Can I go tanning After Accutane?

Question

I'm a male, 70 kgs, and have been taking Accutane for 7 months, 40 mg daily. I would like to know whether I will be able to suntan right after the course, or I should have to wait, and for how long? Also, I've heard that after Accutane treatment, the skin gets thinner so tanning is quicker and deeper. Is this true? Many thanks for your time.

Benjamin Barankin, MD, FRCPC · Answer

There should be no problem to start tanning approximately 3 months after finishing Accutane, as long as you don't mind the increased wrinkling, age spots, and skin cancer risk. The tanning would be quicker and deeper indeed for at least the first year.

Arnold R. Oppenheim, MD (retired) · Answer

This question almost seems designed to trick us dermatologists into saying that it is OK to go tanning. The answer would depend on your skin tone. I believeit would be prudent to wait one month for darker skin tones and two months for lighter skin tones. I do not believe this has actually been systematically studied. My answer is one of conjecture rather  than evidence-based medicine. Since Accutane causes a thinning of the stratum corneum, it is logical that the sun's rays ( or the rays emanating from those nefarious sun tannig beds) would penetrate deeper and quicker. 
    As Dr. Barankin points out, ( not the first!), tanning subjects you to photoaging and skin cancer risks.

Can I go tanning After Accutane?

Answers (2)