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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July 27, 2009

Pros:

beautiful skin!!

Cons:

very chapped lips, very bad lower back pain, expensive if not covered by your insurance

this stuff is a miracle and i honestly cant say enough good about it. my side effects went away a couple weeks after starting it, by week 3 my skin was SO clear, i had a doctor ask me WHY ARE YOU TAKING ACCUTANE? YOU DONT HAVE ACNE! of course not! because this pill cleared me up after only 3 weeks! i was on 40 mg/2x a day, for 2 months. it has now been 6 months and although my skin has maintained MOST of its clarity since stopping i want it to look like it did before, so i am going back on for a second dose! it truly IS a miracle in a pill! the best thing is you dont have to spend any more money on all that over the counter or infomercial crap! just cetaphil cleanser, a moisturizer, and youre good to go! i can even SKIP washing my face altoghter most of the time because you just STOP breaking out!!
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July 24, 2009

Pros:

Got rid of severe acne that wouldn't respond to anything else, still hasn't returned after 4 months

Cons:

Very dry skin. Do not wax whilst on this medication! I made that mistake and the top layer of skin came off which was very painful. Also was very tired when on 50mg a day.

It took a long time to work but if you persist through the side effects it is definately worth it. It is the only thing that has ever worked for me.
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July 24, 2009

Pros:

It took two cycles but ultimately this is the only thing that has actually worked.

Cons:

Very dry lips, dry eyes, and I did experience mild depression while on the drug, but it was good to be aware of that side effect ahead of time.

This is a product for people with severe acne. Unfortunately I found out through a very extended period of time that if you have severe acne, this is the only product for you. I wish I would've spent less time with topical remedies and anti-biotics. Accutane is the only product that has ever gotten my acne under control.
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July 24, 2009

Pros:

I had severe acne before I had taken this. I used to get cysts all the time. After I had finished this I have NEVER gotten another cyst and it cleared up my acne greatly. I took it when I was 16 and I'm now 21.

Cons:

Not good if you can't remember to take the pill. I got really bad scabs IN my nose and very dry lips. VERY expense if you don't have insurance.

I think that the pros outweigh the cons. If you've had server acne you won't mind a few dry lips. This product takes awhile to get into your system so don't get discouraged if it doesn't work right away. The ratings below are from before I started accutane.
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July 23, 2009

Pros:

Clears up acne almost completely after 1.5months

Cons:

Initial Breakout is worse than any acne i had previously, the initial breakout consisted of huge cysts, and spots for 3-4weeks.
You get Dry skin and very dry lips.
Very Raw Skin on face without moisturizer/after shower and eczma on arms-Moisur

It Works! Your acne is clear within two months forever, the red marks will eventually fade, it is well worth the downsides, because you will feel much more confident and secure about your appearance, not until afterwards do you realise how insecure having acne made you. It is worth it, just need lots of moisturizer. The muscle pain/back pain goes away after a week from it first starting.
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July 22, 2009

Pros:

No break outs as of yet

Cons:

none yet

I have been on it for a lil over a week. and i have not broken out since i started. I just have old spots from when i started. and they are dissappearing by the day. I cant wait to see how my skin will look in a few weeks!
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July 21, 2009

Pros:

My skin is completely CLEAR. It is a Miracle!!! I never thought I could be so confident now. I DON"T have to wear liquid foundation and powder anymore. I get compliments from everyone now about my skin. I wish I knew about accutane SOONER!

Cons:

I had really chapped lips. I found myself peeling at my lips all the time where layers of skin would come off 2 or 3 times a day even with chapstick used. But I just reapply chapstick all the time. Felt irritable most of the time as well.

I started getting acne when I was in 6th grade. It got worse and worse over the years. I wore make-up powder and foundation both all the time. I could never leave the house without them. I was so insecure where I would never go out in the sun to see my friends. Etc. It was a social killer. At the age of 22, I heard about accutane and did some research and was skeptical about using it just because of all the side affects. Plus I already had so many scars on my face so even if the pills helped me stop breaking out, my skin was already bad. How is a pill going to erase all my deep scars I asked? So I tried it. IT WAS THE BEST DECISION I HAVE EVER MADE. I did not have insurance what so ever so I paid everything out of my pocket. The whole treatment probably costed me about 3 grand. I don't regret it at all. The side effects was not bad. It has been 6 months now since I have been done and my face is still completely clear. Email me if you have any?s. kayleephan@[link removed]
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July 21, 2009

Pros:

Accutane changed my skin which used to be very oily and had a lot of acne. I had tried every medication for acne and nothing worked until this.

Cons:

It took me 6 months until the Accutane worked. It was the most frustrating process because the side effects are pretty bad but stick with it! It was not until the last month of my treatment that it worked.

Stick with it. Some people see results right away, others like me don't. I almost gave up on it but it was worth the frustration. I can now go places without makeup on which i would NEVER do before. It is the most amazing thing ever. Also my skin is not oily compared to what it used to be.
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July 20, 2009

Pros:

By the 2nd month, you will have virtually no acne whatsoever. There are times when you don't even have to wash your face and you will NOT break out. I went on a week long backpacking trip and I was not allowed to wash my face. minimal acne after trip

Cons:

red face, red lips, extremely dried lips and skin, bloody noses at random times, not allowed to eat anything with Vitamin A. Blood work and checkups every month. Very scary possible side effects. chance of liver damage and high cholesterol.

Accutane will permanently eliminate your acne. It has many possible side effects and they even require you to sign that there is a possibility you might suffer extreme depression etc. One bad thing is the medication might increase your cholesterol, tryglycerol etc levels and put your health at risk. You will be told to immediately stop accutane (worst day of your life) until your levels get back to normal. I have used all the OTC medications and antibiotics and they DOESN'T WORK. don't be afraid to ask your dermatologist about it and don't be scared to do it because of the long list of side effects. it'll change your life! Oh, and each prescription can cost over $600.00 if your insurance doesn't cover it. Mine covered it completely. Think about it. No acne for the rest of your life?
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July 17, 2009

Pros:

Accutane WILL make your acne go away. I used Sotret. 40mg twice per day. In a few months, I had ZERO pimples on my face, chest and back. And I haven't gotten a pimple since then.

Cons:

I am an athlete, and I had joint pain in my hips and knees. But Advil took care of that. Also dry skin, and watch out for scarring. Do NOT pop any pimples while you are on accutane, you WILL get scars from it.

This product works. You may have to go another round or two afterward if your acne comes back.
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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