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








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.
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.
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!
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.
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.