Shefali’s Death Spotlights Beauty Procedures' Risk

Hyderabad: The sudden death of actor and reality TV personality Shefali Jariwala has reignited concerns over the safety of cosmetic and anti-ageing procedures, particularly those conducted in unregulated or unauthorised settings. Experts are raising alarms not only about the popularity of these treatments but also about their potential to cause serious harm, including, in rare cases, cardiac arrest.

Dr Rajetha Damisetty, chairperson of the anti-quackery, legal and ethics committee of the Indian Association of Dermatologists, Venereologists and Leprologists (IADVL), said even widely accepted interventions like botox, dysport, dermal fillers, hyaluronic acid boosters and laser treatments carry risks such as bruising and swelling. These, however, are generally manageable when administered by trained dermatologists.

More troubling, she noted, is the increasing use of unapproved treatments like intravenous glutathione, often marketed for skin lightening rather than for any evidence-based anti-ageing benefit.

“Scientific support for glutathione is weak, and serious complications—including death—have been reported,” she said. In the Philippines, doctors who administer such treatments risk losing their licenses, and in India, ethical practitioners actively discourage their use, she explained.

Dr Bhumesh Kumar Katakam, head of dermatology at Osmania Medical College, echoed these concerns. He said procedures like fillers, thread lifts and laser therapies are only safe when performed in licensed medical settings by qualified specialists. Otherwise, patients face complications ranging from allergic reactions and infections to vascular occlusion and even blindness.

The problem, both experts said, extended beyond risky procedures to the growing menace of quack practitioners — unqualified individuals who exploit public desire for aesthetic enhancement. Dr Damisetty warned that these individuals, often without medical credentials, aggressively market services on social media, offering exaggerated promises, false reassurances and unregulated products, frequently without disclosing side effects or contraindications.

“These quacks use counterfeit products and rely on paid testimonials to mislead clients,” said Dr Bhumesh Kumar. “They offer quick fixes with zero accountability and in doing so, undermine trust in trained professionals.”

Some aesthetic procedures, especially when performed by unqualified persons, have been linked to cardiac arrest. Dr Damisetty cited the deaths of two young engineers in Kanpur after undergoing hair transplants performed by a dentist—a violation of medical norms.

These fatalities were attributed to sepsis and complications from anaesthesia. Dr Bhumesh Kumar added that while cardiac arrest is rare in aesthetic treatments, the risk increases significantly when basic protocols like cardiac screening, allergy testing and intraoperative monitoring are bypassed.

Regulatory lapses, the doctors said, enable such dangerous practices to persist. Although the Telangana Medical Council’s anti-quackery cell has made efforts to identify offenders, enforcement remains weak.

“We have seen clinics reopen after token punishments. Stronger action is needed,” said Dr Damisetty. She called for stringent penalties including license cancellation, clinic closures, hefty fines and even jail terms. “If even a few are punished decisively, it will serve as a deterrent,” she noted.

In Jariwala’s case, both doctors stressed the need for a thorough investigation. Dr Bhumesh Kumar said unbiased postmortem and toxicological reports are crucial, not just for accountability, but for broader public health.

Dr Damisetty added that if unethical treatments are confirmed, the medical council can initiate action even in the absence of a formal complaint. “The media also has a responsibility,” she said. “There are no approved anti-ageing pills or IV infusions. Supplements must not be glorified through unfounded claims,” she added.