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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April 23, 2008

Pros:

AWESOME - worked for about a year after the end of 5 months of treatment. (But I took a five month course (then 8 months off) for 5 years total. 5 times didnt work long term...but read my bottom line...!!! There is another way to prescribe!

Cons:

my acne came back after 1 yr (A took it 5 times). Need lots of moisturizer, chapstick, and sunscreen, but it's managable. Online stuff in USA stinks. Don't get pregnant! Make sure you fill prescription on time.

I am about to go on it for the 6th time. This time I am going to take it ON for 5 months OFF for 2 months, then ON again for 5 months. This is supposed to be helpful for those with resistant cystic acne (like me). After this, I will be doing "The regimen" in combination with products including Alpha lipoic Acid (ALA) and DMAE. Both are higjly anti inflammatory. I will also use glycolic acid Products by Peter Thomas Roth and MediMorphisis exfoliating Scrub (by Cos Medicine). I also like Perricone's products and Janson Beckett. I will post my list of favorite products now... GOOD LUCK!!
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April 22, 2008

Pros:

clear skin, smaller pores, no breakouts at all

Cons:

chapped lips, dry skin, rashes, decreased sex drive, redness, sore joints

This will clear your skin up and you won't have to worry about your skin holding you back. The side effects can be relieved with Aquaphor for lips or skin, my doctor prescribed Triamcinolone for the rashes, asprin works for my joints. Also drinking more fluids can help w/ side effects. Overall, well worth it to be rid of the horrible problem of acne I had dealt w/ for 8 years!
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April 22, 2008

Pros:

My skin cleared up 100% within 3 days, (3 days!) of taking Accutane. My pores are smaller, and my scarring has gotten SO much better!

Cons:

Chapped lips like you wouldn't believe! Really dry scalp too.

I have had acne on my chest and back for 17 years, and severe acne on my face for 1 year. I didn't experience a lot of the side effects, and my acne didn't get worse when I started- my skin was flawless within 3 days of taking it. ...To help with the dryness and to help my skin regenerate, I also applied aloe and vitamin E oil to my skin at night after I showered. I wish I had taken before pictures, because I had deep pitting and scarring on my cheeks, and on one side it's not even visible anymore.
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April 21, 2008

Pros:

clearer skin, no oil,

Cons:

dry lips, face, body
rashs on hand arms and legs
bloody nose(not a lot though)

accutance works, i've used proactive, antibiotics, tazorac, all the over-the-counter products for about 5 or so years now. none of it works. ive been on accutane for about 3 months now and my skin is beginning to clear up. i have one pimple or cyst every two weeks or so instead of waking up to a new one everyday. my skin is alot less oily. there is the issue of dryness buy chapstick and lotion can help that. i didnt have an initial breakout like other people so im happy but kinda scared that it might not of happened yet. but overall try accutane if you can, if it dosent work out then simply stop. but im pretty sure it will.
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April 20, 2008

Pros:

clears skin up nicely and keeps it clear even after you stop taking the pills. If you have bad acne just take it and don't worry about being depressed and all that jazz, i was never depressed. just take it!

Cons:

Very dry skin! i got really red as well. acne came back 7 months after finished taking accutane.

It is good and powerful. It will clear you up no matter what but in a small percent of cases it comes back which sucks. If it comes back I wouldn't advice taking it again.I went 4 months without seeing much improvement the second time. IF YOU HAVE BAD ACNE MAN UP AND TAKE IT. Don't avoid the issue that it is the best treatment out there that lasts because of the idea you may get depressed and whatever. It really is nothing to be scarred of and you get blood drawn which isn't that bad.
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April 20, 2008

Pros:

I took accutane in 1986 after minocin stopped working. It cured my acne almost completely for 20 years, but it came back, mostly on my back, two years ago. I have been on minocin, but it barely controls it. I will need another accutane treatment.

Cons:

Blood work, dry lips and eyes; nosebleeds at first when dose was too high.

It cured a major problem for 20 years. For me, it was a wonder drug, despite the great unpleasantry during the treatment.
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April 19, 2008

Pros:

shrinks pores, makes skin glow, really clears it and seems to last

Cons:

takes a long time to work and makes acne worse at first. @ one pt. i as one 3 dif. meds bc it got so bad. sensitive to the sun and to porducts, your face especially can burn and hurt

great product. have to be willing to have bad skin for just a few more month though and have to be patient. I was on it for 5 months then insurance took me off for 2 month break now im back on it for 5 more months (2 to go) I am really seeing great results and im sooo happy! the most annoying part is all of the blood work and messing around with insurance and government regulations
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April 18, 2008

Pros:

clear skin, confidence!

Cons:

minor depression, dry skin, chapped lips, DECREASED SEX DRIVE, overall apathy

This is the best stuff ever, you just have to know how to handle the side effects. Ive been on it five months and im going off next month. My main downside was that i got depressed and had to break up with my girlfriend of two years because of it. It decreased my sex drive like crazy and dried my skin out but as long as you use lotion for your face and vaseline on your lips at night you wont have problems. I wish i could saty on it forever
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April 18, 2008

Pros:

It works, but it costs your body and mind more than you pay in cash.

Cons:

1. Fact: Accutane will make your acne 100% worse before it gets better. 2. Dried my face and lips. 3. Blood work. Blood work. Blood work. This medication is serious stuff. 4. Acne returned 1 year later, but no where near as bad as before Accutane.

If you call 15 cysts on your face a good day, then you should get on accutane. You have to do your blood tests as required. If the accutane itself won't make you depressed as some claim, then the massive surge in acne halfway through the treatment will. My doctor timed it so i would be out for summer vacation during the rabid peak of acne. Thank god. Unfortunately, my acne returned to a different area. The areas that had acne before accutane have not seen cysts in years. Now I am on a milder med. Stay tuned for further updates.
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April 17, 2008

Pros:

-much clearer skin
-can go long periods with having to wash hair
- no more breakouts

Cons:

-severe dry lips and nose
-nose bleeds
-stiff joints

its def. worth it, its frustrating the first few weeks because of severe nose bleeds and dryness but its good knowing that its taking it away in the longrun. I tried literally everything without it workingat all before so this is amazing. I think its important to not get discouraged with the uncomfortable side effects because you might find out it works perfectly.
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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