As it’s not unusual to be on medication – such as antibiotics, cold and flu remedies or mood regulators – most won’t interfere with laser hair removal procedures.
However, certain medications may increase photosensitivity causing side effects like sunburn and rashes; or more serious photoallergic reactions.
1. Antibiotics
No matter the medication taken for antibiotics, cold and flu illnesses or mood regulation purposes – antibiotics, cold/flu meds or mood regulators all pose potential interferences to laser hair removal treatments. Certain antibiotics reduce treatment’s efficacy while others raise complications like bleeding or skin injuries – it is therefore vitally important that any provider knows of all medications you currently or plan to take in order to ensure proper diagnosis and care.
Antibiotics are medicines designed to combat infections caused by bacteria, such as strep throat or urinary tract infections. They work by either killing the bacteria directly, or by making their growth and multiplication more difficult. Antibiotics can be taken orally (through pills, capsules or liquid), or topically (applied directly onto skin with creams, sprays or ointments), depending on your illness; more serious infections may require intravenous administration of an antibiotic drug instead.
Just as it would be improper to attempt to squeeze yourself into an overly-small sweater, it’s equally important that you follow the prescription for your antibiotics. Your provider selects an antibiotic tailored specifically to you based on factors like your age, other medical conditions, allergies and previous medication history. Never save antibiotics for later illnesses nor share them with anyone – sharing can lead to antibiotic resistance in bacteria that then no longer respond to treatment!
2. Cold and Flu Medications
Most people will experience some form of cold or flu at some point during their lives, making it crucial to take necessary precautions in order to remain healthy and prevent spreading it further. Clean hands, covering one’s mouth or nose when coughing/sneezing and getting an annual flu vaccine vaccination are all great preventive strategies against further spreading the virus.
When it comes to treating cold and flu symptoms, there are various over-the-counter medicines available that may help. These include pain relievers such as acetaminophen, aspirin and ibuprofen which can ease aches and pains; antihistamines like Benadryl or Claritin can reduce allergy symptoms; while nasal decongestants such as oxymetazoline spray, phenylephrine or pseudoephedrine help ease sinus congestion and pressure relief.
Before seeking laser hair removal, it is vitally important that you inform your physician if you are taking medications that could increase photosensitivity – an immune response which sensitizes skin to light causing burns and blisters during laser treatments.
Accutane, prescribed to treat acne, may increase photosensitivity and should be discontinued prior to receiving laser hair removal treatments. Most other medications and antibiotics are safe as long as you adhere to your physician’s pre- and post-treatment recommendations – for instance limiting sun exposure, shaving the treatment area or applying topical solutions as appropriate.
3. Anti-Inflammatory Medications
Antibiotics come in different forms; topical (creams, ointments and gels applied directly to the skin) and oral. Oral antibiotics must be prescribed by a doctor and taken orally; injections and intravenous (IV) forms also exist. When working with licensed laser technicians it’s essential that all medications and supplements taken, even ones seemingly unrelated to hair removal be discussed; many contain photosensitive compounds which could react badly during laser treatments; this includes drugs like Zoloft, Prozac Adapin and Paxil just to name a few examples!
All medications and supplements will have different impacts on each individual, with most not interfering with laser treatments but some triggering photosensitive reactions. If this applies to you, consult with your physician as they may provide recommendations on pre and posttreatment care.
As always, it is wise to discuss any concerns with your physician regarding laser treatments while on antibiotics. For instance, if you suffer from vitiligo and experience patches of skin losing pigmentation due to taking antibiotics, laser treatment might need to wait until after recovery from them has taken place before going ahead. Although your hair’s pigment will likely not be affected, results of laser treatment might not appear natural without enough body pigment producing enough of its own pigment to appear naturally over time.
5. Vitamin E
Many people take supplements, such as vitamins, to support their health. If you take any supplement that promotes healthy hair, skin or nails – such as vitamins – at least a week prior to your laser treatment session in order to avoid the absorption of those substances by your hair follicles which could negatively impact results.
There are certain supplements that may react negatively with UV rays, making them unsuitable for use during laser treatments. This includes antibiotics like Tetracycline or Accutane as well as some herbal remedies; if you take one of these, make sure that you notify your technician prior to commencing with treatment.
Vitamin E is an anti-oxidant that may reduce scarring. Additionally, it can alleviate redness and inflammation caused by laser hair removal treatments, soothing any associated rashes. If your condition worsens after your laser hair removal treatment, apply alpha-tocopherol cream which contains this form of Vitamin E for relief.
If your rash does not respond to over-the-counter remedies, contact a clinic immediately for advice and assistance. It may be necessary for a physician to prescribe an anti-itch medication like Benadryl; alternatively a cold compress may help alleviate irritation; otherwise non-irritating creams could provide further relief.
6. Omega-3 Fatty Acids
Omega-3 (abbreviated as n-3) or linoleic acid is an essential nutrient found in many fish, nuts and seeds. Omega-3s offer many health benefits including cardiovascular wellbeing, reduced inflammation levels and helping with brain cell development – yet omega-3 won’t stop hair follicles from expanding further or stop hair growth altogether! If taking any n-3 fatty acids it is wise to discontinue them at least 2 weeks prior to having laser treatment done on you.
Some medications and supplements can increase photosensitivity. It is advisable to inform those performing laser hair removal about any such medication that might increase photosensitivity; they will provide pre- and post-treatment guidelines in such cases.
Though most photosensitizing reactions are mild, they can sometimes become more serious. A photoallergic reaction occurs when your immune system attacks medication as though it were foreign object causing severe irritation to the skin resulting in painful side effects which usually resolve in time.
Other medications known to cause photosensitivity reactions include garlic, ginkgo biloba and alpha-hydroxy acid found in beauty products – these should all be discussed with your physician prior to seeking laser hair removal treatment. Also speak with them if there are underlying conditions that contribute to excessive hair growth such as polycystic ovarian syndrome or thyroid gland deficiency that could contribute to this problem.
