Are there any contraindications for laser hair removal if I am taking tetracycline?

Below is a list of issues that may prevent you from getting a laser hair removal treatment at our facility. The list is not meant to be exhaustive but is a good starting point for issues that are contrainidcated for laser hair removal.

Photosensitizing Medications (evaluated with medical history)
Unshaven Hair
Fake tanning products
Tattoos or Permanent Makeup in the area
Plucking/waxing 2 weeks prior or less
Intentional sun exposure 2 weeks prior or less
Retin A or hydroquinone 3 days prior or less
Intramuscular gold therapy

Laser hair removal works by a process known as selective photothermolysis, wherein laser light is used to heat up and destroy follicles selectively on the skin. Laser light is essentially one wavelength of the light spectrum and can thus be absorbed by the hair follicles but also the skin. Thus, your treating physician must assess your skin type to determine the settings for laser hair removal and should also be made aware of medications, including certain antibiotics and drugs, that can make your skin sensitive to sunlight and laser light.
This is one specific reason why laser hair removal should be performed under the direct supervision of a physician. This will minimize potentially harmful complications.

Any changes in the medical history can affect the procedure. You should inform the technician performing the treatment of any new medication, or conditions before each treatment.
Antibiotics can make your skin photo sensitive, and you may not be able to tolerate the pain and discomfort during the treatment. Tetracycline and Retin-A should be stopped for several weeks before any laser hair removal procedure and Accutane should be stopped for 12 month.

Light-colored hair typically doesn’t respond well to laser hair removal. It should not be done if you have a suntan as that may increase the risk of blistering and pigment change. Very dark-skinned individuals need to have a laser with a longer wavelength than the one more commonly used. The longer wavelength is needed so as not to have the laser energy preferentially absorbed by the top layer of skin as would occur with the shorter wavelength laser. The longer wavelength penetrates deeper and will target the hair follicle decreasing the risk of changing the pigment on the surface.

While laser hair removal is a fairly safe and effective treatment, it should only be performed by a trained professional. It is important that your provider reviews your medical history and assesses the targeted area prior to your first session. It is imperative that patients avoid sun exposure to the area weeks before any laser procedure.  
A few takeaway notes: The fairer the skin and the darker the hair, the better candidate a person is for laser hair removal. Our practice will not perform laser hair removal on patients with tanned skin or a darker skin tone, as this can increase the risk for burns (this includes self tanner). Patients with red, grey, or blonde hair would not have success with laser hair removal. With our particular device, we cannot perform laser hair removal over a tattoo. Always tell your health care provider if you are taking any medications that you feel may interfere with your session or are using medical grade skincare. 

You would want to make sure your physician knows of your entire medical history and all current medications you are taking. Some antibiotics can make you sun sensitive and being that laser contains light, your physician may want you to stop medication a few days or a week prior to your treatment.