Laser hair removal is generally safe and effective, but this is highly dependent on operator knowledge and experience.  There are medical conditions and medications which preclude a patient from getting laser hair removal done safely.  Medical histories and medication histories should be taken at the initial consult and evaluated by a trained and experience physician.  Many consumer advocate groups feel anyone other than a physician is not qualified to assess medical and medication histories. 

Some medical conditions are not absolutely contraindicated, but must be approached with caution.  These conditions especially require the knowledge and experience of a trained physician because there is not an absolute answer on whether or not it is safe to treat.  For example, patients with psoriasis, vitiligo, history of keloids, bleeding disorders, and history of severe histamine reactions must be thoroughly evaluated before a decision can be made.  Even some medications are contraindicated, but some are dependent on the dose and time the last dose was taken.  Some common medications that may cause controversy and require the evaluation of an experience physician include certain antibiotics (especially those of the tetracycline and sulfa classes), common over-the-counter analgesics (such as ibuprofen), and also steroids.  There are many medications that cause increased photosensitivity, but they are not all absolutely contraindicated in laser hair removal. 

Medical conditions and medications that are absolutely contraindicated should be easy guidelines to follow, but reports of inexperienced operators treating people with these conditions still continue.  Laser hair removal is contraindicated over skin that is not intact or infectious.  This includes surgical procedures.  Waiting periods are even needed for skin that has undergone chemical peels, laser resurfacing, and even sunburns.  Laser hair removal over tattoos in contraindicated.  The most common medication that is absolutely contraindicated is Accutane, an oral acne medication.  At least 6 months is needed before laser hair removal can be performed.  Some topical acne medications may also cause photosensitivity, but waiting periods vary for each and require the experience and knowledge of a trained physician.

Consumers seeking laser hair removal should let the operator know about all of their medications and medical conditions.  Consumers should also seek an experienced and knowledgeable physician who will be able to use this information and use proper judgment to assess each situation individually.