremely dangerous! I find it really insane when celebrities don’t want to admit to getting anything done. I’ve been doing this a long time and I know who’s doing what, I was on TMZ for Dr. Brandt and I know who he was treating. Celebrities are always trying to make is seem like they’re 100% natural – and they’re not! This does two things, it brings shame where there shouldn’t be any, and it misinforms the public. What then happens is people try to emulate these celebrities, and do dangerous things to themselves that can really screw them up, they harm themselves. I can’t imagine what it’s like to be 17 years old [like Kylie Jenner] with that kind of a life and influence, but she owes it to her fans to be honest about what she’s doing, otherwise these girls are going to go out and injure themselves trying to look like her.
Are the consequences from participating in this challenge permanent or temporary?
I don’t think they’re permanent. Permanent is a very interesting word because very few things are permanent. The bruising associated with this challenge is not going to be permanent, if you split your lip, that’s not necessarily going to be permanent, loss of sensation is not necessarily going to be permanent; but it will require immediate medical attention, otherwise you can disfigure your lips permanently.
Is there a safe way to attempt this challenge?
Nope. Don’t do it, don’t even think about it, don’t even let it enter your brain because the grotesque engorgement of your lips will only last for maybe an hour. By the time you get in car and get to where you need go it’s already done. It’s not worth it because it’s dangerous and doesn’t work.
What would you say to anyone considering participation in the Kylie Jenner challenge?
That they’re crazy and should probably invest in a good lip gloss [laughs]. If they are 18 or over, they should talk to their doctor about getting lip injections. Although I haven’t treated her, in my opinion Kylie has had lip fillers. Lips do not grow, it’s not like breast tissue; your boobs grow after puberty, your lips don’t!