NT Reporter
Margao
Doctors under the Goa branch of the Indian Association of Dermatologists, Venereologists and Leprologists (IADVL) have warned that unqualified practitioners offering cosmetic and dermatology procedures are putting public health at serious risk.
They urged people to verify doctors’ registration before undergoing any treatment, while also appealing to the government to enforce existing guidelines and issue comprehensive regulations to curb quackery.
This comes as part of IADVL’s national campaign, ‘Freedom from Quackery’, which seeks to raise public awareness and collaborate with regulators to ensure safe, ethical, and evidence-based
dermatology practices.
“Skin and hair procedures like lasers, fillers, and hair transplants are medical treatments, not beauty services. When performed by untrained individuals, they become unsafe, illegal, and can cause serious infections, permanent scars, and lasting harm,” said Dr Raghuvir Tanmay Kane, Secretary
of IADVL Goa.
Dermatology, a medical specialty addressing skin, hair, and nail conditions, involves procedures that must be prescribed and performed by qualified doctors. Misuse of medications can lead to serious infections such as tuberculosis, hepatitis B and C, and other life-threatening complications. Abuse of steroid creams for fungal infections, often handed out without prescriptions, has also contributed to the global spread of Trichophyton indotineae.
“Often we see cases of acne, fairness creams, and steroid-induced damage in the groin area. Complications from hair transplants are not very common in Goa, but there are cases emerging slowly. Some people come from outside the state for procedures and leave without complaints, which makes monitoring difficult,” said Dr Naguesh Kakode.
Stating that over-the-counter creams from pharmacies are also increasing, IADVL president Dr Karla Faleiro said, “Giving patients medication without proper prescription is wrong. Using steroid creams for the wrong conditions can mask diseases, make diagnosis difficult, and cause permanent skin damage over time.”
The doctors urged the public to remain vigilant, avoid misleading advertisements, and seek treatment only from licensed practitioners to safeguard their health.
