It’s disheartening to see commercial beauty gimmicks in newspapers these days, as they often mislead people into believing bizarre ideas. From bald men miraculously sprouting a lush crop of hair to dark-skinned women attaining a complexion as light as Aishwarya Rai’s, these misleading advertorials are designed to deceive. However, if such ads were true, the owners of every cosmetic clinic in India would be richer than Elon Musk.
Recently, a woman endured permanent burns on her face after undergoing a HydraFacial treatment at an upscale salon in Mumbai. News reports show that she paid Rs 17,500 for the procedure, only to be left with a distressing burning sensation and lasting scars. Unfortunately, such advertisements fool innocent people every single day.
The presence of such quackery in the domains of cosmetology and plastic surgery poses substantial dangers to individuals seeking aesthetic treatments. Therefore, the government must establish and enforce measures to control and prevent the dissemination of fraudulent practices in the name of beauty.
Establish regulatory bodies
To effectively address this issue, it is crucial to establish regulatory bodies or enhance existing ones. By doing so, we can ensure that standards and ethical guidelines are enforced. Collaborating with industry professionals, medical associations, and government agencies is essential to develop comprehensive regulations covering all aspects of aesthetic treatments. These regulations will play a significant role in safeguarding individuals and maintaining the integrity of the cosmetology and plastic surgery industries.
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Licensing and accreditation
A comprehensive system should be implemented to regulate the practices of cosmetologists and plastic surgeons, encompassing mandatory licensing and accreditation requirements. Practitioners must showcase the qualifications, training, and commitment to ethical standards to obtain a licence. Simultaneously, clinics should be accredited to ensure stringent safety, hygiene, and quality standards.
Public Awareness and Education
A concerted effort should be made to enhance public awareness and education regarding the risks associated with quackery and the significance of selecting certified professionals. This can be achieved by implementing campaigns that employ various mediums, such as educational materials, brochures, and online resources, to spread awareness. These resources will clarify common misconceptions, highlight warning signs and enable people to identify reputable practitioners. Additionally, government bodies must collaborate with schools, universities, and community organisations to integrate cosmetic treatment awareness into curricula and public health programmes to ensure a wider reach and impact.
Verification and certification
To ensure transparency and trust, establishing a centralised database or online platform is necessary to verify the credentials and certifications of cosmetologists and plastic surgeons. Professionals should be encouraged to prominently display their certifications in clinics and on their websites.
Consumer complaint mechanisms
A dedicated channel for handling consumer complaints about quackery and malpractice must be created to ensure an efficient and streamlined process for filing such grievances. Prompt investigations and necessary actions should be taken against fraudulent practitioners, with close collaboration between relevant authorities. Additionally, concerted efforts should be made to support legal authorities in taking appropriate measures against offenders.
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Collaboration with medical associations
It is essential to foster collaboration between cosmetology, plastic surgery, and medical associations. Joint efforts should be encouraged to define and uphold ethical standards, best practices, and guidelines for cosmetic treatments. Mechanisms for sharing information, conducting joint educational programmes, and coordinating efforts to address malpractices should be developed.
Collaboration with media and Influencers:
Existing licensed practitioners must engage with media outlets and influencers to ensure responsible reporting on cosmetic treatments. Efforts should be made to encourage accurate portrayals and realistic expectations of treatment outcomes. Collaborating with influential figures can prove beneficial in endorsing reputable professionals and raising awareness about the risks associated with miraculous and unrealistic beauty treatments. By fostering such partnerships with media and influencers, the industry can promote a culture of informed decision-making, ethical practices, and patient safety, ultimately contributing to a more protected consumer base.
Invest in research and technology
Dedicated investment in research and development is crucial for advancing safe and effective cosmetic treatment techniques. Innovative technologies – such as advanced laser and stem cell tech – must be brought in to enhance patient safety, optimise desired outcomes, and minimise risks.
Every cosmetology ad should include a National Medical Register (NMR) link. This way, patients can easily access and verify the authenticity of medical practitioners. According to the current guidelines of the National Medical Council (NMC), only licensed dermatologists and plastic surgeons can perform cosmetic treatments. This rule should be strictly enforced, and all advertisements should provide this information as a standard.
In our country, many people have become sceptical about the effectiveness of treatments like Botox or laser hair reduction. This disbelief stems from quackery and commercial gimmicks that have shattered people’s trust in legitimate medical treatments.
For instance, salons increasingly offer laser hair reduction treatments without guidance from trained doctors. And guess what? Instead of reducing hair growth, it stimulates more hair growth, leaving individuals unsure about the treatment itself.
We must put an end to this practice. The government and the medical community must address these misconceptions and emphasise the importance of seeking professional care for optimal outcomes.
Dr. Deepali Bhardwaj is a dermatologist, anti-allergy specialist, laser surgeon and internationally trained aesthetician. She tweets @dermatdoc. Views are personal.
(Edited by Zoya Bhatti)