Authorities believe N.J. woman coordinated the illegal cosmetic procedure

PHILADELPHIA — Police questioned a New Jersey woman and were seeking a second woman for questioning in the case of a London woman who died after receiving cosmetic injections in her buttocks at a hotel near Philadelphia International Airport.

Investigators issued a search warrant at the Bergen County, N.J., home of a woman they believe organized the appointment, Philadelphia police Lt. Ray Evers said Wednesday. She was questioned and unspecified evidence was seized from the residence but she was not arrested, he said.

Evers said police believe she acted as a coordinator of buttocks and hip enlargements for the victim and another woman, communicating with them overseas by e-mail, text messages and phone calls to set up the visit — their second in recent months.

"Our information tells us these girls were here in November and did receive treatment from the same individuals," Evers said. The second woman who was being sought for questioning "was the actual person who performed the enhancements," he said.

The victim, identified by the Delaware County medical examiner as Claudia Seye Aderotimi, 20, died a hospital Monday after suffering from chest pains and breathing trouble.

Aderotimi, who lived in London but was not a British citizen, flew from London to Philadelphia on Saturday with three other women. One friend had a similar cosmetic procedure and the other two went shopping in New York, Evers said. Police declined to release their names but said all were in their early 20s.

Aderotimi received injections only to her buttocks. The surviving woman, who was not hospitalized, received hip and buttocks injections. Evers said investigators were not sure why the women came to Philadelphia to undergo the procedures and added it was the first such case city police have come across.

"This is something that's completely unregulated," Evers said. "If nothing goes wrong, if no one dies, we're not going to find out about it."

Delaware County medical examiner Fredric Hellman said a preliminary cause of death was not being released pending further studies. It could take several weeks before toxicology test results are complete.

Authorities had not yet determined whether manslaughter or other charges may be filed in the case, Evers said. Police, the city district attorney's office, the Delaware County medical examiner and the FDA were assisting in the investigation.

Neither the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention nor the U.S. Food and Drug Administration keep data on injuries or deaths caused by illicit cosmetic injections. Besides liquid silicone, injections of substances including paraffin, petroleum jelly and hydrogel have been illegally used to enlarge women's breasts, hips and buttocks.

Cases in recent years of illegal cosmetic injections causing death, disfigurement and health problems have been reported from New York City to Los Angeles and beyond. Solange Magnano, a 38-year-old model and former Miss Argentina, died in Buenos Aires in 2009 from complications after having cosmetic injections on her buttocks.

A beautiful and healthy skin is a big confidence booster. Some people are naturally beautiful and hence don’t use any “skin care cosmetic”. Then there are others, who don’t use skin cosmetic due to their laziness. Still some feel that this cosmetic can harm their skin, and hence abandon the use of any kind of skin care cosmetic. However, there are a large number of people who do use skin care cosmetic (that’s why the business of industry is prospering).

So, is skin care cosmetic useful, or is it harmful? Well, the opinions seem divided. However, one thing is for sure, Looking beautiful is surely nice and very desirable. Also, too much cosmetic can surely be harmful (as such, excess of anything is harmful). So, what does one do?

The first thing is to formulate (and follow) a skin care routine that will help keep your skin healthy and disease-free. The general recommendation is to cleanse and moisturise everyday, and tone and exfoliate occasionally (as and when needed).

Next thing is the skin care cosmetics that you would be using additionally (as beauty enhancers). These products could either be part of your skin care routine or be applied only on special occasions (e.g. when attending a party etc).

The most important thing with this, is its selection. Here is a set of rules that you should use when selecting any skin care cosmetic:

- The general rule is to use products that suit your skin type. This is true both for the routine products and for the cosmetics. So check the label to see what it says e.g. for dry skin only or for all skin types etc.

- Test the skin care cosmetic before using it. This can be done by applying the skin care cosmetic on a small patch of skin e.g. ear lobes and checking the reaction of your skin to the product

- Check the ingredients of the this cosmetic for chemicals that you are allergic to. Do not use products that are very harsh on skin e.g. products with high alcohol concentrations; such cosmetics might work for once but cause a long-lasting damage to your skin.

- More isn’t better. Ensure that you apply the products in right quantity (neither less not more). Also, be gentle with your skin and follow the right procedures for application of skin care products. Rubbing too hard or trying to squeeze a pimple can lead to permanent damage to your skin.

- Finally, if you have a skin disorder e.g. acne etc, you should consult your dermatologist before using any such cosmetics.

A new study has revealed that women are putting their health at risk by using cosmetics that have gone off.

In the research, many admitted that they completely ignore use-by dates on make-up and toiletries -- sometimes keeping items for several years too long.

Even when the products start to smell or become discoloured, women confess to ignoring the official guidance and continuing to use them well past their best-before date, reports the 'Daily Express'.

The new findings from Opinium Research show that 15 per cent of cosmetics buyers are not aware that beauty products have ‘use by’ dates, and a further 49 per cent do not check this date despite knowing it is there.

A third of the 3,813 questioned said that they do check dates but do not necessarily follow them.

“Consumers themselves are the greatest source of possible contamination for cosmetic products,” said Dr Chris Flower, director general of the Cosmetic Toiletry and Perfumery Association.

“Bacteria, yeasts and moulds, awful though it sounds, are always present on our skin and hair, in the air around us, and on the many items we touch every day,” he said.

Although most micro-organisms are harmless, some can lead to product spoilage. Continued use of a spoiled product could lead to skin irritations or even infections in broken or sensitive skin.