Only registered doctors can perform hair transplantation, aesthetic procedures- TN Medical council warns against unethical practice

Referring to the provisions of the NMC Act 2019, and the public notices issued by various State Medical Councils and the NMC clarification letter on Aesthetic Procedures to Telangana State Medical Council, the council stressed that aesthetic procedures are medical procedures and must be carried out only by qualified and registered doctors.

"The National Medical Commission (NMC), through its Ethics and Medical Registration Board, has issued explicit Guidelines on Control and Regulation of Aesthetic Procedures in Skin and Hair, including Hair Transplantation, dated 20 September 2022. In addition, the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS), Government of India, has prescribed Minimum Standards for Cosmetology Clinics. These regulatory measures were instituted to address the increasing incidence of complications and fatalities arising from aesthetic procedures performed by unqualified persons and in unregistered or non-compliant clinical establishments.

In accordance with the provisions of the National Medical Commission Act 2019, and in line with the public notices issued by various State Medical Councils and NMC clarification letter on Aesthetic Procedures to Telangana State Medical Council dated 13th June, 2025; The Tamil Nadu Medical Council hereby issues the following clarification in the interest of public awareness and professional guidance to ensure patient safety in Tamil Nadu," mentioned the notice. 

TNMC Directions

The Council further stated that doctors must carry out all aesthetic and cosmetology procedures only in healthcare establishments licensed under the Tamil Nadu Clinical Establishments Act (TNCEA). These establishments must follow all applicable laws, ethical standards and patient safety protocols. Additionally, the clinics should obtain informed consent and maintain standard medical records as per prevailing regulations.

The Council also informed that State Health Authorities and other competent regulatory bodies should conduct regular inspections of those clinical establishments providing aesthetic/cosmetology procedures in skin and hair to control the unethical aesthetic practices.

Warning against illegal practice, the Council stated that any person performing such procedures without recognised medical qualifications will be treated as engaging in unethical medical practice.

"Strict legal action shall be initiated against such persons and the establishments where such procedures are carried out, in accordance with applicable laws, by the State Health Authorities and other competent regulatory bodies," said the notice. 

Advising doctors, the council urged all registered medical practitioners to strictly follow ethical standards, maintain professional competence, and prioritise patient safety while providing aesthetic and cosmetology treatments.

As per the notification, the council issued the clarification in the interest of public awareness and professional guidance to ensure patient safety in Tamil Nadu. 

Also read- Mushrooming hair transplant centers: Court orders National Level Protocol for Doctors performing Hair Transplantation, Aesthetic Surgeries

NMC Guidelines

Medical Dialogues had previously reported that the National Medical Commission (NMC) stated that only properly trained licensed registered medical practitioners (RMPs) i.e. practitioner of modern medicine, are eligible for conducting such procedures.

Issuing guidelines, the Ethics and Medical Registration Board (EMRB) of NMC recommended MCh/DNB Plastic Surgery, MD/DNB Dermatology, with adequate grooming in dermatological surgical procedures for conducting hair transplantation surgeries.

Apart from this, the Apex medical body has also barred any untrained person from conducting such surgeries while noting that such procedures are not an "Emergency Surgery" and therefore, people cannot be allowed to conduct the surgeries under the pretext of "Exceptional Circumstances."

Referring to the hair transplantation surgery, NMC clarified that any procedure involving a skin incision for the purpose of tissue removal from the scalp or body, or to prepare the scalp or body to receive tissue, (e.g., incising the FUE graft, excising the donor strip, creating recipient sites) by any means, including robotics, is a surgical procedure.

"It is unethical for a RMP to train an individual to perform/assist surgery who is not an accredited health professional licensed to do so," the guideline further specified.

As per the EMRB guideline, Aesthetic Procedures should be undertaken only by those RMPs who have adequate training to do these procedures as per their curriculum.

Previously, the Delhi High Court had taken note of the ongoing medical malpractice at the salons offering hair transplantation and aesthetic surgery procedures. Stressing upon the need of framing a national level protocol in this regard, the HC bench comprising of Justice Anoop Kumar Mendiratta had directed the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Government of India as well as Govt. of NCT of Delhi to ensure that such mushrooming Salons carrying hair transplantation procedures under unprofessional hands without requisite qualification and in absence of medical supervision, are checked.

Also read- Only MD, DNB Dermatology, MCh, DNB Plastic surgery should perform Aesthetic Surgeries including Hair Transplant: NMC