Rare conditions & special situations

End-of-life and palliative care — beauty treatment safety

Name: End-of-life and palliative care: which treatments are safe?
Creator: Anna

Also called Palliative care, hospice, palliative, terminal illness, end of life care.

In short

On this page, End-of-life and palliative care is checked against 88 treatments: 5 actively help, 28 are ones to avoid and 55 are not yet reviewed. The tightest restrictions are in Injectables and Facials, while 5 treatments actively help.

Most oftenAvoid

What actively helps

These are not simply allowed — they are recommended for this condition by the sources we cite.

Classic Facial
Hospices and palliative teams increasingly include beauty therapy for a reason. A manicure, a gentle facial, hands held and feet cared for — these are about dignity, comfort and still feeling like yourself, and for someone who is very ill they are not a luxury but a good part of a hard day. What matters is gentleness, flexibility about timing when energy is unpredictable, and a therapist who works with the palliative care team rather than around it.
Sources: Hospice UKLook Good Feel Better UKMacmillan Cancer SupportMarie Curie
Express Facial
Hospices and palliative teams increasingly include beauty therapy for a reason. A manicure, a gentle facial, hands held and feet cared for — these are about dignity, comfort and still feeling like yourself, and for someone who is very ill they are not a luxury but a good part of a hard day. What matters is gentleness, flexibility about timing when energy is unpredictable, and a therapist who works with the palliative care team rather than around it.
Sources: Hospice UKLook Good Feel Better UKMacmillan Cancer SupportMarie Curie
Swedish Massage
Hospices and palliative teams increasingly include beauty therapy for a reason. A manicure, a gentle facial, hands held and feet cared for — these are about dignity, comfort and still feeling like yourself, and for someone who is very ill they are not a luxury but a good part of a hard day. What matters is gentleness, flexibility about timing when energy is unpredictable, and a therapist who works with the palliative care team rather than around it.
Sources: Hospice UKLook Good Feel Better UKMacmillan Cancer SupportMarie Curie
Classic Manicure
Hospices and palliative teams increasingly include beauty therapy for a reason. A manicure, a gentle facial, hands held and feet cared for — these are about dignity, comfort and still feeling like yourself, and for someone who is very ill they are not a luxury but a good part of a hard day. What matters is gentleness, flexibility about timing when energy is unpredictable, and a therapist who works with the palliative care team rather than around it.
Sources: Hospice UKLook Good Feel Better UKMacmillan Cancer SupportMarie Curie
Classic Pedicure
Hospices and palliative teams increasingly include beauty therapy for a reason. A manicure, a gentle facial, hands held and feet cared for — these are about dignity, comfort and still feeling like yourself, and for someone who is very ill they are not a luxury but a good part of a hard day. What matters is gentleness, flexibility about timing when energy is unpredictable, and a therapist who works with the palliative care team rather than around it.
Sources: Hospice UKLook Good Feel Better UKMacmillan Cancer SupportMarie Curie

