The British Medical Laser Association (BMLA) has advised that aesthetic patients can now use topical retinol up to 24 hours prior to laser treatments.
Previously, the association’s ‘Drugs and Lasers/IPLs guidelines’ stated that retinol use must be terminated two weeks before laser procedures to mitigate unwanted side effects, such as peeling or redness, due to increased skin sensitivity. However, following a review of medical literature and panel deliberations, the new 24-hour timeframe has been implemented.
Despite this, it is not advised that patients start using retinol immediately before starting a course of laser treatments. The association still states that laser treatment should not be performed if the skin barrier appears visibly compromised.
Kerry Belba, laser practitioner and BMLA executive board member, commented, “Experienced retinol users can now continue to apply retinol up to 24 hours before treatment, provided the skin barrier remains intact and there are no visible signs of skin sensitivity or irritation. This update has been a long time coming, as we have now found that regular use of retinol is not a problem for laser treatments.”
