carbon laser facial and clopidogrel

[Bodypump51]

I was due to have a carbon laser treatment to remove sun damage but the practitioner won’t go ahead as I on clopidogrel and wants a letter from my GP. I don’t think it’s appropriate to ask a busy GP and beautician question. Does anyone here know whether this treatment shouldn’t go ahead? I did think pausing the clopidogrel as I would for dental treatment/minor surgery would suffice?

[Lowerfield_no_more]

If you stop clopidogrel (or aspirin) for a few days as for dental work or for surgery you progressively increase your heart health risk as the drug gets eliminated out of your system. I read somewhere recently that the NHS recommend stopping clopidogrel for seven days before a procedure although that may vary. Certainly for aspirin it is less perhaps only a day or two. Not taking an anti platelet for a few days is probably not much of a significant risk increase in the overall scheme of things, but it is nevertheless a risk increase, especially if you are only a few weeks or months after your heart event which resulted in your being prescribed such medication. So in the end only you can decide whether taking that increased risk is worth taking for what is possibly a cosmetic and not an essential procedure.

[Milkfairy Heart Star]

My husband had to get written permission from his Cardiologist to stop his clopidogrel for 7 days before before his recent colonoscopy to remove a polyp.

Are you prescribed clopidogrel following a stent being inserted?

Is it possible to wait until you no longer need to take clopidogrel before having the treatment?

I am on clopidogrel for life and haven't had to stop taking it for dental procedures including a tooth extraction or my two colonoscopies.

[Bodypump51 in reply to Milkfairy]

Been takin it for stroke prevention since 2017. Heart condition only identified a year ago.

[Milkfairy Heart Star in reply to Bodypump51]

Maybe give the BHF helpline a call and speak with one of the cardiac nurses for further advice?

bhf.org.uk/informationsuppo...

I suspect they will suggest you consult your GP.

[Bodypump51 in reply to Milkfairy]

Thank you. Will give them a call.

[PadThaiNoodles]

It's even more complicated on warfarin because it's slow to build back up so you sometimes have to get an injection of heparin after the procedure to get things started again.

I don't have a clue how carbon laser treatment would fit in here, but it's definitely something I'd want my cardiologist's advice on....

[Grenfell37]

Hi, I have had several carbon facials with no issues. They are not invasive and do not break the skin. The beautician checked with the machine supplier if it was safe to proceed. There were no identified issues. Your skin will feel a million dollars afterwards. If you decide to go ahead I hope you get the results you are hoping for.

[Bodypump51 in reply to Grenfell37]

Thank you. Have sent her your comment. Hopefully she will go ahead. 🤞

[Tindy2]

I had a hernia repair last year. The surgeon said to stop clopidogrel for 7 days prior to op, but told me to take aspirin 75mg instead.

[LaceyLady]

Well, as a qualified Complementary Therapist if 25 years I can tell you that the therapist will require authorisation from your dr if you are on medications, for insurance purposes. If anything were to happen she might be blamed and could be sued 🤷🏼‍♀️

[Partner20]

I second what LaceyLady has said.Others have posted regarding the desirability of stopping treatment but this is something for you and your doctors to discuss.

However, the main point here in reply to your post is that although you consider it not worth bothering your GP for what is effectively a cosmetic procedure, the person/establishment carrying out the procedure will need medical evidence to support the fact that your medication is no bar to such a procedure being carried out for insurance purposes. Going ahead without such confirmation makes the practitioner liable in the case of anything untoward happening. They would be considered irresponsible if this was not done.

[Avagra]

I had to get a letter from my GP to allow cataract removal before the surgery could go ahead.

[Bodypump51 in reply to Avagra]

I have consulted with my GP as they have no experience of carbon laser treatments they cannot advise!

They just advise caution if the treatment could cause bleeding.

[LaceyLady in reply to Bodypump51]

Having had multi focal nterlocular lens implants in 2011 which are defective, coating with calcium deposits, I would NOT recommend anyone gas any eye surgery until absolutely necessary.

I had a top Surgeon at top eye hospital , he’s been quoted in the press. Lenses were defective and tried sue, tried for 4years. Had right replace but that’s also a multifocal . My current surgeon will not exchange the original lens until I can’t see, how long that’ll be ?