Accutane: Q&A
Ask a QuestionChemical Peel or Laser Resurfacing After Accutane Treatments
I am done with the 6-month Accutane treatment, and now I am desperately waiting to get either a Chemical Peel or Laser Resurfacing for severe acne. Which of the two is better, and when can I get started with the treatment?
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10 Doctor Answers |
Asked by
hope613
in Brooklyn NY
+4
Wait 6 months after Accutane before laser skin resurfacing
Dear Hope613,
The best results for correcting Acne scars are now achieved with a new combination laser therapy using first non-ablative then ablative fractional laser resurfacing.
The non-ablative laser treatments go very deep into the skin to ceate new collagen in the depths of the acne scar to plump the scar and fill the scar in from below. If needed the 2940 ablative laser peels the skin surface to remove skin irregularities.
The combination therapy produces the best results.
You will...
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+3
Wait 6 months after Accutane for Fractional CO2 laser resurfacing, the gold standard for acne scar revision
Accutane, or isotretinoin, is a very helpful oral medication for inflammatory acne that is resistant to conventional oral antibiotics and prescription acne creams. However, laser resurfacing or chemical peels should be avoided within 6 months of having completed Accutane and the medication may bring about abnormal wound healing, leading to possible hypertrophic scarring. Fractional CO2 laser resurfacing is the gold standard for acne scar revision and seek out a board-certified...
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+3
I recommend waiting 6 months.
Some guidelines suggest waiting 1 year after discontinuation of accutane. If you have a resurfacing procedure too soon after accutane, the risks are that the healing may not occur as quickly, and there is an increased risk of scarring from the procedure. You ought to have a face-to-face consultation with a dermatologist or plastic surgeon to determine the best procedure for you. Some of the new fractionated CO2 resurfacing lasers, e.g. Fraxel repair, Active/Total Fx can be pretty...
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+2
Laser skin resurfacing after Accutane
There is a risk of increased scarring from any procedures for 12-24 months after Accutane. I recommend waiting at least a year, as during that period of time the skin is more fragile and more likely to scar.
For a treatment modality to be effective for acne scarring, it needs to reach where the scar is. Shallow acne scars may do well with a medium peel, but deeper scars will not be effected. Deep chemical peels have a number of side effects, some of which are...
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+2
You need to wait 6 months to a year...
It is great that you are done with Accutane. However, Accutane can significantly inhibit healing. Therefore, you should wait at least 6 months after finishing Accutane before considering a peel or a laser treatment. In my practice, I prefer patients to wait one full year.
The complications from treating a patient too early after Accutane are numerous and far outweigh the benefit. In terms of which treatment is better, it is important to get an idea of where you are in your Acne treatment....
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Portland Plastic Surgeon
+2
One should wait a minimum of 12 to 24 months.
Accutane or isotrentinoin is a profound drug. It is very effective for the long term control of severe nodulocystic acne. Accutane affects the oil glands and stem cells of the skin and inhibits angiogenesis, the formation of new blood vessels. Some of these changes appear to be permanent.
It is widely believe that Accutane has a long term effect on skin healing. While studies on this subject are limited, medical reports have established an association between current or recent...
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+1
Scarring treatments while you are waiting a year
No lasers or peels for a year after accutane is the rule, but there are milder treatments your skin can tolerate that can make an improvement. Weekly microdermabrasion (not dermabrasion!) can help you build collagen and soften scars with minimal skin injury. Your aesthetician can adjust your settings as you discover what your skin can tolerate. I would try this for the entire year. Subcision, punch grafting for deep ones.
Austin Dermatologist
+1
Laser better for acne scars - wait at least 6 months post accutane and up to 2 years
Ablative fractional lasers are currently the best treatment for deep/severe acne scars. My preference is fractional erbium but fractional CO2 or YSGG are also excellent. Resurfacing post accutane is safe when the oiliness returns to the face - the scientific literature (of which I wrote some of!!) suggests to wait at least 6 months post completion of treatment and up to 2 years.
+1
2 years
If you've had a full course of Accutane, my recommendation is to wait 2 years until getting a deep chemical peel or ablative laser resurfacing. Better to be safe. It sounds like you are hoping to start treatments for you acne scars now and you can. Depending on the type of scarring, other treatments may include punch grafts and punch excisions, fillers, subscision etc.
+1
Skin resurfacing after Accutane
In general you need to wait a year after Accutane treatment before you can do any kind of resurfacing treatment on your skin, otherwise you are risking severe scarring and damage. Once you wait, you might want to check out Active FX and Deep FX laser treatment. We have been really happy with the results for acne scarring.
These answers are for educational purposes and should not be relied upon as a substitute for medical advice you may receive from your physician. If you have a medical emergency, please call 911. These answers do not constitute or initiate a patient/doctor relationship.
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