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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May 10, 2007

Pros:

Clears your skin like nothing else! Haven't had acne come back on my back, chest or arms since (been about 2 years)

Cons:

Horrible dry lips, dry skin, dry eyes, sensitivity to heat, heat rashes, sensitivity to products, headaches, nose bleeds, and the inconvience of seeing a doctor every month.

Worked amazingly for me from the first week on it. However, my face is now not looking so good(2years later). Although its not cystic yet.I have the worst kind of skin to deal with...dry skin acne. Oil doesn't serface for me. It may be the climate I live it. The acne on my face started to come back about 9 months after coming off it. At first I wasn't complaining cause the breakouts were normal for most people. A pimple here or there. But progressively just got worse. Now I'm back to not wanting to leave the house without makeup. My body is clear though. The doctors have me on the usual treatments or antibiotics and topicals that work at first a little then don't really work after awhile. Now I'm trying skin peels to see where that takes me. I'm sick of it! But I have known people with 6-7year results from Accutane without a trace of it coming back. I don't think doctors really know much about it or who it will or wont work on. Your just an experiment.
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May 4, 2007

Pros:

Evidently, works for a lot of people

Cons:

Can lead to very serious lifetime disorders

In my late 30's my cycstic acne still wasn't going away so decided to try accutane (which I'd stayed away from for a long time due to the reported side effects). After only two weeks I severe intestinal problems that are only beginning to clear up after one year. Additionally, my acne exploded. Recently, I've found two co-workers (much younger) who now suffer from Crohn's Disease after taking accutane for the full 4 or 5 month period. Luckily, I stopped after two weeks and feel like I will recover. After stopping, my dermatologist gave me Nicomide and Azelex cream to use. After 3 months of using it, I rarely break out and when I do, it clears up 4 times faster. Evidently, some women really respond to Nicomide (its just a perscription strength multi-vitamin). Please try everything else before accutane.
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April 27, 2007

Pros:

Smooth and clear face, with barely any skin imperfections.

Cons:

Very dry flaky skin, peeling like a lizard. Lips that dry up fast, even begin to peel as well. Being tired and having no patience for some family members and friends.

I was hit with moderate to severe acne late in my teens. I went for the most radical approach first: Laser Skin Resurfacing and Microderm. Dropped 2-grand and underwent a lot of pain but ended up with a beautifully matte face with refined pores and soft youthful looking skin. That didn't last because the oil-production sped up because of m hormones and I began having more acne outbreaks. With my face worse than before, I turned to PROACTIV. Don't ever use that crap-- it made my skin worse by making my skin dependent on the benzoyl peroxide in all the creams. It cleared by simple and uncomplicated acne for the first month or so, but then when things looked better my acne turned out just to better my acne was pushed lower into my skin and my face became common ground for painful cystic and nodular acne. Went to the dermo and she put me on Accutane. Was very hesitant at first but to be honest, I'm kind of regretting not asking for that in the first place. It's worth it.
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April 27, 2007

Pros:

No.

Cons:

As usual.

Honestly, it just didn't work.
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April 25, 2007

Pros:

Best stuff ever! I am a guy and I have been taking a mild dose, 60mg a day (I weight 150). I have absolutely no oil on my face and I only use a light moisterizer. My acne was ALWAYS very mild, but it bothered me.

Cons:

Absolutely none...use EMU OIL ALL OVER YOUR BODY IT HELPS! And, a mild moisterier helps too. NO dry lips when used consistantly and correctly and cheap too.

THIS stuff is great so far! THough some people get side effects, they are very very rare. You won't know till you've done it, right? If your acne bothers you, give accutane a try and start with low doeses to build up your tolerance. I started on 40 mg a day and that was great for me. Also, if you can afford it, get brand accutane, its much better!
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April 25, 2007

Pros:

Clear perfect skin

Cons:

The only con I ever had was waiting 4 months for the treatment to be over, but it cleared up completely within 4-6 wks. And 4 months goes by so fast.
Dryness, but it was so mild that it shouldnt be bothersome, as long as you have a few skin produ

Fabulous, at least for me it was. I sarting clearing up within 2 weeks. It basically changed my life. I don't know if it really can cause depression, however I even have a genetic connection to depression and accutane didn't trigger it so I don't know. I have tried EVERYTHING I can tell you and this is the only thing that works. My doctor even told me that, expecially for sufferers of severe acne, it's the only treatment that can actually be consistant even after you stop using it. It's been about a year since I last used accutane, and I only got one or two small pimples, and they were so small that I can easily cover them up with makeup anyways.
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April 24, 2007

Pros:

Clear, smooth skin

Cons:

I would not recommend anyone to take this medication. It is so harsh, upon taking it I succummed to violent mood swings and mild depression as well as a long initial breakout. If you looking for clear skin you must be prepared to pay alot for it.

Take it only if your doctor says its okay and you are absolutely adamant on having clear skin.
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April 19, 2007

Pros:

Wonderful clear skin.

Cons:

The side effects. I had dry cracked skin on my hands, patches of dry skin on my legs, and I became very emotional/depressed.

I know how miserable it is to have acne, and I would never tell anyone not to try Accutane because it does work. However, I urge anyone going on Accutane to be careful. The side effects can be extreme. I was extremely depressed and I do believe it was because of the medication. In my case, the side effects were not worth the end result (the acne came back). Even though it worked when I was on it, I will never again take Accutane.
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April 13, 2007

Pros:

IT WORKS. It gave me BEAUTIFUL clear skin on my face, chest and back. Only thing to ever clear up my back-acne.

Cons:

Too many to list. The biggest ones: dry, cracked, bleeding lips; and of course... the acne came back.

I was one of the UNlucky ones, I went on it for 6 months and was clear for a full year before it started coming back. So 3 years after my first round I did another 5 month round. This time it came back after just 4 months. There is also a huge time commitment involved with getting blood tests, going to doctors appts, doing the online portion and picking up the prescription. Every single month. The federal gov't wants to make it as difficult to get this as it can. If you are female and you get pregnant while on this you will have totally messed up alien babies so they REQUIRE you use TWO forms of birth control, hormonal AND barrier. If you have serious acne PLEASE talk to your doctor about going on this. It could change your life.
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April 12, 2007

Pros:

works wonders skin is very clear within 2 months

Cons:

dry lips mood swings joint pains very severe. irregular monthly bleeding at first also coupled with joint pain

works very well need a lot of patience to deal with side effects otherwise a good product even if it is expensive in south africa
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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