Coldsores After Tanning on Accutane?

Question

Im on 40 MG of Isotretinoin. I have been on accutane and have tanned since August-now. I went tanning and forgot to put on SPF on my lips and got fever blisters/cold sores.They went away and I went back to tan and put SPF on my lips AND put the UVA/UVB protective winkies that you use on your eyes when you tan but I used them on my lips and now I seem them coming back again! Why? I also accidentally used Chapstick that I used when I had my cold sores, could this have been why they came back?

T. Wayne Day, MD · Answer

Ultraviolet light both from a tanning bed or the sun damages your skin even though you may not know it. Some of the problems can show up right away (cold sores and warts) and other problems may take 10 or more years to show up (wrinkles and cancer).

	If you have fair skin, I would encourage you to embrace it. Each person's color can be beautiful. Just look at many of our top entertainers who have fair skin.

	If you must tan, consider a "fake" tan. They really can look like the real thing.

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

I get so confused by people who say they want to take care of their skin and then tan. This is so, so dangerous. People who tan are much more susceptible to skin cancers and melanoma, not to mention that tanning actually smells because it burns your skin. You cannot protect your skin with SPF and UVA/UBA blockers, and tan. It's simply ridiculous. All of that aside, Accutane makes your skin much more susceptible to burning and sun sensitivity. If I were your physician and knew you were tanning and on Accutane, I wouldn't write you a prescription anymore. It's dangerous for you - and for your prescribing doctor. Stop taking the Accutane, or stop tanning. It's your choice. But the two cannot be done together under any circumstances.

Coldsores After Tanning on Accutane?

Answers (2)