When people are taking prescription medications and undergoing some procedures at the same time, they are more likely to face side effects. One such procedure is the all-too-common laser hair removal for men and women that is becoming increasingly popular. By reading this guide, you will be able to know, What are the Drugs and Medications to Avoid Laser Hair Removal Treatment?
When used in combination with laser body hair removal treatment, several prescription drugs, both oral and topical, have been demonstrated to cause negative side effects. These negative effects are not just related with pharmaceutical treatments but also with herbal supplements.
It is critical that your treatment practitioner is aware of your medical history as well as any drugs you are currently taking before beginning any therapy. They must take this into consideration and utilize their own knowledge and judgment to ensure that you are as safe as possible throughout the process.
Additionally, to be on the safe side, you must consult with your primary care physician to see whether any of your medications or medical conditions would be exacerbated or complicated by laser hair removal treatment.
What are the drugs and medications to avoid laser hair removal treatment?
Some of the most commonMedications to avoid with laser hair removal are listed below.
1. Antidepressants
Photosensitive compounds are found in anti-depressants, and when taken by someone who intends to undergo laser body hair removal, the photosensitive compounds cause the person’s skin to become extremely sensitive to the laser beams that will be employed during the treatment session.
In order to avoid having a laser hair removal procedure performed, patients must avoid using the following antidepressant medications:
- Adapin (amitriptyline)
- Amoxapine
- Clomipramine
- Doxepin
- Imipramine
- isocarboxazid
- Maprotiline
- Phenelzine
- Trazadone
- Vivactil
- Zoloft
2. Acne medications
It is not uncommon for people to continue to use acne medication years after their hormonal teenage years have passed. When used excessively in the sun, the majority of these topical medications might cause substantial damage. People may not relate laser hair removal treatments with the same adverse effects as other cosmetic procedures that can be problematic, especially for those seeking face laser hair removal procedures. Always keep in mind that using any product containing Retin-A must be avoided for many days prior to your procedure.
The following are some of the most commonly prescribed acne medications.
- lsotretinoin (Accutane)
- Tretinoin (Retin-A)
3. Anti-Histamines
People from all over the world, whether or not they suffer from respiratory disorders, suffer from the unpleasant effects of the allergy season each year, which can last for months. There are numerous drugs that are readily available to help keep allergies under control, but these medications are not as safe as you might think.
Antihistamines are drugs used to treat allergies and other respiratory problems. A common component of these drugs is specific chemicals that might cause a person’s skin to become extremely photosensitive. Because antihistamines have been consumed by the patient before going to the clinic for laser hair removal, the skin may react severely when it is exposed to a laser beam at the time of their appointment.
As a result, it is recommended that antihistamines be avoided prior to scheduling an appointment for laser hair removal.
The following are some of the most commonly prescribed antihistamines that could cause your skin to become extremely photosensitive:
- Benadryl
- Claritin
- Periactin
- Azatadine
- Clemastine
- Terfenadine
- Tripelennamine
4. Antibiotics
The skin could become more sensitive and prone to damage when using many various types of antibiotics. Many laser hair removal clinics would urge their clients to refrain from taking any antibiotics for at least 2 weeks prior to the procedure.
Someone who is taking antibiotics will need to schedule their laser hair removal appointment around two weeks after finishing the medication. The use of antibiotics also shows that the customer is suffering from an illness, making it advisable to postpone laser hair removal procedures until the client is back in good health.
Here is a list of some of most commonly used antibiotics.
- Minocycline
- Sulfonamides (Trimethoprim, Sulfamethoxazole, Cotrimoxazole, etc.)
- Quinolones (Levofloxacin, Ciprofloxacin, etc.)
- Fluoroquinolones
- Dapsone
- Tetracyclines (Adoxa, Atridox, Doxycycline, etc.)
5. Iron supplements
Some lasers penetrate deep enough into the body to have an effect on the iron in your blood. Taking an iron supplement, even if it has been demonstrated to be perfectly safe with normal iron levels, could result in issues. Iron supplements should be avoided for at least 3 days before and after treatment.
Here is the most often used iron supplements.
- Ferrous sulfate
- Ferrous fumarate
- Ferrous gluconate
6. Oral contraceptives (birth control pills)
If you are taking birth control pills, you must tell your laser technician right away because these prescriptions might make your skin more sensitive, making it more likely to burn and blister.
Here are a few examples of oral contraceptives (birth control pills)
- Triphasic
- Monophasic
- Biphasic
Can you take photosensitive drugs with laser hair removal treatment?
