Chennai-based makeup artist V Jayanthi lost both her earlobes after undergoing a so-called “herbal treatment” at Abbe Herbal Beauty Parlour in Arumbakkam, which applied a corrosive paste containing trichloroacetic acid, a substance known to cause chemical burns, reported Times of India.
The March 2023 procedure, marketed as a natural fix for stretched ear piercings, cost ₹2,000 but resulted in severe tissue damage, infection, and eventual surgical removal of both earlobes. A district consumer forum ruled in September 2025 that the parlour owner, Akilandeshwari, committed a clear deficiency in service and awarded Jayanthi ₹5 lakh in compensation and ₹5,000 for litigation expenses.
The case, which also led to a police chargesheet under IPC Section 338 (causing grievous hurt), highlights the dangers of unregulated beauty treatments and the urgent need for consumer protection in India’s cosmetic industry.
The Procedure and Its Devastating Aftermath
Jayanthi visited Abbe Herbal Beauty Parlour seeking a non-invasive solution to reduce her enlarged ear piercings, trusting the owner’s claim of a safe, herbal method. Immediately after the paste was applied, she felt a burning sensation, but staff dismissed her concerns, applied more of the mixture, and wrapped her earlobes in plaster.
Within days, a foul smell emerged from the wounds, and after a month, her earlobes were hanging by a thin layer of tissue before detaching completely. Medical tests at Apollo Hospitals, Vanagaram, confirmed the “herbal” mix contained trichloroacetic acid, a corrosive chemical used in skin peels but dangerous when misapplied.
In August 2023, surgeons removed both earlobes to prevent infection spread and recommended plastic surgery, which the parlour initially promised to fund but later refused.
Legal Victory Amid Lasting Trauma
The district consumer disputes redressal commission, Chennai (north), delivered its verdict on September 24, 2025, after reviewing medical reports and the police chargesheet, which confirmed the use of a harmful substance and unauthorised medical practice. The commission held Akilandeshwari liable for deficiency in service and ordered her to pay ₹5 lakh compensation and ₹5,000 for litigation costs within 60 days.
Beyond physical injury, Jayanthi reported severe emotional and professional consequences, she lost confidence in facing clients, her children were disturbed by her appearance, and her earning capacity dropped significantly. The legal win offers some justice, but no amount can restore her earlobes or erase the trauma of being failed by a system that allowed such a dangerous procedure to be marketed as safe.
Consumer Safety: 5 Essential Tips to Avoid Harm at Beauty Parlours
1. Act Immediately on Warning Signs: If you experience pain, burning, swelling, or infection after a treatment, stop the procedure, seek medical help, and report the parlour to consumer forums or health authorities to prevent further harm
2. Verify Credentials and Licensing: Always confirm that the beauty parlour has valid health and safety certifications, and that staff are trained professionals. Unlicensed operators may offer dangerous treatments under the guise of natural or herbal solutions.
3. Ask About Ingredients: Before any procedure, insist on knowing exactly what products or chemicals will be used. If a treatment claims to be “herbal” but causes burning or irritation, it may contain harmful substances like trichloroacetic acid.
4. Observe Hygiene Practices: Ensure tools are sterilised before use, disposable items are new, and surfaces are cleaned between clients. Avoid parlours that reuse towels, applicators, or fail to sanitise equipment.
5. Seek Medical-Grade Procedures Only at Clinics: Invasive or corrective treatments like earlobe repair should only be performed by licensed medical professionals in clinics, not in beauty parlours offering unregulated “quick fixes”.
The Logical Indian’s Perspective
Jayanthi’s story is a harrowing example of how the promise of quick, natural fixes can mask dangerous fraud. When a beauty parlour uses corrosive acid disguised as herbal paste, it is not just negligence, it is betrayal. Her loss is not only physical but emotional, social, and economic, affecting her identity and livelihood.
While the consumer forum’s ruling is a step toward accountability, it underscores the need for stricter regulation of cosmetic procedures, mandatory licensing, and public awareness about the risks of unverified treatments.
