LASER AND OTHER PROCEEDURES AFTER ACCUTANE
 
 At the two CO2 laser resurfacing seminars I attended, it was recommended
not to perform this procedure on an Accutane treated patient until they had
been off for 6 months to a year.  What is the consensus here in cyberland?

 Also, if there is a post-Accutane wound healing problem, is it specific for
CO2 resurfacing?  What about excising tumors, hair transplantation,
hyfercating telangiectasias, sclerotherapy, peels, etc.
 
Jeff Marmelzat, M.D. 
====================
 
 

A really good question.  I have seen several patients with 
scarring after hair transplants done within one year of Accutane, and 
several with keloidal scars subsequent to mole removal post Accutane 
several months.  Of course, in the latter cases, one wonders if they 
would have formed keloids regardless.  I don't know what is magical 
about the time period.  Of interest is the basic cause for 
fibroplastic up-regulation after Accutane..or is it collagenase down 
regulation ( to use the latest jargon ).  

Elliot Puritz MD

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