Every treatment name opens its own page

Facials

25 treatments · 2 actively help · 9 to avoid · 14 not yet reviewed

Facials — End-of-life and palliative care
What we found	Treatment
Avoid	AHA Peel (Glycolic / Lactic / Mandelic)Also: glycolic peel, lactic peel, mandelic peel, alpha hydroxy peel, light chemical peel Why, and the source — AHA Peel (Glycolic / Lactic / Mandelic) Treatments that injure the skin so it can rebuild — injectables, chemical peels, microneedling — ask for weeks of healing and give nothing back in the meantime. In palliative care that trade is the wrong way round: the discomfort lands now and the benefit arrives after a point that may not come. A therapist declining this is protecting your comfort, and the gentle treatments in the same list are where the good is. Sources: Hospice UKLook Good Feel Better UKMacmillan Cancer SupportMarie Curie
Avoid	BHA Peel (Salicylic)Also: salicylic peel, beta hydroxy peel, acne peel Why, and the source — BHA Peel (Salicylic) Treatments that injure the skin so it can rebuild — injectables, chemical peels, microneedling — ask for weeks of healing and give nothing back in the meantime. In palliative care that trade is the wrong way round: the discomfort lands now and the benefit arrives after a point that may not come. A therapist declining this is protecting your comfort, and the gentle treatments in the same list are where the good is. Sources: Hospice UKLook Good Feel Better UKMacmillan Cancer SupportMarie Curie
Actively helps	Classic FacialAlso: European facial, deep cleansing facial, traditional facial Why, and the source — Classic Facial Hospices and palliative teams increasingly include beauty therapy for a reason. A manicure, a gentle facial, hands held and feet cared for — these are about dignity, comfort and still feeling like yourself, and for someone who is very ill they are not a luxury but a good part of a hard day. What matters is gentleness, flexibility about timing when energy is unpredictable, and a therapist who works with the palliative care team rather than around it. Sources: Hospice UKLook Good Feel Better UKMacmillan Cancer SupportMarie Curie
Actively helps	Express FacialAlso: mini facial, 30-minute facial, lunchtime facial Why, and the source — Express Facial Hospices and palliative teams increasingly include beauty therapy for a reason. A manicure, a gentle facial, hands held and feet cared for — these are about dignity, comfort and still feeling like yourself, and for someone who is very ill they are not a luxury but a good part of a hard day. What matters is gentleness, flexibility about timing when energy is unpredictable, and a therapist who works with the palliative care team rather than around it. Sources: Hospice UKLook Good Feel Better UKMacmillan Cancer SupportMarie Curie
Avoid	Jessner's PeelAlso: combination peel, modified Jessner Why, and the source — Jessner's Peel Treatments that injure the skin so it can rebuild — injectables, chemical peels, microneedling — ask for weeks of healing and give nothing back in the meantime. In palliative care that trade is the wrong way round: the discomfort lands now and the benefit arrives after a point that may not come. A therapist declining this is protecting your comfort, and the gentle treatments in the same list are where the good is. Sources: Hospice UKLook Good Feel Better UKMacmillan Cancer SupportMarie Curie
Avoid	Mesotherapy (Facial)Also: meso facial, vitamin injections, skin booster injections (face) Why, and the source — Mesotherapy (Facial) Treatments that injure the skin so it can rebuild — injectables, chemical peels, microneedling — ask for weeks of healing and give nothing back in the meantime. In palliative care that trade is the wrong way round: the discomfort lands now and the benefit arrives after a point that may not come. A therapist declining this is protecting your comfort, and the gentle treatments in the same list are where the good is. Sources: Hospice UKLook Good Feel Better UKMacmillan Cancer SupportMarie Curie
Avoid	MicroneedlingAlso: dermapen, dermaroller, collagen induction therapy, CIT, skin needling Why, and the source — Microneedling Treatments that injure the skin so it can rebuild — injectables, chemical peels, microneedling — ask for weeks of healing and give nothing back in the meantime. In palliative care that trade is the wrong way round: the discomfort lands now and the benefit arrives after a point that may not come. A therapist declining this is protecting your comfort, and the gentle treatments in the same list are where the good is. Sources: Hospice UKLook Good Feel Better UKMacmillan Cancer SupportMarie Curie
Avoid	Phenol Peel (Deep)Also: deep chemical peel, Baker-Gordon peel Why, and the source — Phenol Peel (Deep) Treatments that injure the skin so it can rebuild — injectables, chemical peels, microneedling — ask for weeks of healing and give nothing back in the meantime. In palliative care that trade is the wrong way round: the discomfort lands now and the benefit arrives after a point that may not come. A therapist declining this is protecting your comfort, and the gentle treatments in the same list are where the good is. Sources: Hospice UKLook Good Feel Better UKMacmillan Cancer SupportMarie Curie
