Treatment category
Facials — safety by condition
Treatments for the face, neck and décolletage — cleansing, exfoliation, hydration, and rejuvenation.
In short
Facials covers 25 treatments, with 1575 published verdicts across 300 conditions. The conditions with the most restrictions here are A high temperature (fever) and A mole that is changing.
In this family
Treatments in this category
- AHA Peel (Glycolic / Lactic / Mandelic)Also called: glycolic peel, lactic peel, mandelic peelLight-to-medium chemical peel using alpha-hydroxy acids — addresses dullness, fine lines, and uneven tone.
- BHA Peel (Salicylic)Also called: salicylic peel, beta hydroxy peel, acne peelChemical peel with salicylic acid — particularly effective for acne, blackheads, and oily skin.
- Carbon Laser FacialAlso called: Hollywood peel, China doll peel, carbon peelLaser treatment over carbon-coated skin to exfoliate, target pores, and brighten complexion.
- Classic FacialAlso called: European facial, deep cleansing facial, traditional facialA traditional facial with cleansing, exfoliation, mask, and moisturisation — performed manually by an esthetician.
- Cryo FacialAlso called: ice facial, cold therapy facial, frotoxUses extreme cold to reduce inflammation, tighten pores, and improve circulation.
- DermaplaningAlso called: blade exfoliation, facial shaving, peach fuzz removalMechanical exfoliation using a sterile surgical blade to remove dead skin and vellus hair (peach fuzz).
- Enzyme PeelAlso called: fruit enzyme peel, papain peel, bromelain peelGentle chemical exfoliation using fruit-derived enzymes — suitable for sensitive skin.
- Express FacialAlso called: mini facial, 30-minute facial, lunchtime facialA shorter version of the classic facial focused on cleansing and hydration.
- Galvanic FacialAlso called: iontophoresis, desincrustation, galvanic currentDirect-current electrical facial that improves product penetration (iontophoresis) or deep-cleanses pores (desincrustation).
- HIFU (Ultherapy)Also called: Ultherapy, high-intensity focused ultrasound, non-surgical liftingHigh-intensity focused ultrasound that heats deep tissue layers to stimulate collagen and lifting.
- High-Frequency FacialAlso called: high-frequency wand, violet ray treatmentElectrical treatment using a glass electrode that emits a mild current and oxygen — used for acne and circulation.
- HydraFacialAlso called: hydradermabrasion, hydra facial, aqua facialA multi-step machine facial that combines cleansing, exfoliation, extraction and serum infusion in one device.
- Jessner's PeelAlso called: combination peel, modified JessnerA combination chemical peel (salicylic, lactic, resorcinol) of medium depth used for acne, pigmentation, and ageing.
- LED Light TherapyAlso called: red light therapy, blue light therapy, yellow light therapyNon-invasive light therapy using specific wavelengths (red, blue, yellow) for anti-ageing, acne, and inflammation.
- Mesotherapy (Facial)Also called: meso facial, vitamin injections, skin booster injections (face)Micro-injections of vitamins, minerals, and amino acids into the skin to hydrate and rejuvenate.
- Microcurrent FacialAlso called: NuFace, non-surgical facelift, facial toningLow-level electrical current treatment that stimulates facial muscles for lifting and toning effects.
- MicrodermabrasionAlso called: crystal microdermabrasion, diamond microdermabrasion, MDAMechanical exfoliation using fine crystals or a diamond-tipped wand to remove the top layer of skin.
- MicroneedlingAlso called: dermapen, dermaroller, collagen induction therapyCreates controlled micro-injuries with fine needles to stimulate collagen and improve scarring, texture, and stretch marks.
- Oxygen FacialAlso called: Intraceuticals, oxygen infusion facialPressurised oxygen is used to infuse serums into the skin for immediate plumping and hydration.
- PRP Facial (Vampire Facial)Also called: platelet-rich plasma facial, vampire facial, blood facialUses your own platelet-rich plasma applied with microneedling to stimulate collagen and rejuvenation.
- Phenol Peel (Deep)Also called: deep chemical peel, Baker-Gordon peelDeep chemical peel using phenol — performed only in medical settings, with significant downtime and risk.
