Experts at the Summit pointed that the first red flag of quacks is that they sell certainty, while real medicine sells probability.
Published Nov 12, 2025 | 7:00 AM ⚊ Updated Nov 12, 2025 | 7:00 AM
The second edition of Dakshin Health Summit was held on 9 November 2025.
Synopsis: At the second edition of the Dakshin Health Summit, dermatologists warned of polished quackery in skin, hair, and aesthetics clinics. Experts urged patients to verify NMC registration, demand valid prescriptions, and reject “100% guarantee” promises, forced packages, and unverified foreign fellowships. Pressure tactics and reel-driven stunts signal danger, while credential checks via QR codes can prevent grievous harm.
Every Indian family has a quack story. A cousin who was over-treated. A kin who was over-promised. A friend who was injected by someone who had simply “taken a course online.”
In dermatology, aesthetics, hair restoration and wellness — it has become dangerously easy for patients to get fooled by credentials that sound scientific but are actually manufactured. This isn’t just an anecdotal social hazard anymore — it’s a growing public health risk.
At the Dakshin Health Summit 2025, dermatologists across India raised raised alarm over how modern quackery today looks extremely polished. The new quack doesn’t sit in remote corners. They practice in metro clinics, speak fluent English and wear designer scrubs. They market “global techniques”, run aggressive social media campaigns, and exude confidence.
Amidst the explosion of beauty added with biohacking and immediate cosmetic results culture, patients are unable to differentiate science from theatre.
“Hence, the onus is on public to ensure that they know how to identify a quack and take precautions before they seek consultation or treatments from doctors,” said senior dermatologist Dr Madhavi Reddy P at the Dakshin Health Summit.
Experts at the Summit pointed that the first red flag of quacks is that they sell certainty, while real medicine sells probability.
According to doctors, genuine specialist will explain what may and may not happen. They show limitations, timelines, grey zones, lab dependence and the need for follow-ups.
A quack, on the other hand, will promise “guarantees”, “100% results”, “permanent cures”, “magic injectables”, “next-gen serums”, or “exclusive international techniques”. They are extremely allergic to nuance, hate time, and process. And they absolutely despise second opinions.
Dr Rajetha Damisetty, Director of Mohana’s Skin and Hair Clinic and also the organising chairperson of the Dakshin Health Summit, who was part of the panel on “Quackery in Dermatology: Problems & Pathways” said: We need patients to ask for their right to find out the qualification of the doctor. Demand for a proper valid prescription which displays the registration number. Every patient has the right. Ask for a clinical establishment licence.
She says people in Telangana have been privileged, “If you look up a particular registration number. Our website is updated. We have QR codes, and every doctor is supposed to display a registration,”
Agreeing to this, dermatologist Dr Nazia Nousheen Siddiqua, civil surgeon specialist, said, “The Telangana State Medical Council number or NMC number is extremely important. Educated citizens must first check the credentials of the doctor before undergoing any procedure,”
Citing an example she said, “Just yesterday, I saw a patient who went to an unqualified place for a fractional laser. Her engagement was in one week, she had to postpone it because of the damage caused. This is grievous harm. So it is the responsibility of every citizen to recognise where they are going, whom they are consulting and paying to. You put yourself in jeopardy by not verifying credentials,” Dr Nazia said.
Dr Madhavi Reddy says there are some tactics which non dermatologists running clinics use. She calls it “pressure tactics” for conversions. She says, they tend to force or suggest packages. They insist people to go for various beauty and treatment packages offering huge discounts, combination prices etc.
Adding to this, moderator of the session Dr Amarendra Pandey, dermatologist and laser surgeon from Jabalpur explained that you must be suspicious of any doctor who makes overtly false or hyperbolic claim. Besides, you can always go online and check the degree and credentials of a doctor.
He said doctors in Madhya Pradesh have started providing barcodes outside clinics so that patients can verify the credentials of the doctor. That barcode takes you to the medical council website where you can cross-check the medicos’ qualifications.
Over-confidence and speaks a “guarantee” language
No NMC/State Medical Council cross-verification match
Irrelevant foreign/unknown fellowships displayed everywhere
Selling fear, urgency, and packages
“Reel-flex” medicine: Weird social media stunts for following
No willingness for post-care/complications accountability
(Edited by Amit Vasudev)
