Molly-May Watson, a 27-year-old executive assistant from Kennington, South London, suffered second-degree burns after shapewear purchased from TikTok Shop allegedly "melted" into her skin. In May 2024, Watson bought the £8.57 "Spanx-like" shorts from a seller named MOONGIRL-UK on the social media platform. The incident occurred on July 27, 2024, when she wore the shorts for the first time under a dress while attending her sister's baby shower.

Watson described feeling an intense burning sensation on her upper right thigh, initially thinking a bee had flown into her dress. Upon rushing to the bathroom, she discovered the elastane material of the shorts had seemingly melted into her skin, forcing her to rip them off. The pain was agonizing, leading her to seek medical attention the following day at St Thomas' Hospital in London. There, healthcare professionals confirmed she had sustained first and second-degree burns and informed her she could be "scarred for life." The medical staff noted the unusual nature of the injury, stating they were unsure if it was a heat burn or a chemical reaction.

Following the traumatic experience, Molly-May contacted TikTok Shop through their in-app help function, providing pictures of her burns and the damaged shorts. After initial communication with an agent and a specialist team, TikTok Shop offered her a refund for the shorts and a £10 coupon as compensation. Watson found this offer insulting, declining the coupon and stating she would never shop from that platform again, particularly from budget or third-party sellers.

Watson reported that the seller, MOONGIRL-UK, could no longer be found on Google, leading her to believe the listing was not legitimate from the start. TikTok confirmed that the listing and seller page had been removed from the platform in June of the previous year and stated that compensation had already been provided to the buyer after the complaint. Molly-May has been advised to work from home during her recovery and to consult doctors for any changes in her condition, as she has already begun to scar from some of the burns. She warns others to be cautious when purchasing from online marketplaces, highlighting the potential risks associated with seemingly good bargains from unverified sellers.