Ask the Acne Expert: What Treatments Can I Have Done While On Accutane?
Accutane is a unique medication, in that it is one of the few acne medications that is not combined with other medications. Most acne medications, such as antibiotics and topical retinoids, are used primarily as combination therapy, meaning that most patients use a variety of medications at the same time. Accutane is used as monotherapy, meaning that other medications are not to be used with Accutane, due to side effects, tolerability, and mechanism.
Dr. Schweiger explains that, “Many of the acne treatments that we often recommend for our patients at the Clear Clinic are not appropriate while taking Accutane. While taking Accutane, your skin is very sun sensitive. Therefore, we recommend avoiding laser and light-based acne treatments, such as Photodynamic Therapy and the Isolaz laser. However, there are treatments that you may undergo while taking Accutane that can be helpful in treating your acne quickly and effectively.”
What treatments can I have done while on Accutane?
- Medical facial – it is safe to have extractions performed to clean out blackheads and whiteheads while taking Accutane. You should only visit a licensed esthetician working under the care of a dermatologist, to ensure that the treatments remain safe and that the esthetician understands the potential side effects of Accutane.
- Cortisone injections – cortisone injections can be helpful to flattening out inflammatory acne quickly. A small injected of a diluted corticosteroid decreases the inflammation of acne quickly.
- Cosmetic treatments – just because you are on Accutane, doesn’t mean that you need to let your cosmetic upkeep fall behind. Treatments like Botox, fillers, laser hair removal and Zeltiq are considered safe while taking Accutane. However, we recommend checking with your dermatologist to confirm that they are appropriate for you while taking Accutane.
