Pulsed Dye Laser Q&A
33%
WORTH IT RATING
"Worth It Rating" shows the % of consumer reviewers that stated the procedure was "Worth It" or not. See more RealSelf Worth It Ratings or Add Your Review
3 Reviews
Pulsed Dye Laserbefore & after photos
View Before and Afters

Average Pulsed Dye Laser Cost: $1,083

Learn about Pulsed Dye Laser

56 people and 49 doctors are talking about Pulsed Dye Laser

Get Free Email Updates

Pulsed Dye Laser While on Accutane?

asked 2 years ago by Riz in Singapore
Latest answer by Joshua Zeichner, MD
Question viewed 831 times
Tags: redness, combination, recommendation

There has been a rise in the number of practices using v beam pulsed dye laser to treat post acne redness while patients are still on accutane. results are promising. I found support in an article on the candela laser website. Any other practitioners who agree to this and is practicing this? I am wondering whether i should go for it.

6 answers to Pulsed Dye Laser While on Accutane?

+1

Avoid Facial Procedures While On Accutane

Accutane can make the skin extremely sensitive.  With injury to thet skin, patients on accutane are at a higher risk for scarring and pyogenic granulomas (groups of blood vessels).  In my opinion, you should wait not only until after you finish taking Accutane, but also at least 6 months afterwards before having any procedure that could potentially cause damage to the skin.
Joshua Zeichner, MD

Manhattan Dermatologist
+1

I would not risk it

It is that 2-3 percent get a horrible scar when on accutane.  Most of the time you dodge the bullet, but occasionally it is going to hit you.
Vic J. Khanna, MD

Chicago Dermatologist
+1

OK to proceed

I have treated patients on Accutane w/ Pulse Dye Laser (Candela V-Beam)sucessfully. We use a longer pulse duration and lower energy fluennces. Test spots are ony used in our practice for darker skinned patients.
Edward J. Gross, MD

Orlando Facial Plastic Surgeon
+1

Pulsed dye laser for acne scars

I routinely use the Vbeam laser (pulsed dye) to treat red marks left over from acne. I would not recommend, however, treating with the laser while on Accutane. Typically I use the laser prior to Accutane to kick start the process and start to resolve the redness and improve the texture and quality of the skin. Once the skin has started to improve I then prescribe Accutane (if clinically indicated) to address the underlying acne and hopefully "burn it out" for good. I agree... more
Jason R. Lupton, MD

San Diego Dermatologist
+1

Why risk it?

Pulsed Dye Laser is non-ablative, but if any crusting or infection occur, Accutane will significantly slow healing and scarring is a real risk. Why not wait until you are off for 6 months, do a test spot, and proceed cautiously.
Mary Lupo, MD

New Orleans Dermatologist
+1

Accutane

Accutane severely diminishes the ability of the skin to heal because it decreases the pilosebaceous units in the skin. This is very effective for acne but very bad for skin healing after laser treatment. Although the pulsed dye laser is nonablative, meaning that it does not remove skin, it is probably safer to wait 6 months after stopping accutane before any laser treatment. This is especially true for ablative lasers.
John Burns, MD

Dallas Plastic Surgeon

Ask a question