Question
I've been on accutane off and on for a couple of years now and recently stopped about a week ago...i have a consultation for laser hair removal in about two weeks...is it unsafe to have a patch test done? and if so why? does it only apply to LHR on face or is LHR off limits for the entire body if accutane is still in your system??

Answer
I've been on accutane off and on for a couple of years now and recently stopped about a week ago...i have a consultation for laser hair removal in about two weeks...is it unsafe to have a patch test done? and if so why? does it only apply to LHR on face or is LHR off limits for the entire body if accutane is still in your system??

Answer
I would not suggest it if you are on accutane, to any part of your body. Retinols are topical and in that situation LHR is safe on other body parts. Accutane being a pill will effect your entire system and every inch of skin. My clients are told they need to be off of it for 18 months before I will do it. Other places may let you do it sooner, that does not mean that it is necessarily safe to do so. With a medical background and knowing the risk of severe burns, scarring, poor healing and other side effects associated with it I do not feel comfortable doing anything before 18 months. That is a number that has been passed onto me from dermatologists and plastic surgeons during my training and preceptorships. A good LHR center will refuse to treat you if you have been off of it for only 2 weeks.