Last update April 14, 2025

Laser, Laser Rays, Laser therapy

Compatible

Safe product and/or breastfeeding is the best option.

Laser, an acronym for ‘Light Amplification by Stimulated Emission of Radiation’, is an electronic device that amplifies and emits a monochromatic, coherent beam of light, called a laser light or laser beam. It is used in medicine as a scalpel in surgical, ophthalmological, dental, dermatological, cosmetic (epilation, tattoo removal), wound-healing and lithotripsy (treatment of kidney stones) treatments.

Ophthalmological procedures (photorefractive keratectomy, keratomileusis) with laser are safe during breastfeeding. (Zamorano 2021, Alonso 2020)

The application of lasers to treat post-cesarean wounds does not compromise prolactin levels or the success of breastfeeding. (Mokmeli 2009)

Various types of laser have been used in the treatment of nipple pain and inflammation and in the treatment of mastitis, without clear evidence of their efficacy and with contradictory results from one study to another. (Elseody 2024, Yao 2021, Camargo 2020, Coca 2016, Lee 2013, Pietschnig 2000, Kovalev 1990, Dotsenko 1989, Skobelkin 1988)

It has been used in conjunction with domperidone as a galactogogue, but is less effective than electroacupuncture in conjunction with domperidone. (Maged 2020)

There is no scientific proof that any of the types of laser (alexandrite, diode, neodymium, ruby or YAG...) is incompatible with breastfeeding. (Preevid 2014)

Expert authors and various dermatology societies consider it safe during breastfeeding. (Ly 2023, Trivedi 2017, Lee 2013)

Irritation and possible local infection secondary to the use of the laser may make it prudent not to use it on the breast area in particular, or to take appropriate precautions.

Prior application of anaesthetic creams over large areas of skin to mitigate pain may cause methaemoglobinaemia.


See below the information of these related products:

  • Depilation (Safe product and/or breastfeeding is the best option.)
  • Lidocaine (Safe product and/or breastfeeding is the best option.)
  • Maternal Surgical Intervention (Fairly safe. Mild or unlikely adverse effects. Compatible under certain circumstances. Follow-up recommended. Read Commentary.)
  • Prilocaine (Safe product and/or breastfeeding is the best option.)
  • Tattoo (Fairly safe. Mild or unlikely adverse effects. Compatible under certain circumstances. Follow-up recommended. Read Commentary.)

Suggestions made at e-lactancia are done by APILAM team of health professionals, and are based on updated scientific publications. It is not intended to replace the relationship you have with your doctor but to compound it. The pharmaceutical industry contraindicates breastfeeding, mistakenly and without scientific reasons, in most of the drug data sheets.

Jose Maria Paricio, Founder & President of APILAM/e-Lactancia

Your contribution is essential for this service to continue to exist. We need the generosity of people like you who believe in the benefits of breastfeeding.

Thank you for helping to protect and promote breastfeeding.

José María Paricio, founder of e-lactancia.
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Group

Laser, Laser Rays, Laser therapy belongs to this group or family:

References

  1. Elseody MHAA, Mohamed MAE, Alsharnoubi J. Could Photobiomodulation help lactating women and their newborns? Lasers Med Sci. 2024 Jul 24;39(1):192. Abstract Full text (link to original source)
  2. Ly S, Kamal K, Manjaly P, Barbieri JS, Mostaghimi A. Treatment of Acne Vulgaris During Pregnancy and Lactation: A Narrative Review. Dermatol Ther (Heidelb). 2023 Jan;13(1):115-130. Abstract Full text (link to original source)
  3. Yao Y, Long T, Pan Y, Li Y, Wu L, Fu B, Ma H. A Five-step Systematic Therapy for Treating Plugged Ducts and Mastitis in Breastfeeding Women: A Case-Control Study. Asian Nurs Res (Korean Soc Nurs Sci). 2021 Aug;15(3):197-202. Abstract Full text (link to original source)
  4. Zamorano-Martín F, Sánchez-González JM, García-Lorente M, Rachwani-Anil R, Peraza-Nieves J, Rodríguez-Calvo-de-Mora M, Borroni D, Rocha-de-Lossada C. Laser refractive surgery in pregnant or breastfeeding patients. J Cataract Refract Surg. 2021 Aug 1;47(8):1081-1087. Abstract
  5. Alonso-Santander N, Ortega-Usobiaga J, Beltrán-Sanz J, Druchkiv V, Llovet-Osuna F, Baviera-Sabater J. Laser in Situ Keratomileusis and Surface Ablation in Breastfeeding Patients. Cornea. 2020 Jul;39(7):862-867. Abstract
  6. Camargo BTS, Coca KP, Amir LH, Corrêa L, Aranha ACC, Marcacine KO, Abuchaim ÉSV, Abrão ACFV. The effect of a single irradiation of low-level laser on nipple pain in breastfeeding women: a randomized controlled trial. Lasers Med Sci. 2020 Feb;35(1):63-69. Abstract
  7. Maged AM, Hassanin ME, Kamal WM, Abbassy AH, Alalfy M, Askalani AN, El-Lithy A, Nabil M, Farouk D, Hussein EA, Hammad B. Effect of Low-Level Laser Therapy versus Electroacupuncture on Postnatal Scanty Milk Secretion: A Randomized Controlled Trial. Am J Perinatol. 2020 Oct;37(12):1243-1249. Abstract
  8. Trivedi MK, Kroumpouzos G, Murase JE. A review of the safety of cosmetic procedures during pregnancy and lactation. Int J Womens Dermatol. 2017 Feb 27;3(1):6-10. Abstract Full text (link to original source)
  9. Coca KP, Marcacine KO, Gamba MA, Corrêa L, Aranha AC, Abrão AC. Efficacy of Low-Level Laser Therapy in Relieving Nipple Pain in Breastfeeding Women: A Triple-Blind, Randomized, Controlled Trial. Pain Manag Nurs. 2016 Aug;17(4):281-9. Abstract
  10. MurciaSalud. Preevid. ¿Es incompatible el tratamiento de depilación con láser alejandrita con embarazo y lactancia? Biblioteca virtual. 2014 Full text (link to original source) Full text (in our servers)
  11. Lee KC, Korgavkar K, Dufresne RG Jr, Higgins HW 2nd. Safety of cosmetic dermatologic procedures during pregnancy. Dermatol Surg. 2013 Abstract
  12. Mokmeli S, Khazemikho N, Niromanesh S, Vatankhah Z. The application of low-level laser therapy after cesarean section does not compromise blood prolactin levels and lactation status. Photomed Laser Surg. 2009 Abstract
  13. Pietschnig B, Pani M, Käfer A, Bauer Wais E, Lischka A. Use of soft laser in the therapy of sore nipples in breastfeeding women. Adv Exp Med Biol. 2000 Abstract
  14. Kovalev MI. [Prevention of lactation mastitis by the use of low-intensity laser irradiation]. Akush Ginekol (Mosk). 1990 Abstract
  15. Dotsenko AP, Chinchenko EI, Khodos VA. [Use of carbon dioxide laser in the treatment of acute lactation mastitis]. Sov Med. 1989;(9):39-42. Russian. Abstract
  16. Skobelkin OK, Derbenev VA, Velikiĭ PIa, Tsyganova GI. [Use of lasers in the treatment of acute suppurative lactation mastitis]. Vestn Khir Im I I Grek. 1988 Abstract

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