Why does this matter before a laser or light-based appointment?

Photosensitising medications, supplements and topicals can make your skin more reactive to laser, IPL, PDT and broadband light. Even when treatment is performed correctly, photosensitisation increases the risk of burns, blistering, post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation (PIH), prolonged redness (post-inflammatory erythema, PIE) and delayed healing. Disclosure lets your clinician adjust settings, pause topicals, or reschedule treatment safely.

Do I need to stop my medications before treatment?

Not necessarily — and you should never stop a prescription medication without medical advice. Depending on the agent, your clinician may adjust treatment settings (lower energy, larger pulse intervals), ask you to pause a topical product (commonly retinoids and AHAs/BHAs) for a defined window, or postpone treatment until the medication is finished. Disclosure is the priority; the plan is collaborative.

What if my medication is not on this list?

This list is not exhaustive. Hundreds of medications have been associated with photosensitivity to varying degrees, and new products appear constantly. Individual responses also vary — the same drug can cause issues in one patient and none in another. If you are unsure whether something you take or apply is relevant, please tell your clinician before treatment.

How long before treatment should I stop a topical retinoid or AHA?

Most clinics ask you to pause topical retinoids (tretinoin, adapalene, retinol), high-strength AHAs/BHAs, and benzoyl peroxide for 3–7 days before laser, IPL or PDT — sometimes longer for ablative resurfacing. The exact window depends on the treatment, the product strength, and your skin's tolerance. We will give you specific timing at your pre-treatment consult.

I am on doxycycline for acne — can I still have IPL?

Doxycycline is one of the most common photosensitisers and is dose-related. It is generally advised to pause doxycycline for at least 1–2 weeks before IPL, ablative or fractional laser, and to avoid significant sun exposure during that window. For low-dose acne use, we discuss timing individually — sometimes the treatment is rescheduled rather than the antibiotic stopped early.

What about isotretinoin (Roaccutane)?

Isotretinoin is the highest-risk medication for ablative and fractional laser treatments, and is also relevant for IPL and chemical peels. Traditional guidance has been to wait 6 months after finishing isotretinoin before non-essential ablative resurfacing, though recent evidence suggests this window may be shorter for some modern devices and protocols. We assess on a case-by-case basis — please tell us if you are on, or have recently finished, isotretinoin.

Are herbal supplements really a problem?

Some are. St John's Wort (Hypericum perforatum) contains hypericin, a documented photosensitiser. Several essential oils — including bergamot and other citrus oils — are well-known phototoxic agents. "Natural" does not mean photosensitivity-safe. Please disclose all herbal supplements and topical botanical products before treatment.

Does sunscreen reduce the risk from photosensitising medications?

Daily broad-spectrum SPF50+ sunscreen, sun-protective clothing and shade reduce the everyday photosensitivity risk from many medications, but they do not eliminate it. For in-clinic laser, IPL and PDT, the device output is far higher than ambient sun exposure, so sunscreen alone is not sufficient protection — settings, timing and pre-treatment preparation matter more.

Medications

Photosensitising Medications & Products — Before Laser & Light Treatments

Doctor-led reference for patients booked in for laser, IPL or photodynamic therapy. Lists the medications, supplements and topicals most commonly associated with photosensitisation, the procedures at higher complication risk, and what to do before your appointment. Disclosure is the priority — never stop a prescription medication without medical advice.

By Dr Christopher Irwin, MBChB, FRACGP, MMed (Skin Cancer), FACAM, MSCCA

Last reviewed 2026-06-06 · 7 min read · Editorial policy

In brief

Tell your clinician about ALL prescription, OTC, topical, herbal and supplement products before laser, IPL or PDT.
Highest-risk agents — isotretinoin (Roaccutane), tetracyclines (doxycycline, minocycline), topical retinoids, St John's Wort.
Common moderate-risk — SSRIs/tricyclics, hydrochlorothiazide, NSAIDs, some antifungals, hormonal therapies.
Ablative laser, fractional laser, IPL and PDT carry the highest baseline complication risk if photosensitisation is missed.
Topical retinoids, AHAs/BHAs and benzoyl peroxide usually pause 3–7 days pre-treatment (longer for ablative resurfacing).
Doxycycline is typically paused 1–2 weeks before IPL or ablative/fractional laser where clinically appropriate.
Isotretinoin needs individual assessment — historical 6-month wait may be modified for some modern devices.
Treatment may be paused, postponed or adjusted — never stop a prescription medication unilaterally.
The list is not exhaustive. When in doubt, disclose and ask.
Care provided across two Melbourne clinics — Ivanhoe and Diamond Creek.