Avoid	PRP Facial (Vampire Facial)Also: platelet-rich plasma facial, vampire facial, blood facial Why, and the source — PRP Facial (Vampire Facial) Treatments that injure the skin so it can rebuild — injectables, chemical peels, microneedling — ask for weeks of healing and give nothing back in the meantime. In palliative care that trade is the wrong way round: the discomfort lands now and the benefit arrives after a point that may not come. A therapist declining this is protecting your comfort, and the gentle treatments in the same list are where the good is. Sources: Hospice UKLook Good Feel Better UKMacmillan Cancer SupportMarie Curie
Avoid	RF MicroneedlingAlso: Morpheus8, Profound, Vivace, Genius RF, radio frequency microneedling Why, and the source — RF Microneedling Treatments that injure the skin so it can rebuild — injectables, chemical peels, microneedling — ask for weeks of healing and give nothing back in the meantime. In palliative care that trade is the wrong way round: the discomfort lands now and the benefit arrives after a point that may not come. A therapist declining this is protecting your comfort, and the gentle treatments in the same list are where the good is. Sources: Hospice UKLook Good Feel Better UKMacmillan Cancer SupportMarie Curie
Avoid	TCA Peel (Medium)Also: trichloroacetic acid peel, medium depth peel Why, and the source — TCA Peel (Medium) Treatments that injure the skin so it can rebuild — injectables, chemical peels, microneedling — ask for weeks of healing and give nothing back in the meantime. In palliative care that trade is the wrong way round: the discomfort lands now and the benefit arrives after a point that may not come. A therapist declining this is protecting your comfort, and the gentle treatments in the same list are where the good is. Sources: Hospice UKLook Good Feel Better UKMacmillan Cancer SupportMarie Curie
Not yet reviewed	Carbon Laser FacialAlso: Hollywood peel, China doll peel, carbon peel We have not found a source we trust for this combination yet. Rather than guess, we leave it blank. Ask your practitioner and your own doctor before you book.
Not yet reviewed	Cryo FacialAlso: ice facial, cold therapy facial, frotox We have not found a source we trust for this combination yet. Rather than guess, we leave it blank. Ask your practitioner and your own doctor before you book.
Not yet reviewed	DermaplaningAlso: blade exfoliation, facial shaving, peach fuzz removal We have not found a source we trust for this combination yet. Rather than guess, we leave it blank. Ask your practitioner and your own doctor before you book.
Not yet reviewed	Enzyme PeelAlso: fruit enzyme peel, papain peel, bromelain peel We have not found a source we trust for this combination yet. Rather than guess, we leave it blank. Ask your practitioner and your own doctor before you book.
Not yet reviewed	Galvanic FacialAlso: iontophoresis, desincrustation, galvanic current We have not found a source we trust for this combination yet. Rather than guess, we leave it blank. Ask your practitioner and your own doctor before you book.
Not yet reviewed	HIFU (Ultherapy)Also: Ultherapy, high-intensity focused ultrasound, non-surgical lifting, ultrasound lifting We have not found a source we trust for this combination yet. Rather than guess, we leave it blank. Ask your practitioner and your own doctor before you book.
Not yet reviewed	High-Frequency FacialAlso: high-frequency wand, violet ray treatment We have not found a source we trust for this combination yet. Rather than guess, we leave it blank. Ask your practitioner and your own doctor before you book.
Not yet reviewed	HydraFacialAlso: hydradermabrasion, hydra facial, aqua facial We have not found a source we trust for this combination yet. Rather than guess, we leave it blank. Ask your practitioner and your own doctor before you book.
Not yet reviewed	LED Light TherapyAlso: red light therapy, blue light therapy, yellow light therapy, LED facial We have not found a source we trust for this combination yet. Rather than guess, we leave it blank. Ask your practitioner and your own doctor before you book.
Not yet reviewed	Microcurrent FacialAlso: NuFace, non-surgical facelift, facial toning We have not found a source we trust for this combination yet. Rather than guess, we leave it blank. Ask your practitioner and your own doctor before you book.
Not yet reviewed	MicrodermabrasionAlso: crystal microdermabrasion, diamond microdermabrasion, MDA We have not found a source we trust for this combination yet. Rather than guess, we leave it blank. Ask your practitioner and your own doctor before you book.
Not yet reviewed	Oxygen FacialAlso: Intraceuticals, oxygen infusion facial We have not found a source we trust for this combination yet. Rather than guess, we leave it blank. Ask your practitioner and your own doctor before you book.
Not yet reviewed	Radiofrequency (RF) FacialAlso: Thermage, Venus Freeze (face), skin tightening RF We have not found a source we trust for this combination yet. Rather than guess, we leave it blank. Ask your practitioner and your own doctor before you book.
Not yet reviewed	Ultrasound FacialAlso: ultrasonic facial, cavitation peel We have not found a source we trust for this combination yet. Rather than guess, we leave it blank. Ask your practitioner and your own doctor before you book.

