Dermatologists warn against rise in unqualified cosmetic procedures

The Indian Association of Dermatologists, Venereologists and Leprologists Karnataka branch (IADVL-KN) on Tuesday (March 10) expressed concern over the growing number of unqualified individuals performing dermatology and cosmetic procedures, warning that the trend poses serious risks to patient safety.

IADVL-KN also released a QR code that allows members of the public to identify qualified dermatologists in Karnataka.

Addressing a press conference in Bengaluru, Savitha A.S., president of IADVL-KN, said procedures such as hair transplantation, laser treatments, injectables and other aesthetic skin procedures are increasingly being carried out by people without appropriate medical training. These include dentists, beauticians, beauty parlour operators, untrained technicians, and practitioners from non-modern medicine streams, she explained.

She pointed out that such procedures require specialised training in dermatology surgery and modern medicine and should only be performed by qualified and registered practitioners such as dermatologists and plastic surgeons.

The association also referred to recent incidents reported in the media, including the deaths of two engineers following hair transplant procedures allegedly performed by dentists, and said such cases highlight the life-threatening risks posed by unauthorised practices.

Gaps in regulation

IADVL-KN members said gaps in regulation, easy availability of over-the-counter medicines, and online sale of drugs have also contributed to the problem.

Raising concerns over a public notice issued by the Dental Council of India allowing oral and maxillofacial surgeons to perform hair transplant and certain aesthetic procedures, the association members said dermatology bodies have challenged the move through petitions currently before the High Courts of Madras and Bombay, arguing that such procedures fall outside the educational scope and legislative mandate of dental practice.

The association also referred to the outcomes of the ‘Quackery Mukta Bharata’ campaign conducted last year, under which more than 450 complaints were submitted to district collectors and district health officers across Karnataka. These complaints led to several raids on illegal clinics, though some centres have since resumed operations using what the association described as “ghost” certificates from supervising doctors.

The association urged the State government to strengthen enforcement against illegal cosmetic clinics and advised the public to verify the qualifications and medical council registration of doctors before undergoing any dermatology or aesthetic procedure.