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For dermatology and aesthetic clinics in Kolkata

Digital Marketing For Dermatologists In Kolkata, Built Around The NMC Rules

Dermatologists and aesthetic clinics often communicate through photographs, treatment explanations, device information and seasonal campaigns. The challenge is to explain skin treatments without turning visual content into a promise of results. The National Medical Commission (NMC), under Public Notice No. R-13014/01/2024-Ethics dated 6 October 2026, restricts promotional before-and-after material, misleading claims and prohibited endorsements.

Medmatis is an NMC-compliant healthcare digital marketing agency in Kolkata: our work is built around the National Medical Commission's 2026 guidelines. Here is how those rules apply to dermatology and aesthetic clinics, and what we do about them.

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The short answer

Dermatology clinics can publish factual treatment, product and device information, but must avoid promotional before-and-after images, unsupported outcome claims, prohibited endorsements and offers that encourage unnecessary care.

Updated 23 October 2026. Based on the NMC's Public Notice No. R-13014/01/2024-Ethics of 6 October 2026. Not legal advice.

What patients ask before they choose

How do I treat acne that keeps coming back?A clinic website can explain its dermatology services, show verified doctor details and publish general education reviewed by the doctor. It should not promise a cure or use patient photographs as promotional proof (cl. 5.1, 8.1 iii, 8.1 v).
Is laser hair removal available at this clinic?A clinic can describe the devices and services it actually offers in measured, verified wording. Avoid claims that a device guarantees results or is "the most accurate" or superior without objective proof (cl. 3.2, Explanation II; cl. 8.1 ix).
What is included in a chemical peel treatment?A treatment page can explain the service in general terms, with wording reviewed by the doctor and no guarantee of results. It should not hide relevant risks or create unrealistic expectations (cl. 8.1 iii, vi).
How much do skin treatments cost at this clinic?A clinic may publish a factual fee list so people can understand its charges. Keep prices accurate, and keep them separate from promotional offers that could encourage unnecessary procedures (cl. 8.1 x; public declaration of charges, cl. 8.2).
How do I choose a qualified skin specialist?A clinic can publish factual doctor details, including qualifications and registration information. Avoid unsupported praise, comparative claims or reviews presented as proof of a doctor's quality (cl. 3.2, Explanations III and IV; cl. 8.1 ix).
Are the results of a skin treatment permanent?A clinic should not promise permanent results or use before-and-after material to imply a guaranteed outcome. Educational content can explain a treatment in general terms, reviewed by the doctor, without unrealistic expectations (cl. 8.1 iii, v, vi).

The NMC rules that matter most for dermatology and aesthetic clinics

The notice binds doctors and hospitals, and an agency does not remove that responsibility (cl. 4.4). These are the clauses we design around.

Not allowed Before-and-after photographsClauses 8.1 v and 6.2 bar promotional before-and-after photographs and patient stories, and consent alone does not make them acceptable. The notice describes only a narrow route: strictly scientific or educational use with anonymised patient consent. Publish treatment explainers instead.
Allowed with care Device, brand and product claimsClause 8.1 iv bars a doctor from endorsing drugs, devices or products in connection with their name, photograph, voice or status, whether or not paid. Clause 3.2, Explanation II, allows factual equipment information. Describe a device the clinic uses, without brand endorsement or superiority claims.
Allowed with care Seasonal offers and treatment packagesClause 8.1 x bars discounts, limited-period offers, coupons, gifts and free procedures that are likely to encourage unnecessary care or amount to solicitation. A factual, transparent fee list is a different thing. Do not use urgency or a low price to push people toward a procedure; review any campaign first.
Not allowed Reviews and patient testimonialsClause 3.2, Explanation V, bars fake, paid or misleading reviews and says a doctor must not request or share patient testimonials or reviews for promotion on social media. Clause 8.1 xi bars prohibited testimonials. Do not buy, script or repurpose patient praise as proof.
Not allowed Influencers and third-party promotionClause 8.1 xi bars using an influencer, patient or other third party for prohibited testimonials or endorsements, and bars using a third party to do indirectly what the doctor cannot do directly. A creator's post does not become acceptable because the doctor did not publish it.
Not allowed AI-generated skin imagesClause 7.2 prohibits AI-generated promotional campaigns for commercial interest and bars AI-created or manipulated patient images, voices, testimonials and outcomes. An AI label does not make a prohibited campaign acceptable. Do not use synthetic skin transformations as treatment results.

