Hyderabad: A recent inspection drive conducted by the Telangana Medical Council (TMC) has reignited the debate over who is legally qualified to perform aesthetic and hair transplant procedures in India. During surprise inspections at multiple skin and hair clinics in Hyderabad’s Kondapur area, council officials reportedly found several regulatory violations, including instances where dentists were allegedly carrying out skin and aesthetic procedures.
Dentists Found Performing Aesthetic Procedures
According to inspection findings, officials at ORA Aesthetics discovered that certain skin and hair-related aesthetic procedures were being performed by dentists. The development comes amid ongoing regulatory scrutiny over the scope of practice permitted to dental professionals in the field of aesthetic medicine and hair transplantation.
The inspections were conducted on June 10 as part of the council’s efforts to curb unauthorised medical practices and ensure compliance with professional and ethical standards.
NMC Guidelines on Hair Transplant and Aesthetic Procedures
The issue has remained contentious since the National Medical Commission (NMC) issued guidelines on September 20, 2022, clarifying the qualifications required to perform hair transplant and aesthetic surgeries.
According to the NMC, hair transplantation should preferably be performed by medical professionals with formal surgical training, including specialists in Plastic Surgery and Dermatology who receive dedicated training in such procedures as part of their curriculum.
Regarding aesthetic procedures, the NMC stated that only Registered Medical Practitioners (RMPs) who possess adequate training as part of their specialty curriculum should undertake such interventions. The commission emphasised that aesthetic procedures and hair transplants can lead to complications and require expertise in patient selection, diagnosis, surgical techniques and post-procedure care.
The NMC also clarified that aesthetic procedures are elective in nature and do not qualify as emergency surgeries, ruling out any justification for untrained individuals to perform them under exceptional circumstances.
DCI Had Allowed Trained Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons
In contrast, the Dental Council of India (DCI), now the National Dental Commission (NDC), issued a circular on December 6, 2022, stating that Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons could perform hair transplant and aesthetic procedures after receiving adequate training as prescribed in their curriculum.
The DCI further directed that such practitioners must ensure appropriate infrastructure, resuscitation equipment, medical clearances, post-operative recovery facilities and proper record maintenance.
Telangana Medical Council Seeks Clarification
Amid differing interpretations by the NMC and DCI, the Telangana Medical Council sought clarification from the NMC. In response, the NMC reiterated on June 13, 2025, that qualifications for performing hair transplant and aesthetic procedures remain governed by the EMRB guidelines issued on September 20, 2022.
Based on this clarification, the Telangana Medical Council stated that dentists (BDS), dental surgeons and Oral & Maxillofacial Surgeons (MDS) do not have these specialties as core subjects within their curriculum and therefore lack the formal surgical training required to independently perform such procedures.
Multiple Violations Found at Hyderabad Clinics
The inspections also revealed alleged irregularities at other establishments.
At Traya Hair Loss Solutions, officials reportedly found that hair-loss treatments were being offered through online consultations without proper clinical registration and without the involvement of qualified dermatologists.
Similarly, Neoskin Clinic was allegedly providing skin and hair treatment services without the presence of a qualified dermatologist and without obtaining necessary regulatory approvals.
Council Warns of Strict Legal Action
The Telangana Medical Council has warned that action will be initiated against establishments found violating medical regulations under Sections 34 and 54 of the National Medical Commission Act, 2019, along with other applicable laws.
The council also cautioned that registered medical practitioners who facilitate or support unauthorised medical practices could face disciplinary proceedings under Medical Ethics Regulations, including suspension of their medical licence following due inquiry.
Officials stated that recommendations would also be made to district authorities to initiate legal proceedings against institutions engaged in unauthorised medical activities in order to safeguard patient safety and public health.
Growing Regulatory Focus on Aesthetic Medicine
The latest inspections highlight increasing regulatory oversight of India’s rapidly expanding aesthetic medicine industry. With ongoing disputes regarding professional jurisdiction and patient safety concerns, medical councils are intensifying efforts to ensure that specialised procedures are performed only by appropriately trained and qualified practitioners in accordance with established regulatory guidelines.