Injectables

11 treatments · all 11 to avoid

Injectables — End-of-life and palliative care
What we found	Treatment
Avoid	Biostimulators (Sculptra, Radiesse, Ellanse)Also: Sculptra, Radiesse, Ellanse, collagen stimulators, PLLA, calcium hydroxylapatite Why, and the source — Biostimulators (Sculptra, Radiesse, Ellanse) Treatments that injure the skin so it can rebuild — injectables, chemical peels, microneedling — ask for weeks of healing and give nothing back in the meantime. In palliative care that trade is the wrong way round: the discomfort lands now and the benefit arrives after a point that may not come. A therapist declining this is protecting your comfort, and the gentle treatments in the same list are where the good is. Sources: Hospice UKLook Good Feel Better UKMacmillan Cancer SupportMarie Curie
Avoid	Botox / NeurotoxinAlso: botulinum toxin, Dysport, Xeomin, Azzalure, Bocouture, anti-wrinkle injections, wrinkle relaxers, tox Why, and the source — Botox / Neurotoxin Treatments that injure the skin so it can rebuild — injectables, chemical peels, microneedling — ask for weeks of healing and give nothing back in the meantime. In palliative care that trade is the wrong way round: the discomfort lands now and the benefit arrives after a point that may not come. A therapist declining this is protecting your comfort, and the gentle treatments in the same list are where the good is. Sources: Hospice UKLook Good Feel Better UKMacmillan Cancer SupportMarie Curie
Avoid	Cheek FillersAlso: midface filler, cheek augmentation, Voluma Why, and the source — Cheek Fillers Treatments that injure the skin so it can rebuild — injectables, chemical peels, microneedling — ask for weeks of healing and give nothing back in the meantime. In palliative care that trade is the wrong way round: the discomfort lands now and the benefit arrives after a point that may not come. A therapist declining this is protecting your comfort, and the gentle treatments in the same list are where the good is. Sources: Hospice UKLook Good Feel Better UKMacmillan Cancer SupportMarie Curie
Avoid	Dermal Fillers (General)Also: hyaluronic acid fillers, HA fillers, Juvederm, Restylane, Belotero Why, and the source — Dermal Fillers (General) Treatments that injure the skin so it can rebuild — injectables, chemical peels, microneedling — ask for weeks of healing and give nothing back in the meantime. In palliative care that trade is the wrong way round: the discomfort lands now and the benefit arrives after a point that may not come. A therapist declining this is protecting your comfort, and the gentle treatments in the same list are where the good is. Sources: Hospice UKLook Good Feel Better UKMacmillan Cancer SupportMarie Curie
Avoid	Fat-Dissolving InjectionsAlso: Aqualyx, Kybella, deoxycholic acid, lipolysis injections Why, and the source — Fat-Dissolving Injections Treatments that injure the skin so it can rebuild — injectables, chemical peels, microneedling — ask for weeks of healing and give nothing back in the meantime. In palliative care that trade is the wrong way round: the discomfort lands now and the benefit arrives after a point that may not come. A therapist declining this is protecting your comfort, and the gentle treatments in the same list are where the good is. Sources: Hospice UKLook Good Feel Better UKMacmillan Cancer SupportMarie Curie
Avoid	Lip FillersAlso: lip augmentation, lip enhancement, lip injections Why, and the source — Lip Fillers Treatments that injure the skin so it can rebuild — injectables, chemical peels, microneedling — ask for weeks of healing and give nothing back in the meantime. In palliative care that trade is the wrong way round: the discomfort lands now and the benefit arrives after a point that may not come. A therapist declining this is protecting your comfort, and the gentle treatments in the same list are where the good is. Sources: Hospice UKLook Good Feel Better UKMacmillan Cancer SupportMarie Curie
Avoid	Mesotherapy (Body)Also: body meso, fat-loss mesotherapy, cellulite mesotherapy Why, and the source — Mesotherapy (Body) Treatments that injure the skin so it can rebuild — injectables, chemical peels, microneedling — ask for weeks of healing and give nothing back in the meantime. In palliative care that trade is the wrong way round: the discomfort lands now and the benefit arrives after a point that may not come. A therapist declining this is protecting your comfort, and the gentle treatments in the same list are where the good is. Sources: Hospice UKLook Good Feel Better UKMacmillan Cancer SupportMarie Curie
Avoid	PDO Thread LiftAlso: thread lift, PDO threads, PLLA threads, Silhouette Soft, non-surgical thread lift Why, and the source — PDO Thread Lift Treatments that injure the skin so it can rebuild — injectables, chemical peels, microneedling — ask for weeks of healing and give nothing back in the meantime. In palliative care that trade is the wrong way round: the discomfort lands now and the benefit arrives after a point that may not come. A therapist declining this is protecting your comfort, and the gentle treatments in the same list are where the good is. Sources: Hospice UKLook Good Feel Better UKMacmillan Cancer SupportMarie Curie
Avoid	PolynucleotidesAlso: Plinest, Newest, PN injection, salmon DNA injection Why, and the source — Polynucleotides Treatments that injure the skin so it can rebuild — injectables, chemical peels, microneedling — ask for weeks of healing and give nothing back in the meantime. In palliative care that trade is the wrong way round: the discomfort lands now and the benefit arrives after a point that may not come. A therapist declining this is protecting your comfort, and the gentle treatments in the same list are where the good is. Sources: Hospice UKLook Good Feel Better UKMacmillan Cancer SupportMarie Curie
Avoid	Skin Boosters (Profhilo, Restylane Skinbooster)Also: Profhilo, Restylane Vital, Restylane Skinbooster, hydration injections Why, and the source — Skin Boosters (Profhilo, Restylane Skinbooster) Treatments that injure the skin so it can rebuild — injectables, chemical peels, microneedling — ask for weeks of healing and give nothing back in the meantime. In palliative care that trade is the wrong way round: the discomfort lands now and the benefit arrives after a point that may not come. A therapist declining this is protecting your comfort, and the gentle treatments in the same list are where the good is. Sources: Hospice UKLook Good Feel Better UKMacmillan Cancer SupportMarie Curie
Avoid	Tear Trough FillersAlso: under-eye filler, under-eye treatment Why, and the source — Tear Trough Fillers Treatments that injure the skin so it can rebuild — injectables, chemical peels, microneedling — ask for weeks of healing and give nothing back in the meantime. In palliative care that trade is the wrong way round: the discomfort lands now and the benefit arrives after a point that may not come. A therapist declining this is protecting your comfort, and the gentle treatments in the same list are where the good is. Sources: Hospice UKLook Good Feel Better UKMacmillan Cancer SupportMarie Curie

