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What acne scar procedures can I get on low dose accutane (10mg/d - 0.01mg per kg)

MemberMember
3
(@huskychef)

Posted : 11/17/2018 11:00 pm

Currently wondering what acne scar treatments I can get on low dose 0.1mg per kg body weight (10mg/d). 
I really want to get treatments for mild acne scars and red marks but I™m still breaking out a little bit (mild acne) and I™m scared that if I cruise on low dose accutane I won™t be able to get my scars revised until I™m off or I™ll have to wait 6 months

also a quick side question, how long does it usually take for accutane to kick in and stop you from getting new spots? (Not to see a difference - my skin is relatively clear, I just don™t want any new acne)

Thanks everyone :) 

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MemberMember
108
(@de-rerum-natura)

Posted : 11/18/2018 1:35 am

Non ablative methods
like needling
but if u still have active acne just dont
wait till your acne clear then start with 1,0/1,5mm pen in a test spot to see how your skin react

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MemberMember
3
(@huskychef)

Posted : 11/18/2018 7:36 am

6 hours ago, De Rerum Natura said:

Non ablative methods
like needling
but if u still have active acne just dont
wait till your acne clear then start with 1,0/1,5mm pen in a test spot to see how your skin react

Only needling? I thought it was most things other than fully ablative C02 laser?

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MemberMember
7
(@cookingeng)

Posted : 11/18/2018 7:44 am

why would you go low dose and prolong everything? either do a full cycle and be done with it or come off

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MemberMember
1750
(@beautifulambition)

Posted : 11/18/2018 10:18 am

@HuskyChefSubcision and Filler you can do on Low or High Dose Accutane, TCA Cross, ... It depends on the condition of your skin(thickness), type of scars, how you heal, etc... Acne scars are never treated with one treatment, it takes a plan of treatments. That being said on Low Dose, you can stop at any time and be treated for scars(2 weeks prior to any laser/rf treatment and start again once your healed). Please consult a Dr to know if this appropriate to the current condition of your skin. The biggest warning we give posters is high dose accutane as it changes the skin condition and harsh treatments can cause damage, ... this is not you. I know several who use low dose ongoing when needed over years time as a treatment they can stop and start.

This is the scar sub, but... Accutane can take weeks to months to kick in, you have to reach the proper dose concentration in " your" body for it to take effect. On low dose this can be a slow process your practitioner monitors. But yes it can take a few months to kick in, but please consult your derm on this.

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MemberMember
86
(@scarright)

Posted : 11/19/2018 5:15 pm

On 11/18/2018 at 11:44 PM, cookingENG said:

why would you go low dose and prolong everything? either do a full cycle and be done with it or come off

Because some recent studies have shown lose dose Accutane is just as effective as the traditional high doses, minus a lot of the side effects.

It worked for me. I never went higher than 10mg. In saying that I wouldn't do any scar revision treatments while on Accutane. I would wait six months.

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MemberMember
3
(@huskychef)

Posted : 11/20/2018 11:00 am

On 11/18/2018 at 3:18 PM, beautifulambition said:

@HuskyChef Subcision and Filler you can do on Low or High Dose Accutane, TCA Cross, ... It depends on the condition of your skin (thickness), type of scars, how you heal, etc... Acne scars are never treated with one treatment, it takes a plan of treatments. That being said on Low Dose, you can stop at any time and be treated for scars (2 weeks prior to any laser/rf treatment and start again once your healed). Please consult a Dr to know if this appropriate to the current condition of your skin. The biggest warning we give posters is high dose accutane as it changes the skin condition and harsh treatments can cause damage, ... this is not you. I know several who use low dose ongoing when needed over years time as a treatment they can stop and start. 

This is the scar sub, but... Accutane can take weeks to months to kick in, you have to reach the proper dose concentration in " your" body for it to take effect. On low dose this can be a slow process your practitioner monitors. But yes it can take a few months to kick in, but please consult your derm on this.

Wow, so in theory I could stay on low dose accutane year round and as long as I come off 2 weeks prior..I can get any treatment (non+fully-ablative)? :) 

My issue has always been no matter how many courses of accutane I do..mild acne comes back. But I™ve been too scared to go on low dose for the last 2 years because I want to be able to get treatment for my scars whenever I have the money and not have to wait 6 months.

 

how do I know what the proper dose concentration is?

 

Thanks for the help btw! :) @beautifulambition

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MemberMember
86
(@scarright)

Posted : 11/21/2018 12:29 am

On 11/19/2018 at 2:18 AM, beautifulambition said:

@HuskyChefSubcision and Filler you can do on Low or High Dose Accutane.

Since when? On high dose? No dermatologist will do subcision if you are on higher doses of accutane. This sounds very risky.

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MemberMember
1750
(@beautifulambition)

Posted : 11/21/2018 6:50 am

@ScarRight

Update: Read above ^ he is on Low Dose and can stop Accutane at any time for treatment even rf needling - etc, not on High Dose.

Itis always best in my opinion to do the bulk of acne scar treatments(especially energy or acids) 6 months after high dose Accutane. If you go to Dr Lim by all means do all treatments whileon Accutane for scars, otherwise I findsubcision and filler appropriate for treatment.

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MemberMember
3
(@huskychef)

Posted : 11/21/2018 10:17 am

3 hours ago, beautifulambition said:

@ScarRight

Update: Read above ^ he is on Low Dose and can stop Accutane at any time for treatment even rf needling - etc, not on High Dose.