What to publish, and what to leave out

Do

  • Publish factual treatment and service explainers
  • Describe devices using verified information
  • Make fees clear without pressure-led offers
  • Keep doctor details accurate and current

Don't

  • Publish promotional before-and-after photographs
  • Promise permanent or guaranteed skin results
  • Use patient reviews as promotional proof
  • Create synthetic patient transformations with AI

How Medmatis works with dermatology and aesthetic clinics

01 Content Marketing We write condition and treatment explainers for the doctor to review, avoiding guaranteed outcomes, promotional transformations and unsupported product claims, while keeping them useful. Explore Content Marketing 02 AI Search & SEO We structure treatment pages around the questions people ask about procedures, devices, fees and doctors, aiming for factual visibility rather than rankings or outcome promises. Explore AI Search & SEO 03 Website Development We organise clinic sites into clear treatment, doctor and contact pages, with verified services and fees easy to find and no transformation galleries or unsupported claims. Explore Website Development 04 Doctor Video Marketing We plan educational video scripts on skin conditions and treatments for the doctor's review, without patient testimonials, synthetic outcomes or promotional claims the notice restricts. Explore Doctor Video Marketing
What we won't do

We will not use promotional before-and-after photographs, patient testimonials as proof, invented skin transformations or unsupported claims about devices, products and results. We will not script patient praise, use influencers to get around the rules or build campaigns on offers that encourage unnecessary procedures. Clinical claims need the doctor's review. We never price our work per patient or per enquiry (cl. 8.1 vii, viii).

Read our guide to the rules and how we approach them.

Questions from dermatology and aesthetic clinics

Can a dermatology clinic publish before-and-after photos?

No, not to promote the clinic or a treatment. Clauses 8.1 v and 6.2 bar promotional before-and-after material, and consent alone does not make it acceptable. The notice describes only a narrow scientific or educational route with anonymised patient consent, which is not permission to use transformation galleries in advertising.

Can a dermatologist promote a new laser device?

Yes, as factual equipment information within the notice's limits (cl. 3.2, Explanation II). A clinic can name a device it actually uses and describe it factually, but must not claim it is the best, guarantees results or is superior without objective proof (cl. 8.1 ix). Endorsing a device or brand in connection with the doctor's name or status is barred (cl. 8.1 iv).

Can dermatologists share skin-care tips on Instagram?

Yes, when the content is educational rather than promotional. Clause 5.1 permits health education that does not promote the practice, solicit patients or become monetised marketing, and clause 8.1 iv bars product and drug endorsements. Keep posts educational and free of guaranteed results and solicitation, because the platform does not relax the rules.

Can a dermatology clinic run seasonal treatment offers?

Only after reviewing the offer and its purpose. Clause 8.1 x bars discounts, limited-period offers, coupons and free procedures that are likely to encourage unnecessary care or amount to solicitation. Disclosing charges, packages or fees is allowed if it is factual, transparent and not misleading, so a specific campaign should be reviewed before publication.

Can a dermatology clinic work with influencers?

Not to deliver prohibited endorsements indirectly. Clause 8.1 xi bars using an influencer or other third party for prohibited testimonials, and bars using an intermediary to do what the doctor cannot do directly. A sponsored post is not acceptable just because the doctor did not publish it. If the format is unclear, take legal advice first.

Can we use AI-generated skin images in clinic campaigns?

Not to create prohibited promotional patient content. Clause 7.2 prohibits AI-generated promotional campaigns for commercial interest and bars AI-created or manipulated patient images, voices, testimonials and outcomes. An AI label does not make a prohibited campaign acceptable, so never present synthetic skin transformations as real results.

Does Medmatis work with dermatology clinics in Kolkata?

Yes. Dermatology and aesthetics are a core part of our healthcare-only work in Kolkata, built around the NMC's 2026 guidelines. We write treatment-page content for the doctor to review, build the website, work on AI search and SEO, and plan educational video. We do not promise rankings, patient numbers or clinical results.

These answers explain a public notice in plain language and quote its clause numbers. They are not legal advice. Read the original NMC notice and take advice on your own situation. Last updated 23 October 2026.

Keep reading

Are before-and-after photos allowed under the NMC guidelines? Can doctors offer discounts or packages under the NMC guidelines? Can doctors use patient testimonials under the NMC's 2026 guidelines? Cosmetic & Plastic Surgery Marketing Dental & Implants Marketing Multi-Speciality Clinic Marketing

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