What Can I Do About the Redness From a Sunburn While on Accutane?

Question

I've been on Accutane for a month now and a few days ago I got sunburned. My legs and my stomach are really red and I'm not sure how I can help my skin to heal. I put on some moisturizing creme (Nivea Soft Intense). Will that help me? What can I do to make the redness go away? Thank you in advance!

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

Best, 
Dr. Karamanoukian 
Realself100 Surgeon

F. Victor Rueckl, MD (in memoriam) · Answer

Accutane is a photosensitive drug, meaning it makes you more susceptible to sunburns. You need to be very, very careful about sun exposure while on Accutane. You should be wearing a good sunscreen and a good lip balm with sunscreen every single day, so that you can prevent this from happening again!

	Now that you are sunburned, I'd recommend using Hydrocortisone 1%, which you can get inexpensively from any pharmacy. Apply it after cool water, which will allow the Hydrocortisone to penetrate better and work more effectively. It will help alleviate the sunburn and take the redness out - it can be applied to the face or body. Also, don't take hot showers, that will only irritate the skin more and make it more red.

What Can I Do About the Redness From a Sunburn While on Accutane?

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