Barry Keoghan has undergone two rounds of a high-tech, non-surgical facial treatment called XERF at Nilam Holmes’s UK-based clinic Dermaspa, sparking public discussion about his changing appearance and the growing popularity of radiofrequency skin-tightening procedures among high-profile actors.
The Reality of Keoghan’s Skin-Tightening Sessions
- The 34-year-old Oscar-nominated actor completed two sessions of XERF, a treatment utilizing monopolar radiofrequency energy to stimulate collagen production and firm the lower face without surgery.
- According to Dermaspa founder Nilam Holmes, the procedure was chosen to accommodate Keoghan’s intensive filming schedule for the upcoming four-part Beatles biopic, where he plays Ringo Starr, because it requires zero downtime.
- While single sessions cost about $3,300 (£2,500) and full two-session courses reach roughly $6,000 (£4,500), it remains unverified whether Keoghan paid for the treatments, as reported by dailymail.com.
Inside the Dermaspa Treatment Room
The details of Barry Keoghan’s skincare regimen emerged late last week when celebrity skin specialist Nilam Holmes published an Instagram video documenting the actor receiving his second XERF treatment. In the footage, Keoghan relaxes on a clinic bed with a white headband while a handheld device moves across his jawline and cheeks.
Barry Keoghan shares his unexpected skincare secret! After revealing online abuse about his appearance had gotten so bad that he no longer wanted to ‘go outside,' Keoghan's facialist, Nilam Holmes, takes fans inside the 'Saltburn' star's treatments to perfect his look with a XERF…
According to gq.com, Keoghan stated in the video that the procedure feels therapeutic and expressed satisfaction with the outcome, noting that he feels and looks better. He added: I mean, I’ve been hearing a lot about it, and Nilam is very excited about it, and she’s great at what she does. I really mean that.
The treatment, originating from South Korea, utilizes controlled bursts of radiofrequency energy to heat deeper skin layers. This process encourages natural collagen synthesis to lift and sharpen facial contours over several months without cuts, needles, or anaesthetic.
Holmes explained that Keoghan’s demanding filming schedule for the upcoming Beatles biopics leaves no room for the weeks of recovery associated with more invasive cosmetic surgery. Similar procedures have gained traction among other prominent figures, with film star Naomi Watts documenting a May session and describing the result as “snatched,” while Kim Kardashian previously highlighted the technology as a favorite non-invasive tightening method.
Addressing Online Scrutiny and Public Appearance
The revelation of Keoghan’s skincare routine follows widespread public speculation regarding his changing facial features earlier this year. Observers at the March New York premiere of Peaky Blinders: The Immortal Man noted a fuller appearance in his cheeks and lips, prompting various commentaries from cosmetic dermatologists regarding potential soft-tissue filler use.
However, pagesix.com noted that Keoghan has previously addressed the intense online scrutiny directed at his face. Speaking on SiriusXM in March, the actor admitted that negative comments about his appearance made him reluctant to go outside or attend public events. It’s a lot of abuse of how I look,
he shared on “The Morning Mash Up.” Keoghan added that while he’s largely retreated from social media, If I attend an event, or if I go somewhere, [I] want to see how it was received, and it’s not nice … It’s made me shy away, it’s made me really go inside myself and not want to attend places, not want to go outside.
By sharing his routine with Holmes, Keoghan joins a rising demographic of young men embracing proactive skincare and aesthetic upkeep, a trend Holmes identifies as part of a broader cultural shift toward personal maintenance rather than dramatic alteration.
| Treatment Metric | Details |
|---|---|
| Primary Technology | Monopolar Radiofrequency (RF) |
| Single Session Cost | Approx. $3,300 (£2,500) |
| Full Course Cost (Two Sessions) | Approx. $6,000 (£4,500) |
| Reported Longevity of Results | 12 to 18 months |
Maintaining Skin Health Amid Intense Production Schedules
Beyond the primary XERF procedures, Holmes outlined a broader maintenance schedule designed to protect Keoghan’s skin from the strain of heavy film makeup and fatigue. She notes that the best candidates for XERF are people who want subtle, natural-looking results
and have mild laxity,
which is skin that’s only slightly loose or saggy. Appointments occurring every four to six weeks typically involve Skinpen Microneedling to address uneven texture, alongside targeted radiofrequency skin-tightening or lymphatic drainage when the actor exhibits signs of exhaustion. If his face is being troubled from makeup
she’ll do a mild laser with a deep-cleaning HydraFacial.
For more intensive annual maintenance, Holmes utilizes devices like the Ultraformer III HIFU ultrasound or Morpheus8, which combine microneedling with radiofrequency to reinforce skin elasticity. As Keoghan continues his work on the Beatles film project, public interest in male grooming habits and high-tech non-invasive procedures continues to expand across Hollywood circles.