Laser & Light

7 treatments · all 7 not yet reviewed

Laser & Light — End-of-life and palliative care
What we found	Treatment
Not yet reviewed	Fractional Ablative LaserAlso: CO2 laser, Erbium laser, ablative resurfacing We have not found a source we trust for this combination yet. Rather than guess, we leave it blank. Ask your practitioner and your own doctor before you book.
Not yet reviewed	Fractional Non-Ablative LaserAlso: Fraxel, Clear + Brilliant, non-ablative resurfacing We have not found a source we trust for this combination yet. Rather than guess, we leave it blank. Ask your practitioner and your own doctor before you book.
Not yet reviewed	IPL (Intense Pulsed Light)Also: intense pulsed light, photofacial, fotofacial, IPL photorejuvenation We have not found a source we trust for this combination yet. Rather than guess, we leave it blank. Ask your practitioner and your own doctor before you book.
Not yet reviewed	Laser Hair RemovalAlso: LHR, diode laser, Alexandrite laser, Nd:YAG laser, permanent hair reduction We have not found a source we trust for this combination yet. Rather than guess, we leave it blank. Ask your practitioner and your own doctor before you book.
Not yet reviewed	Photodynamic Therapy (PDT)Also: PDT, blue light + ALA therapy, Levulan therapy We have not found a source we trust for this combination yet. Rather than guess, we leave it blank. Ask your practitioner and your own doctor before you book.
Not yet reviewed	Pigment Laser (Q-Switched / Pico)Also: Q-switched laser, Pico laser, PicoSure, PicoWay, tattoo removal laser We have not found a source we trust for this combination yet. Rather than guess, we leave it blank. Ask your practitioner and your own doctor before you book.
Not yet reviewed	Vascular LaserAlso: V-Beam, KTP laser, pulsed dye laser, broken capillaries laser We have not found a source we trust for this combination yet. Rather than guess, we leave it blank. Ask your practitioner and your own doctor before you book.

