India's drug regulator has prohibited the use of injectable cosmetic treatments in beauty salons and wellness clinics to protect public health.
This move addresses a growing trend of non-medical facilities offering clinical procedures, which can lead to severe medical complications when performed by unqualified staff. Because these treatments are classified as medical procedures rather than simple cosmetics, they require professional oversight.
The Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO) issued the advisory on March 15, 2024 [1]. The regulator specifically targeted the casual use of injectable substances, including glutathione, Botox, and dermal fillers [1], [2].
According to the CDSCO, these products are medical treatments and should not be administered in environments lacking medical supervision [1], [2]. The agency said that unapproved products and the presence of unqualified practitioners who may lack the necessary training to handle complications are risks.
Beyond the administration of the drugs, the regulator is cracking down on misleading advertisements that promote these services in non-clinical settings [1], [2]. The CDSCO said that the unregulated nature of these procedures has created significant safety risks for consumers across India [1].
Beauty clinics and wellness centers are now expected to comply with medical-grade regulations or cease offering injectable services [2]. The agency said that only qualified medical professionals should perform these interventions to ensure patient safety and product authenticity [1], [2].
“Injectable cosmetics are classified as medical treatments, not cosmetics.”
This regulatory action signals a shift toward stricter oversight of the aesthetic medicine market in India. By reclassifying these procedures as medical interventions rather than beauty services, the CDSCO is attempting to eliminate a gray market where profit-driven salons bypass medical safety protocols, potentially reducing the incidence of permanent disfigurement or systemic infections caused by improper injection techniques.
