Histamine & the Skin: What Every Esthetician Should Know

​Let’s talk about histamine—not just in the allergy world, but in your treatment room.

Some clients have mystery reactions: redness, itching, swelling, or even dizziness after what should be a “safe” treatment. It’s not always an allergy. Sometimes, it’s histamine sensitivity or even mast cell activation.

What is histamine, anyway?
It’s a chemical stored in mast cells that’s released when the body senses a threat—like allergens, injury, or inflammation. But it’s also involved in gut health, hormone balance, brain chemistry, and—yes—skin reactions.

What can trigger a histamine response in the treatment room?

• Heat (steam, lasers)
• Peels, microneedling, or exfoliation
• Friction (like massage or dermaplaning)
• Niacinamide or acids
• Even stress

These things don’t have to be allergens—they just stimulate mast cells or increase circulation, triggering histamine release.

Who’s more likely to react?

• Clients with estrogen dominance (because estrogen stimulates histamine)
• Those with autoimmune conditions
• People who flush easily or say “my skin reacts to everything”
• Anyone who gets vertigo, migraines, anxiety, or eczema

Did you know?

• Estrogen and histamine fuel each other. High estrogen → more histamine. More histamine → more estrogen.
• Vertigo and dizziness can be histamine-related. The inner ear has mast cells too.
• ADD, anxiety, and brain fog can also be linked to histamine imbalances in the brain (H3 receptors).

Quick ways to support histamine-sensitive clients:

• Offer cool compresses, gentle touch, no steam
• Avoid high-histamine triggers during ovulation
• Keep post-care ultra simple
• Recommend they ask their doctor about quercetin, vitamin C, or a DAO enzyme supplement
• Avoid synthetic fragrance or strong essential oils

Bottom line:
If someone reacts to everything, don’t jump straight to blaming the product. Their histamine bucket might already be full.