Background: It is generally believed that any intervention in skin while on isotretinoin or within 6 months after the treatment can lead to prolonged healing and scarring.
Objective: The objective was to evaluate the side effects of laser hair removal in patients undergoing isotretinoin treatment.
Methods: Seven female patients undergoing isotretinoin therapy for acne were treated with a diode laser with a wavelength of 810 nm, a contact-cooling device, and a variable pulse width of 50 to 1000 ms. All volunteers received first treatment in the axillary or bikini area at 21 J/cm(2) (80 W) and the second treatment was done in the same area at 24 J/cm(2) (90 W). Six volunteers received additional treatments of chin area with a fluence of 21 or 24 J/cm(2). All volunteers were evaluated and photographed 1 week and 1 month after each treatment and degree of erythema, pigmentary change, vesiculation, swelling, and scarring was documented.
Results: There was no erythema, pigmentary change, swelling, or scarring at any follow up visits. One volunteer presented with a bulla 1 week after second treatment, which was resolved at 1-month follow-up. All volunteers were satisfied with the degree of hair removal with two treatments.
Conclusion: This limited study suggests that diode laser hair removal is safe in patients undergoing isotretinoin therapy.