A London woman, Molly-May Watson, 27, has reportedly suffered severe second-degree burns after a pair of shapewear shorts purchased from TikTok Shop allegedly 'melted' into her skin. The incident has raised concerns about product safety on online marketplaces and the adequacy of consumer compensation.

Watson, an executive assistant from Kennington, south London, bought the £8.57 'Spanx-like' shorts in May 2024 from a seller identified as MOONGIRL-UK on the popular social media platform's shopping feature. She wore the shorts for the first time on July 27, 2024, under a dress while attending her sister's baby shower. It was during this event that she experienced a sudden, intense burning sensation on her upper right thigh, initially mistaking it for a bee sting.

Rushing to the bathroom, Watson discovered the elastane material of the shorts had seemingly 'melted' and adhered to her skin, forcing her to rip them off. The following day, she sought medical attention at St Thomas' Hospital in London, where she was diagnosed with first and second-degree burns. Healthcare professionals noted the unusual nature of the injury, stating they were unsure if it was a heat burn or a chemical reaction, and warned Watson that she could be 'scarred for life'. The severe burns have significantly impacted her mobility, leaving her unable to walk properly and requiring her to work from home during her recovery.

Following the traumatic experience, Molly-May lodged a complaint with TikTok Shop through their in-app help function, providing photographic evidence of her burns and the damaged shorts. Despite being informed that the matter would be escalated to a specialist team, she found TikTok's initial response unsatisfactory, being offered only a refund for the shorts and a £10 coupon as compensation. Watson expressed her frustration, describing the offer as 'insulting' and vowing never to shop from the platform again, particularly from budget or third-party sellers. She also noted difficulty in locating the original seller, MOONGIRL-UK, on Google, which further fueled her suspicion about its legitimacy.

In a statement, TikTok confirmed that the listing and the seller page for the product in question were removed from the platform in June 2024, after Watson's purchase but before her incident. They also stated that compensation had already been provided to the buyer following her complaint. Watson's ordeal serves as a stark warning to consumers about the potential risks associated with online purchases from lesser-known vendors, prompting her to encourage others to be more vigilant. She highlighted that some of her friends had also reported experiencing irritation from similar purchases, underscoring a broader concern within the online shopping community.