- RF MicroneedlingAlso called: Morpheus8, Profound, VivaceCombines microneedling with radiofrequency energy delivered through the needles for deeper skin tightening.
- Radiofrequency (RF) FacialAlso called: Thermage, Venus Freeze (face), skin tightening RFUses radiofrequency energy to heat deep skin layers, stimulating collagen and tightening over time.
- TCA Peel (Medium)Also called: trichloroacetic acid peel, medium depth peelMedium-depth chemical peel with trichloroacetic acid — addresses deeper pigmentation, scarring, and wrinkles.
- Ultrasound FacialAlso called: ultrasonic facial, cavitation peelUses high-frequency sound waves to deeply cleanse, exfoliate, and infuse products into the skin.
Where it is restricted
Conditions this category is restricted for
Computed from the verdicts on the condition pages — most restricted first.
- A high temperature (fever)25 to avoid
- A mole that is changing25 to avoid
- A new tattoo25 to avoid
- Alcohol intoxication25 to avoid
- An open wound or broken skin25 to avoid
- Angina (unstable)25 to avoid
- Beard ringworm25 to avoid
- Blood clot in the leg (active DVT)25 to avoid
- Boils25 to avoid
- Brain haemorrhage (acute)25 to avoid
- Bullous pemphigoid25 to avoid
- Cellulitis25 to avoid
- Chickenpox25 to avoid
- Cold sore25 to avoid
- Common cold25 to avoid
- COVID-1925 to avoid
- Dermatitis herpetiformis25 to avoid
- Erysipelas25 to avoid
- Facial ringworm25 to avoid
- Flu25 to avoid
- Heart attack (first six weeks)25 to avoid
- Impetigo25 to avoid
- MRSA25 to avoid
- Pemphigus25 to avoid
- Recent chemical peel25 to avoid
- Recent laser treatment25 to avoid
- Recent surgery (any operation)25 to avoid
- Severe dehydration25 to avoid
- Shingles25 to avoid
- Stroke (first six months)25 to avoid
- Tuberculosis (TB)25 to avoid
- Tummy bug25 to avoid
- Warts25 to avoid
- Dizziness on standing (postural hypotension)25 needing caution
- Food allergies25 needing caution
- Fragrance allergy25 needing caution
- Hay fever and seasonal allergies25 needing caution
- Latex allergy25 needing caution
- Migraine25 needing caution
- Nickel and metal allergy25 needing caution
- Preservative allergy25 needing caution
- Third trimester (week 28 to birth)11 to avoid · 12 needing caution
- First trimester (weeks 1–12)11 to avoid · 1 needing caution
- Second trimester (weeks 13–27)11 to avoid · 1 needing caution
- Contact dermatitis11 to avoid
- Eczema11 to avoid
- Perioral dermatitis11 to avoid
- Psoriasis11 to avoid
- Seborrhoeic dermatitis11 to avoid
- End-of-life and palliative care9 to avoid
- Rosacea8 to avoid
- Chronic kidney disease (CKD)8 needing caution
- Dialysis8 needing caution
- Sensitive skin8 needing caution
- Type 1 diabetes8 needing caution
- Jock itch7 to avoid
- Keloid scars7 to avoid
- Keloid-prone skin7 to avoid
- Ringworm7 to avoid
- Implantable defibrillator (ICD)6 to avoid
- Pacemaker6 to avoid
- Overactive thyroid (hyperthyroidism)6 needing caution
- Acne4 to avoid
- Anaemia (severe)4 to avoid
- Cystic acne4 to avoid
- Discoid lupus2 to avoid · 2 needing caution
- Ehlers-Danlos syndromes (EDS)2 to avoid · 2 needing caution
- Lupus2 to avoid · 2 needing caution
- Lupus2 to avoid · 2 needing caution
- Anaemia (mild)4 needing caution
- Angina (stable)4 needing caution
- Beauty treatments at 75+, living with frailty4 needing caution
- Congenital heart disease4 needing caution
- Heart attack (recovery, after six weeks)4 needing caution
- Heart failure4 needing caution
- High cholesterol (hyperlipidaemia)4 needing caution
- Recent vaccination4 needing caution
- Mast cell activation syndrome (MCAS)3 to avoid
- Mastocytosis3 to avoid
- High blood pressure (uncontrolled)2 to avoid · 1 needing caution
- High blood pressure (controlled)3 needing caution
- Scleroderma3 needing caution
- Multiple sclerosis2 to avoid
- Porphyria (the light-sensitive types)2 to avoid
- Recent laser eye surgery2 to avoid
- Subacute cutaneous lupus2 to avoid
- Melasma1 to avoid
- Asthma1 needing caution
Sources
- EULAR (European Alliance of Associations for Rheumatology)EULAR recommendations for the management of rheumatoid arthritis (Smolen et al.)
