Not recommended to undergo PDT while on Accutane

Nissan Pilest, MD answers: Photo Dynamic Therapy during Accutane?

I'm going to start Accutane in a couple of days. I will also be doing Photo Dynamic Therapy treatments. Would this affect my face in any way? Is it safe to do both at the same time? I have severe acne.


Nissan Pilest, MD
1 month ago
By Nissan Pilest, MD - Orange County Dermatologist

Isotretinoin (past brand named Accutane) will cause some profound drying of your skin as the sebaceous glands have restricted function. Undergoing a fairly aggressive procedure like Photo Dynamic Therapy  at the same time could cause a hyper reaction while you are taking this drug.

Guidelines for the use of Accutane like drugs include being careful with UV exposure from any source. Your response while on Accutane to PDT could be quite severe and markedly unpleasant with some potential for scars if your skin burns excessively.

One or the other, but not both at the same time. I would not recommend this combination.

Web reference: http://totaldermatology.com/pages/photoacne.html
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