What You Need to Know About Antibiotics and Laser Hair Removal

Posted April 14, 2025 in Laser Treatments

If you’re prepping for summer weather and the shorts and swimwear that go with it, you might be considering laser hair removal. However, we’re also on the tail end of cold and flu season, which may mean you’re taking antibiotics. Most people may not think antibiotics could affect their laser hair removal treatment, but like any cosmetic procedure, certain medications can impact your results and increase the risk of complications. In this blog, we’ll go over some of the basics regarding what you need to know about antibiotics and laser hair removal.

3 Min Read:

Can I Take Antibiotics Before Laser Hair Removal?

The answer to this question is not a one-size-fits-all situation. Some antibiotics may be acceptable to take before or during laser hair removal treatments. However, other antibiotics can increase your skin’s photosensitivity, which means it makes it more sensitive to light. If your skin is light sensitive at the time of your treatment, that may put you at a higher risk of side effects like burns, blisters, or dark spots after your laser hair removal. Not all antibiotics increase your sensitivity to light, but it’s still important to check with your doctor or laser technician before starting laser hair removal.

Some of the common antibiotics that may cause photosensitivity include tetracyclines (like medications for acne), fluoroquinolones (broad-spectrum antibiotics used to treat several issues, including respiratory and skin infections), and sulfonamides (for treating bacterial infections). Even if you don’t normally have sensitive skin, antibiotics can temporarily change how your skin reacts, so it’s better to be safe than sorry.

Risks of Antibiotics and Laser Hair Removal

If you do get laser hair removal while your skin is more sensitive to light, the laser might end up causing more harm than good. Some risks of undergoing laser hair removal while on antibiotics include:

• Increased chance of burns or blistering if overly sensitive skin absorbs more energy than it should
• Hyperpigmentation or hypopigmentation, which are dark or light patches of discoloration on your skin where the laser was applied
• Skin irritation, including redness, swelling, and itching during or after treatment, may be more intense and last longer than normal

It’s important to understand that laser hair removal doesn’t become dangerous or even unsafe if you undergo treatment while on antibiotics. It simply means that you’re at a higher risk for short-term damage to your skin’s health and appearance when waiting a bit longer for treatment can offer better results with less chance of unpleasant side effects.

How Long Before Laser Hair Removal Should I Stop Taking Antibiotics?

Now that you know what the potential issues can be when combining laser hair removal and antibiotics, what is the optimal time to wait before scheduling your laser treatment after completing your course of antibiotics? Most providers recommend waiting at least two weeks after finishing your antibiotics before getting laser hair removal. This gives your body time to flush out the medication and for your skin to return to its normal level of sensitivity.

But again, this timeline can vary depending on the antibiotic. Some medications linger in your system longer, so your provider might suggest waiting up to two months before treatment to err on the side of caution. That’s why it’s vital that you let your laser hair removal provider know all medications you’re taking—both prescription or over-the-counter—before your appointment.

If you’re on long-term antibiotics to treat acne or chronic infections, you don’t necessarily have to give up the convenience of laser hair removal. You may just need to take a break from the antibiotics (with the approval of your prescriber) or schedule your laser treatments around your medication plan.

Expert Laser Hair Removal in Fresno

Laser hair removal is a convenient and effective alternative to shaving and waxing, but for safe and complication-free results, finding the right laser hair removal provider is essential. When it comes to preparing for your laser treatment, being cautious now can save you irritation later and help ensure you get the smooth, gorgeous results you’re looking for. To discover if you’re a good candidate for laser hair removal, contact the experts at Aspire Medispa by calling (559) 435-8477 or completing the online contact form.