Does HSA cover waxing?

Asked by: Kenny Williamson IV  |  Last update: December 1, 2025
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Hair removal is a cosmetic medical procedure and are therefore ineligible for reimbursement with a consumer-directed healthcare account. Hair removal may be conducted through a variety of functions including electrolysis, waxing, sugaring, epilation, and threading.

Can you use HSA for hair treatment?

Hair loss treatments/Rogaine® - Reimbursable when prescribed by a physician for a specific medical condition, but not for cosmetic purposes (that is, to stimulate hair growth). Medical diagnosis is required. Hair Transplant - Service is only covered when submitted with a medical diagnosis.

Can I use HSA for gym membership?

Gym memberships. While some companies and private insurers may offer discounts on gym memberships, you generally can't use your FSA or HSA account to pay for gym or health club memberships. An exception to that rule would be if your doctor deems fitness medically necessary for your recovery or treatment.

Can I use my HSA for skin treatments?

This means that any skin care costs that count towards your deductible, such as prescription medications or dermatologist visits, can be paid for using HSA funds.

Can you use HSA for ear wax removal?

Ear wax removal products are eligible over-the-counter (OTC) products with a flexible spending account (FSA), health savings account (HSA) or a health reimbursement arrangement (HRA).

The Real TRUTH About An HSA - Health Savings Account Insane Benefits

17 related questions found

Can HSA be used for waxing?

Hair removal is a cosmetic medical procedure and are therefore ineligible for reimbursement with a consumer-directed healthcare account. Hair removal may be conducted through a variety of functions including electrolysis, waxing, sugaring, epilation, and threading.

What can I not spend HSA on?

For example, nutritional supplements that aren't prescribed by your doctor aren't covered. Health club memberships and lactose intolerance medications typically aren't covered either. Here are some examples of non-qualified HSA expenses: Babysitting or child care (a dependent care FSA can help with child care)

Can I use my HSA for massages?

Your HSA can pay for massage therapy, though you'll likely need a letter of medical necessity (LMN) from your doctor. An LMN states what condition the treatment is for, how many sessions you need, and any other relevant details. An HSA may also be used on alternative or holistic treatments, such as: Massage therapy.

Is deodorant HSA eligible?

Deodorant reimbursement is not eligible with a flexible spending account (FSA), health savings account (HSA), health reimbursement arrangement (HRA), limited-purpose flexible spending account (LPFSA) or a dependent care flexible spending account (DCFSA).

Are tampons HSA eligible?

With the passage of the CARES Act in March 2020, tampons and other menstrual care products are now fully FSA-/HSA-eligible. According to the text of the bill, menstrual care products include, “tampon, pad, liner, cup, sponge, or similar product used by individuals with respect to menstruation…”

Is the Apple Watch HSA eligible?

Why other fitness trackers don't qualify. Even though Fitbits and Apple Watches measure important health data, they currently do not qualify for HSA reimbursement, as they are considered for general health use and not intended to treat or manage a specific medical condition.

Can I use HSA for glasses?

Yes! You can definitely use funds from your flexible spending account (FSA) or health savings account (HSA) to purchase prescription glasses. (FSAs and HSAs can be used for many other vision- and eye health-related expenses, too, but we'll discuss that more in a bit.)

Can I use my HSA for vitamins?

Generally, you can't use your HSA to pay for expenses that don't meaningfully promote the proper function of the body or prevent or treat illness or disease. Nutritional supplements and weight loss programs not prescribed by a physician are examples of expenses that would not be covered by your HSA.

Will HSA pay for teeth whitening?

Unfortunately, you can not use money from your HSA to cover teeth whitening services. While there are many benefits to white teeth, it is ultimately considered a cosmetic procedure. Any service designed to improve a patient's appearance as opposed to their bodily functions is not an eligible expense.

Can I use HSA to buy face wash?

Medicated body or face wash is eligible for reimbursement with a flexible spending account (FSA), health savings account (HSA), a health reimbursement arrangement (HRA).

Can you use HSA for shaving cream?

Shaving cream or lotion are never eligible for reimbursement as they are personal health products.

Can I use HSA to buy chapstick?

Lip balm with an SPF of 15 or greater is an eligible over-the-counter (OTC) product with a flexible spending account (FSA), health savings account (HSA) or a health reimbursement arrangement (HRA).

Can condoms be bought with HSA?

The answer is yes! HSAs are designed to cover a wide range of qualified medical expenses, and contraceptives such as condoms are no exception. Just like other eligible healthcare expenses, you can use your HSA funds to purchase condoms, whether they are over-the-counter or prescribed by a healthcare provider.

Is mouthwash eligible for HSA?

Unfortunately, most products for oral health care are not currently eligible medical expenses for FSA and HSA spending.

Does HSA pay for gym membership?

Gym memberships are generally not considered qualified medical expenses under IRS guidelines. While physical fitness is important, gym memberships are typically viewed as personal or recreational expenses rather than a medical necessity. So using HSA funds for them could result in taxes and penalties.

Does HSA pay for Botox?

Can you use HSA funds to pay for Botox? If you're using Botox for cosmetic purposes like reducing wrinkles or fine lines, it's not considered an HSA-eligible expense. However, Botox may be HSA eligible if it's used to treat a medical condition like chronic migraines, severe muscle spasms, or overactive bladder.

Can HSA pay for chiropractic?

The answer is generally, yes. As long as the chiropractic care is considered a qualified medical expense by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS), it can be paid for using HSA funds. Chiropractic care falls under the umbrella of "preventive care" and "treatment of a medical condition" as defined by the IRS.

What is the downside of an HSA?

Drawbacks of HSAs include tax penalties for nonmedical expenses before age 65, and contributions made to the HSA within six months of applying for Social Security benefits may be subject to penalties. HSAs have fewer limitations and more tax advantages than flexible spending accounts (FSAs).

Is sunscreen HSA eligible?

Sunscreen for adults and for kids is eligible for reimbursement with flexible spending accounts (FSA), health savings accounts (HSA), and health reimbursement accounts (HRA) under certain conditions. Only sunscreens with SPF 15+ and "broad spectrum" protection are eligible.

What happens if you accidentally use your HSA account by mistake?

After you report the mistake to the custodian, the custodian reports it to the IRS. Reimburse the HSA. If you've mistakenly used HSA funds for nonqualified expenses, you must repay the distribution amount back into your HSA by the tax filing deadline for the year in which the distribution occurred.