<p>This year, the national dermatology body has submitted 12 complaints against unqualified practitioners in Bengaluru, out of 14 reported across Karnataka. A dozen more cases are in the pipeline. It urges the public to verify a practitioner’s credentials before opting for cosmetic medical procedures/treatments. </p>.<p>It is alleged that in March, two engineers in Uttar Pradesh died after undergoing hair transplant surgery performed by a dentist. And in the case of Mumbai-based ‘Kaanta laga’ actor Shefali Jariwala, preliminary reports linked her recent death to a sudden drop in blood pressure and cardiac arrest, possibly triggered by an anti-ageing injection taken on an empty stomach. </p>.<p><strong>Whom to visit</strong></p>.<p>Dr Shilpa K, professor and head of dermatology at Bangalore Medical College and Research Institute, says cosmetology typically involves non-medical beauty and grooming services. On the other hand, aesthetic dermatology is a medical science, taught during dermatology residency, that integrates anatomy, physiology, and pharmacology to treat and enhance skin health. </p><p>She says that a qualified aesthetic dermatologist must have an MBBS degree, followed by a postgraduate qualification in dermatology (MD or diploma), and ideally, a university-recognised fellowship in aesthetic dermatology or cosmetology lasting 1 to 1.5 years — not a 15-day crash course. Her advice: If you don’t see their degrees displayed on the clinic walls or prescription pad, ask upfront.</p>.<p><strong>‘More repair jobs’</strong></p>.<p>Experts say they are often visited by patients who suffered at the hands of quacks, both offline and online. They come in with chemical peel burns, scalps scarred from uncontrolled hair treatments, excessive facial hair growth after poorly done laser procedures, or skin sensitivity due to overuse of topical steroids.</p>.<p>Dr Swetha Gowda, a dermatologist, finds it alarming that laser hair removal services can now be ordered at home and that chemical peels are sold online as DIY kits. She says 50% of her patients come in after treatments gone wrong elsewhere, including drooping eyelids from botched botox or ineffective laser hair reduction despite 13 sessions. She has even heard of cases where badly administered botox resulted in vision loss.</p>.<p>Dr Anil Abraham, another dermatologist, says he now handles more “repair jobs” than fresh consultations. A college-going girl once came in with inflamed skin after using a fairness cream promoted by an influencer. Another, a 40-year-old software engineer, had a scarred scalp from applying onion paste. His chances of regrowing hair, or even qualifying for a transplant, were near zero, Dr Abraham recalls.</p>.<p>Dr Vijaya Gowri Bandaru, a dermatologist and cosmetologist, was once consulted by a beauty pageant winner who had undergone 12 glutathione IV sessions at a clinic, far beyond “the textbook recommendation of six”, despite seeing no visible results. While glutathione and Vitamin C drips are considered safe under medical supervision, most experts agree there is no scientific evidence of long-term benefits. Yet, Dr Vijaya says, women ask for them before weddings, housewarmings, or to undo tanning.</p>.<p><strong>BENGALURU CASES <br></strong>Dr Rajetha Damisetty of the Indian Association of Dermatologists, Venereologists and Leprologists (IADVL) said, “The Bengaluru cases include dentists performing hair transplants, or claiming expertise in acne, pigmentation, and other hair-related concerns. Even Ayush doctors, and individuals with no medical background were offering such procedures.” Dr Damisetty, who chairs IADVL’s Anti-Quackery, Legal, and Ethics Committee 2025, said the complaints have been submitted to the state medical council and district health officers, and action is awaited.</p>.<p><strong>WHERE TO REPORT</strong><br>Approach the consumer court, or write to IADVL (iadvlaqc2025@gmail.com).</p>
<p>This year, the national dermatology body has submitted 12 complaints against unqualified practitioners in Bengaluru, out of 14 reported across Karnataka. A dozen more cases are in the pipeline. It urges the public to verify a practitioner’s credentials before opting for cosmetic medical procedures/treatments. </p>.<p>It is alleged that in March, two engineers in Uttar Pradesh died after undergoing hair transplant surgery performed by a dentist. And in the case of Mumbai-based ‘Kaanta laga’ actor Shefali Jariwala, preliminary reports linked her recent death to a sudden drop in blood pressure and cardiac arrest, possibly triggered by an anti-ageing injection taken on an empty stomach. </p>.<p><strong>Whom to visit</strong></p>.<p>Dr Shilpa K, professor and head of dermatology at Bangalore Medical College and Research Institute, says cosmetology typically involves non-medical beauty and grooming services. On the other hand, aesthetic dermatology is a medical science, taught during dermatology residency, that integrates anatomy, physiology, and pharmacology to treat and enhance skin health. </p><p>She says that a qualified aesthetic dermatologist must have an MBBS degree, followed by a postgraduate qualification in dermatology (MD or diploma), and ideally, a university-recognised fellowship in aesthetic dermatology or cosmetology lasting 1 to 1.5 years — not a 15-day crash course. Her advice: If you don’t see their degrees displayed on the clinic walls or prescription pad, ask upfront.</p>.<p><strong>‘More repair jobs’</strong></p>.<p>Experts say they are often visited by patients who suffered at the hands of quacks, both offline and online. They come in with chemical peel burns, scalps scarred from uncontrolled hair treatments, excessive facial hair growth after poorly done laser procedures, or skin sensitivity due to overuse of topical steroids.</p>.<p>Dr Swetha Gowda, a dermatologist, finds it alarming that laser hair removal services can now be ordered at home and that chemical peels are sold online as DIY kits. She says 50% of her patients come in after treatments gone wrong elsewhere, including drooping eyelids from botched botox or ineffective laser hair reduction despite 13 sessions. She has even heard of cases where badly administered botox resulted in vision loss.</p>.<p>Dr Anil Abraham, another dermatologist, says he now handles more “repair jobs” than fresh consultations. A college-going girl once came in with inflamed skin after using a fairness cream promoted by an influencer. Another, a 40-year-old software engineer, had a scarred scalp from applying onion paste. His chances of regrowing hair, or even qualifying for a transplant, were near zero, Dr Abraham recalls.</p>.<p>Dr Vijaya Gowri Bandaru, a dermatologist and cosmetologist, was once consulted by a beauty pageant winner who had undergone 12 glutathione IV sessions at a clinic, far beyond “the textbook recommendation of six”, despite seeing no visible results. While glutathione and Vitamin C drips are considered safe under medical supervision, most experts agree there is no scientific evidence of long-term benefits. Yet, Dr Vijaya says, women ask for them before weddings, housewarmings, or to undo tanning.</p>.<p><strong>BENGALURU CASES <br></strong>Dr Rajetha Damisetty of the Indian Association of Dermatologists, Venereologists and Leprologists (IADVL) said, “The Bengaluru cases include dentists performing hair transplants, or claiming expertise in acne, pigmentation, and other hair-related concerns. Even Ayush doctors, and individuals with no medical background were offering such procedures.” Dr Damisetty, who chairs IADVL’s Anti-Quackery, Legal, and Ethics Committee 2025, said the complaints have been submitted to the state medical council and district health officers, and action is awaited.</p>.<p><strong>WHERE TO REPORT</strong><br>Approach the consumer court, or write to IADVL (iadvlaqc2025@gmail.com).</p>