Two people have been remanded in custody on manslaughter charges in connection with the death of a woman who allegedly underwent a non-surgical “liquid” Brazilian butt lift (BBL).
Mother-of-five Alice Webb, 33, died at Gloucestershire Royal Infirmary in the early hours of Tuesday morning (September 24).
Gloucestershire Police are said to be investigating the case, with the two arrested released on police bail.
So what is a BBL liquid and is it usually considered dangerous?
A liquid BBL is a cosmetic procedure that involves the use of dermal fillers (usually hyaluronic acid) or biostimulating agents to enhance the shape and size of the buttocks without surgery.
Unlike the traditional Brazilian butt lift, which involves fat grafting (taking fat from other areas of the body and injecting it into the buttocks), a liquid BBL uses injectable products to achieve a similar volume and contour effect.
There is no liposuction or fat transfer involved, so it is less invasive than surgery and usually has a faster recovery time.
The results of a liquid BBL are temporary, lasting about one to two years depending on the product used and how the body metabolizes it. A traditional BBL provides longer lasting results.
The procedure is often touted on social media as a “risk-free” and “cheaper” alternative to surgery.
It is reportedly 60 minutes long and is available online for £2,500. In contrast, the surgical alternative costs between £5,000 and £6,000 in the UK and receives approx two hours.
Many patients travel to Turkey to have the procedure done at a more affordable price.
Can a liquid BBL cause fatalities?
the BBC reported that Save Face, a national register of accredited doctors offering non-surgical cosmetic treatments, said Webb’s death was the “first case of death caused by non-surgical BBL in the UK”.
While it is not known how Webb died, the procedure carries serious risks that could, in theory, lead to life-threatening conditions.
- Vascular occlusion: If a filler is accidentally injected into or near a blood vessel, it can block blood flow, leading to tissue necrosis (tissue death) or, in rare cases, cause serious complications such as strokes or blindness if the blood vessels around vital areas are affected.
- Infection or sepsis: Poor injection practices or inadequate sterilization could lead to serious infections, which, if left untreated, could lead to sepsis — a life-threatening systemic infection.
The BBC reported that five local authorities in Glasgow and Essex followed suit by banning certain businesses from carrying out BBL liquids in their area.
Save Face director Ashton Collins said his group had helped 500 women who had suffered problems from the procedure.
said Mrs. Collins BBC: “Liquid BBL processes are a crisis waiting to happen. They are advertised on social media as ‘risk-free’, ‘cheaper’ alternatives to the equivalent of surgery and that couldn’t be further from the truth.”
Save Face criticized non-health care injectors that run BBL liquids. He said they often misdiagnose abscesses and tissue necrosis as bruises and are unable to recognize and treat their clients’ problems.
The Standard has approached Save Face for comment.
