A beauty parlour in Chennai has been directed to pay ₹5 lakh in compensation after a woman suffered severe injuries during what was claimed to be a “herbal” cosmetic procedure. The incident left the client, a makeup artist, without both earlobes, causing lasting physical and emotional distress.

‘Herbal’ procedure turns into medical emergency

The woman had visited the beauty parlour seeking a skin enhancement treatment that was promoted as herbal and safe. However, soon after the application of the mixture, she experienced an intense burning sensation on her ears. Medical examination later revealed that the substance used was not herbal but contained trichloroacetic acid — a corrosive chemical often employed for skin peeling procedures under controlled conditions.

Doctors confirm chemical burns from acid exposure

Following the incident, doctors confirmed that the mixture had caused deep chemical burns leading to the complete loss of both earlobes. Trichloroacetic acid, when improperly handled or applied at high concentrations, can cause severe tissue damage. In this case, its misuse resulted in irreversible injury and disfigurement. The victim’s recovery process involved multiple medical consultations and emotional trauma due to her altered appearance.

Impact on career and personal life

As a professional makeup artist, the woman’s appearance played an essential role in her work and public interactions. The disfigurement not only affected her confidence but also disrupted her career prospects. She reported significant distress stemming from both physical pain and social embarrassment following the incident.

Compensation ordered for negligence

Authorities reviewed evidence showing that the parlour had failed to verify the safety of its products or disclose their true composition to clients. The establishment’s negligence in using a corrosive substance under the guise of an herbal formula led to the ruling that it must compensate the victim with ₹5 lakh. The order serves as a reminder of consumer protection laws that hold service providers accountable for harm caused by unsafe or misleading practices.

Consumer awareness and safety concerns

Experts emphasize that customers should always verify product ingredients and ensure treatments are conducted by trained professionals using approved materials. Mislabeling chemical-based products as “herbal” can have devastating consequences, as seen in this case. Regulatory bodies continue to urge stricter oversight of cosmetic services to prevent similar incidents in the future.

The Chennai case underscores the importance of transparency and professionalism in beauty services. It highlights how negligence and misinformation can lead to life-altering harm for unsuspecting clients, reinforcing the need for stronger consumer safeguards within the personal care industry.