Goa Medical Experts Warn Against Illegal Cosmetic and Hair Transplant Procedures by ‘Quacks’
~ Doctors call for stricter enforcement of regulations and comprehensive government guidelines to curb illegal cosmetic practices.
~ Public urged to verify doctors’ medical qualifications before undergoing skin or cosmetic treatments.
Margao, March 2026: Raising concern over the growing presence of unqualified practitioners offering cosmetic and dermatological procedures, the Goa branch of the Indian Association of Dermatologists, Venereologists and Leprologists (IADVL) has called for stricter enforcement of existing regulations and the framing of comprehensive government guidelines. The Association also urged the public to remain vigilant and verify medical qualifications before undergoing cosmetic or skin treatments.
The call was made at a meeting held Tuesday (March 10), in Margao, where the medically qualified members of the Association resolved to take a unified stand against salons, spas and unqualified individuals offering unauthorised skin, hair and cosmetic procedures, particularly hair transplantation.
The move is in line with IADVL’s national campaign, ‘Freedom from Quackery’, which aims to conduct public awareness drives and collaborate with regulators to promote safe, ethical and evidence-based dermatology.
The Association had earlier raised concerns following the deaths of two persons in Kanpur last year who underwent hair transplantation procedures allegedly conducted illegally by a dentist. The procedures were carried out under the interpretation of a public notice issued by the Dental Council of India (DCI) on December 6, 2022, stating that dentists with an MDS in oral and maxillofacial surgery could perform aesthetic and hair transplantation procedures.
Following several court hearings, the Madras High Court on January 21, 2026, directed the Government of India to constitute a committee to bring clarity on whether hair transplantation procedures can be performed by oral and maxillofacial surgeons.
In light of the court proceedings, representatives of the IADVL anti-quackery committee stated that hair transplantation requires far more than surgical skill and hand-eye coordination. They said the absence of appropriate training in cutaneous and follicular science can pose serious risks to patients.
“This is a vital initiative by IADVL to safeguard patients. Dermatologists undergo extensive training in over 3000 diseases of skin, hair and nail and doing short courses and vocational training in cosmetology after completing class 10 cannot equip you with the same in-depth knowledge. Similarly, a dentist treating hair disorders is wrong because they are not trained in the field,” said Dr Karla Faleiro, President, IADVL Goa.
Adding to the concern, Dr Raghuvir alias Tanmay Kane, Secretary of IADVL Goa, said procedures involving the skin and hair should be treated strictly as medical interventions.
“Skin and hair procedures like lasers, fillers and hair transplants are medical treatments, not beauty services. When people without proper medical training perform them, it becomes unsafe and illegal practice that can put patients at risk of serious infections, permanent scars and lasting damage,” he said.
The meeting resolved that the government must issue comprehensive guidelines and enforce existing regulations to prevent quackery and safeguard public health.
The Association also urged patients to verify a doctor’s qualifications and registration with the state medical council before undergoing any skin or cosmetic treatment. According to the association, the doctor’s registration number must be mentioned on the prescription.
Members further advised the public to remain alert and avoid misleading advertisements or unlicensed practitioners offering cosmetic procedures.
