Barry Keoghan has revealed his second XERF treatment after previously speaking about the impact of online abuse targeting his looks. The Peaky Blinders star has shared a glimpse of his skincare routine, revealing that he has undergone a second XERF skin-tightening treatment.
The Irish actor appeared in footage posted by aesthetics practitioner Nilam Holmes on 23 October, months after discussing how hurtful online comments about his appearance had affected his confidence. 'I feel better about myself,' the 34-year-old said in the video. 'I look better. I think it's important to look after yourself inside and outside.'
The treatment reveal comes after Keoghan admitted that online criticism had made him withdraw from public life and feel reluctant to attend events. However, the actor has not said that the abuse motivated him to seek cosmetic treatment. Instead, his latest comments offer personal insight into his approach to skincare and feeling comfortable with his appearance.
Barry Keoghan Agrees To Be Filmed During XERF Treatment
Holmes, who runs the UK-based aesthetics clinic Dermaspa, shared the footage on her Instagram account, saying she had worked with Keoghan for some time and looked after his skin across different films, campaigns and projects. She also revealed that the filmed appointment was his second XERF treatment.
In her caption, Holmes explained that she had been running late while filming promotional content for XERF. Rather than asking her to rush, Keoghan offered to let her film him undergoing the procedure.
The practitioner thanked him for his trust, adding that his skin had improved over the past few years and that he looked great. Those comments reflect Holmes' own professional assessment rather than independently verified evidence of the treatment's results.
In the footage, Keoghan lies on a treatment bed as a device is moved across his face, including his cheeks and jawline. The actor also praised Holmes and described his appointments as relaxing.
'I mean, I've been hearing a lot about it,' he said. 'And Nilam is very excited about it, and she's great at what she does.' He added that she looked after his skin and that his visits felt therapeutic.
What Is XERF Skin Tightening?
XERF is a non-invasive cosmetic treatment that uses radiofrequency energy to heat tissue beneath the skin. It is marketed to improve skin firmness and stimulate collagen production without injections or surgery.
The procedure uses an external device rather than needles. However, results can vary from person to person, and anyone considering the treatment should consult a qualified practitioner about suitability, potential risks, expected outcomes and aftercare.
The treatment also represents a significant financial investment. Entertainment Weekly, which reported on Keoghan's session on Tuesday, 27 October, cited prices starting at approximately £4,500 for two rounds, equivalent to around $5,300 at the figure quoted by the publication.
This is a reported starting price, not confirmation of what Keoghan paid. The actor has not disclosed the cost of his treatments or provided a detailed account of any results beyond his own comments in the video.
The Online Abuse That Affected His Confidence
In March 2026, Keoghan spoke about the impact of online criticism during an appearance on SiriusXM's The Morning Mash Up. He explained that comments targeting his appearance had become increasingly difficult to deal with.
'There's a lot of hate online,' he said. 'There's a lot of abuse of how I look, and it's kind of past the point of — you know, everyone goes through that... but it's made me shy away.'
He continued: 'It's made me really go inside myself, not want to attend places, not want to go outside.'
The actor also acknowledged that he sometimes checked online reactions to his public appearances, despite finding the comments upsetting. He described the situation as becoming a problem when it affected his willingness to go out.
Keoghan deactivated his Instagram account in 2024 after addressing online harassment, including concerns about the attention directed towards his young son. His latest treatment reveal follows those earlier comments, but he has not directly linked his decision to undergo XERF with the abuse he described. Keeping the two details separate matters: his public statements show online criticism affected him, not that it led him to pursue a cosmetic procedure.
A Busy Period for the Irish Actor
Away from his skincare routine, Keoghan continues to build his acting career. He appears in Peaky Blinders: The Immortal Man and is set to portray Ringo Starr in Sam Mendes' forthcoming Beatles biopics, alongside Paul Mescal, Joseph Quinn and Harris Dickinson.
By letting Holmes film his appointment, Keoghan has offered an unusually personal look at a treatment he chose to try. His comments focus on looking after himself and feeling better about his appearance, rather than presenting cosmetic procedures as a solution to online abuse.
'I think it's important to look after yourself inside and outside,' he said, summing up his approach in his own words.
