Safety of Combining Winlevi (Clascoterone) with IPL Laser Treatment
Yes, it is safe to use Winlevi (clascoterone) with IPL laser treatments, as clascoterone is not a photosensitizing agent and does not interact with light-based therapies. 1
Understanding the Mechanism and Safety Profile
Why This Combination is Safe
Clascoterone is a topical androgen receptor inhibitor that works by competing with dihydrotestosterone (DHT) for binding to androgen receptors in sebaceous glands and hair follicles, thereby reducing sebum production and inflammation associated with acne. 2, 3
IPL works through photothermal effects targeting specific chromophores (melanin, hemoglobin) in the skin using a broad wavelength spectrum (500-1200 nm), and does not require or interact with topical medications systemically. 1, 4
Unlike photodynamic therapy (PDT), which specifically requires photosensitizing agents like 5-aminolevulinic acid that accumulate in tissue and create reactive oxygen species when exposed to light, clascoterone is not designed to accumulate in the pilosebaceous unit or create photosensitizing effects. 5, 1
Key Distinction from Photosensitizing Medications
Clascoterone is not documented as a photosensitizer in dermatology guidelines and does not contraindicate IPL treatment, similar to other topical acne medications like metronidazole. 1
The American Academy of Dermatology guidelines indicate that topical retinoids (which ARE photosensitizing) require specific precautions with sun exposure, but clascoterone does not carry similar warnings regarding light-based treatments. 5
Clinical Practice Recommendations
Treatment Protocol
Continue clascoterone use during IPL treatments following standard application protocols (applied twice daily to affected areas). 6, 2
Follow standard IPL safety protocols regardless of clascoterone use, including appropriate skin type assessment (Fitzpatrick classification) and parameter adjustment. 4, 7
Use strict sun protection (SPF 30 minimum, preferably SPF 50+) before, during, and after IPL treatment, as this is standard for any IPL procedure rather than a clascoterone-specific requirement. 4
Optimizing Combined Therapy
This combination may be particularly beneficial since both treatments target acne through different mechanisms: clascoterone reduces androgen-driven sebum production while IPL can address inflammatory lesions and post-inflammatory erythema. 5, 6
The American Academy of Dermatology recommends multimodal therapy combining multiple mechanisms of action for acne management, which supports using both topical and physical modalities together. 5
Important Safety Considerations
Side Effects to Monitor
Clascoterone's adverse effects are mild and local, including application site reactions (erythema, scaling, dryness, pruritus) in approximately 1-6% of patients, with no systemic anti-androgenic effects. 6, 3
IPL side effects include temporary redness, mild swelling, and treatment discomfort, which are unrelated to clascoterone use. 4