Are laser facials okay to get if I have seborrheic dermatitis?

Question

About a year and a half ago my derm assessed my skin condition and has prescribed me topical products to help with the flakiness and they've continued to work great. The SB isnt currently active on my face as before. However, i do have hyperpigmentation and some unevenness that id like to correct. Are laser facials okay considering i have/had seborrheic dermatitis and dark skin? Im not certain if lasers typically cause an adverse reaction.

Raffy Karamanoukian, MD, FACS · Answer

Fractional laser is an amazing and highly effective treatment in our office. We use the laser treatment to help with acne scars, large pores, fine wrinkles, tissue collagen loss, scars, sebaceous hyperplasia, active acne, and for brightening dark pigmentation. Although there are very strong fractional lasers such as CO2 laser, we use lighter treatments for corrective skincare and maintenance of results. Our Thulium fractional laser, clear and brilliant laser, and Ultra Thulium laser are excellent options in our clinic. We also perform CO2 fractional and erbium depending on skin tone and tolerance for downtime. Patients do have to use a Melarase cream before and after treatment to help further reduce pigmentation after laser.  Melarase AM, Melarase PM, and Melapads can seriously improve surface sun damage and UV related pigmentation. Dark spots can improve with these treatments. I recommend fractional laser for incisional scars as well, especially after plastic surgery.  
Best,
Dr. Karamanoukian 
Realself100 Surgeon

Anna Chacon, MD, FAAD · Answer

Seborrheic dermatitis is a chronic, relapsing condition that can be triggered by various factors, including skin irritation. While your SB is currently not active, laser treatments can potentially cause irritation or inflammation, which in turn could trigger a flare-up. Therefore, it's crucial to discuss this risk with your dermatologist before proceeding.
In terms of your skin color, lasers can be safely used on darker skin tones, but the risk of post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation (PIH) is higher. PIH is a condition where the skin produces more melanin (the pigment that gives skin its color) in response to skin damage, resulting in dark patches. Therefore, it's important to choose a laser that is safe for darker skin tones and to have the treatment performed by a provider who is experienced in treating patients with similar skin types.
There are specific types of lasers, such as Nd:YAG and some fractional lasers, that are designed to minimize the risk of PIH and can be safely used on darker skin. Chemical peels and topical treatments can also be effective in addressing hyperpigmentation and skin unevenness, and may be worth considering as well.

Are laser facials okay to get if I have seborrheic dermatitis?

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