Isotretinoin (Accutane®)
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Isotretinoin is a vitamin A derivative called a retinoid that is taken orally and is approved only for severe acne. It is thought...

Isotretinoin is a vitamin A derivative called a retinoid that is taken orally and is approved only for severe acne. It is thought to clear acne primarily through its ability to permanently reduce skin oil (sebum) production.

Isotretinoin is available in capsule form and is usually taken twice a day. Your physician will prescribe an initial dose, and this dose may increase or decrease depending on the response to treatment and side effects.

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April 10, 2009

Pros:

Eliminated acne for 19 yrs.

Cons:

Chapped lips, dry skin

I was searching the net to see if accutane was still available. I had moderately-severe acne when I was 13 and my dr prescribed accutane. I was looking at the prices paid and I can say wow....accutane dropped a lot....my parents were paying almost $300 a month for the Rx. I used accutane for approx. 3 months and it was a miracle! I haven't had acne or even a zit or blackhead now and I'll be 32 this July. Only side effects were dry skin and chapped lips.......watch out for sun exposure too. You'll burn easy. Use lotion and chapstick and you'll be fine. Highly recommend accutane!!
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April 10, 2009

Pros:

clears up most of the acne, blackheads r gone, whiteheads r much less noticeable.

Cons:

dry skin, dry lips, terrible mood swings

overall this really helped me. i had very bad acne and i tried everything, i just finished accutane this past month and i read tons of reviews on all kinds of sites and after hearing of crazy side affects i was very hesitant. when i was on it my mood swings were the worst out of everything your always crabby and very emotional but as the months progressed i didn't have a problem with it. tips- use vasoline for your lips, it works like majic and any kind of chapstick or anything like that didn't work at all for me. also use clinique's dramatically different moisturizing lotion because it moisturizes your face without looking oily and if u use it often u will have no peeling and if u do it will only be a tiny bit. also make sure u do your ipledge right away or your account will get locked and its a big pain to call in and to a million things before u get your perscription. i think this is an amazing product and as long as u don't get pregnant and r safe while on it u should be fine
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April 9, 2009

Pros:

I used to Always get breakouts and the kind that come underneath our skin now say Good-Bye to acne, I rarely get a zit everymonth now.

Cons:

Dry lips (to a point that it burns and you cant even smile), dry skin (My skin is really sensitive and my hands broke out alot with exzema) Dry Hair, Pregnancy tests every month and blood work every 2 months.

I highly recommend this to people that are sick of their acne. This is the best thing that worked for me. I've tried, differin, tazorac, retinol A, Duac gel, Monocycline, and Doxycycline. Accutane was the best for me. I used the generic Claravis. Ive been off of accutane for about a week now because I finished my 5 Months, and my skin looks great! Now all I have to do is get rid of the light scars that I had before and Im acutally using Modern Friction from Origins, its a rice/wheat scrub that you use twice a week using it for a month is like you did microdermabrasion. Anyways I hope it works out good.
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April 9, 2009

Pros:

big severe acne had dry up, it looks like yellow stuff on the top which is good.

Cons:

dry lips , skin, a lot of white stuffs come out from the pore.

i have had acne for 6years, i had tried everything those people who had acne had said, like the cream or pill they had tried. until three weeks ago , i had tried this medication, so far my acne had gotten worst than before, but all the acne had dry up and become yellow stuff in couple days which is good. after i had read all these reviews, i cant wait to see my own result in future couple months. hope my acne will get better like what it said.
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April 7, 2009

Pros:

Stops breakouts, clears up skin, prevents new breakouts

Cons:

dry lips and skin, somewhat expensive, monthly blood tests

This product is amazing! Im starting my third month and the skin on my face is almost 100% cleared up and feels so smooth! My dermatologist said my face cleared up a lot faster than most people and I'm not sure if it's because I changed my diet and started eating healthy foods or not, but im very fortunate for it to have worked so fast. I still get a few bumps and acne spots every now and then but I haven't had any crazy severe break outs since I've been on Accutane. I don't really like paying for refills every month and having to get blood tests every month but in the end it's totally worth it. Also the dry skin and lips aren't that big of a deal, just use a good product lotion like Aveeno and chapstick. The only thing really left on my face are some acne scars/marks that my dermatologist said will slowly fade and dissapear over time. If everything has failed and nothing is working Accutane is a must!!
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April 7, 2009

Pros:

Still on the 1st month & I've already had several people notice a difference! I now have very little oil in my hair & on my skin which has always been one of my biggest issues. My back & arms are almost all clear and my face is clearing up every day.

Cons:

Very chapped lips, almost makes it difficult to smile. Dryer hair and obviously skin. Little fatigue. Occasional headaches and joint pain.

