Can I Have Laser Treatments While I'm Taking Accutane?

Accutane, or isotretinoin has an excellent track record of calming down the worse nodulocystic acne, in the hands of an experienced board-certified dermatologist. However, isotretinoin is known to cause exuberant scar tissue growths spontaneously, e.g. pyogenic granuloma, or after laser or chemical peel procedure. Definitely wait for at least 6 months after completion of isotretinoin to minimize complication and potential risk of scarring.

Accutane is a go-to medication for patients with recalcitrant cystic acne. It can reduce pore size and also reduce sebum production in your skin, making it less oily; and in turn, dryer. Accutane can be used to control acne, but patients receiving the medication should be carefully monitored. In terms of skincare, always wear an appropriate sunscreen and reduce direct sun exposure. In my patients, I recommend a good ceramide moisturizer such as Elevase whenever they are on Accutane. This will keep the skin hydrated and reduce the oiliness of the skin that is associated with oil-based moisturizers.

Best,
Dr. Karamanoukian
Realself100 Surgeon

Laser treatments should NOT be performed during accutane.  In fact, it is recommended to wait at least 6 months after accutane before having any type of laser treatment or chemical peel. 

Accutane therapy effects wound healing.  If you have laser or surgical treatments while on Accutane you are at greater risk of scarring.  Although there are no definitive studies available regarding how long to wait after Accutane before one has a laser treatments, 6 months after therapy is a generally accepted window.  Good luck!

As Accutane affects the healing ability of the skin, it is not recommended to have any cosmetic procedures for six months following the last dose. This includes not only laser procedures, but chemical peels as well.

Laser treatment while undergoing Accutane therapy and for several months afterward should be avoided. The accutante would adversely affect the results of the laser and this would have a significant increase risk of complications and negative outcome.

Accutane and laser treatments are not compatible since it can put you at increased risk for scarring or difficulty healing from the laser treatments.
I think you would have to stop the accutane for 6 months before considering any laser treatments.
Good luck with your treatment.

It is wonderful news that your acne is under control with low dose Accutane therapy, but even though you are not having side effects, that does not mean that other Accutane effects are not possible. Oral retinoids like Accutane have a direct effect on the sebaceous glands and result in slower healing of skin wounds like burns. Lasers cause controlled injuries to induce a biological healing response and resulting cosmetic improvement, and they require normal healing responses of the skin. Accutane slows these responses, so no laser or peel until 6-12 months post Accutane. Your dermatologist can explain laser differences and which ones that you can do and when. Good luck!