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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January 4, 2009

Pros:

very clear skin, blackheads are starting come out.....getting comments all the time about how good my skin looks!

Cons:

extremely dry/cracked lips..seems to go in spurts. Aquaphor and vit e applied to the lips works great. taking vit e geltabs as well 800 IU to help with dryness. Very sore back and neck all the time, and annoying intestinal problems.

I've been taking it for a month and half and on a very low dose of 20 mg. Next month going up to 40 mg. Right now just experiencing the sore back muscles and intestinal issues. The lips are doing good for right now and my face is clear. I have suffered from acne since 13 or so, I'm 25 now and have tried antibiotics, topical retin-A, Proactiv and nothing works permanently.
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January 3, 2009

Pros:

approaching month 2 and noticing significant improvement

Cons:

dry lips and skin

hope it keeps working
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December 27, 2008

Pros:

Worked really well.... Have been off of it for about 4 months now...And still keeping my fingers crossed, that my acne will not come back..

Cons:

I was tired, moody, chaped lips, dry eyes, dry nose, and sometimes had a bloody nose...

Proactive does not work!!! Nor does any other acne medicine that I have tried.... I got my first pimple when I was 14 and wish I would of known about Accutane then.. I am now 23, and hope to keep my clear complexion, for the rest of my life....
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December 25, 2008

Pros:

Absolutely the most effective acne treatment. After being frustrated when others didn't work for very long, this one works like a miracle.

Cons:

Same as everyone else: chapped lips, occasional slight depression and dryness (nothing i haven't experienced in higher amounts with less effective, skin drying regimens).

Acne was a hugely distracting and depressing part of my life before accutane. These cons are not nearly as bad as I thought, highly manageable, and to be honest much more could have been endured for the positives that came with accutane. I was not one of the unlucky ones, but it was worth taking the chance. Acne sucks. period.
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December 24, 2008

Pros:

Definite improvement, hardly any outbreaks. Only left with scars.

Cons:

very dry skin and lips, joint pains, high sensitivity to sun, mood can alter slightly.
For me, through the NHS,it took a long long time to get on the medication.GP prescribed me anti-B's,eventually refers to Derm.(6wks wait) ,blood tests...etc

If you're very self concious about it, definitely go for it! But if you see acne as a minor inconvenience the cons may not be worth it.
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December 24, 2008

Pros:

After years of topical treatments, antibiotics and a second opinion, I was prescribed Accutane. I noticed results almost immediately and did not have the initial flare ups that many have.

Cons:

In everything I read prior to taking Accutane, most patients seemed to notice side effects getting severe after a couple of months – side effects started for me after two weeks. Dry skin, eyes, lips; rash; nosebleeds; constipation.

If you can deal with the side effects for 5-6 months, I think Accutane is completely worth it to have clear skin for many years. I've had acne for more than half my life, and during those 14 years I have tried everything from Proactiv and chemical facials to antibiotics and topical creams. Every treatment helped for a little bit, but my acne is really persistent. Accutane is the only thing that has seemed to have sustained success. iPledge is a pain (bloodwork, pregnancy tests, dumb questions) but it's only once a month.
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December 23, 2008

Pros:

definitely got rid of acne forever

Cons:

miserable. blood work, chapped lips, dry skin, mood swings, it was pretty much hell for me.

it worked, but was it worth it? eh
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December 21, 2008

Pros:

it works well, i've have been off it for about 2 months and my skin has remained consitant

Cons:

dry eyes, sensitivity to weather, chapped/dry lips.

the side effects were not severe, i was on the tablets for 6 months.. i have been off the medication for 2 months and my skin has got sliglty oilier but it is nothing compared to what it was before i started the treatment.
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December 20, 2008

Pros:

Works

Cons:

Dryness

It works, simple as that. You end up with scars because well acne leaves scars and it's not accutane's fault. I had severe acne, and I got cleared up but still have scars which I need to do something but gotta wait 6 months...
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December 19, 2008

Pros:

It WORKS. Clears up acne. Within the first month or so I noticed I wasn't getting the BIG RED pimples that I used to get when breaking out. I'm on my 3rd month and get pimples rarely and they are fairly small.

Cons:

It took a couple months for me to really see drastic improvement. Lips are always chapped. I wake up, put chap stick on, drive to work, put chap stick on, go to eat, put chap stick on, etc. A little back pain.

If you want clear skin this is the stuff. I never have breakouts anymore, just an occasional pimple. My skin didn't get dried out as much as people had told me, but again, my lips are always dry. I noticed that my scalp needed more care due to some dandruff that formed the past few months. TAKE VITAMIN E ONCE EVERY MORNING. This helps with dry skin, believe me. Overall, nice product, it saved my social life.
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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