Bengaluru Woman Files Police Case Against Instagram-Promoted Beauty Clinic After Severe Skin Reaction
A 27-year-old private college teacher from Bengaluru has filed a formal police complaint against a beauty clinic she discovered through Instagram, alleging that their treatments and products severely damaged her skin. The woman, whose case highlights the risks of unverified social media beauty promotions, claims the clinic made misleading promises and sold her potentially harmful cosmetic products.
From Instagram Reels to Skin Nightmare
The woman first encountered the beauty clinic through a series of Instagram reels from an account called charming_chaithanya, which markets itself as a professional skincare page with approximately 70,000 followers. The videos promised "guaranteed" solutions for common skin concerns including acne, pigmentation, and tanning. Intrigued by these claims and hopeful for improvement, she decided to visit the physical clinic.
On October 7, 2025, she visited Glow Up Beauty Care Clinic located in Nagarabhavi, Bengaluru. During her consultation, a woman named Chaitanya examined her skin, conducted a brief patch test, and confidently assured her that all her skin issues could be effectively treated. She was then sold four skincare products: a moisturizer, sunscreen, night cream, and face wash, for which she paid ₹17,000 through UPI to a bank account registered under the name Akash.
Severe Adverse Reactions and Clinic's Response
Initially, everything seemed normal, but within days of using the products, her face began reacting severely. She experienced intense itching, noticeable swelling, and a painful burning sensation across her skin. Alarmed by these symptoms, she immediately contacted the clinic for guidance.
The clinic's response was to advise her to discontinue using two of the products while continuing with the remaining two. She followed these instructions, but instead of improving, her skin condition deteriorated further, becoming more inflamed and painful.
Confrontation and Alleged Threats
On November 21, with her skin in worse condition than before, she returned to the clinic seeking answers and proper treatment. According to her police complaint, this visit turned confrontational. She alleges that Chaitanya's husband, Shiva, shouted at her, threatened her, and outright refused to provide any assistance. The couple allegedly humiliated her and asked her to leave the premises without offering any medical treatment, refund, or compensation for the damage caused.
Police Investigation Underway
The woman has formally accused the clinic of multiple violations including:
- Making misleading promises on social media platforms
- Selling steroid-based cosmetic products without proper medical training or authorization
- Endangering her health through inappropriate treatments
- Accepting payment under false pretenses
Following her detailed complaint, the Annapoorneshwari Nagar police have registered a First Information Report (FIR) and initiated a thorough investigation into the matter. This case serves as a stark reminder about the potential dangers of trusting unverified beauty treatments promoted on social media platforms, where appearances can be deceiving and professional credentials may not be properly validated.
The incident underscores the importance of verifying medical and beauty service providers' credentials before undergoing treatments, especially those heavily promoted through social media channels without proper regulatory oversight or transparent customer reviews.
