why IPL hair removal devices are NEVER to be used by poz people?

[emish]

Hi there. recently i had the chance to get hold of an ipl hair removal device. I was kinda confused when i read the manual that said i should never use the device because i have a history of immunosuppressive disease, and i take immunosuppressive medications as i am on ART.

I have been recently diagnosed and on treatment, so tbh I am not 100% sure if ART is actually always meant to be immunosuppressive.

if not, i am curious if the warning regarding not using the device is not necessarily about being seroconverted but about immune system suppressed due to hiv infection. so, if on treatment and the regimen is working, then do we still need to assume that it is not safe to use the device?

i cant really think of any reason why ipl would interfere with the treatment or the fact that i am seropositive would matter when i use it, apart from the risk of having an immune system that is not being able to handle the risks of damaging the skin tissue and such due to possible side effects of using the device, like burning the skin or damaging some bits of it due to mishandling the device etc.. i am also kinda curious why there is not a thread on this topic... maybe there is already one, and i missed it? hmm... anyhow, if there is anyone who has gone through similar questioning and came to a conclusion, please hit this up. xoxoxoxoxo

[CaveyUK]

From what I can gather via a quick google, there shouldn't be any reason why IPL hair removal is a greater risk for someone with HIV.

http://i-base.info/qa/4486

I suppose the manual is probably providing a disclaimer that anyone with a potentially fragile immune system (for any reason) shouldn't use it, for litigation-avoidance rather than anything else.

One thing I do want to question though is your view that ART is immunosuppressive medication. It is not. ART is medication to suppress a viral load only - it doesn't suppress or weaken your immune system in any way. Once ART has the virus suppressed your body will build up any lost immune system cells without the threat HIV provides getting in the way.

Someone with uncontrolled HIV, and a low CD4 count will certainly have a suppressed immune system, but when controlled on ART and stable, there should be no risk for procedures like this than someone who is negative.

[emish]

i know, right? that's also what i suppose.. and yeah, i was curious whether art would be counted as immunosuppressive, so thanks. 

[Jim Allen]

ART does not act as a immunosuppressive . Simple as.

How are you getting on with treatment? How are your CD4's and VL doing?

Jim

[zach]

Entertaining bullshit

[Souledout]

I’ve had multiple IPL courses for skin problems without issue. I’m sure you’ll be fine and they’re just being very over cautious.

[CanadianExpat1983]

Should be ok unless your meds cause photo sensitivity as a side effect. Some antibiotics do but I don't think ART does.