Is it okay to to undergo waxing or IPL while I'm on Accutane?

Question

I'm on my 4th month of using accutane, which is supposed to be the 5th month but i stopped using it for almost a month, because my doctor's clinic is far away from us, i have to travel for 5hours just to get there. And as we all know, i can't buy med without the doctors' prescription. And for some time i've tried waxing my underarms, and so far i haven't seen any side effects and i'm thinking trying IPL, should i go for it? Considering that i'm not done with my course of accutane?

Reuel Aspacio, MD, FAAD - Account Suspended · Answer

Thank you for your question. A side effect of Accutane is skin sensitivity and an increase risks of scarring if any trauma or injury is done to the skin, which includes cosmetic procedures such as chemical peels, microdermabrasions, laser treatments, etc. I generally recommend my patients to wait at least 6 months after stopping Accutane before having any cosmetic procedures done to the skin. I highly recommend you consult with your prescribing physician regarding your questions and concerns. Good luck and take care.

Is it okay to to undergo waxing or IPL while I'm on Accutane?

Answers (1)