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CO2 Laser Five and a Half Months After Accutane?

asked 2 years ago by claire72 in united kingdom
Latest answer by Arnold R. Oppenheim, MD
Question viewed 508 times
Tags: co2 laser, recovery, results

I am due to have CO2 laser on February 10. This will be 5 months and 2 weeks since finishing the generic version of Accutane. I told the dermatologist at the hospital, I was concerned that I had not been off the Accutane for at least 6 months, the dermatologist who specializes in laser who has been doing it for 35 years said it didn't matter and would not hinder my recovery. What do you think? Is 5 1/2 month gap enough. Has anyone done laser after this time length or at the 6 month stage, and did it cause any problems or were the result normal.

 

 

2 answers to CO2 Laser Five and a Half Months After Accutane?

+2

Accutane and fractional CO2 lasers

Accutane turns off the pilosebaceous units that secrete skin surface oil and cause acne. They dry the skin in the process. The possible side effects such as deformed babies in pregnant women taking the drug are so great that in the US the FDA requires that patients read specific instructions, prescribing doctors are certified and specific protocols are followed before any patient can be given accutane. These same pilosebaceous units heal the skin after laser resurfacing. The fractional CO2... more
Aaron Stone, MD

Los Angeles Plastic Surgeon
+1

Wait 6 more months for CO2 laser after Accutane

It is hard to argue with someone who, if my math is serving me correctly, must be one of the pioneers of laser treatment in dermatology. Still it seems that waiting six more months would be the more prudent choice. Especially in light (pun intended) of the CO2 laser being ablative; i.e. causing a destruction of the epidermis. One of the effects of Accutane is an inhibition of the enzyme collagenase. Collagenase breaks down collagen into orderly piles. Without collagenase, collagen to form... more
Arnold R. Oppenheim, MD

Virginia Beach Dermatologist

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