Quick definition

Photosensitising medications are drugs, supplements and topical products that make your skin more reactive to light — including the laser, IPL and PDT devices used in clinic. Combining a photosensitiser with light treatment can increase the risk of burns, blistering, post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation (PIH), prolonged redness (PIE) and delayed healing even when the treatment is performed correctly. The highest-risk agents are isotretinoin, tetracyclines (doxycycline, minocycline), topical retinoids, AHAs/BHAs, benzoyl peroxide, hydrochlorothiazide, amiodarone and St John’s Wort. Disclosure before your appointment is the safest path — never stop a prescription medication without medical advice.

Important information before laser, IPL and light-based treatments at The Skin Doctor.

Some medications, supplements and skincare products can make your skin more sensitive to light — a process called photosensitisation. When combined with a laser, IPL, broadband light or PDT device, this can increase complication risk even when the treatment is performed correctly.

This page explains which agents matter most, the procedures at highest baseline risk, and what to do before your appointment.

Book a pre-treatment consultation

Why this matters

Photosensitisation can increase the risk of:

burns
blistering
post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation (PIH)
prolonged redness (post-inflammatory erythema, PIE)
delayed healing

These risks may occur even when treatment is performed at standard settings on appropriately selected skin.

Your responsibility

Before undergoing any laser or light-based treatment:

tell your clinician about every medication, supplement and skincare product you are using
this includes prescription, over-the-counter, topical and “natural” products
if you are unsure whether something is relevant, ask before your treatment

Common photosensitising agents

The following are the most clinically relevant and commonly encountered agents.

Highest risk (common and clinically significant)

These frequently require treatment modification, pausing the agent, or rescheduling.

Oral medications

Isotretinoin (Roaccutane)
Doxycycline, minocycline and other tetracyclines
Some antibiotics (e.g. ciprofloxacin, trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole)

Topical medications and skincare

Topical retinoids (tretinoin, adapalene, retinol)
Alpha hydroxy acids (AHAs) and beta hydroxy acids (BHAs)
Benzoyl peroxide

Supplements

St John’s Wort

Moderate risk (context-dependent)

These may increase sensitivity depending on dose, duration and individual response.

Medications

Some antidepressants (SSRIs and tricyclic antidepressants)
Certain diuretics (e.g. hydrochlorothiazide)
Some non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)
Certain antifungal medications

Hormonal treatments

Combined oral contraceptive pill
Hormone replacement therapy

Lower or variable risk

These may contribute in certain circumstances and should still be disclosed.

Topicals and cosmeceuticals

High-strength vitamin C preparations
Exfoliating scrubs
Fragrance-containing products

Other

Some herbal supplements (beyond St John’s Wort)
Selected acne treatments and cosmeceuticals

Procedures with higher sensitivity risk

Photosensitising agents are particularly important to disclose if you are undergoing:

ablative laser treatments (e.g. Er:YAG resurfacing)
full-face laser resurfacing
fractional laser treatments
IPL or pigment-targeting treatments
photodynamic therapy (PDT)

These treatments involve heat or deliberate disruption of the skin and carry a higher baseline risk of complications.

Timing and treatment safety

Depending on the medication or product:

you may need to pause use before treatment
your clinician may adjust treatment settings (energy, pulse width, intervals)
in some cases, treatment may be postponed until the medication course is finished

Do not stop prescription medications without medical advice. Your clinician will guide you on what to pause, what to adjust, and what is safe to continue.

Comprehensive reference list

The lists below highlight commonly encountered photosensitising agents. They are not exhaustive — many other medications, supplements and substances have been reported to increase sensitivity to light in some individuals.

Taking a listed agent does not necessarily mean you will experience increased sensitivity or complications. But you should still:

review the list carefully
inform your clinician if you are taking any of these substances
seek clarification if you are unsure whether something is relevant

Even medications or products not listed here may increase sensitivity in some individuals.

Antibiotics

Tetracycline
Doxycycline
Minocycline
Ciprofloxacin
Norfloxacin
Ofloxacin
Trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole

Antifungals

Griseofulvin
Voriconazole

Cardiovascular medications

Amiodarone
Hydrochlorothiazide
Furosemide
Quinidine

Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)

Ibuprofen
Naproxen
Piroxicam
Ketoprofen

Psychiatric medications

Amitriptyline
Nortriptyline
Citalopram
Fluoxetine
Sertraline
Paroxetine

Dermatological medications

Isotretinoin
Acitretin
Topical retinoids

Hormonal agents

Oral contraceptives
Oestrogen therapies

Herbal and natural products

St John’s Wort (Hypericum perforatum)
Certain essential oils (e.g. bergamot, other citrus oils)

Other agents

Some antihistamines
Certain anti-diabetic medications
Some chemotherapy agents

If you are preparing for an in-clinic light-based treatment, you may also want to read:

Final safety note

This list is not exhaustive. New medications and products are constantly introduced, and individual responses vary. Even agents not listed here may increase sensitivity to light.

Failure to disclose relevant medications or products may increase the risk of:

burns
pigmentation changes (PIH)
prolonged redness (PIE)
other complications

When in doubt, tell your clinician.