Laser resurfacing after Accutane?

Question

I have been on 20 mg of accutane for just over a week, for sebaceous hyperplasia. I was just told, it is not sebaceous hyperplasia, but in fact scars. Do I still have to wait 6 months for laser resurfacing, since I have been on it such a short time? I am very thankful for your time!

Raffy Karamanoukian, MD, FACS · Answer

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

Jason Emer, MD · Answer

"You seem to be on too low of a dose. Start lasers in office, dermarolling, and peels like AERIFY at home now (see link).

All of my Accutane/isotretinoin/acne patients do our Accutane protocol from emeragecosmetics.com (where we do free skincare consults daily) and peels like aerify/cosmelan/enlighten.
Acne requires a combination approach to get long-term improvement.  For all patients on isotretinoin, we require them to be on skincare such as vitamin C (Skinceuticals Phloretin CF, EmerageSkin AOX-C), glycolic cream (Jan Marini bioclear, EmerageSkin enzymatic polish), kojic acid serums (Skinceuticals phytoplus), and hyaluronic acid serum (IS clinical hydra cool serum, Skinceuticals B5, EmerageSkin hyla B) in the morning and retinols  (reve skin 1.0 and sente biocomplete serum) and salicylic acid (reveskin acne purifying enhancer), growth factors and peptides (anetageMD, EmerageSkin Re-Fit Face/Eye) night.   
All of our patients get clear+brilliant non-ablative laser along with a microsecond YAG laser such as aerolase or laser genesis and microneedling with PRP or microneedling RF like intensif or fractora or pixel8 monthly to help improve breakouts, speed the healing process, and improve scarring and facial redness while on the isotretinoin/Accutane.  LED light therapy, cosmelan/enlighten/AERIFY peels, salt facial, or dermalinfusion can be done as well to speed up the improvement. I suggest you go to an expert who combines skincare, lasers, microneedling, PRP, and facials while on oral medications for acne.  Best, Dr. Emer.
"

Amir Mortazavi, MD · Answer

It is generally best to avoid any procedure that causes trauma to the skin while taking Isotretinoin (Accutane). Therefore it is best to wait at least 3 to 6 months after you have completed the course. Always discuss with your doctor before doing any treatments.

Peter J. Jenkin, MD, FAAD · Answer

First let me say that I'm glad you got the correct diagnosis.  You would certainly not have to wait 6 months to do any treatment for sebaceous hyperplasia having been on only 20 mg a day for a week.  If the sebaceous hyperplasia lesions are small, I typically use hyfrecation as a treatment which works really well for this.  It can be done with a topical anesthetic cream and it heals in just a couple of days.  I reserve laser resurfacing only if there are multiple lesions all over the face.  All the best.

Laser resurfacing after Accutane?

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Laser resurfacing after Accutane?

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