Drug regulators in India are launching surprise audits of spas, salons, and massage centres to crack down on the administration of injectables and subcutaneous devices by unqualified workers, according to three government officials. The move follows a directive from the Drug Controller General of India (DCGI) clarifying that any needle-based treatment constitutes a medical intervention and falls outside the legal definition of cosmetics.
State drug inspectors will now be able to conduct unannounced inspections of these establishments for the first time, targeting a surge in unauthorized medical procedures sold as beauty treatments in a $20 billion industry that has operated with little regulatory oversight. Officials say salon workers have increasingly been administering treatments such as glutathione infusions directly into clients' bloodstreams, in violation of the Cosmetics Rules, 2020 of the Drugs and Cosmetics Act, 1940, without medical supervision.
“We plan to enforce quality-assurance standards, verifying that cosmetic manufacturers are producing safe, genuine products and maintaining regulatory compliance,” said a state drug regulator, one of the three people cited above requesting anonymity.
The Indian Association of Dermatologists, Venereologists and Leprologists (IADVL) has flagged the threat of ‘parlour quackery’ to the central health ministry, demanding structural intervention against unauthorized clinical practices in luxury retail spaces. DCGI has also received independent complaints from consumers.
Under the Drugs and Cosmetics Act, 1940, and the Cosmetics Rules, 2020, administering prescription-grade injectables without a medical license in an unapproved facility is a criminal offense. Establishments can face immediate sealing, cancellation of trade/manufacturing licenses, and operators can face prosecution for stocking unapproved drugs and practicing medicine without registration, which carries prison terms ranging from three to five years.
Inspectors will verify documentation, batch numbers, product labelling, and staff qualifications across brands and service providers. The government has indicated that the blurring of cosmetic and medical boundaries in commercial wellness spaces will not be condoned.
Dermatologists warn that using unregulated skincare commodities carries medical risks. Dr Dinesh Kumar Devaraj, former president of the Indian Association of Dermatologists, Venereologists and Leprologists, Tamil Nadu, said, “The focus is on glutathione or wellness drips injected into the bloodstream or so-called 'cosmetic solutions’, injected into the skin. Worldwide, glutathione is not approved for skin whitening; in India, it is approved only for managing liver toxicity, such as during chemotherapy.”
Dr Radhika Raheja, dermatologist at Asian Hospital, added that poor-quality products may do more harm than good. “Chemical burns, allergenic reactions, rashes, and pigmentation can occur from using products containing harsh chemicals, counterfeit ingredients or excessive fragrance,” she said.
India’s spas, salons, and massage centres have a market size of $11.65 billion, according to market research firms like Custom Market Insights and Ken Research. Cosmetics and personal care products constitute the second-largest segment of the sector, accounting for 26% of the industry's record-high turnover of ₹23,021 crore, according to a 2025 report by the Indian Direct Selling Association (IDSA).
VLCC, one of India’s largest wellness chains, declined to comment. Queries emailed to Hindustan Unilever Limited (Lakmé products and salons), Pixi Beauty, WOW Skin Science, and Colorbar on Monday remained unanswered. Queries emailed to the spokespersons of the Union health and family welfare ministry and DCGI on Tuesday also remained unanswered till press time.
Source: Read the original report | Published: May 30, 2026