Sunburn after being off of accutane for 2 and a half months. Is it permanent?

Question

I've been off of Accutane for about 2 and a half month now and I'm on vacation in Florida. My doctor told me to be careful in the sun because my skin is still sensitive to the sunlight. I put on face lotion with sunscreen before I went out to the beach and on my body but now I'm burnt pretty bad and my face is blotchy. Is this permanent? I keep applying lotion and aloe all over and on my face which seems to be helping a bit. I plan on staying out of the sun. Is there anything else I should do?

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

You should use a good sunscreen whether you are on Accutane or not. A face lotion with sunscreen probably doesn't have anything over SPF 15 in it, which is not enough. You need a better block and reapplication several times if you plan to be out in the sun at the beach. You can get hydrocortisone too, and apply that after cool water. It helps tremendously when you have a sunburn, helping to resolve the redness and heat. "This answer has been solicited without seeing this patient and 
cannot be held as true medical advice, but only opinion. Seek in-person 
treatment with a trained medical professional for appropriate care."

Sunburn after being off of accutane for 2 and a half months. Is it permanent?

Answers (1)