KARACHI: Skin specialists, at a seminar, expressed serious concern over unsafe skin treatments, warning that hazardous medical procedures by unqualified skin healthcare providers are becoming rampant in the city.
Experts emphasized that human skin requires safe and professional care for both aesthetic procedures and daily skincare, as unregulated treatments carry the risk of infections, burns, and permanent scarring.
The views were shared at a public awareness seminar titled “Medical Aesthetic Awareness and Everyday Care for a Healthier Pakistan”, held at the L.E.J. National Science Information Center on Wednesday. The seminar featured Dr. Tasneem Kausar, Consultant Gynecologist, Aesthetic Physician, and CEO and Founder of Dr. Tasneem’s Clinic and Institute of Health, Karachi, as well as Dr. Sana Adeel, Consultant Dermatologist.
The event was organized by the Dr. Panjwani Center for Molecular Medicine and Drug Research (PCMD), University of Karachi, in collaboration with the Sindh Innovation, Research, and Education Network (SIREN), Government of Sindh.
Hazards of Unqualified Treatments
Highlighting the importance of safe healthcare practices, Dr. Tasneem Kausar warned that many people fall into the trap of cheap salons, unverified products, or untrained providers — often leading to burns, infections, and long-term skin damage.
She pointed out that dangerous practices include the use of poor-quality products, substandard energy-based devices, unhygienic procedures, and misleading whitening creams and injectables — often containing steroids.
Despite rising inflation, she noted, people continue to spend heavily on skin treatments. She stressed the need for beauty clinics to be registered and regulated by the relevant authorities.
Dermatological Concerns
Dr. Sana Adeel highlighted that skin problems often start with common issues like acne and can develop into long-term conditions such as sun damage. She urged citizens to consult qualified dermatologists, choose reputable clinics, inquire about products being used, and follow aftercare instructions carefully.
Discussing acne, she explained that factors such as comedogenic products, unhygienic conditions, lack of sterilization, improper techniques, bacteria, and infections contribute to its spread.
She also warned against fungal infections, describing them as highly contagious, and stressed that all medical and aesthetic procedures must only be performed by skilled professionals, certified aesthetic physicians, and qualified doctors.