Body Treatments

15 treatments · 1 actively helps · 1 to avoid · 13 not yet reviewed

Body Treatments — End-of-life and palliative care
What we found	Treatment
Avoid	Body PeelAlso: chemical body peel, back peel, body acid treatment Why, and the source — Body Peel Treatments that injure the skin so it can rebuild — injectables, chemical peels, microneedling — ask for weeks of healing and give nothing back in the meantime. In palliative care that trade is the wrong way round: the discomfort lands now and the benefit arrives after a point that may not come. A therapist declining this is protecting your comfort, and the gentle treatments in the same list are where the good is. Sources: Hospice UKLook Good Feel Better UKMacmillan Cancer SupportMarie Curie
Actively helps	Swedish MassageAlso: classic massage, relaxation massage, full-body massage Why, and the source — Swedish Massage Hospices and palliative teams increasingly include beauty therapy for a reason. A manicure, a gentle facial, hands held and feet cared for — these are about dignity, comfort and still feeling like yourself, and for someone who is very ill they are not a luxury but a good part of a hard day. What matters is gentleness, flexibility about timing when energy is unpredictable, and a therapist who works with the palliative care team rather than around it. Sources: Hospice UKLook Good Feel Better UKMacmillan Cancer SupportMarie Curie
Not yet reviewed	Aromatherapy MassageAlso: essential oil massage We have not found a source we trust for this combination yet. Rather than guess, we leave it blank. Ask your practitioner and your own doctor before you book.
Not yet reviewed	Body ScrubAlso: body exfoliation, salt scrub, sugar scrub, body polish We have not found a source we trust for this combination yet. Rather than guess, we leave it blank. Ask your practitioner and your own doctor before you book.
Not yet reviewed	Body WrapsAlso: algae wrap, mud wrap, paraffin wrap, seaweed wrap, detox wrap We have not found a source we trust for this combination yet. Rather than guess, we leave it blank. Ask your practitioner and your own doctor before you book.
Not yet reviewed	Cryolipolysis (CoolSculpting)Also: CoolSculpting, fat freezing, cool sculpting, Zeltiq We have not found a source we trust for this combination yet. Rather than guess, we leave it blank. Ask your practitioner and your own doctor before you book.
Not yet reviewed	Deep Tissue MassageAlso: sports massage, remedial massage, firm pressure massage We have not found a source we trust for this combination yet. Rather than guess, we leave it blank. Ask your practitioner and your own doctor before you book.
Not yet reviewed	EMSculpt / EMS Body TreatmentsAlso: EMSculpt, Emsella, electromagnetic muscle stimulation, HIFEM We have not found a source we trust for this combination yet. Rather than guess, we leave it blank. Ask your practitioner and your own doctor before you book.
Not yet reviewed	EndermologieAlso: LPG, mechanical roller massage, endermology, cellulite massage We have not found a source we trust for this combination yet. Rather than guess, we leave it blank. Ask your practitioner and your own doctor before you book.
Not yet reviewed	Hot Stone MassageAlso: stone therapy, geothermal massage We have not found a source we trust for this combination yet. Rather than guess, we leave it blank. Ask your practitioner and your own doctor before you book.
Not yet reviewed	Lymphatic Drainage MassageAlso: MLD, manual lymphatic drainage, Vodder technique We have not found a source we trust for this combination yet. Rather than guess, we leave it blank. Ask your practitioner and your own doctor before you book.
Not yet reviewed	Prenatal / Pregnancy MassageAlso: pregnancy massage, maternity massage We have not found a source we trust for this combination yet. Rather than guess, we leave it blank. Ask your practitioner and your own doctor before you book.
Not yet reviewed	PressotherapyAlso: compression boots, Ballancer, lymphatic pressotherapy We have not found a source we trust for this combination yet. Rather than guess, we leave it blank. Ask your practitioner and your own doctor before you book.
Not yet reviewed	Radiofrequency Body TreatmentsAlso: Venus Legacy, Exilis, body RF, skin tightening RF (body) We have not found a source we trust for this combination yet. Rather than guess, we leave it blank. Ask your practitioner and your own doctor before you book.
Not yet reviewed	Ultrasonic CavitationAlso: body cavitation, ultrasonic fat reduction, cavi-lipo We have not found a source we trust for this combination yet. Rather than guess, we leave it blank. Ask your practitioner and your own doctor before you book.

Hair Removal

6 treatments · 1 to avoid · 5 not yet reviewed

Hair Removal — End-of-life and palliative care
What we found	Treatment
Avoid	ElectrolysisAlso: needle electrolysis, permanent hair removal, galvanic electrolysis Why, and the source — Electrolysis Treatments that injure the skin so it can rebuild — injectables, chemical peels, microneedling — ask for weeks of healing and give nothing back in the meantime. In palliative care that trade is the wrong way round: the discomfort lands now and the benefit arrives after a point that may not come. A therapist declining this is protecting your comfort, and the gentle treatments in the same list are where the good is. Sources: Hospice UKLook Good Feel Better UKMacmillan Cancer SupportMarie Curie
Not yet reviewed	Depilatory CreamAlso: chemical hair removal, hair removal cream, Veet, Nair We have not found a source we trust for this combination yet. Rather than guess, we leave it blank. Ask your practitioner and your own doctor before you book.
Not yet reviewed	Hot WaxAlso: hard wax, Brazilian wax, hot wax depilation We have not found a source we trust for this combination yet. Rather than guess, we leave it blank. Ask your practitioner and your own doctor before you book.
Not yet reviewed	Strip Wax (Soft Wax)Also: soft wax, strip waxing, honey wax We have not found a source we trust for this combination yet. Rather than guess, we leave it blank. Ask your practitioner and your own doctor before you book.
Not yet reviewed	SugaringAlso: sugar paste depilation, Egyptian sugaring, Persian sugaring We have not found a source we trust for this combination yet. Rather than guess, we leave it blank. Ask your practitioner and your own doctor before you book.
Not yet reviewed	ThreadingAlso: eyebrow threading, facial threading, khite We have not found a source we trust for this combination yet. Rather than guess, we leave it blank. Ask your practitioner and your own doctor before you book.

