What is the ruling on undergoing chemical peeling of the face and hands? Some people resort to this procedure to treat various skin discolorations due to acne, sun exposure, hormonal causes, aging, and similar concerns. Would the same ruling apply if the procedure is pursued to improve skin clarity and enhance its overall appearance?

In Islamic law, chemical peeling of the face, hands, neck, and other areas of the body is permissible for both medical and cosmetic purposes.  This ruling is applicable to both men and women, provided it does not cause immediate or long-term harm. Chemical peels should be undertaken by a certified and experienced practitioner.

Love for adornment is an innate human trait

The desire for adornment and the pursuit of beauty are fundamental to human nature, aligning with the will of the Wise Legislator, glory be to Him, Who fashioned humanity in the best form. Allah Almighty says, “We have certainly created man in the best form” (Quran, 95:4). In Islamic law, elective cosmetic procedures and adornment are permissible except for what Allah Almighty has explicitly mentioned as prohibited; He says, “O children of Adam, take your adornment at every masjid” and “Who has forbidden the adornment of Allah which he has produced for His servants and the good [lawful] things for provision” (Quran, 95:32).

Abdullah Ibn Mas’ud (may Allah be pleased with him) narrated that a man told the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him), “O Messenger of Allah! I like my garment to be clean, my hair anointed, and my sandals new." He mentioned some [other] things, even the strap of his whip. He then asked, "Is that arrogance, O Messenger of Allah?" The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) replied, "No, that is beauty. Indeed, Allah is Beautiful and loves beauty" (recorded by Muslim, Ahmad, and al-Hakem). Sheikh Ibn al-Qayyim observed in Al-Fawa`id, “This includes, in a general sense, beauty in all things.”

Chemical peels

Adornment of the face and hands is among the primary concerns of those who like to have them appear in the best condition. However, treatment may be necessary to improve the appearance of an uneven skin tone caused by burn scars, physiological conditions, congenital defects, age spots, sun spots, and melasma, which can result from various influences, including hormonal changes before and after pregnancy. Treatment methods are continually evolving, influenced by advancements in medicine and tailored to the specific needs of each patient. One such treatment is chemical peeling, which is a procedure in which a chemical substance is applied to targeted areas of the face, hands, neck, or other body regions, to remove the damaged skin layers, allowing the underlying tissue to regenerate new cells. As a result, the skin becomes smoother and blemish-free.

The primary motive for undergoing chemical peel treatments is medical. Seeking medical treatment is prescribed, encouraged, and strongly recommended by Islamic law. Usama Ibn Sharik (may Allah be pleased with him) narrated that he was with the Prophet (peace and blessing be upon him) and his Companions when some people came from the desert and asked him, “O Messenger of Allah, should we seek treatment [from illnesses]?” He said, “Seek treatment, for Allah Almighty did not create a disease but that He made a cure for it except for one disease: old age" (recorded by Abu Dawud and at-Tirmidhi). This hadith conveys an unconditional encouragement to seek treatment, without any restrictions or qualifications. It aligns with the established legal maxim of Islamic law that states, “The absolute is construed in its absolute sense until a specific indication arises to limit it,” as mentioned in Ghamz ‘Uyun Al-Basa`ir (3:159) by Shihab al-Deen al-Hamwi. Imam ‘Izz al-Deen Abdul Salam observed in Qawa’id Al-Ihkam (1:6), “Medicine, like Islamic law, is established to promote safety and health and mitigate the harms of ailments and diseases, to avert as much of these harms as possible, and to ensure that as many of these benefits as possible are attained.” The permissibility of chemical peeling is contingent on the assurance that any potential risks do not outweigh the expected benefits, especially when the side effects of the treatment are less than the harm caused by leaving the condition untreated. It is established in Islamic law that when faced with two harms, the greater harm is to be avoided by the commission of the lesser.  

Another reason for undergoing chemical peeling is cosmetic enhancement. Changes in skin appearance in both genders can lead to psychological distress, embarrassment, and even physical harm. It has been established in the maxims of Islamic law that, “Necessity is measured by the extent thereof,” as stated in Al-Ashbah wa al-Naza`ir by Imam Al-Suyuti (p. 139) and Al-Ashbah wa al-Naza`ir by Imam Zain al-Din Ibn Nujaim (p. 78). In Al-Muwafaqat (2:150), Imam Al-Shatibi notes that Allah Almighty has created harmful and painful experiences as trials for His servants. He further said that it is understood from the comprehensive body of Islamic law that there exists provision to avoid such hardships, thereby mitigating the ensuing difficulties and safeguarding the blessings that Allah has allowed His servants to enjoy. Exfoliating the skin to remove skin discoloration, regardless of its cause, has been practiced by the Mothers of the Believers (the Prophet’s wives) and the wives of the Companions (may Allah be pleased with them); they used to apply wars (a yellow plant used as a dye and to make cosmetic applications) on their faces for this purpose. The Mother of the Believers, Umm Salama (may Allah be pleased with her) said, “We would apply wars on our faces to treat melasma” (recorded by the compilers of the Sunan and Imam Ahmad).

Imam Badr al-Deen al-‘Ainy noted in ‘Umdat Al-Qari Sharh Sahih Al-Bukhari (20:193), “There is no prohibition against treatments that remove skin discoloration and enhance the appearance of the face for one’s husband. The same applies to removing facial hair. When asked about the permissibility of exfoliating the face, Aisha (may Allah be pleased with her) replied, ‘There is no harm in it if it is for something that is acquired.” A similar statement was made by Ibn al-Mulaqqin in Al-Tawdih li Sharh Al-Jami’ Al-Sahih (25:45).

Conditions for undergoing chemical peel treatments

Chemical peels should be performed carefully by certified professionals to protect the skin and prevent any damage. This is consistent with the Islamic legal maxim, “Harm must be eliminated,” as is mentioned in Al-Ashbah wa Al-Naza`ir (p. 132). Ibn Abbas (may Allah be pleased with them both) narrated that the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said, “Do not harm or reciprocate harm” (recorded by Imams Ibn Majah and Ahmad).

And Allah Almighty knows best