- Journal of the American Academy of DermatologyCosmetic treatment in patients with autoimmune connective tissue diseases: best practices for patients with lupus erythematosus (Bonnet et al.)
- British Association of DermatologistsGuidelines for the management of bullous pemphigoid
- International Pemphigus and Pemphigoid FoundationLiving with pemphigus and pemphigoid
- BMC Pregnancy and ChildbirthFatal pulmonary embolism following leg massage in undiagnosed deep vein thrombosis (case report)
- British Heart FoundationHeart Matters — patient information, massage and complementary therapy guidance
- NHSPostural (orthostatic) hypotension
- British Association of DermatologistsTinea (dermatophyte infection) management
- NHSAthlete's foot
- NHSRingworm and other fungal infections
- NICEClinical Knowledge Summary: fungal skin infection
- Primary Care Dermatology SocietyFungal skin infections
- British Association of DermatologistsBacterial skin infection management
- NHSCellulitis and erysipelas
- NHSBoils and carbuncles
- NHSMRSA
- NHSImpetigo
- NICEClinical Knowledge Summary: impetigo
- UKHSAUK Standards for Microbiology Investigations
- NHSFlu (influenza)
- NHSCommon cold
- NHSCOVID-19
- NHSDiarrhoea and vomiting (gastroenteritis)
- UKHSALiving safely with respiratory infections, including COVID-19
- NHSChickenpox
- Royal College of Obstetricians and GynaecologistsChickenpox in pregnancy
- UKHSAChickenpox (varicella): guidance
- CDCUniversal precautions for prevention of transmission of bloodborne infections
- NHSHIV and AIDS — how HIV is transmitted
- National AIDS TrustHIV guidance for hairdressers and beauty professionals
- StatPearls / NCBIUniversal precautions (Kopitnik & Kahwaji)
- UK ParliamentEquality Act 2010, Schedule 1
- British Association of DermatologistsHerpes zoster management
- NHSShingles
- UKHSAImmunisation against infectious disease (the Green Book), chapter 28a — Shingles (herpes zoster)
- NHSTuberculosis (TB)
- NICENG33 Tuberculosis
- UKHSANotifiable diseases and causative organisms: how to report
- UKHSATuberculosis: guidance, data and analysis
- NHS Scotland (Scottish Dermatology Society)Viral warts pathway
- NICEClinical Knowledge Summary: warts and verrucae
- Primary Care Dermatology SocietyWarts and verrucae — patient information leaflet
- American Academy of DermatologyPregnancy and skin care
- MDPI (peer-reviewed)The Risk of Using Cosmetics and Cosmetic Procedures During Pregnancy
- NHS WalesAromatherapy and skincare in maternity care
- Hospice UKComplementary therapies and personal care in hospice settings
- Look Good Feel Better UKNail care, skin care and makeup during cancer treatment
- Macmillan Cancer SupportComplementary therapies and wellbeing
- Marie CurieComfort, dignity and personal care at the end of life
- NHSBody image and self-esteem
- UK Obesity FederationDignity, equipment and access in service settings
- British Association of Aesthetic Plastic SurgeonsPost-operative recovery timelines
- NHSRecovering from an operation
- Royal College of Surgeons of EnglandRecovering from surgery — patient information
- Equality and Human Rights CommissionReasonable adjustments for disabled people — guidance for service providers
- MencapCommunicating with people with a learning disability
- RNIBServing customers with sight loss
- RNIDCommunication tips for serving deaf customers
- ScopeMaking services accessible to disabled customers
- UK Parliament (legislation.gov.uk)Disability Discrimination Act 1995 (as amended, Northern Ireland)
- British Association of DermatologistsSkin cancer recognition guidance
- NHSMoles and the ABCDE checks for melanoma
- National Institute for Health and Care ExcellenceNG12 — Suspected cancer: recognition and referral
- American Academy of DermatologyPost-procedure healing guidance
- American Academy of DermatologyCosmetic procedure guidelines
