Lagos, Nigeria – October 11, 2025 – A Nigerian woman is raising alarms after her lips ballooned to alarming proportions following the use of a “Kayamata” aphrodisiac product purchased online, in a stark reminder of the risks lurking in unregulated beauty and enhancement markets.
The incident, which went viral on social media platforms late last week, was captured in a distressing video shared by the affected woman, who goes by the handle @QueenOfDrama on X (formerly Twitter). In the clip, her lips appear grotesquely swollen and discolored, resembling overinflated balloons as she pleads for advice. “Look at my lips oo, it’s this thing I bought oo. See my lips oo,” she laments in Pidgin English, her voice trembling with regret and discomfort. The 15-second video, viewed over 500,000 times within hours, shows her struggling to speak, with the swelling extending painfully across her mouth and chin.
Kayamata, a traditional Hausa term for herbal concoctions and ointments believed to enhance sexual allure and intimacy, has surged in popularity among women in Nigeria and beyond. Marketed as everything from libido boosters to skin enhancers, these products are often sold discreetly on e-commerce sites and social media marketplaces, promising “irresistible glow” and “bedroom magic” without prescriptions or safety checks. However, experts warn that many contain unlisted chemicals, heavy metals, or allergens that can trigger severe reactions.
The woman, who has chosen to remain anonymous to protect her privacy, revealed she ordered the balm-like product from an unverified vendor on Instagram for around ₦5,000 (about $3 USD). “I just wanted to feel confident for my anniversary,” she told local reporters in a follow-up statement. “It smelled nice at first, but within hours, my lips started itching, then swelling like crazy. I couldn’t even drink water!” Rushed to a clinic in Lagos, she was diagnosed with acute allergic dermatitis and treated with antihistamines and steroids. Doctors say she narrowly avoided anaphylaxis, a potentially life-threatening response.
This isn’t an isolated case. The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has issued repeated advisories against unregulated Kayamata sales, citing over 200 reported adverse reactions in the past year alone, including rashes, burns, and organ damage from ingested variants. “These products are peddled as ‘natural’ miracles, but they’re often laced with steroids, mercury, or imported fillers that bypass safety standards,” said Dr. Aisha Bello, a dermatologist at Lagos University Teaching Hospital. “Consumers must prioritize verified sources—your health isn’t worth a quick fix.”
Social media erupted with a mix of sympathy, outrage, and dark humor. Hashtags like #KayamataDisaster and #SwellGate trended nationwide, with users sharing similar horror stories. One commenter quipped, “From ‘sexy lips’ to ‘help, I look like a fish!’—buyer beware!” Influencers and beauty bloggers seized the moment to promote FDA-approved alternatives, while calls grow for stricter online vendor regulations.
As the woman recovers at home, applying cold compresses and vowing never to trust untested trends again, her video serves as a viral cautionary tale. “Sisters, think twice before you swipe that ‘buy now’ button,” she captioned an update. “Glow-up shouldn’t mean blow-up!”
NAFDAC urges anyone experiencing similar symptoms to seek immediate medical help and report incidents via their hotline (0800-162-3322). In an era of instant gratification, this story underscores a timeless truth: beauty’s true allure lies in safety, not shortcuts.