What starts as a pursuit of beauty online is increasingly ending in hospital wards, with health authorities and medical experts warning that unregulated cosmetic procedures and viral beauty trends are placing lives at serious risk.
In Gauteng, the Department of Health has raised alarm following two serious cases in the Ekurhuleni region, where patients were admitted to a public health facility with severe complications, including organ failure, after using unverified injectable substances.
In a statement, the department said it is deeply concerned about the growing use of unregulated substances for body enhancement and sexual performance purposes, often obtained through informal and unsafe channels.
Department spokesperson Steve Mabona said the cases remain under investigation.
“The cases, currently under investigation, involve two individuals who presented at a public health facility with severe complications, including organ failure, following the use of unregulated substances obtained through informal channels,” Mabona said.