Nails

10 treatments · 2 actively help · 8 not yet reviewed

Nails — End-of-life and palliative care
What we found	Treatment
Actively helps	Classic ManicureAlso: regular manicure, traditional manicure, polish manicure Why, and the source — Classic Manicure Hospices and palliative teams increasingly include beauty therapy for a reason. A manicure, a gentle facial, hands held and feet cared for — these are about dignity, comfort and still feeling like yourself, and for someone who is very ill they are not a luxury but a good part of a hard day. What matters is gentleness, flexibility about timing when energy is unpredictable, and a therapist who works with the palliative care team rather than around it. Sources: Hospice UKLook Good Feel Better UKMacmillan Cancer SupportMarie Curie
Actively helps	Classic PedicureAlso: regular pedicure, spa pedicure Why, and the source — Classic Pedicure Hospices and palliative teams increasingly include beauty therapy for a reason. A manicure, a gentle facial, hands held and feet cared for — these are about dignity, comfort and still feeling like yourself, and for someone who is very ill they are not a luxury but a good part of a hard day. What matters is gentleness, flexibility about timing when energy is unpredictable, and a therapist who works with the palliative care team rather than around it. Sources: Hospice UKLook Good Feel Better UKMacmillan Cancer SupportMarie Curie
Not yet reviewed	Acrylic NailsAlso: liquid and powder nails, L&P nails, sculpted acrylics We have not found a source we trust for this combination yet. Rather than guess, we leave it blank. Ask your practitioner and your own doctor before you book.
Not yet reviewed	Builder Gel / BIABAlso: BIAB, builder in a bottle, hard gel, structure gel We have not found a source we trust for this combination yet. Rather than guess, we leave it blank. Ask your practitioner and your own doctor before you book.
Not yet reviewed	Gel ManicureAlso: Shellac, gel polish, soak-off gel, CND Shellac We have not found a source we trust for this combination yet. Rather than guess, we leave it blank. Ask your practitioner and your own doctor before you book.
Not yet reviewed	Gel PedicureAlso: Shellac pedicure, gel polish pedicure We have not found a source we trust for this combination yet. Rather than guess, we leave it blank. Ask your practitioner and your own doctor before you book.
Not yet reviewed	Medical PedicureAlso: med pedi, podiatry pedicure, Margaret Dabbs pedicure We have not found a source we trust for this combination yet. Rather than guess, we leave it blank. Ask your practitioner and your own doctor before you book.
Not yet reviewed	Nail Strengthening TreatmentsAlso: IBX, nail repair treatment, nail bond treatment We have not found a source we trust for this combination yet. Rather than guess, we leave it blank. Ask your practitioner and your own doctor before you book.
Not yet reviewed	Polygel NailsAlso: poly gel, gel-acrylic hybrid We have not found a source we trust for this combination yet. Rather than guess, we leave it blank. Ask your practitioner and your own doctor before you book.
Not yet reviewed	Press-On NailsAlso: adhesive nails, stick-on nails, nail tips We have not found a source we trust for this combination yet. Rather than guess, we leave it blank. Ask your practitioner and your own doctor before you book.

Lashes & Brows

8 treatments · all 8 not yet reviewed

Lashes & Brows — End-of-life and palliative care
What we found	Treatment
Not yet reviewed	Brow LaminationAlso: brow perm, brow sculpting We have not found a source we trust for this combination yet. Rather than guess, we leave it blank. Ask your practitioner and your own doctor before you book.
Not yet reviewed	Brow TintAlso: eyebrow tinting, brow dye We have not found a source we trust for this combination yet. Rather than guess, we leave it blank. Ask your practitioner and your own doctor before you book.
Not yet reviewed	Classic Lash ExtensionsAlso: individual lashes, 1:1 lash extensions We have not found a source we trust for this combination yet. Rather than guess, we leave it blank. Ask your practitioner and your own doctor before you book.
Not yet reviewed	Henna BrowsAlso: henna brow tinting We have not found a source we trust for this combination yet. Rather than guess, we leave it blank. Ask your practitioner and your own doctor before you book.
Not yet reviewed	Hybrid Lash ExtensionsAlso: mixed lash extensions We have not found a source we trust for this combination yet. Rather than guess, we leave it blank. Ask your practitioner and your own doctor before you book.
Not yet reviewed	Lash LiftAlso: lash perm, keratin lash lift We have not found a source we trust for this combination yet. Rather than guess, we leave it blank. Ask your practitioner and your own doctor before you book.
Not yet reviewed	Lash TintAlso: eyelash tinting, lash dye We have not found a source we trust for this combination yet. Rather than guess, we leave it blank. Ask your practitioner and your own doctor before you book.
Not yet reviewed	Volume Lash ExtensionsAlso: Russian volume, fan lashes, 2D-6D lashes We have not found a source we trust for this combination yet. Rather than guess, we leave it blank. Ask your practitioner and your own doctor before you book.

