Can I wax, have laser treatment or a chemical peel while taking isotretinoin?
If you are taking oral isotretinoin, postpone waxing and do not book a chemical peel, laser treatment or other skin procedure without first checking with your isotretinoin prescriber. Current UK patient leaflets advise avoiding waxing, dermabrasion and laser treatment during the course and for at least six months afterwards.[1] The NHS also advises against waxing, laser hair removal, microdermabrasion and chemical peels while taking isotretinoin.[2]
Research has challenged the idea that every procedure carries the same risk. The answer depends on how deeply it affects the skin, the device and settings, the area treated, your skin tone and how well your skin has recovered.
Why can procedures be riskier during isotretinoin treatment?
Isotretinoin reduces oil production and commonly makes skin dry, delicate and more easily irritated. Lips may crack, eczema can develop and the skin may be more sensitive to sunlight.[2,3] A procedure that removes hair, disrupts the skin barrier or deliberately creates controlled injury may therefore cause more irritation than expected.
Possible problems include epidermal stripping, delayed healing, infection, scarring and post-inflammatory colour change. Pigmentation deserves particular consideration in darker skin tones, where it can be more noticeable and longer lasting.
Can I wax while taking isotretinoin?
No. Avoid facial and body waxing during treatment. UK product information warns that wax depilation can strip away the epidermis—the skin's outer layer—and advises avoiding it for at least six months after treatment ends.[1]
This applies even if you have waxed safely for years. Eyebrow, upper-lip, bikini and leg waxing all involve wax adhering to the skin, so a small area is not automatically safe.
Shaving is usually gentler. Use a clean, sharp razor with a mild shaving product and stop if the skin is sore or cracked. An electric trimmer may be better tolerated. Threading can still irritate fragile skin, so ask your prescriber and avoid inflamed areas.
What about laser hair removal or IPL?
The patient leaflet gives a cautious rule: do not have laser treatments during isotretinoin treatment or for at least six months afterwards.[1] This remains the straightforward UK patient advice.
However, a 2017 systematic review and expert consensus found insufficient evidence to require delaying laser hair removal, non-ablative fractional laser and fractional ablative laser solely because someone was taking or had recently taken isotretinoin.[4] “Insufficient evidence to delay” does not mean “proven risk-free”. The studies were limited, and laser hair removal is not the same as fully ablative resurfacing.
Do not decide based on a salon's policy alone. Speak to your isotretinoin prescriber and an appropriately trained laser practitioner. They should consider the device, settings, treatment site, active inflammation, sun exposure and your skin phototype. A patch test cannot guarantee that full treatment will be complication-free.
Can I have a chemical peel, microneedling or dermabrasion?
The NHS advises avoiding chemical peels and microdermabrasion while taking isotretinoin.[2] UK prescribing information specifically warns against aggressive chemical dermabrasion during treatment and for five to six months afterwards because of possible hypertrophic scarring and, less commonly, colour change.[3]
Depth matters. A very superficial peel is different from a medium or deep peel, just as fractional laser is different from fully ablative resurfacing. The 2017 review did not find enough evidence to support delaying superficial chemical peels or manual dermabrasion in every patient, but it did not recommend mechanical dermabrasion or fully ablative laser during isotretinoin treatment.[4]
Evidence for microneedling during isotretinoin is limited. Because it deliberately creates multiple skin punctures, postpone it unless your prescriber and the procedure specialist agree it is appropriate.
How long should I wait after finishing isotretinoin?
There is no single waiting period for every procedure. UK leaflets use at least six months for waxing, dermabrasion and laser, while prescribing information specifies five to six months for aggressive chemical dermabrasion and cutaneous laser.[1,3] BAD advises at least one year before laser resurfacing of acne scars.[5]
Follow the advice for your medicine and procedure. Dryness, eczema, sun sensitivity and active acne may also need to settle. The procedure clinician should assess the skin rather than relying only on the calendar.
What should I do if I have already had a procedure?
Do not stop isotretinoin without advice. Tell your team what was done, when and with which product or device. Use a bland moisturiser, avoid exfoliants and further procedures, protect the area from sunlight and do not pick the skin.
Seek prompt medical advice for blistering, raw skin, increasing pain, spreading redness, marked swelling, pus, fever or a wound that is not healing. Sudden facial swelling, breathing difficulty or a severe widespread blistering rash needs urgent help.
Planning skin care while you wait
Keep the routine deliberately simple: a gentle cleanser, non-comedogenic moisturiser, lip balm and broad-spectrum SPF 30 or higher. Avoid scrubs, retinol or retinal, exfoliating acids and strong acne products unless your prescriber has specifically advised them. Our guide to skin care while taking isotretinoin gives a practical routine.
Isotretinoin is a prescription-only medicine for severe acne or acne at risk of permanent scarring when appropriate standard treatment has not worked. It is not suitable for everyone. Current UK safeguards include an Acknowledgement of Risk Form, assessment and monitoring of mental health and sexual function, and the Pregnancy Prevention Programme where pregnancy is possible.[6]
Frequently asked questions
Can I have my eyebrows waxed on isotretinoin?
No. The risk of epidermal stripping applies to small facial areas too. Consider careful tweezing or ask your prescriber whether threading is reasonable for your skin.
Can I shave my face or body?
Usually, provided the skin is not sore, cracked or eczematous. Use a clean razor or electric trimmer and a gentle shaving product. Stop if irritation develops.
Can I book laser hair removal for six months after my last capsule?
Six months is the minimum in current UK patient leaflets, but it is not automatic clearance. Ask your prescriber and laser practitioner to assess your skin and the planned device and settings.
Can a peel treat my acne scars as soon as my course ends?
Do not rush into scar procedures while the skin is still fragile or acne remains active. The right treatment and timing depend on scar type, skin tone, healing and the depth of the planned procedure.
Taking the next step
If acne is persistent, painful, scarring or affecting your wellbeing, a structured assessment can review what you have tried and discuss suitable options. You can use the mySkinDoc consultation form to share your history and photographs. A consultation does not guarantee isotretinoin or any particular prescription; recommendations depend on clinical assessment.
References
Electronic Medicines Compendium. Isotretinoin 20 mg soft capsules: Patient Information Leaflet. Accessed 3 November 2026.
NHS. Isotretinoin (Roaccutane). Accessed 3 November 2026.
Electronic Medicines Compendium. Isotretinoin 10 mg soft capsules: Summary of Product Characteristics. Accessed 3 November 2026.
Spring LK, et al. Isotretinoin and timing of procedural interventions: a systematic review with consensus recommendations. JAMA Dermatology. 2017;153(8):802–809.
British Association of Dermatologists. Acne. Accessed 3 November 2026.
MHRA. Isotretinoin: changes to prescribing guidance and additional risk minimisation measures. Published 22 January 2026.
