No — not while it's active. Here's why that's the right call, even when the client pushes back.
A cold sore is herpes simplex (HSV-1) in its contagious phase. Any treatment that touches, heats, exfoliates, or breaks the skin barrier near the area can do two things: spread the virus across the client's own face (autoinoculation), and transfer it to your tools, your hands, and the next client. Facials, waxing, microdermabrasion, peels, and LED are all contraindicated while a sore is weeping, blistered, or crusting. The risk window starts at the first tingle, before anything is visible.
What to do instead:
- Reschedule for at least 10–14 days, or until the sore has fully healed and the skin is intact.
- Don't work "around" it. Heat, steam, and stimulation can trigger or worsen an outbreak even if you avoid direct contact.
- Record it. Note the contraindication, the date, and that you rescheduled. If a client later claims you spread an infection, that record is your defence.
- Check your consultation form covers it. Most reactions come from clients who didn't think a "little cold sore" mattered.
Turning a client away for two weeks feels bad. Doing a facial that erupts into a full outbreak — or infects someone else — costs you the client, the reputation, and potentially your insurance cover.
Every client, remembered — safely.
SAY-OS keeps each client's contraindications, allergies and history in one place, and flags them at booking — so the right call happens before they're in the chair.
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