- British Association of DermatologistsHerpes simplex management guidance
- NHSCold sores (herpes simplex) patient information
- American Academy of DermatologyAtopic dermatitis guidelines
- National Eczema Society (UK)Trigger avoidance and treatment-flare guidance
- National Institute for Health and Care ExcellenceClinical Knowledge Summary — Eczema (atopic) in adults
- American Academy of DermatologyPigmentation and melasma guidance
- British Association of DermatologistsPsoriasis guidelines
- National Institute for Health and Care ExcellenceClinical Knowledge Summary — Psoriasis
- National Psoriasis FoundationKoebner phenomenon and trigger management
- American Academy of DermatologyRosacea — triggers and treatment
- British Association of DermatologistsRosacea guidelines (Hampton et al., British Journal of Dermatology)
- National Rosacea SocietyRosacea trigger management and phenotype classification
- American Academy of DermatologySensitive skin — care guidance
- American Academy of DermatologyIsotretinoin and cosmetic procedures — patient guidance
- British Association of DermatologistsIsotretinoin: patient information and prescribing guidance
- JAMA DermatologyASDS Guidelines Task Force: consensus recommendations regarding the safety of lasers, dermabrasion, chemical peels, energy devices and skin surgery during and after isotretinoin use (Waldman et al.)
- Peer-reviewed dermatology (PMC)Standard guidelines of care: procedures in patients on isotretinoin
- General Medical Council (UK)Good Medical Practice
- UK legislationMental Capacity Act 2005
- British Association of DermatologistsPatch testing — patient information
- British Contact Dermatitis SocietyContact allergy guidance
- UK legislationThe Cosmetic Products Enforcement Regulations 2013
- British Thyroid FoundationThyroid disorders — patient information
- NHSUnderactive thyroid (hypothyroidism)
- NICE Clinical Knowledge SummariesHypothyroidism
- British Menopause SocietyMenopause — clinical guidance for patients
- NHSMenopause and perimenopause
- NICEMenopause: identification and management (NG23)
- The Menopause CharityMenopause symptoms and skin changes
- NICEHeadaches in over 12s: diagnosis and management (CG150)
- National Migraine CentreBotulinum toxin for chronic migraine — patient information
- The Migraine TrustMigraine triggers
- Kidney Care UKLiving with kidney disease — patient information
- NHSChronic kidney disease
- NICEChronic kidney disease: assessment and management (NG203)
- Archives of DermatologyCutaneous lupus erythematosus following laser-induced thermal injury
- Lupus Foundation of AmericaRepairing skin damaged by lupus, and patient guidance on cosmetic procedures
- PubMed Central (peer-reviewed case report)Intense pulsed light improves facial telangiectasia in systemic lupus erythematosus
- NHSLaser eye surgery and lens surgery — recovery
- Royal College of OphthalmologistsRefractive surgery standards and patient information
- US Food and Drug AdministrationLASIK patient information
- American Pregnancy AssociationHair removal and pregnancy
- Dermatologic SurgeryUtilization of Laser Therapy During Pregnancy: A Systematic Review of the Maternal and Fetal Effects Reported From 1960 to 2017
- British Porphyria AssociationLight sensitivity and the cutaneous porphyrias
- European Porphyria NetworkCutaneous porphyrias — light protection guidance
- NHSPorphyria
- UK Porphyria Service (NHS Highly Specialised Services)Cutaneous porphyria — patient guidance
- American Academy of DermatologyVitiligo — diagnosis and treatment
- British Association of DermatologistsVitiligo guidelines
- National Institute for Health and Care ExcellenceClinical Knowledge Summary — Vitiligo
- Epilepsy ActionPhotosensitive epilepsy — information
- Epilepsy SocietyPhotosensitive epilepsy
