Social Trigger

Rising demand for aesthetic procedures in India has led to mushrooming of unregulated cosmetology clinics, many run by unqualified practitioners, risking patient lives and health.

Economic Angle

• Wellness industry boom:
  • Valued at USD 2.5 bn in 2024, projected to reach USD 4 bn by 2033 (IMARC).
  • Low entry barriers → lucrative for quacks.
• Patients end up spending lakhs for unscientific/unsafe treatments (e.g., fake PRP facials, steroid creams).
• Economic burden of complications: repeated hospitalisations, reconstructive surgeries, and loss of income.

Ethical Concerns

• Exploitation of vulnerable groups (esp. women & youth) driven by social media pressures.
• Deceptive advertising: exaggerated claims like “hair in 7 days,” “skin whitening in 10 days.”
• Quackery:
  • Dentists, AYUSH practitioners, or unqualified individuals performing high-risk dermatological procedures.
  • Fake certificates sold at ₹1–2 lakh.
• Breach of medical ethics:
  • Performing procedures without consent, knowledge, or backup facilities.
  • Misuse of medical titles like “cosmetologist.”

Enforcement & Legal Issues

• Existing norms:
  • National Medical Commission (NMC) guidelines → Only trained, registered doctors allowed to perform aesthetic procedures.
• Challenges:
  • Overlap between NMC & Dental Council.
  • State Clinical Establishment Acts not fully implemented (e.g., Kerala).
  • Lack of inspections, poor enforcement → minimal deterrence.
• Sections 34 & 54, NMC Act: Address impersonation & unlawful medical practice → underused.

Institutional & Federal Role

• Medical Councils & Associations:
  • IADVL (Dermatology association) running anti-quackery drives, warning public.
  • Telangana Medical Council inspecting & shutting down fake clinics.
• Governments:
  • Sporadic police action, licence cancellations.
  • No dedicated regulatory law for aesthetic procedures yet.

Future of Governance

What should be done?

• Central & State role:
  • Create a dedicated law regulating cosmetology clinics.
  • Mandatory licensing & registration with periodic inspections.
  • Stronger consumer protection against misleading ads.
• Medical ethics & training:
  • Only dermatologists & trained plastic surgeons to perform procedures.
  • Ban short-term online/weekend “fellowships” as a licence to practise.
• Public awareness:
  • Campaigns warning against unverified clinics.
  • Patients must verify practitioner qualifications before opting for procedures.