Junior Dutra: Brazilian influencer dies after botched ‘cat eye’ surgery performed by ‘unlicensed dentist’

Fashion stylist Adair Mendes Dutra Junior, better known to his 118,000 Instagram followers as Junior Dutra, has died following complications from a cosmetic surgery gone wrong in Brazil.

Dutra, 31, underwent a complex “cat eye” lift — a controversial beauty procedure involving the insertion of threads beneath the skin to pull the outer corners of the eyes upward for a sharper, lifted look.

The social media influencer had the surgery in March but began developing a severe infection just days later. He posted confronting images online showing his face swollen and bruised, with visible inflammation around his eyes.

Dutra gave a heartbreaking interview shortly before his death.

He said: “As soon as I had the procedure, I felt like a vein had burst on the left side of my face.”

“Everything was fine on the right side, but on the left side, I could feel the thread being pushed out.”

His friend Gean Souza said Dutra had been battling recurring infections and breathing problems in the weeks leading up to his death.

Mr Souza said, “He had been having infectious reactions and feeling discomfort since the procedure.”

“Last Friday, the problem worsened.

“He felt very short of breath and was taken to the nearest emergency room at a public hospital, where he died shortly afterwards.”

He passed away at the age of 31 in a public hospital in São Paulo, Brazil, on October 3.

The case has sent shockwaves through Brazil’s influencer and beauty communities, with followers expressing grief and anger online.

Many have called for tighter regulations around cosmetic thread lifts and accountability for unlicensed practitioners offering risky aesthetic procedures.

The “cat eye” trend, popularised by celebrities and social media filters, has faced growing scrutiny for its complications, with experts warning of infection, nerve damage and facial deformities when performed incorrectly.

The Sun reported that before his death, Dutra had filed a criminal complaint against the dentist who allegedly performed the surgery.

In his complaint, he accused the dentist of six criminal offences, including illegal medical practice, fraud and serious bodily harm.

It was revealed that the complaint included claims that the dentist refused to provide medical records when requested.

The Sun also reported that Dutra had discovered the practitioner’s true occupation after he produced documents listing a dental registration number instead of a medical licence.

Before his death, Dutra had told fans he hoped to return to work soon, sharing more fashion and beauty content once his health improved.

His cause of death is yet to be confirmed by doctors and his family.