We are talking about ""cannula"" subcision and filler, NOT Nokor. Filler and a cannula will not effect someone on high dose. One can also drop down to low dose and take it as needed if it's ongoing when they need treatments. Of course you don't want to do laser, etc... While on Accutane. The skin is fragile and in a thin / weaker condition and needs to heal/thicken. Non ablative laser treatments can also be done like vascular laser for discoloration. 

It is always best in my opinion to do the bulk of acne scar treatments (especially energy or acids) 6 months after high dose Accutane. So you have time to heal. While data shows that one can treat while on Accutane, it is Ablative procedures, that can cause harm, side effects, poor healing, new scars, fat loss, etc. Most Drs will not take the risk or manage a person on high dose Accutane properly to make sure they receive appropriate care. If you go to Dr Lim by all means do all treatments while on Accutane for scars, otherwise I find "cannula" subcision and filler appropriate for treatment. It's a calculated risk, and depends on the patient and the skill of the Dr.

@beautifulambition So just making sure.. I can stay on low dose accutane 0.01mg-kg and come off 2 weeks prior to any treatment?  non or fully ablative.. 

Also, how do I find the proper dose concentration of accutane I need to accumulate in my body before it kicks in?  

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MemberMember
1750
(@beautifulambition)

Posted : 11/21/2018 11:41 am

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beautifulambition So just making sure.. I can stay on low dose accutane 0.01mg-kg and come off 2 weeks prior to any treatment?  non or fully ablative.. 

Also, how do I find the proper dose concentration of accutane I need to accumulate in my body before it kicks in?  

@HuskyChef Accutane adds risk to whatever treatment your getting. As such I am not your Dr nor treating acne scar specialist taking liability for your outcome, skin quality, health, healing, nor overall evaluation. My point was this to boil down your question. What can I (being you) do for acne scar treatment while on low dose tane. I thus answered with subcision and filler being the safest best (using a cannula). RF needling would be ok with the proper evaluation of your skin and full understanding of the practitioner of the treatments effects. Low density CO2 would be ok, with the above. Vascular laser would be ok for hyperpigmentation. Fully ablative erbium resurfacing WOULD NOT be ok, Mid to deep acid peels the same, nor deep laser treatments like ultrapulse. Why the skin is not ready for these settings and energy usage in most cases. Do I suggest you do anything while on tane, of course not, I cannot make that blanket evaluation. Can it be done, sure with a knowledgeable practitioner who agrees, lots of practitioners would just zap you w/ multi-energy-device-treatments and could cause issues.

Logically low dose Accutane can be stopped at any time and started as needed, it can be taken as a ongoing acne treatment long term, side effects can be mitigated, when you do acne scar treatments you stop taking it and start again once fully healed.

"  non or fully ablative.." - this comment scars me, it makes me think you think you can do anything, that's not the point of my response. Your practitioner has your liability in their hands and you are now educated to possible treatments. Many practitioners will not touch you until 6 months after Accutane regardless if possible treatment can be done.

There is no proper concentration, for some it's 1000-3000mg-Total for others lower or higher, ... it has to be person-to-person basis of overall response. Low dose mitigates side effects and can be done long term, of course you will not get the benefits potentially as quickly and thus side effects also could be lengthy in occurrence. Why high dose if you don't need it as emergency treatment, research side effects of Accutane to understand this.  

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MemberMember
3
(@huskychef)

Posted : 11/23/2018 11:04 pm

@beautifulambition Thanks again for your detailed response! ;D I think I™m going to just do low dose and come off when I need to a few weeks before treatments (if my derm allows me), I™m really sick of acne and after 2 courses of high dose you™d think it would have enough but J guess not lol 

 

quick question for you.. I have a little CO2 laser patch test square on my back from 3 weeks ago that has almost healed..there™s still pink discolouration but the scabbing has subsided and it doesn™t hurt anymore..  my question is, I™m extremely eager and desperate to get on low dose tane right now.. do you think it™d be safe knowing the patch test isn™t 100% healed? It™s such a small dose too, 10mg a day. 

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MemberMember
1750
(@beautifulambition)

Posted : 11/24/2018 8:19 am

@HuskyChefI don't want to answer for your Dr as he has the liability for your treatment. The back skin is not the same as the face for acne scar treatment. It is much thicker(skin) and can take longer to heal. As such a test patch is not indicative of overall treatment. I would not be doing laser while your on Accutane and especially high dose. There is risk to doing energy devices while on Acctane. When you take it your skin can be in a bad condition, thinned, slower healing, etc. Not only do you have to trust you acne scar specialist, ... yes they have to be a specialist, but also note your healing capabilities and skin thickness. Cannular subcision and filler is ok, but up to the Dr's discretion. If you have any sort of acne this is bad to treat during a break out as it can spread bacteria. Speak to your Dr about low dose, ... it's up to their discretion, the good thing about high dose is once you reach a appropriate level and the results stick you may be able to stop. Low dose is for ongoing support. There are some very severe cases of acne here on the forumswho need to stay on high dose.

 

I don't think co2 and Accutane is safe at all personally because of the risk. Now if your Dr thinks it is ok and you agree go ahead. Healing and getting thicker healthier skin is a very important part of Accutane recovery. If you must do CO2 the density should be low 3-7% and the power not as high as someone who is not on Accutane. Discuss your concerns with the treating Dr and if it's safe to do this treatment at this time.

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