Isotretinoin (Accutane®)
Results
Side Effects

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.

3.9
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Read All About Isotretinoin (Accutane®)
Compare To Other Treatments
5
37.1%
4
33.4%
3
15.5%
2
7.3%
1
6.6%

Used Isotretinoin (Accutane®)? Rate It:

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January 3, 2011

Pros:

Perfect Skin when it's over
Really Works!

Cons:

Chapped Lips
Red Face
Embarrassing Initial Breakout

Only answer to severe acne sufferers, nothing else works. Sadly my acne did come somewhat within 2 years. I fixed this with high doses of Vitamin A: 100,000 IU's daily for 5 months. Perfect now!
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November 30, 2010

Pros:

smoother skin

Cons:

nose bleeds
suicidal thoughts
dry lips
rash on my skin
dry scalp
bad back pain
cry alot (which i NEVER did(
headaches
blood tests

second month into it and i feel like i want to kill myself :/ dont really see any improvement apart from my skin isnt as oily as it was. Dont get any bright red spots anymore, but it hasent got rid of any of my black/white heads. Fortunetly i can cover these up with makeup but that completely defeats the object of taking it right?
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August 18, 2010

Pros:

Skin is 98% perfect, amazing!
I get the odd blocked pore but nothing serious.
I am me again.
Confidence 200%

Cons:

Dry
Made it worse before it got better
It only looked like it started to work in the last month and I was on it for 12 months! I thought there was no hope.
Thirsty
Sun sensitivity
Can't wax AT ALL! Skin will rip off. No joke. And if you don't heal well, it can scar.

Amazing product! Love it! Pros outweigh a year of bad skin. Now I can go out of the house without any make-up complexion is almost 100%, its even, no redness. Heaven!
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November 11, 2009

Pros:

it worked for a while

Cons:

it made me atempt suicide

i turned to this drug after trying everything else, i took it for 8 months and sufferd from really dry skin also my lips where chapped ans bled all the time it was incredibly painful, i looked even worse too me than i did before taking it but i thought i would look better after. during the course i was very depresses and had suicidal thoughts and i even attempted it, luckly i only broke my pattela (knee cap). after 8 months i stopped taking it and my skin cleared up beautifuly 4 about 4 months but now my acne is back again, its not as bad but i dont think wat i went through was worth it. i strongly recomend not taking this drug i just wouldnt want any one else to go through what i did.
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November 8, 2009

Pros:

clears skin in one month!

Cons:

cracked lips and some dry skin on face. Marks take a while to fade, but marks always take a while to fade.

Just get it. I was misserable with moderatly severe acne then I found this and now I have all my confidence back. Pros outwiegh the cons considerably, Id much rather have cracked lips and a bit of dry skin then bad acne. All the rumors people say about it being bad for you is rubbish. I now have very very light acne, just a pimple once every 2 weeks or so, no major cysts.
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October 26, 2009

Pros:

Clearer and less oily skin

Cons:

severe chapped lips and some dryness on body

Acutane has saved my life, my skin is clearing up rapidly and im not breaking out at all anymore. The skin on my face hasnt dried out at all the only side effect im feeling is dry lips and some dry skin on my body but its totally managable with a good dry skin moisturizer. SO happy i finally decided to go on the drug..there were so many listed side effects and negative light on it I almost didnt think it was worth it but I feel amazing! Worth the risk :)
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October 26, 2009

Pros:

Clear Skin!

Cons:

Extremely dry skin, chapped lips, and a bit moody.

I tried everything there was to clear up my skin and nothing worked! Then I decided to give Accutane a try and it cleared up my skin like you wouldn't believe! At first you don't really see a difference besides dry skin and chapped lips (chap stick becomes your best friend!) but around the 3rd month I really started to see my face clearing up in pictures. My friends and family said that I had a glow in my face by knowing my skin was getting better.
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October 2, 2009

Pros:

After trying several other RX drugs this was the only one that worked.I now have no pimples and all of my blackheads are gone. My skin is soft and clear.

Cons:

Like everyone else on accutane I have dry lips. Also two of my finger tips got very dry and sore. I have also had dry eyes but I think that is because I wear contacts. My side effects really haven't been bad.

I am so glad that my doctor put me on accutane. It is the easiest acne treatment to use of all the medicines I tried before. I took 40mg once per day with a meal. It really worked for me. I have about 10 days of treatment left and I am really glad I went on this medicine. I would encourage anyone unhappy with their skin to try accutane. It really works!
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September 22, 2009

Pros:

Spots gone, face has completely cleared up and no more spots left on my back

Cons:

Dry skin, lips, occasional foul moods, tight tendons/ ligaments, should not drink alot of alcohol!

Worked a treat, the spots are gone after 6 months, only problem is that whilst the dry skin eventually calmed down after three to four months, the tight tendons in the back of my feet kicked in which was a pain. Other than that if you think you need it then go for it. All that is left of the acne on me is the scars on my back which do not hold me back from much :)
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September 15, 2009

Pros:

Honestly, a MIRACLE drug! Cleared my hormonal acne within 3 weeks, and since I have ended it (6 months ago), haven't had a pimple since!

Cons:

Dry lips, but totally managable. After I ended, my pore looks a little bigger just because the dead skin cells stretched inside because of drying my "oily skin" so intensely.

Best Acne treatment out! Truly a miracle drug!
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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