If you are using a photosensitive medicine, an ethical, experienced, and reputable laser hair removal facility must refuse to treat you.
It is possible that taking photosensitive medications will result in a phototoxic reaction following the laser hair removal treatment, giving the appearance that the skin has suffered from severe sunburn. If this occurs, it is recommended that the use of photosensitive medicines be avoided during any subsequent laser hair removal treatments.
When you have laser hair removal treatments while taking a light-sensitive medication, you may experience a variety of reactions or side effects, which will differ from one person to another. The severity of the reaction/side effect varies based on the drug, how long you’ve been taking it, and the doses you’re receiving. Skin discoloration, blisters, and a burn are the most often reported side effects of light-sensitive medications.
What are the side effects of combining photosensitive drugs with laser hair removal?
Depending on their skin type and the medications they have been taking, each person would experience varying degrees of adverse effects.
The following are the side effects of taking medicines when undergoing laser hair removal treatment.
1. Photoallergic reaction
A photoallergic reaction during laser hair removal is more severe than a normal reaction and may have more long-term unfavorable consequences. When a photoallergic reaction occurs, the UV light emitted by the laser affects the chemical structure of the drug within the skin, leading the immune system to attack the drug as if it were an invading organism. As a result, skin around the affected area becomes inflamed, and long-term issues such as eczema or dermatitis may develop.
2. Hyperpigmentation
Another risk of using medicines in combination with laser hair removal treatment is Hyperpigmentation that is a skin condition characterized by discoloration of the skin.
3. Phototoxic reaction
A phototoxic reaction to laser hair removal is typically characterized by an acute sunburn-like sensation. It takes place when the laser activates the compounds in the medicine that are already in the patient’s system. Although this is generally a temporary adverse effect, the medication must be stopped immediately if additional laser hair removal procedures are required. There may be more skin damage if this is not done.
4. Damage to skin cells
Because medicine is still in your system at the time of your laser treatment, the photoreactive chemicals may cause damage to your skin cells when they are exposed to UV radiation from the laser during the procedure.
How long before laser hair removal treatment should you stop taking medicines?
It is necessary to be off antibiotics for 7 days prior to laser treatment if you become ill and begin taking antibiotics to treat your illness.
Can you take antibiotics after laser hair removal treatment?
Patients taking antibiotics should ensure that they stop taking them before and after their laser hair removal treatment or as directed by their healthcare professional to avoid complications. Some antibiotics have the potential to cause sensitivity.
Watch how laser hair removal affects on medication | Video
Laser hair removal has what kind of photosensitivity?
In individuals undergoing laser hair removal, there are two types of photosensitivity that they may experience: drug-induced photosensitivity and natural skin photosensitivity. Some people may have both, while others may only experience one, so make sure to discuss the issue with your hair removal specialist.
What drugs are known to cause interference with laser hair removal?
For seven days before treatment, refrain from using any alpha hydroxyl and beta hydroxyl products (AHA/BHA), hydroquinone, retinol/retinoid products, Tazorac, or Differin. A medical practitioner must first determine whether a client has any abnormal lesions, moles, or spots on the area to be treated before therapy may be performed on them.
Is it okay for me to take pain relievers before laser hair removal?
You’ll be relaxed and stress-free during your laser hair removal treatment. A pain reliever such as Advil or ibuprofen is given 30 minutes to an hour before the hair removal procedure can help to reduce any discomfort.
ZINNAT 250mg antibiotics are the first antibiotics I’ve used. Is laser hair removal still a viable option for me?
While taking antibiotics, it is not suggested that you undergo laser hair removal treatment. This is due to fact that antibiotics might induce increased photosensitivity. It is not suggested that you wait more than 1-2 weeks after finishing your previous dose before beginning your laser hair removal treatment regimen.
Which antibiotics for acne treatment should be avoided during laser hair removal, and for how long should you avoid them?
To find out if the drug you’re taking is photosensitive, call your pharmacy. Two weeks before your laser session, you must avoid any recent sun exposure, and you must stop using any photosensitive medications ten days before your laser appointment.
Conclusion
It’s always good idea to consult with your doctor or dermatologist in order to achieve the best possible results. If you go for laser therapy after taking a problematic drug, a professional will be aware of the potential side effects that various drugs might have on your skin.
Transparency regarding the medications you routinely consume will allow the professional working in your salon or clinic to make required adjustments to their equipment, resulting in you receiving an individually tailored laser hair removal treatment that is free of potential side effects!
If you are taking medicine and are unsure whether or not it contains photo-reactive chemicals, you should consult your doctor before undergoing Laser treatment.
