As with any medical or cosmetic procedure, laser hair removal may not be suitable for everyone; these conditions are known as contraindications and prevent treatment from being as successful or safe for you as it could otherwise have been.
Medication such as vitamins, supplements and antihistamines can interfere with laser treatments. Here is more information about which drugs or dietary supplements should be avoided prior to your next session.
Pregnancy
Pregnancy can bring about numerous physical changes for women’s bodies, many of which can be beneficial. Strengthened nails and glowing skin may appear, while some changes might not be so welcome, such as unwanted new growth like unwanted hair in previously non-bald areas. Many pregnant women battle unwanted new growth during their gestation period; temporary solutions like shaving and waxing may work; for long-term solutions laser hair removal could provide lasting solutions.
Although no scientific studies indicate laser treatments to be unsafe for pregnant women, it is generally advised that they wait until after giving birth before beginning or restarting treatment to allow hormone levels to return to their original state, making these more effective.
Women who are breastfeeding should avoid laser treatments if possible; some antibiotics and medications can make the skin more vulnerable to sunlight exposure, increasing risk of blistering or pigment changes (e.g. a suntan). However, breastfeeding was never listed as a contraindication in expert sources we consulted.
Antihistamines and certain dietary supplements may interfere with laser treatments, increasing the risk of bruising and bleeding during laser treatments. Therefore, it’s essential that pregnant and breastfeeding mothers talk with their obstetrician about when it’s safe to start laser treatments, and being completely open with their treatment practitioner so they can tailor your plan appropriately.
Breastfeeding
After nine months of pregnancy and nursing responsibilities, new moms may require some pampering themselves – especially if dealing with excess body hair due to hormonal fluctuations during gestation.
Before scheduling laser hair removal appointments, however, you should know that breastfeeding is prohibited during the process. Although no long term studies demonstrate any negative repercussions from laser treatments on unborn babies, most reputable clinics will not conduct these procedures while you are nursing.
Laser hair removal requires exposed and absorbable follicles in order to produce desirable results; breastfeeding increases skin sensitivity and makes its absorption harder for laser light exposure.
Keep in mind that laser treatments emit light that can lead to dermatitis, so avoiding laser hair removal during this period would be wise. If necessary, make sure you shave beforehand in order to give hair follicles enough time to absorb light before wearing dark glasses to protect your eyes from its beams. Furthermore, avoid waxing or using depilatory creams during this time, and ensure you have spoken to your GP regarding whether you can safely undergo this treatment.
Allergies
Laser hair removal is a safe medical procedure when administered by a skilled and competent doctor under ideal conditions. Individuals should avoid tanning the area that will be treated one month before beginning a laser session as tanning absorbs some of the light energy from laser beams and may lead to burns and blisters from UV radiation exposure. Also check any medications prior to having laser treatment, to make sure none contain photo-reactive ingredients that could interfere with this procedure.
People who have a history of keloid scarring may not be suitable for laser treatment as the high temperatures from the laser could trigger new keloids to form. People suffering from psoriasis, bleeding disorders or severe histamine reactions also should avoid laser therapy; their doctor will likely advise taking medication to control symptoms prior to and post laser treatments, in addition to providing guidance regarding other precautions for their skin health.
Most clients do not experience any side effects during laser hair removal; however, some do experience mild discomfort for a brief time; this feeling has often been described as pinching sensation and usually only lasts less than one second. A doctor will typically apply topical anesthetic cream prior to beginning their laser session to reduce any pain experienced during treatment; they also encourage clients to wear loose clothing during this process and take pre-procedure photographs so as to keep a record for evaluation afterwards.
Antibiotics
Most medications do not interfere with laser treatments for unwanted hair removal; however, certain drugs may increase skin sensitivity to light and increase risk for side effects like pigmentation changes or burns. It is therefore crucial that all current prescription and non-prescription medicines as well as dietary supplements be disclosed to the person performing your laser procedure – they will then provide pre and post treatment guidelines tailored specifically to each medication prescribed to you.
Roaccutane and Retin-A are among the most frequently prescribed acne medications which may increase photosensitivity. Tetracycline antibiotics also increase the risk of adverse reactions during laser treatments; additionally ginko biloba herbal supplements should be discontinued at least two weeks prior to any laser procedures in order to limit photosensitivity.
Zoloft and Prozac can increase photosensitivity, though these medications should not be considered contraindicated for laser treatments as they typically only cause mild discomfort during sessions. Other prescription antidepressants like Prilosec, Lexapro and Zyrtec do not interfere with how UV laser treatments affect skin responses so are safe to use as UV laser treatments can inhibit healing afterward which increases redness and irritation risks during treatments – something particularly concerning since such drugs are taken by those hoping to minimize unwanted hair growth.
Accutane
Informing your doctor of all medications taken, such as dietary supplements or herbal remedies, is vital. Some can interfere with how well laser hair removal treatments work or cause undesirable side effects; your physician can advise on which ones you should avoid prior and during laser hair removal treatment sessions.
Accutane (also referred to as isotretinoin) is a prescription acne medication that works by decreasing the amount of oil your skin produces, but may cause dryness and light sensitivity. Receiving laser treatments while on Accutane increases risk for scarring and other complications; additionally it has been found that oral accutane interferes with how quickly healing occurs after invasive procedures like laser hair removal.
If you are taking Accutane, your doctor may advise that you discontinue it at least six months prior to laser hair removal. Other drugs that could impede laser hair removal include Tetracyclines, Retinoids and Oral Contraceptives.
Avoid tweezing and waxing the area where you’re receiving laser hair removal as this may disturb the hair follicles. Also, refrain from using sunless tanners before and after laser treatments as these could potentially make your skin darker or more sensitive; and ensure you shave before beginning. Doing this will ensure the laser only targets hair follicles.
Antihistamines
Prior to having laser hair removal treatments, it is wise to avoid taking antihistamines as these drugs may reduce its efficacy. Antihistamines help ease allergy symptoms during this season of springtime allergies but some antihistamines contain photosensitive compounds which could have negative side effects during laser treatments.
Informing your doctor of all medications you take – both prescription and nonprescription, such as vitamins and supplements – is crucial. High doses of vitamin E can increase bleeding during laser treatments while omega-3 fatty acids, often used as supplements against cardiovascular disease, may also cause side effects that increase bleeding and bruising during laser treatments.
Laser hair removal works best when the contrast between dark hair and light skin allows laser’s heat to easily penetrate and destroy unwanted follicles. Unfortunately, white, gray or red hair does not respond as effectively because their colors blend too closely to those of their surrounding skin tone.
If you are taking acne medications like Roaccutane or Retin-A, it is advisable to wait at least six months before seeking laser hair removal treatments. Acne treatments make your skin sensitive to light, increasing the risks of laser treatment damage. As such, it is vital that sun exposure be limited while using an effective sunscreen in preparation for these procedures.
