Herpes | Did you know lasers, peels, and permanent makeup can cause outbreaks of hsv?
Before you receive an invasive salon service on an infected area
inform your doctor or esthetician that you have herpes!
Herpes Simplex and Beauty Treatments
Many services performed in a doctor’s office or salon have the potential to irritate the area of previous herpes outbreaks:
A practitioner will usually ask that you start taking an antiviral medication days before the service as a precaution.
The short answer
Many cosmetic treatments work by deliberately injuring the skin so that it heals smoother. If you carry the cold sore virus, that injury can trigger an outbreak right where you were treated. Telling your provider ahead of time lets them plan for it.
Key facts
- Laser resurfacing, chemical peels and similar treatments injure the top layers of skin on purpose. Skin injury is a known trigger for herpes outbreaks.
- Mayo Clinic lists a flare-up of the herpes (cold sore) virus as the most common infection after laser resurfacing.
- If you get cold sores, a doctor may prescribe antiviral medicine before and after these treatments.
- You may be advised to wait if you have had a recent outbreak.
When to talk to a doctor
Always tell the person doing your treatment if you have ever had cold sores or herpes. Choose a qualified, medically supervised provider. See a doctor if blisters, sores or unusual pain appear on treated skin.
Related reading
Sources
- Mayo Clinic – Laser resurfacing
- Mayo Clinic – Chemical peel
- World Health Organization – Herpes simplex virus fact sheet
This is general information, not medical advice. Please see our medical disclaimer. Section added October 2026.
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