Can You Get Laser Treatments or IPL While Using Tretinoin?

You pause tretinoin around the appointment.

Most clinics have you stop about a week before IPL or laser hair removal, then wait 1 to 2 weeks to restart. Your skin gets irritated more easily while you use tretinoin, so the pause helps treatment stay predictable. Deep resurfacing lasers are different, and doctors sometimes prescribe tretinoin before those treatments to try to improve healing.

Do you need to stop tretinoin before IPL or laser hair removal?

For IPL, which uses broad pulses of light to fade sun spots and redness, SkinSmart Dermatology in Sarasota tells photofacial patients to stop retinoids and other exfoliating products at least one week before treatment, along with two weeks without sun exposure SkinSmart IPL prep.

For laser hair removal, Simplicity Laser advises stopping tretinoin at least one week before a session because sensitized skin makes treatment unpredictable Simplicity Laser guidance.

Dr. Corey Maas says tretinoin is not a contraindication for IPL or photorejuvenation. His practice still has patients stop about a week before because irritated skin tolerates the visit less well. He adds that sun sensitivity from tretinoin involves UVA and UVB rays, not IPL light MAAS Clinic IPL guidance.

Why do some resurfacing lasers use tretinoin on purpose?

Carbon-dioxide resurfacing removes thin outer layers of skin so new skin grows back smoother. University of Michigan researchers noted that doctors often prescribe tretinoin before this type of resurfacing in an attempt to enhance results CO2 resurfacing study.

A 1998 survey and literature review from Massachusetts General Hospital Dermatology Laser Center found widespread pre-laser tretinoin use among dermatologists and plastic surgeons. In split-back pig studies, pretreated skin healed significantly faster than untreated skin. The stated rationale was faster healing and less risk of dark marks left after inflammation MGH resurfacing survey.

A literature review found no definitive universal pretreatment regimen. Published approaches varied widely in strength, duration and stop time, so the authors offered their own guidelines based on literature and personal experience retinoid review. Your operator sets the timing for this type of laser.

When can you restart tretinoin after laser?

After laser hair removal, Simplicity Laser advises waiting one to two weeks before you put tretinoin back on Simplicity Laser guidance.

After IPL, you restart once redness, warmth and flaking have settled and your provider clears you. After ablative resurfacing, you restart only on your doctor's timeline because the skin stays sensitive longer while it regrows.