Answer to Question #4394 Submitted to "Ask the Experts"

I have read all of the questions and answers posted about laser surgeries during pregnancy. I want to know if the type of laser makes any difference? I recently had laser surgery on my face using a Coherent Versapulse Laser to remove some dark sun spots. One of them was pretty large and the procedure took about 20 minutes. I just found out that I'm pregnant by a few weeks and am worried that this procedure may have caused harm to my baby. The authorization form stated that this procedure should not be performed if you are pregnant, and I didn't realize at the time that I was. It seems in most of the information that I have found on the Internet, it states that most of the providers that do the laser treatments will not perform the procedure if you are pregnant, but the obstetricians/gynecologists state it will not harm the baby. Who is right?

My initial thoughts were that there would be no direct effect of the laser (any laser) on the baby from a procedure on the mom. And that, in fact, is the case. But I did wonder, like you, why it is a preference not to do these procedures on a woman who is pregnant. So, I asked one of our dermatology physicians who uses lasers.

He indicated that the laser beam would not adversely affect the baby. The reason it is recommended not to do these procedures on someone who is pregnant is because there is a higher risk of side effects like abnormal pigment changes. He said they would expect most of the same side effects in someone who isn't pregnant but they can be worse in someone who is. Pretty interesting. Thanks for asking the question.

Kelly Classic
Certified Medical Health Physicist