[Q 516] Ruling on Aesthetic Procedures

QUESTION:

Salam, are you allowed to perform aesthetic procedures as a doctor?

ANSWER:

For a Muslim man, it is permissible to become an aesthetician (jamaliyati mu‘alij – cosmetic/aesthetic practitioner), on the condition that he treats only men, and that he takes special care that the treatment methods and materials used are in accordance with Shari‘ah (Islamic law). For example, no Haram (unlawful) ingredients should be used, nor should he perform any procedure that involves disfiguring any part of the face or body, adopting the appearance of Fussaq (open sinners) or Kuffar (disbelievers), or causing unnecessary harm to the body.

A male aesthetician doctor is not permitted to carry out such treatments on women, because in Shari‘ah it is prohibited for any man to touch or look at the face of a Ghair Mahram (a woman not lawfully related) without a valid Shar‘i necessity.

Furthermore, many impermissible situations can arise in such treatments. Therefore, it would be appropriate to explain the details of the work and seek a separate ruling for each type of procedure from a Mufti Sahib.

Translated answer
Date: 20th January 2026