I am interested in getting Laser hair removal done, but a source mentioned that it can cause break-outs for people who are carriers of Herpes virus although without recent breakouts. Is this accurate and if so, why? Is it not mentioned during the initial consultation when discussing risks?
Answer: Cold sores and laser hair removal Even if no one ever has had a cold sore, they may have been exposed to the virus. The virus is kept in check by our normal immune responses. If the immune system is depressed because of fatigue, severe illness, stress, heavy alcohol consumption, sunburns or other traumatic episodes or medical conditions, the virus may work itself from the nerve ganglion through the path of the nerve to where the nerve supplies the skin with sensation. You may feel the tingling for a day before the cold sore breaks out. If you have any laser, the stress to the skin could be a precipitating factor to encourage the cold sore to develop. Not all physicians recommend an antiviral medicine for you to take, but if you have a history of cold sores in the area of laser hair removal, it is not a bad idea to consider taking a medication to help reduce the chance of you developing the fever blister.
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Answer: Cold sores and laser hair removal Even if no one ever has had a cold sore, they may have been exposed to the virus. The virus is kept in check by our normal immune responses. If the immune system is depressed because of fatigue, severe illness, stress, heavy alcohol consumption, sunburns or other traumatic episodes or medical conditions, the virus may work itself from the nerve ganglion through the path of the nerve to where the nerve supplies the skin with sensation. You may feel the tingling for a day before the cold sore breaks out. If you have any laser, the stress to the skin could be a precipitating factor to encourage the cold sore to develop. Not all physicians recommend an antiviral medicine for you to take, but if you have a history of cold sores in the area of laser hair removal, it is not a bad idea to consider taking a medication to help reduce the chance of you developing the fever blister.
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Answer: The Incidence of Triggering an Outbreak Not High When discussing laser hair removal of the upper lip, the majority of consulting physicians would ask about a history of fever blisters, or herpes simples (HSV). While the incidence of triggering an outbreak may not be high, it should be part of the discussion and one should have prophylactic medicines if one has outbreaks on a regular basis. If one develops this post laser hair removal, the person should know about it and treat it quickly. Laser hair removal is performed in a lot of places. A board-certified dermatologist or plastic surgeon would ask these questions – this is our field and we are the experts here – and people going to a non-medical office would have no idea what we are talking about and how to even think about having treatment for HSV given.
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Answer: The Incidence of Triggering an Outbreak Not High When discussing laser hair removal of the upper lip, the majority of consulting physicians would ask about a history of fever blisters, or herpes simples (HSV). While the incidence of triggering an outbreak may not be high, it should be part of the discussion and one should have prophylactic medicines if one has outbreaks on a regular basis. If one develops this post laser hair removal, the person should know about it and treat it quickly. Laser hair removal is performed in a lot of places. A board-certified dermatologist or plastic surgeon would ask these questions – this is our field and we are the experts here – and people going to a non-medical office would have no idea what we are talking about and how to even think about having treatment for HSV given.
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May 30, 2009
Answer: Usually Laser Hair Removal does not cause cold sores. Thank you for your question.
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May 30, 2009
Answer: Usually Laser Hair Removal does not cause cold sores. Thank you for your question.
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January 28, 2014
Answer: Laser Hair Removal and Herpes Any laser procedure or similar mild trauma (like wind chapping, sun exposure, or chemical peel) can irritate sensory nerves in the area, enough to create a herpetic outbreak. Doesn’t always happen by any means, but it’s probably a good idea to pre-treat those patients with a strong history of herpetic outbreaks with an anti-viral medication like valcyclovir to prevent an outbreak after treatment.
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January 28, 2014
Answer: Laser Hair Removal and Herpes Any laser procedure or similar mild trauma (like wind chapping, sun exposure, or chemical peel) can irritate sensory nerves in the area, enough to create a herpetic outbreak. Doesn’t always happen by any means, but it’s probably a good idea to pre-treat those patients with a strong history of herpetic outbreaks with an anti-viral medication like valcyclovir to prevent an outbreak after treatment.
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