This tragedy became reality for 31-year-old Brazilian fashion influencer Adair Mendes Dutra Junior, also known online as Junior Dutra, who passed away following complications from a cosmetic procedure called “fox eyes” surgery. He reportedly suffered a serious facial infection, and later, severe symptoms including shortness of breath, before dying.
Who was Adair Mendes Dutra Junior?
Brazilian social media influencer Adair Mendes Dutra Junior, widely known as Junior Dutra, has died at the age of 31 following severe complications from a cosmetic procedure. He was widely known for his vibrant social media presence and lifestyle content, Junior had gained a large following on Instagram. His untimely death has sent shockwaves through the Brazilian beauty community and among his over 100,000 followers.
What Happened to Junior Dutra?
Adair Mendes Dutra Junior died on October 3, 2025, after experiencing complications from a fox eyes cosmetic procedure performed earlier this year.
Before his death, Junior openly shared his struggles, posting videos and photos showing swelling, bruising, and infection on his face. He publicly accused the practitioner, a dentist named Fernando Garbi, of medical malpractice, filing a police complaint alleging illegal medical practice, fraud, and serious bodily harm.
On the day he fell critically ill, Junior reportedly experienced shortness of breath and was admitted to a public hospital in São Paulo, where he died shortly after. The official cause of death is still under investigation, and his medical records have not yet been made public.
This incident has raised concerns about the safety of cosmetic procedures widely promoted on social media, especially those performed by unlicensed or underqualified practitioners.
What is “Fox Eyes” Surgery?
The “fox eyes” look, also called fox-eye lift, fox eye thread lift, or cat eye lift, is a cosmetic procedure aimed at lifting and elongating the outer corners of the eyes to create an almond-shaped, upturned look. This style has become extremely popular on social media as the “snatched” look, often inspired by beauty filters.
Different techniques are used to achieve Fox Eyes Surgery effect:
- Thread lifts: Inserting surgical threads under the skin to lift the outer eye corner.
- Canthoplasty or canthopexy: Surgical tightening, reshaping, or repositioning of the eye corner structures.
- Brow or midface lift combinations: Adjusting tissue in the brow or cheek area to influence eye shape.
Non-surgical adjuncts: Using fillers or Botox to relax muscles and shape the eye area.
Experts note that the procedure mimics the stylized appearance often seen in apps and filters. However, the eye area is extremely delicate, containing essential nerves, blood vessels, and tear ducts. Therefore, fox eyes surgery is high-risk, particularly when performed by practitioners without proper surgical training.
Risks and Complications of Fox Eyes Surgery
The desire for the “snatched” look carries significant risks. Potential complications include: Infection: One of the most common and dangerous risks. Dutra himself developed a serious infection that, if untreated, can spread and cause death.
- Tissue damage or necrosis: Poor blood flow or trauma can lead to skin death, scarring, or tissue loss.
- Thread complications: Threads may migrate, poke out, break, or become visible, causing irritation or asymmetry. Dutra reported feeling threads pushing out.
- Nerve damage: Injury to sensory or motor nerves around the eye can result in numbness, twitching, or impaired blinking.
- Vision problems or blindness: Rarely, damage to blood vessels or orbital structures can affect eyesight.
- Aesthetic issues: Results may be unnatural, asymmetric, or distorted if the lift is misjudged.
- Delayed systemic complications: Untreated local issues can escalate to respiratory distress, sepsis, or fatal outcomes.
The Danger of Unverified Practitioners During Fox Eyes Surgery
Many cosmetic procedures are heavily promoted online, sometimes in countries with weak regulations. Patients often underestimate risks or fail to verify practitioner credentials.
In Dutra’s case, the practitioner was reportedly a dentist, not a certified plastic or oculoplastic surgeon, and used a dental registration number instead of a medical license. This points to a serious gap in the regulation and oversight of cosmetic procedures, highlighting the importance of checking credentials before undergoing surgery.
The tragic death of Junior Dutra underscores the critical risks associated with cosmetic procedures, especially those performed by unlicensed or inadequately trained practitioners. While cosmetic enhancements like fox eyes surgery can achieve the desired aesthetic, they carry serious health risks including infection, nerve damage, and systemic complications. Experts advise that such procedures should only be performed by board-certified professionals, and patients must carefully weigh benefits against potential dangers.
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