A “penis facial” is the informal nickname for a luxury skincare treatment officially called the Hollywood EGF (Epidermal Growth Factor) Facial. The name comes from one key ingredient: a serum derived from cells that originally came from donated newborn foreskin tissue. The treatment gained widespread attention after actress Cate Blanchett casually mentioned it during a 2018 interview, and the nickname stuck immediately.
What the Treatment Actually Involves
The Hollywood EGF Facial was developed by celebrity aesthetician Georgia Louise, who operates a high-end skincare studio in New York City. The core of the treatment is an epidermal growth factor serum, which is applied to the face using microneedling or similar techniques that help the skin absorb the product more deeply.
The growth factors in the serum come from human fibroblast cells, which are the cells responsible for producing collagen and elastin in your skin. These fibroblast cells were originally harvested from donated newborn foreskin tissue, then sent to a stem cell bank in South Korea (reportedly one of the largest in the world) where they were cloned and cultured. The cells used in the facial are not raw foreskin tissue. They’re lab-grown copies of the original donor cells, processed into a concentrated serum. The goal is to deliver growth factors that signal your skin to ramp up its own collagen and elastin production, which can improve texture, firmness, and fine lines.
Why Newborn Foreskin Cells
Foreskin tissue from circumcised newborns has been used in medical and cosmetic research for decades. Newborn cells divide rapidly and are rich in growth factors, making them especially useful for generating large quantities of lab-cultured material. A single donation can be cultured into millions of cells, so the treatment doesn’t require an ongoing supply of new tissue. The cells are considered “progenitor cells,” meaning they retain a strong ability to multiply and produce the proteins involved in skin repair.
This is also why the treatment carries such a high price tag. Culturing and processing these cells into a stable, usable serum is expensive and specialized work.
Cost and Availability
When the treatment made headlines in 2018, a single session at the Georgia Louise Atelier in New York City cost around $650. Actress Kate Beckinsale was among the celebrities who publicly shared their experience with the facial at that price point. Given the niche nature of the treatment and the cost of the EGF serum itself, it remains a luxury service that isn’t widely available at standard spas or dermatology offices. Some other aestheticians have begun offering EGF-based facials using similar growth factor serums, but the original Hollywood EGF Facial is specific to Georgia Louise’s practice.
What to Expect During and After
The treatment typically combines the EGF serum with microneedling, a process where tiny needles create controlled micro-injuries in the skin’s surface. This does two things: it triggers your skin’s natural healing response (which boosts collagen on its own) and it creates channels that allow the growth factor serum to penetrate more effectively.
After any microneedling-based facial, you can expect some redness and mild sensitivity for a day or two. Your skin may feel slightly tight or warm, similar to a mild sunburn. Most people return to their normal routine within 24 to 48 hours. Makeup is generally avoided for at least the first day to let the micro-channels close. The full effects of increased collagen production develop gradually over several weeks, not overnight.
The Controversy Behind the Name
The viral moment happened when Cate Blanchett mentioned the treatment on a press tour, referring to it by the nickname “penis facial” in a lighthearted way. The phrase spread rapidly through tabloids and social media, turning a niche celebrity skincare treatment into a widely discussed topic. Georgia Louise reportedly wasn’t thrilled with the nickname, as it overshadowed the science behind the product and made it sound far more bizarre than it is in practice.
There’s also an ethical dimension to the conversation. Some critics have raised concerns about using tissue from circumcised infants in cosmetic products, arguing that the babies obviously couldn’t consent to having their tissue used this way. Supporters of the treatment point out that foreskin tissue from circumcisions would otherwise be discarded, and that the same type of cell banking has legitimate medical applications in wound healing and burn treatment. The debate mirrors broader conversations about the ethics of using human-derived biological materials in commercial products.
EGF in Wider Skincare
Epidermal growth factors aren’t exclusive to this one facial. EGF has become a popular ingredient in high-end serums and creams available for home use. These over-the-counter products contain lower concentrations of growth factors and are applied to intact skin without microneedling, so their effects are more modest. They’re generally well tolerated, though people with very sensitive or reactive skin may want to introduce them gradually. The professional-grade treatment at a clinic delivers a significantly higher dose directly into the skin, which is why the results are more pronounced and the cost is higher.