IIt’s frustrating to see commercial beauty tips in newspapers these days, as they often mislead people into believing bizarre ideas. From bald men growing miraculously thick hair to dark women getting a fair complexion like Aishwarya Rai, these misleading advertisements are designed to deceive. However, if such advertisements were true, the owner of every cosmetic clinic in India would be richer than Elon Musk.
Recently, a woman got permanent burns on her face after a hydrafacial treatment at an expensive salon in Mumbai. news reports Show that she paid Rs 17,500 for the procedure, but was left with a painful burn and permanent scars. Unfortunately, such advertisements fool innocent people every day.
The existence of such manipulations in the field of cosmetology and plastic surgery poses a great danger to the individuals seeking beauty treatments. Therefore, the government should establish and implement measures to control and prevent the spread of fraudulent practices in the name of beauty.
set up regulatory body
To effectively address this issue, it is important to establish regulatory bodies or enhance existing bodies. By doing so, we can ensure that standards and ethical guidelines are enforced. It is essential to collaborate with industry professionals, medical associations and government agencies to develop comprehensive regulations covering all aspects of aesthetic treatment. These regulations will play an important role in protecting individuals and maintaining the integrity of the cosmetology and plastic surgery industries.
Read also: Dear Indian men, the bumps under your beard could be warts. It will not happen by choosing…
Licensing and Accreditation
A comprehensive system involving mandatory licensing and accreditation requirements should be implemented to regulate the practices of cosmetologists and plastic surgeons. Practitioners must demonstrate competency, training, and a commitment to ethical standards in order to become licensed. Along with this, the clinics should be accredited to ensure stringent safety, hygiene and quality standards.
Public Awareness and Education
A concerted effort should be made to increase public awareness and education about the risks associated with quacks and the importance of choosing certified professionals. This can be achieved by implementing campaigns employing various mediums such as educational material, brochures and online resources to spread awareness. These resources will address common misconceptions, highlight warning signs and enable people to identify reputable practitioners. Additionally, government bodies should collaborate with schools, universities, and community organizations to integrate cosmetic treatment awareness into curriculum and public health programs to ensure wider reach and impact.
verification and authentication
To ensure transparency and trust, it is necessary to set up a centralized database or online platform to verify the credentials and certificates of cosmetologists and plastic surgeons. Professionals should be encouraged to display their certifications prominently in clinics and on their websites.
Consumer Grievance Mechanism
A dedicated channel should be created to deal with consumer complaints about quacks and malpractices to ensure an efficient and streamlined process for lodging such complaints. With close co-operation between the concerned authorities, prompt investigation and necessary action should be taken against the fraudsters. In addition, concerted efforts should be made to support the legal authorities in taking appropriate steps against the perpetrators.
Read also: South Korean skin care won’t always work for Indians. But here lies the secret of his innocence…
collaboration with medical associations
It is necessary to promote cooperation between cosmetology, plastic surgery and medical associations. Joint efforts should be encouraged to define and maintain ethical standards, best practices and guidelines for cosmetic treatments. Mechanisms should be developed to share information, organize joint educational programs and coordinate efforts to weed out malpractices.
Collaboration with media and influencers:
Existing licensed practitioners should 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 influencers can prove beneficial in supporting reputable professionals and raising awareness of the risks associated with miraculous and unrealistic beauty treatments. By fostering such partnerships with media and influencers, the industry can foster a culture of informed decision making, ethical practices and patient safety, which may ultimately contribute to a more protected consumer base.
invest in research and technology
Dedicated investment in research and development is critical to advancing safe and effective cosmetic treatment technologies. Innovative technologies such as advanced laser and stem cell technology should be brought in to enhance patient safety, optimize desired outcomes and minimize risks.
Every cosmetology advertisement must include a link to the National Medical Register (NMR). This way, patients can easily reach out to practitioners and verify their authenticity. As per 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 standard.
In our country, many people are beginning to doubt the effectiveness of such treatments as Botox or laser hair reduction. This mistrust stems from quacks and commercial gimmicks, which have eroded public confidence in legitimate medical treatments.
For example, salons are increasingly offering laser hair reduction treatments without the guidance of trained doctors. What else? Instead of reducing hair growth, it stimulates more hair growth, making people unsure about the treatment.
We have to end this practice. Government And the medical community must dispel these misconceptions and emphasize the importance of seeking professional care for optimal results.
Dr. Deepali Bhardwaj is a Dermatologist, Anti-allergy specialist, Laser Surgeon and Internationally trained Esthetician. She tweets @dermatdoc. Thoughts are personal.
(Edited by Zoya Bhatti)