Shefali Jariwala death: What it reveals about fake cosmetologists

The Print

a day ago

While the Indian Association of Dermatologists, Venereologists, and Leprologists (IADVL) is raising the issue and writing to health officials, we need the public to stop enabling this madness.
There is absolutely no degree called 'cosmetology'. Yet, the business continues to flourish in India, the only country where people die from hair transplants. In May, Anushka Tiwari, a Kanpur-based dentist, was arrested after two men died following hair transplant procedures performed by her. It's a crisis.
What happened to actor-model Shefali Jariwala should never have happened. As a dermatologist with over 14 years of experience, I've watched in horror as unqualified practitioners turn anti-ageing treatments into a deadly gamble. This isn't just tragic—it's criminal.
How to spot a fake doctor before it's too late
It doesn't matter how convincing an Instagram ad looks—always verify your doctor's credentials. Here's how:
Go to your state medical council's website. Search the doctor's name. Check their MBBS degree and specialisation.
If they're not listed, run. If someone calls themself a 'cosmetologist' without a medical degree to show for it, run faster.
Also read: Is 30 a good age to start using anti-ageing products? Here are some dos and don'ts
Glutathione scam: Online buying is Russian roulette
Every week, young women walk into my clinic with glutathione vials bought from IndiaMart or some shady online sellers, expecting me to inject them. My answer? Absolutely not.
You don't know if the cold chain was maintained.
You don't know if it's counterfeit.
You don't know if it's even safe for human use.
Glutathione is a powerful antioxidant, but when misused—especially in unregulated doses for years—it can turn toxic. According to media reports, Shefali had been on these injections for five to six years. Was it under a dermatologist's supervision? Was it even real glutathione? We may never know.
Golden rule you must remember
It's not about avoiding treatments—it's about respecting them. Here's my professional mantra:
A qualified dermatologist knows:
Precise dosing – When glutathione is life-saving vs. when it's toxic
Contraindications – Who should never receive certain treatments
Emergency protocols – What to do when things go wrong (because sometimes they do)
Also read: Debunking anti-ageing myths. Treatments, luxury creams can't rewind the biological clock
Anti-ageing done right vs reckless experimentation
Anti-ageing medicine isn't the villain—quacks are. When performed by licensed dermatologists, treatments like NAD drips, NMN, and even glutathione are safe. But here's what else you need:
A balanced lifestyle – No injection replaces sleep, nutrition, and exercise.
Realistic expectations – Aging is natural; our goal is healthy aging, not magic.
Zero tolerance for non-doctors – Dentists doing Botox? A disaster waiting to happen.
Plea to the public: Stop trusting social media over science
Good dermatologists don't have flashy Instagram ads because we're too busy treating patients. Meanwhile, quacks spend fortunes on SEO, luring victims with cheap prices and empty promises.
'Anti-ageing means prolonging life—not losing it to negligence. If Shefali's death exposes unqualified practitioners, let it be a turning point,' said Dr Rajiv Sharma, president of IADVL.
So TL;DR:
Never let a non-dermatologist inject you. Ever. Never buy medications online from platforms like Amazon Never ever prioritise trends over safety.
Shefali Jariwala's death should be a wake-up call. Demand accountability. Choose wisely. And please stop letting influencers play doctor.
Dr Deepali Bhardwaj is a Consultant Dermatologist, Max Hospital, Saket. She is also an anti-allergy specialist, laser surgeon and internationally trained aesthetician. She tweets @dermatdoc. Views are personal.
(Edited by Prashant)