Since high school, I have struggled with acne and have never found a solution other than birth control to fix the problem. Because I experienced mood swing on the pills, I decided to stop and my acne returned immediately. I have probably spent thousands of dollars on beauty and skin care products just hoping that one of them will do the trick. Although I have found an amazing makeup line called Jane Iredale that definitely does not clog your pores and a wonderful oil-free moisturizer by Peter Thomas Roth, I have yet to find a cure for my incredibly oily skin and consistent breakouts on my face, back, and arms. I am in the fourth week of Accutane and cannot believe how much of a difference it has already made. My back and arms are pretty much clear and areas on my face have already stopped breaking out. I still have small bumps under the surface of my skin and a few red areas but I know that over the next few months, these areas will continue to clear up too! Pretty amazing product!
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April 6, 2009

Pros:

the accutane eliminated my acne within the first month. I am currently in my 5th month of taking it and am very pleased with the results. my skin and hair are no longer oily.

Cons:

depression, dry lips, dry skin, vision blurriness

I am lucky I haven't had horrilbe side effects like others listed and so far my acne is completely gone. i have not had a pimple since December. drink lots of water and exfoliate, otherwise your skin will be very flakey. make sure you also moisturize and use sunscreen. LOTS of chap stick too.
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April 6, 2009

Pros:

Nothing else worked to get rid of my facial acne. I had very bad self-esteem and needed something to get rid of it once an for all. Easy to take once the right dose was determined, worked quickly in one round of treatment

Cons:

My dermatologist gave me too large a dose in the beginning and i broke out in a full body rash. I started taking Accutane when it was a brand new drug so no one really knew what it could do back then.

It took one course of treatment to get rid of my persistant acne. That was in 1984. My acne NEVER came back. If i get a small blemish from time to time it disappears in 24hrs for the most part. When I started taking Accutane, they had no idea how long the positive effects would last. 25 years later I am still grateful to my doctor for trying this drug. It changed my life and how I felt about myself. Those who claim it is dangerous haven't lived with acne and don't understand that if used properly it can change your life. I highly recommend it.
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April 6, 2009

Pros:

Cleared my skin up. ive had acne for 7 years and tried countless pills and creams but this is the only thing that worked. All my oil went away and acne slowly cleared up.

Cons:

easily sun burned and dry lips! probably the worst thing about it but it wasnt that bad. acnes coming back

do it. if ance is ruining your life like it has for so many just do it. the medication effects everyones body differently but it does the job. once my acne cleared up i became so happy and confident. bad news is ive been off of it for 8 months and ive been breaking out again so i may go on another course.
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April 5, 2009

Pros:

this medication works, im starting my 3rd month and so far i have results, i feel better about myself, im regaining my confidence and self-esteem. i still have 3 months down the road but im happy i looking forward to a acne-free summer!! :D

Cons:

dry lips, skin, constipation

i think it is worth to take this medicine if you have severe acne, although the side effects are scary, which hold me back for two months, i have not experience any of them. the side effects are different for everyone, just be confident and positive, and follow your doctors advice. my blood results are good, everything is going well, i would strongly recommend anyone to start on it. it could be expensive if your insurance does not cover it 100 %. but i still believe is worth to do it. im happy these days, unlike months ago...:D
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Finding a Doctor

The right dermatologist can make a big difference to your patient experience and the success of your acne treatment plan. Here are the steps to find a dermatologist who is a good fit:

  1. Use the search feature on the American Academy of Dermatology website to look for board-certified dermatologists in your area, and filter the search results for doctors with a special interest in treating acne.
  2. Read online patient reviews of any dermatologists you are considering and ask people you know whether they have any experience with these dermatologists.
  3. Do your research and go to your first appointment with questions prepared.
  4. Listen to what your gut feeling tells you once you see a dermatologist in person. If you are not completely comfortable, try a different dermatologist.
Find a Doctor Using The American Acacemy of Dermatology Website

Finding a Doctor

Only a select few plastic surgeons specialize in acne scar revision surgery. Be certain to find a provider who specializes in acne scar repair and who is passionate and experienced in this area.

Be sure to:

  • Look at before and after photos, the more the better, especially patients with similar scarring to your own.
  • Be realistic about results. Look for improvement, not a cure.

Questions to ask a potential scar revision specialist:

  • Are you board certified? Be certain that they are board certified.
  • How long have you been performing these procedures? Normally, the more experience the better, however, some younger surgeons may be more on top of the latest procedures.
  • Can I speak to some of your other patients? Ask for references for several patients who had similar scarring and speak to them about the process and their satisfaction with results.

Red flags:

  • Their story changes: As you discuss different treatment options, if they tend to change their mind easily, or agree with whatever you say, consider this a red flag. A confident, experienced surgeon will possess strong, unwavering opinions.
  • Your gut tells you "no": Trust your gut. If you just don't feel that the doctor is the right fit, trust that and move on. On the other hand, if you feel they are the perfect specialist for you, trust that feeling.
Find a Doctor Using the American Society of Plastic Surgeons Website