Social media influencer, Niamh O'Connor, known on social media as Kneevo, opened up about her harrowing experience with cellulitis after getting a Brazilian Butt Lift (BBL).
A Prime Time interview this Thursday, shed light on the dangers of cosmetic procedures and the urgent need for increased regulation in the industry.
In late 2023, Niamh underwent the procedure which meant removing excess fat from one area of the body and injecting it into the buttocks.
In a matter of hours after the injections, the social media star, with over 163k followers on Instagram, felt many symptoms which she confused for a common stomach bug. She noted vomiting, an upset stomach and a severely high temperatre of 40 degrees, along with sweating, a high heart rate and slow breathing.
"I was falling asleep constantly and was disorientated core towards the third day of symptoms," she said.
She recounted the critical moment she sought medical attention at St James' Hospital, Dublin, saying: "By the time I had gone to the hospital, it was a situation that could have ended up a lot worse than it did. I was very lucky to receive the treatment I got, given the severity of the cellulitis that had developed into the tissues of my skin."
Cellulitis is described as "a common bacterial skin infection that causes redness, swelling, and pain in the infected area of the skin."
She expressed her fear, stating: "If I had gone one or two more days, I could have gone into septic shock. I had all the typical symptoms of the beginning of sepsis."
Niamh highlighted the lack of warnings she received before the procedure, stressing the misconception that such cosmetic interventions are branded as "100% safe."
"I think a lot of girls are being told that it is the safer option as opposed to having surgery, when realisitcally there is no safe option," she added. She warned against the prevailing notion that these procedures are a safer alternative to surgery and stressed the heightened risk when performed by non-medical professionals.
In a plea directed towards young girls influenced by social media, Niamh urged for more transparency about the potential risks of cosmetic procedures. "The influence social media has on young girls is so powerful. It's really important that there are people on social media talking about the dark side and being open about their experiences," she stated.
In an episode of Prime Time Investigates which aired this Monday, journalist Pamela Fraher, shared her undercover experience of obtaining a certification online and becoming a "Botox expert", underscoring the urgent need for stricter regulations.
Now, Dr Eithne Brenner, Chairperson at the Irish Faculty at British College of Aesthetic Medicine, is calling for stricter regulation on aesthetic beauty treatments. She believes the Health Information and Patient Safety Bill, currently lacks enforcement power, and needs to evolve into comprehensive legislation to address the risks associated with these procedures.
In a letter aimed at pushing the government towards legislation around policing the qualificiations of aestheticians, herself and doctors seek to spark a more extensive public debate and promote public education to encourage individuals to thoroughly research procedures before seeking cosmetic interventions.
