A renowned fashion influencer has died a few months after undergoing ‘fox eye’ surgery, according to a close friend.
Social media has been captivated by trends that promise quick transformations — with the ‘fox eyes’ look being one of the most popular. It has gained popularity through filters and celebrities, offering a lifted, feline-like appearance. However, beneath the perfect images and sharp winged eyeliner, there might be a more troubling side to this trend, brought to attention after the tragic death of a young influencer.
Brazilian content creator Adair Mendes Dutra Junior, known on social media as Junior Dutra, had amassed over 120,000 followers due to his stylish fashion sense, beauty tips, and selfies.
Residing in São Paulo, the 31-year-old had developed a dedicated online following focused on fashion and grooming. Like many others, he was intrigued by the ‘fox eyes’ trend, which is said to gently raise the eye corners through surgical or non-surgical procedures.
In March, Junior Dutra underwent this procedure and later shared images of his bruised and swollen face with his followers. While he initially made light of his recovery, his perspective shifted in the subsequent months.
He began to express concerns about persistent infections and discomfort resulting from the surgery. On October 3, according to friends, he became unwell, experienced breathing difficulties, and was taken to a public hospital, where he sadly passed away shortly thereafter.
His close friend Gean Souza informed local media outlet Quem: “We still don’t have the medical records with the cause of death.
“He had been having infectious reactions and feeling discomfort since the procedure. Last Friday, the problem worsened.”
Prior to his death, Junior Dutra had filed a lawsuit against his surgeon, Dr. Fernando Garbi, accusing him of medical malpractice, fraud, and causing bodily harm. Dr. Garbi’s attorney refuted these allegations, asserting that the doctor was not responsible for Dutra’s death and threatened legal action against those disseminating ‘insults and slander’.
The fox eye lift can include thread lifts, Botox, or more invasive operations such as canthoplasty.
The American Society of Plastic Surgeons states that the techniques employed can vary considerably, with some medical professionals using a combination of brow lifts, mid-facelifts, and canthopexy procedures to achieve the desired look.
Dr. Jay Calvert, in a discussion with the ASPS, stated: “Some think the fox eye procedure is just Botox. Some think it is a brow lift with an operation at the corner of the eye… The fox eye procedure that produces the celebrity look is a combination of a brow lift, mid-facelift, and a canthopexy.”
Another surgeon, Dr. John Layke, commented: “I believe that social media is solely responsible for this trend, as filters often create a ‘fox eye’ appearance on influencers and celebrities.”
Junior Dutra’s funeral took place in São Paulo, where loved ones and admirers paid their respects and shared memories of the influencer.