Anti-Viral Medication Before Laser Surgery

asked 1 year ago by anon2245 in PA
Latest answer by Vivek Bansal, MD
Question viewed 366 times
Tags: chest, medication

How many days prior laser surgery is it a good idea to take an anti-viral? Do I need to take one if I am only getting laser on my upper chest area?

8 answers to Anti-Viral Medication Before Laser Surgery

Laser Surgery

We usually have them start 24-48 hours before, depending on their location of procedure. On the face, 48 hours, on the body, 24 hours. Thank you for your question and good luck.

Vivek Bansal, MD
Danville Plastic Surgeon

Antiviral therapy may be taken 12 hours before laser surgery

Antiviral therapy may be taken 12 hours before laser surgery. This is usually done for laser treatments of the face and not the chest.

Edward Lack, MD
Chicago Dermatologist

Antivirals prior to laser treatment

Antiviral treatment is reasonable to consider when there are any treatments near an area which occasionally gets cold sores (e.g. around the lips). If treating the chest, taking an antiviral is NOT necessary.

Benjamin Barankin, MD
Toronto Dermatologic Surgeon

Anti virals and laser surgery

For me it depends on the type of procedure: If I am using a fractionated laser and patients don't have a history of cold sores I don't put them on any antivirals. You heal the surface of the skin so quickly with antivirals I don't find it necessary. If you have a history or if I use full ablative treatments I will start them that morning.

Jeffrey Kenkel, MD
Dallas Plastic Surgeon

Fractionated laser treatments

In general for my patients I recommend antiviral medications before a laser facial resurfacing or fractionalted laser procedure, starting 24 hours prior to the procedure. For a procedure on the chest unless there is a history of prior viral infections in the area or another outstanding medical problem I do not routinely use antiviral medciation.

Paul Carniol, MD
Summit Facial Plastic Surgeon

Anti-viral medications befoe laser surgery

If you have a history of herpes breakouts around the mouth or for that matter if you had chicken pox as a child it is a good idea to take anti-viral medications around your laser treatment to prevent an outbreak. I generally prescribe 1 day before and 5 days after with Zovirax.

Richard Galitz, MD
Miami Facial Plastic Surgeon

Anti-viral and lasers

This question really depends upon the laser and area treated. In general, if it is a facial ablative laser, I recommend anti-virals to start the day before the procedure.

Steven Wallach, MD
Manhattan Plastic Surgeon

Anti-virals are used to pre-treart patients undoing laser resurfacing around the mouth inparticular.

I don't treat my patients who are having their chests lasered with anti-virals unless they have a history of herpes on their chest which is very rare. The most common places for the herpes virus is in cold sores around the mouth or nose, therefore when treating these areas we pre-treat at my office one day before and for 5-7 dyas depending on the laser used. Good Luck. Dr. Sikorski

Lenore Sikorski, MD
Laguna Niguel Dermatologic Surgeon

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