Question
Unfortunately, yes.
Heat-based treatments including lasers can cause an acne flare for some patients. As such, some patients who have significant comedones or whiteheads/ active acne can experience a temporary worsening of breakouts post treatment.
I tend to prepare them first with a chemical peel or topical/ antibiotics before doing laser treatments for them. CO2 lasers would tend to cause a worse flare compared to Q-switch or picolasers.
Patients should be aware of this risk.
It’d definitely help to highlight all these worries you have during the consult with your doctor, so that he can take your concerns into consideration, and advise as necessary. He’ll always be the best person to advise you, as compared to any online source. Eg if I googled online about any medication, I’m sure I’ll find a million and one horrible things that could happen. In answer to your questions: Yes Nimegen = Accutane = isotretinoin (it’s the active ingredient in both), hence side effects will be the same.
Hi Aaron – I completely agree with whatever your doctor has done. I had asked about accutane but my doctor was hesitant in prescribing to me due to my history with depression. I’d err on the side of caution as well, as depression, although rare, is one of the side effects of accutane. Moreover, you described your acne as mild so accutane would be an overkill. My dermatologist said that the retacnyl will help to clear my acne(very few) and my dark spots and mild acne scars. Would it actually help to eliminate my acne scars?
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