Permanent Makeup (PMU)

6 treatments · all 6 to avoid

Permanent Makeup (PMU) — End-of-life and palliative care
What we found	Treatment
Avoid	Areola TattooAlso: 3D nipple tattoo, post-mastectomy tattoo Why, and the source — Areola Tattoo Treatments that injure the skin so it can rebuild — injectables, chemical peels, microneedling — ask for weeks of healing and give nothing back in the meantime. In palliative care that trade is the wrong way round: the discomfort lands now and the benefit arrives after a point that may not come. A therapist declining this is protecting your comfort, and the gentle treatments in the same list are where the good is. Sources: Hospice UKLook Good Feel Better UKMacmillan Cancer SupportMarie Curie
Avoid	Eyeliner TattooAlso: permanent eyeliner, lash line enhancement, lash line tattoo Why, and the source — Eyeliner Tattoo Treatments that injure the skin so it can rebuild — injectables, chemical peels, microneedling — ask for weeks of healing and give nothing back in the meantime. In palliative care that trade is the wrong way round: the discomfort lands now and the benefit arrives after a point that may not come. A therapist declining this is protecting your comfort, and the gentle treatments in the same list are where the good is. Sources: Hospice UKLook Good Feel Better UKMacmillan Cancer SupportMarie Curie
Avoid	Lip Blush / Lip TattooAlso: lip tint tattoo, permanent lip colour, aquarelle lips Why, and the source — Lip Blush / Lip Tattoo Treatments that injure the skin so it can rebuild — injectables, chemical peels, microneedling — ask for weeks of healing and give nothing back in the meantime. In palliative care that trade is the wrong way round: the discomfort lands now and the benefit arrives after a point that may not come. A therapist declining this is protecting your comfort, and the gentle treatments in the same list are where the good is. Sources: Hospice UKLook Good Feel Better UKMacmillan Cancer SupportMarie Curie
Avoid	Microblading (Eyebrows)Also: eyebrow embroidery, feather brows, hair-stroke brows Why, and the source — Microblading (Eyebrows) Treatments that injure the skin so it can rebuild — injectables, chemical peels, microneedling — ask for weeks of healing and give nothing back in the meantime. In palliative care that trade is the wrong way round: the discomfort lands now and the benefit arrives after a point that may not come. A therapist declining this is protecting your comfort, and the gentle treatments in the same list are where the good is. Sources: Hospice UKLook Good Feel Better UKMacmillan Cancer SupportMarie Curie
Avoid	Powder Brows / Ombré BrowsAlso: machine brows, ombre brows, shading brows Why, and the source — Powder Brows / Ombré Brows Treatments that injure the skin so it can rebuild — injectables, chemical peels, microneedling — ask for weeks of healing and give nothing back in the meantime. In palliative care that trade is the wrong way round: the discomfort lands now and the benefit arrives after a point that may not come. A therapist declining this is protecting your comfort, and the gentle treatments in the same list are where the good is. Sources: Hospice UKLook Good Feel Better UKMacmillan Cancer SupportMarie Curie
Avoid	Scalp Micropigmentation (SMP)Also: SMP, hair tattoo, scalp tattoo Why, and the source — Scalp Micropigmentation (SMP) Treatments that injure the skin so it can rebuild — injectables, chemical peels, microneedling — ask for weeks of healing and give nothing back in the meantime. In palliative care that trade is the wrong way round: the discomfort lands now and the benefit arrives after a point that may not come. A therapist declining this is protecting your comfort, and the gentle treatments in the same list are where the good is. Sources: Hospice UKLook Good Feel Better UKMacmillan Cancer SupportMarie Curie

Sources

Hospice UKComplementary therapies and personal care in hospice settings
Macmillan Cancer SupportComplementary therapies and wellbeing
Marie CurieComfort, dignity and personal care at the end of life
Look Good Feel Better UKNail care, skin care and makeup during cancer treatment

Written by Anna · London-trained cosmetologist

Last updated 3 September 2026