Hair Transplant Or Cosmetic Procedure? Doctors Urge Patients To Verify Credentials Before Treatment

Planning a hair transplant, laser treatment, injectables, or other aesthetic skin procedures to enhance one’s appearance? Medical experts caution that choosing the wrong practitioner can have consequences far more serious than a disappointing cosmetic result. In some cases, complications may become life-threatening, they warn, as unregulated aesthetic clinics continue to proliferate across the country.

Dermatologists and plastic surgeons have raised concerns over the increasing number of cosmetic procedures being performed by individuals without adequate medical training. Members of the Indian Association of Dermatologists, Venereologists and Leprologists (IADVL) and the Association of Plastic Surgeons of India (APSI) urged patients to verify a practitioner’s credentials before undergoing any aesthetic or hair restoration treatment. They highlighted the issue at a joint press conference in Delhi.

According to the experts, procedures such as hair transplantation, laser treatments, Botox injections, and liposuction are increasingly being carried out by individuals who may not be trained to perform them safely. These include dentists without specialised surgical training, beauticians, beauty parlour operators, untrained technicians, and practitioners from non-modern systems of medicine.

Dr. Vinay Singh, President of IADVL, said patients must ensure that the doctor performing the procedure is a registered medical practitioner with appropriate training. “Patients should always verify whether the doctor is registered with the State Medical Council. The registration number should be clearly mentioned on prescriptions and clinic documents,” he said.

The warning comes amid growing debate over the scope of practice in aesthetic procedures following a decision by the Dental Council of India (DCI) in December 2022. The council permitted certain dental specialists — oral and maxillofacial surgeons — to perform some aesthetic procedures and hair transplantation.

Dermatology bodies have strongly objected to this move and have challenged the guidelines before the High Courts of Madras and Bombay. According to them, such procedures fall outside the educational scope and legislative mandate of dental practice.

Dr. Shivangi Saha, Associate Professor in the Department of Burns and Plastic Surgery at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), noted that aesthetic and reconstructive procedures have traditionally been performed by dermatologists and plastic surgeons trained within the regulatory framework of the National Medical Commission (NMC).

“These specialists undergo years of structured medical education and supervised training in managing skin diseases, hair disorders, and surgical procedures,” she said.

Experts also cited several recent incidents in which cosmetic procedures allegedly performed by inadequately trained practitioners resulted in serious complications or death. In one case in Lucknow, two engineers reportedly died following hair transplant procedures conducted by a dentist. In another incident in Thiruvananthapuram, a software engineer had four fingers and five toes amputated after complications following a liposuction procedure.

Such cases highlight the risks associated with aesthetic treatments carried out without proper medical oversight. Doctors say gaps in regulation, the easy availability of medicines without prescriptions, and the online sale of drugs have further aggravated the problem.

Medical experts emphasised that cosmetic procedures may appear simple but involve complex medical considerations. Dr. Rajat Gupta, a senior consultant plastic surgeon in Delhi, warned that allowing professionals without comprehensive training in skin diseases, hair disorders, and surgical complications to perform such procedures could significantly increase risks for patients.

“Without proper training, practitioners may not be equipped to recognise complications or manage medical emergencies,” he said.

Dr. Aditya Aggarwal, Vice-Chairperson of APSI and senior consultant plastic surgeon at Medanta Medicity, said hair transplantation in particular requires specialised expertise.

“Hair transplant surgery requires a thorough understanding of skin biology, hair disorders, anaesthesia, infection control, and the management of complications,” he said. “It is not simply a cosmetic service but a medical procedure that must be carried out in a properly equipped clinical setting.”

Dr. Vinay Singh added that dermatologists undergo extensive training before performing such procedures. “In addition to the MBBS degree, a dermatologist completes three years of postgraduate residency training in dermatology at accredited medical institutions, where doctors are trained to diagnose and treat a wide spectrum of skin and hair conditions as well as perform advanced dermatological procedures,” he explained.

Despite this, doctors say many patients remain unaware of the risks involved and are often drawn to clinics offering cheaper treatments advertised through aggressive marketing campaigns.

Dr. Shital Poojary, Secretary-General of IADVL and Head of the Department of Dermatology at KJ Somaiya Medical College and Hospital in Mumbai, said the rapid expansion of India’s cosmetic procedures market has contributed to the problem.

“With one of the largest youth populations in the world and a growing demand for aesthetic procedures such as Botox injections, thread lifts, and hair transplants, India’s young population has become a major target for cosmetic marketing,” she said.

However, increased concern about appearance has also led many people to seek advice from unqualified individuals or rely on medications obtained without proper medical consultation.

Another growing concern is the rise of fraudulent online listings that advertise medical services. Dr. Deepika Pandhi, President of the Delhi State branch of IADVL and Professor of Dermatology at the University College of Medical Sciences, Delhi, said some websites promote “dermatologists” through paid advertisements without verifying their professional qualifications.

“This creates a misleading impression for patients searching online for treatment and can seriously endanger public health,” she said.

She added that the association’s anti-quackery cell has received more than 3,000 complaints against fraudulent practices by unqualified practitioners across the country, indicating the scale of the problem.

Dr. Aggarwal noted that such incidents not only harm patients but also damage the reputation of trained medical professionals. “Because of some incompetent people, our profession gets a bad name,” he rued.

Both IADVL and APSI have urged the government to introduce clearer national guidelines and ensure stricter enforcement of regulations governing aesthetic medical practice. They emphasised that hair transplantation and cosmetic dermatological procedures should only be performed by appropriately trained and qualified specialists in properly regulated medical facilities.