What Rules Do I Have to Stick to While on Accutane?

Question

I'm on accutane 20mg a day for 6 months, and I want to know whether or not I can:    - smoke cigarettes while on accutane?  - do laser hair removal?  I know that exposure to sunlight is to be avoided while on accutane but is sun bed tanning also banned?

Raffy Karamanoukian, MD, FACS · Answer

Accutane is a go-to medication for patients with recalcitrant cystic acne. It can reduce pore size and also reduce sebum production in your skin, making it less oily; and in turn, dryer. Accutane can be used to control acne, but patients receiving the medication should be carefully monitored. In terms of skincare, always wear an appropriate sunscreen and reduce direct sun exposure. In my patients, I recommend a good ceramide moisturizer such as Elevase whenever they are on Accutane. This will keep the skin hydrated and reduce the oiliness of the skin that is associated with oil-based moisturizers.

Best, 
Dr. Karamanoukian 
Realself100 Surgeon

Mary P. Lupo, MD · Answer

Of course, the first rule is always: listen to your doctor. Accutane affects the sebaceous glands from which the skin heals after injury. For that reason, you should avoid all lasers. The family of drugs called retinoids also make you sun sensitive, so NO TANNING BOOTH! And be sure to use a suncreen everyday. Lastly, smoking is just plain bad for you, so quit. There is, however, no Accutane effect with smoking.

Arnold R. Oppenheim, MD (retired) · Answer

This is a rather small dose.
While obviously smoking is not a good thing (speaking as a dermatologist, it ages the skin), it does not conflict with Accutane.
However, laser hair removal could pose a hazard since it can damage the dermis. Thus, it should be avoided for at least six months after Accutane.
I feel the same way about tanning beds as I do smoking: it is bad for the skin. While I personally use Accutane on my patients in the summer months, and have yet to see a sunburn from it, only moderate sun exposure is compatible with Accutane.

What Rules Do I Have to Stick to While on Accutane?

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What Rules Do I Have to Stick to While on Accutane?

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