The District Health Department has reaffirmed its commitment to cracking down on unregistered and unauthorized hair and skin clinics operating in Belagavi, as part of an ongoing effort to safeguard public health. District Health Officers have ordered fresh rounds of inspections across the city, targeting establishments operating without proper registration or qualified medical staff.
The surge in demand for cosmetic skin and beauty treatments—especially among the youth—has led to a proliferation of such clinics across Karnataka, including Belagavi. However, many of these centres operate without qualified doctors, relying instead on cosmetologists with limited or no medical training. This dangerous trend has resulted in serious complications for patients, including burns, pigmentation issues, and other skin injuries.
Last month, a major drive saw simultaneous raids on 30 clinics in Belagavi city. As a result, 10 clinics were shut down and 7 were issued legal notices for violations of the Karnataka Private Medical Establishments (KPME) Act. Now, a second comprehensive inspection is underway to assess the full extent of unauthorized operations.
Currently, the official registry only includes polyclinics or group clinics, leaving the precise number of standalone skin and beauty centres unknown. The renewed inspections aim to create an accurate database, making it easier for authorities to take strict action where necessary.
To further tighten regulations, plans are being made to mandate that future clinic registrations require approval from the National Accreditation Board for Hospitals & Healthcare Providers (NABH).
Health officials emphasize that systematic medical education and proper qualifications are essential for treating skin conditions. A cosmetologist with a short-course certificate is neither trained nor authorized to perform medical treatments, according to the department.
“The campaign is crucial to protect patients from fraudulent clinics offering unscientific and unsafe treatments in the name of skin care,” said a senior health department official.