Can Accutane permanently make your skin sensitive to the sun? After taking the medicine, I itch like crazy if I get a sunburn.

Question

Hi, I took accutane for 6 months while I was 15 years old. It was a horrible experience, but it did help my complexion after the 6 months ended. This itch occurs around 48 hours after the sunburn and it is absolutely terrible. I’ve read multiple articles about this type of its and I believe a common term is “hells itch”. It’s a fitting name. So, can this new itch after a sunburn be a result of the accutane? I’ve been off the medication for 4 years.

Cheryl A. Hull, MD · Answer

I honestly have not had any experiences with a patient and this type of reaction. The purpose of Accutane is to minimize the oil glands for a duration of time, usually 4-6 months. After the medication is discontinued though, the oil glands will gradually enlarge again, but not to the same size as before. This is why some patient's acne can return but is usually not as severe. With that being said, your body isn't producing AS MUCH oil as it was previously, but it shouldn't be so much so that it causes a severe itch after sun exposure. Even while on the medication, sunburn is a common problem with sun exposure, but not severe itching. Sorry I haven't been much help. I will definitely have to look into this myself.

Can Accutane permanently make your skin sensitive to the sun? After taking the medicine, I itch like crazy if I get a sunburn.

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Can Accutane permanently make your skin sensitive to the sun? After taking the medicine, I itch like crazy if I get a sunburn.

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