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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4
34.1%
3
15.3%
2
7.3%
1
6.2%

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November 26, 2008

Pros:

Completely cleared the acne on my face, chest, and back and left my skin smooth. Also, my hair isnt greasy anymore

Cons:

Very dry lips-words cannot describe! pretty much everything is very dry, especially in fall/winter. Blood work was also a pain. OH and DONT get anything, such as your eyebrows waxed!

Although there may seem like a lot of risks, and its a long and tedious process, it was really worth it. The first few months are tough, but from there on out its pretty good! If you stuggle with bad skin, you should definetly give accutane a try!
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November 25, 2008

Pros:

not only did it get rid of ALL my severe acne that ive had for almost a year, but it gave me back the self-confidence to be me, and have fun, which ive been lacking..

Cons:

really really reallyyyyy dries out your lips!, so be prepared!
and my joints were and still are sore once i was done with it.

this pill is i friken LIFE SAVER! no joke
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November 25, 2008

Pros:

It does work. My daughter has been on it for 3 months and her skin does look great. It also makes her hair less oily. I would definitely recommend Accutane.

Cons:

It does dry your skin out. She has had no major problems. Dry around the mouth area. Keep Aquaphor available at ALL times.

Accutane does work, but it will get worse before getting better. Be patient and be persistant with your daily regimen.
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November 24, 2008

Pros:

It does clear acne up really fast, even though my acne isn't severe, it's moderate. Accutane is a miracle. My mom got adult acne a while ago and it completely cleared her skin in just 6 weeks. That's a big deal!

Cons:

I think the chapped lips are the worst, and skin does get dry/flaky. My mom, nor I, had any signs of depression or joint aches, which is good!

I took some of my mom's Accutane twice a week back in winter 07/08, and it worked wonders for my skin! Now, my skin is THE WORST it's ever been. My mom started giving me some of her Accutane, but i'm only taking them twice a week. I have to call the dermatologist to get some of my own, even though he said it wasn't severe enough. It's pretty bad to me though, and it's hard to cover up with concealer. It's mostly red annoying bumps on my forehead (not bad), nose, and cheek area (the worst) near my nose. If it works wonders for people with cystic acne, it's worth another try!
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November 23, 2008

Pros:

EVERYTHING! got rid of all my spots

Cons:

Really dries out skin

So Far- Great..Wish I USed This Product in School.
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November 23, 2008

Pros:

Dries out skin like crazy.... should work soon

Can I include my personal insurance as a pro?! haha

Cons:

haha, same as the pro.... dries out your skin.... and also makes me irritable

I've only been on Accutane (well actually generic, but w/e) for about a month now, but I know it will be effective soon. I've known many people who've used this and they're extremely clear now It's extremely expensive if you don't have killer insurance which I have :p So, I feel bad for you if you can't afford it, because the actual cost is about $500 for a month supply
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November 22, 2008

Pros:

this stuff actually works. I had tried everything and this is the only thing that completely eliminated all acne.

Cons:

it made me very tired at times,gave me dry eyes and lips as well.

the bottom line is that you should definately try accutane if you have had prolonged acne. take it, get enough sleep and eat well, and you will see changes. good luck.
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November 21, 2008

Pros:

gets rid of acne and drys out over oily skin

Cons:

dry lips and nose

The first few weeks my skin started to dry out and clear up. Not soon after that, it was the worst it has ever been. After the second month, I began to have flare-ups and thought that it would not work at all. I asked the doctor to up the dose. He would not because I already take 80mg a day. Now that I am in my third month, I am starting to clear up. Because my acne is so severe, I think I will request to take the medication for an additional month. The results are great. For the first time in a long time, I am giving people eye contact. It is doing wonders for my self esteem. For those of you who are having trouble with dry hair and hair loss, start taking vitamin E. This helps to keep you moisterized from the inside out. Also, regular hot oil treatments work. The point is to put back the moisture that the accutane is taking away. This keeps the hair on your head. I recommend this drug to anyone with skin as horrible as mine. I did not pay anything due to insurance.
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November 21, 2008

Pros:

makes acne disappear!!! smoothes skin texture, my hair wasn't oily anymore either

Cons:

took a few weeks to really start working, my lips were SO dry!, dry hands, mild rash on arms, back aches, joint aches, really dry inside my nose, i still have mild acne 2 years later

IT'S WORTH IT!!! don't be scared of it because it really does work!
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November 19, 2008

Pros:

amazing

Cons:

horrible side effects

I had severe acne for about 4 years, all through high school and it was tough. I started taking accutane and i had weird side effects, but mainly my nose was so dry. I have been off of accutane for about 3 years and haven't had any trouble with acne ever since. its definitely worth it. i didn't have to pay for mine because i was living at home and my parents paid for all that stuff, but i would say it is worth it even if you have to work 2 jobs to pay for it. trust me.
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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