Are Laser Treatments of Acne Scars Safe for Someone with Vitiligo?

I'm thinking of undergoing laser treatment for minor, shallow acne scars. I'm wondering, will my vitiligo be an issue?

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4 Doctor Answers | Asked by stoneless in austin

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Smooth beam, vitilligo, acne scar, co2 laser

In a case like this a test site-trying to treat just a small area-to see if there is a negative response-namely the area turns white. Vitiligo is more likely to cover with our laser that removes tissue like CO2 than with another laser like Smooth Beam or even Fraxel which can also treat acne scarring.

Laser resurfacing is contraindicated if you have Vitiligo

Laser resurfacing can cause loss of pigment in healthy normally pigmented skin. Laser resurfacing causes inflammation of the skin and inflammation is part of the underlying cause of vitiligo. I would not do laser resurfacing on a patient who has active vitiligo

Laser Treatments and Vitiligo

If your vitiligo is currently active, you should stay away from any treatment that can potentially lead to worsening of your vitiligo. Any laser treatment will have the potential to worsen vitiligo unless it is a laser specifically made to treat vitiligo. If the vitiligo you have has not been active for many years, you may consider having this procedure. However, you will do this at the risk of causing your vitiligo to flare.

Laser treatments may be risky in Vitiligo

Vitiligo is an autoimmune skin condition where the immune system has mounted a production of proteins (antibodies) that attack pigment-producing cells (melanocytes) along top layer of the skin. Within a vitiligo skin patch, there is a complete depigmentation, perhaps with islands of repigmentation. This condition may run in some family and can be associated with other autoimmune conditions such as thyroid disorder, diabetes, anemia, etc. The best treatment available involves combination of... more