UK police arrested two suspects after a woman, who went on a non-surgical ‘liquid’ Brazilian butt lift, died, believed to be the first person in Britain to die from this procedure.
Alice Webb, 34, died at Gloucestershire Royal Hospital just before midnight on Monday after falling unwell.
Dane Knight, Alice’s partner, expressed his gratitude on Facebook, saying, ‘Want to say a heart felt thank you to all family and friends that were here for us at our time of need, including all of the kind messages sent to my children and myself.’
He also urged people to be mindful of what they say around his vulnerable children, as he will not tolerate speculation or unnecessary questions directed at the five girls, BBC reported.
According to reports, the victim had undergone a liquid BBL, which involves injecting hyaluronic acid and dermal fillers to enhance the size and shape of the buttocks without surgery or downtime. Save Face, a national register of accredited practitioners, stated that this was the ‘first case of a death caused by a non-surgical BBL in the UK’.
Alice worked as an advanced aesthetic practitioner at Crystal Clear in Wotton-under-Edge, Gloucestershire. A friend set up a GoFundMe campaign to support her partner and children during this difficult time, describing Alice as ‘beautiful inside and out, with the biggest heart’.
Gloucestershire Police, called by the ambulance service at 11.35pm on Monday, have launched an investigation into the incident. The two individuals arrested have been released on police bail, and the Major Crime Investigation Team is leading the ongoing investigation. Alice’s family is being supported by specially trained officers during this challenging period.
What is liquid BBL?
A liquid BBL is a non-surgical cosmetic treatment that aims to enhance the shape and volume of the buttocks using injectable dermal fillers or biostimulatory agents like hyaluronic acid, Sculptra, or Radiesse. This procedure differs from the traditional Brazilian butt lift, which involves fat grafting from other body areas and injecting it into the buttocks. The liquid BBL does not require liposuction or fat transfer, making it less invasive and offering a quicker recovery time compared to surgery.
The effects of a liquid BBL are not permanent, typically lasting between one and two years, depending on the product used and the individual’s metabolism. In contrast, a traditional BBL offers more long-lasting results. Social media often promotes the liquid BBL as a “risk-free” and “cheaper” alternative to surgery.
Reportedly, the procedure takes about 60 minutes and is advertised online for £2,500, while the surgical alternative costs between £5,000 and £6,000 in the UK and takes approximately two hours. Many patients opt to travel to Turkey for a more affordable price.
What are the risks BBL Liquid procedure poses if went wrong?
The process involves significant hazards that may, in theory, lead to potentially fatal outcomes. One of them is the vascular occlusion, which is if a filler is accidentally injected into or near a blood vessel, it can block blood flow, leading to tissue necrosis (death of tissue) or, in rare cases, cause severe complications such as strokes or blindness if blood vessels around vital areas are affected. Poor injection practices or inadequate sterilisation could lead to severe infections, which, if left untreated, could lead to sepsis — a life-threatening systemic infection.”