- International League Against EpilepsyPhotosensitivity and seizures — consensus material
- NHSEpilepsy
- American College of Obstetricians and GynecologistsPregnancy massage indications
- NHSPregnancy wellbeing and physical activity resources
- Age UKWellbeing, touch and personal care in later life
- British Geriatrics SocietyFit for Frailty — recognising and managing frailty
- NICENG56 — Multimorbidity: clinical assessment and management
- MS Society UKHeat sensitivity and MS
- MS Trust UKUhthoff's phenomenon
- NHSMultiple sclerosis
- National Multiple Sclerosis Society (US)Heat and temperature sensitivity
- NICEClinical Knowledge Summary — scleroderma
- Scleroderma & Raynaud's UK (SRUK)Living with scleroderma and Raynaud's — cold, heat and circulation
- PubMed Central (peer-reviewed)Swedish massage and blood pressure
- UK Mastocytosis Support / Mastocytosis Society UKTriggers and everyday management of mast cell disease
- Asthma + Lung UKAsthma triggers
- British Thoracic SocietyAsthma guideline
- NHSAsthma
- PubMed Central (peer-reviewed meta-analysis)Methotrexate and infection risk in rheumatoid arthritis — meta-analysis (Ibrahim et al.)
- The LancetBiologic treatment and serious infection risk in rheumatoid arthritis: systematic review and meta-analysis of 106 trials (Singh et al.)
- American Diabetes AssociationFoot care and diabetes
- Diabetes UKLooking after your feet with diabetes
- NHSDiabetes and foot problems
- NICENG28 — Type 2 diabetes in adults: management
- Peer-reviewed dermatology (PMC)Microneedling contraindications review
- American Heart AssociationDevices That May Interfere with ICDs and Pacemakers
- Leeds and York Partnership NHS Foundation TrustFacial Hair Reduction for Gender Dysphoria (patient information leaflet)
- NHSOveractive thyroid (hyperthyroidism)
- NICE Clinical Knowledge SummariesHyperthyroidism
- BTL AestheticsEMSculpt instructions for use — pregnancy contraindication
- Solta Medical / Allergan AestheticsCoolSculpting instructions for use — pregnancy contraindication
- Ulthera / Merz AestheticsUltherapy instructions for use — pregnancy contraindication
- American Academy of DermatologyCorticosteroids and skin thinning
- British Association of DermatologistsLong-term corticosteroid use and the skin
- American Academy of DermatologyKeloid management guidelines
- British Association of DermatologistsGuidance for skin of colour
- NHSIron deficiency anaemia
- American College of Obstetricians and GynecologistsSkin conditions during pregnancy
- NHSPregnancy skincare guidance
- Pregnancy, Birth and Baby (Australian Government)Cosmetic procedures and beauty treatments during pregnancy and breastfeeding
- US Food and Drug AdministrationPregnancy and Lactation Labeling (Drugs) Final Rule
- American Journal of Medical Genetics Part CThe 2017 international classification of the Ehlers-Danlos syndromes (Malfait et al.)
- Ehlers-Danlos Support UKLiving with EDS — skin, healing and bruising
- NHSEhlers-Danlos syndromes
- The Ehlers-Danlos SocietyEDS types, skin fragility and joint hypermobility
- JAMA DermatologyDelayed inflammatory reactions to hyaluronic acid fillers after COVID-19 vaccination — case reports
- Alzheimer's SocietyDementia — information and support
- Dementia UKPersonal care and wellbeing in dementia
- NICEDementia: assessment, management and support (NG97)
- American Society for Dermatologic SurgeryPost-partum aesthetic dermatology consensus guidance
- American Academy of DermatologyChemical peels — patient FAQs
- Peer-reviewed dermatology (PMC)Microneedling therapy in atrophic facial scars: an objective assessment (Aust et al.)
- American Academy of DermatologyStretch marks — why they appear and how to treat them
- American Society for Dermatologic SurgeryStretch marks (striae) treatment guidance
Written by Anna · London-trained cosmetologist
Last updated