Is Vasculitis a Contraindication for Laser Resurfacing?

Ablative laser resurfacing, which removes skin and requires healing of the skin, should not be done on patients with vasculitis. Vasculitis interferes with your blood vessels ability to heal the resurfacing wound. I would consider non-ablative resurfacing. Newer fractional non-ablative resurfacing (Starlux 1540 and fraxel) do not remove skin and may be tolerated. However, I would do a small test area behind your ear and wait 6 weeks to see how your skin responds and to make sure you heal. I... more

Vasculitis is a term used to describe a heterogeneous group of diseases that results in inflammation of blood vessels. Arteries and veins of any size in any organ may be affected, leading to ischemic damage to organs. There is small vessel, medium vessel and large vessel vasculitis. I could not find any scientific literature on Medline search with the key words of 'laser resurfacing' and 'vasculitis'. I would caution you to have anything done that could provoke or initiate an inflammatory... more

As a general rule, for cosmetic surgery, you want things to be optimum. If you have active vasculitis, I would not recommend it, because of the risk of scarring. I think microdermabrasion would be fine, but I would check with your rheumatologist and plastic surgeon before considering an aggressive procedure like laser resurfacing.