CHENNAI: A makeup artist from Chennai lost both her earlobes after undergoing ‘herbal treatment’ at a beauty parlour in Arumbakkam. A consumer forum last month ordered the parlour owner to pay the woman 5 lakh compensation, along with 5,000 towards litigation expenses, within 60 days.V Jayanthi had visited Abbe Herbal Beauty Parlour, run by Akilandeshwari, and was told that the size of her enlarged ear piercings could be reduced through a simple treatment. In March 2023, she paid 2,000 to the parlour for the procedure.Soon after application of a ‘herbal mix’, Jayanthi began to feel a burning sensation. The parlour staff reassured her that it was part of the process. When she returned on their advice, they applied more chemicals and wrapped the earlobes in plaster.Within days, Jayanthi noticed a foul smell, and after a month, she found her earlobes torn and hanging by a thin layer of tissue.The procedure carried consequences beyond physical injury. Jayanthi stated that she lost all confidence to face her clients, an important aspect of her work as a makeup artist. Her children, too, were unsettled by her altered appearance, with even her toddler avoiding her. She said the condition affected her ability to move freely in society and significantly reduced her earning capacity.When Jayanthi sought medical care, Akilandeshwari accompanied her to a dermatologist and later to Apollo Hospitals at Vanagaram. There, doctors found that the so-called herbal mixture contained trichloroacetic acid, a corrosive substance. Medical reports confirmed this.In Aug 2023, surgeons at Apollo Hospitals removed both her earlobes to stop the infection from spreading and suggested plastic surgery. Jayanthi claimed that the parlour had promised to bear the cost of plastic surgery but later withdrew support. She then issued them a legal notice, which drew an evasive reply from the opposite party.The district consumer disputes redressal commission, Chennai (north), examined all evidence and on Sept 24, held that Akilandeshwari had acted without authority in performing such procedures. The commission noted the findings of the police chargesheet under IPC Section 338 (causing grievous hurt), which confirmed the use of trichloroacetic acid. The commission ruled that there was a clear deficiency in service.