Can a chemical peel cause a cold sore?

I have a tendency to get cold sores and I was wondering if having a chemical peel can bring these out. I am thinking about starting a series of glycolic acid or possibly salicylic acid peels and need to know.

5 answers to “Can a chemical peel cause a cold sore?”

A: Chemical Peels can cause cold sores

By Steven H. Williams, MD - Bay Area Plastic Surgeon

Any trauma (including laser or peels) can cause reactivation of cold sores. It is important that your plastic surgeon or dermatologist take a complete history including whether you have had cold sores. If you have you may be at increased risk for reactivation. Typically medications can be started... more

A: Chemical Peels and Cold Sores

By Raffy Karamanoukian, MD - Los Angeles Plastic Surgeon

Our center performs a variety of chemical peels to reduce hyperpigmentation, fine wrinkles, and to restore overall skin health to the face. If you have a history of cold sores, it is imperative that you begin a prophylactic course of antiviral tablets before your procedure. The cold sores can occur... more

A: Cold sores are a possibility

By Ronald Shelton, MD - Manhattan Dermatologic surgeon

Yes. A cold sore can be brought out by stress including fatigue, illness, excessive alcohol consumption, excessive sun exposure or certain lasers and chemical peels. Very mild peels do not need treatment to prevent cold sores usually, but medium-depth peels, or strong glycolic acid peels might. Your physician... more

A: While a chemical peel cannot cause a cold sore, a...

By D.J. Verret, MD - Dallas Facial Plastic Surgeon

While a chemical peel cannot cause a cold sore, a chemical peel, like any trauma to the face, can cause the onset of cold sores in someone who has the herpes zoster virus already present. In patients who have deeper chemical peels such as TCA or phenol peels, physicians should be warned if patients have... more

A: Yes, prior to any facial laser ablative procedure or...

By Steven Wallach, MD - Manhattan Plastic Surgeon

Yes, prior to any facial laser ablative procedure or chemical peel, I place patients on anti-viral medications to avoid "cold sores" or herpetic lesions. These can cause devastating problems if not adequately treated.

Comments

Eyes_N_Lips
82 posts
17 Jul 2008

Yes, having a chemical peel to the face can exacerbate an onset of cold sores if someone is pre-disposed to cold sores. It's not a sure thing, but definitely a cause for concern. Talk to your doctor or the doctor at the place where you will be administered the chemical treatment and they may decide to prescribe an anti-viral oral medication for you.

sschultz
25 posts
30 Jul 2008

Before receiving any cosmetic treatment, a thorough consultation, including health history and skin analysis, should be given. It is imperative that pertinent health issues be disclosed, such as tendency to get cold sores. Herpes viruses take advantage of any interruption in cellular function. Even the mildest chemical peel will disrupt the epidermis (which is what you want it to do!), and trigger a dermal response. Anti-viral medications can be prescribed by a physician as well as other proactive measures before your chemical peel.

jcaschette
81 posts
13 Jul 2008

If you get "cold sores" or "fever blisters" often, there’s a good chance these are being caused by a past exposure to a virus that causes blisters. These "fever blisters" can then recur when your body or skin is stressed. Exposure to a chemical peel is just one of many types of stresses. Other cosmetic medicine procedures, surgery around the mouth, or intense light exposure can also stress your skin. If you’ve had "cold sores" or "fever blisters" in the past, tell your doctor before undergoing a chemical peel. Your doctor can prescribe an anti-viral medication. My preference is for Valtrex. Usually I’ll prescribe the medication for several days before and after the procedure. "Fever blisters" may still erupt, but they’ll be there for a shorter period of time. Remember - It’s Your Face! Seek out an Experienced Medical Doctor who treats patients him- or herself for Best Results!

Dr. Sachit Shah
53 posts
12 Jul 2008

Absolutely any facial procedure can provoke a cold sore. If you are prone to cold sores then you should be proactively treating with anti-virals prior to the treatment. We always ask if patients are prone to cold sores and then pre-treat if needed.

Michael Sinclair MD
141 posts
11 Jul 2008

If you have had cold sores in the past, that means you have the virus that causes cold sores stored in the nerves that provide sensation to the area where you get your cold sores. Any facial trauma and even mental stress can cause the virus to "wake up" and travel down the nerve to give you a cold sore. Facial trauma can include injections with dermal fillers such as Restylane, Juvederm, Perlane, Radiesse and Sculptra. Even the tiny injections associated with Botox may cause an outbreak of cold sores. Having said that, you can still have your procedures while minimizing your risk of having a cold sore by being pre-treated with an antiviral drug such as Valtrex (my favorite), Famvir or Zovirax.

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