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...

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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October 5, 2008

Pros:

immense , if you wnat to get rid of acne take this !! wonder drug.Gives you so much confidence, thanx for accuatne!!

Cons:

minor efects , dry lips, you can live withis easily.

comoing to the end of a 6 month course , on 40mg a day and I am the happiest I have ever been. CLEAR SKIN YES!!!
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October 5, 2008

Pros:

It hopefully will cure me...it's gettin better each week! No oil on skin!

Cons:

Dry lips. Few nose bleeds.

My light acne was very persistent...I tried everything. It worked for a while, then it came back. I'm 24 yo male,who is tired of getting acne all the time. It's time to end it.
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October 3, 2008

Pros:

Only been on it a week, already have noticed a change.

Cons:

Dry red Lips, have noticed my eyes are dry and itchy"(not too bad but still noticable) My skin has started to feel itchy all over
(again not too bad)and my scalp also itchy.I have had a lose of appetite or just getting full faster.

I have been dealing with acne since I was 15,I have triedn EVERYTHING. The best thing that worked before Accutene was Minnocycline it always worked, but I had to go on it for 4 months out of every year for 3 years, that antibiotic, or any for that matter, is not good to be on for a lengthy period of time, and I didnt want to be on it for the rest of my life, so I went to this hopefully it will work. Make sure u try EVERYTHING before going on this its very potent.
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October 2, 2008

Pros:

less oil production, existing spots heal faster and very few new spots, on the way to clear skin

Cons:

slightly dry lips and skin (mild flaking), no alcohol, expensive without insurance

I've only been on the treatment for just over 3 weeks and was on a very low dose of 10mg for the first two weeks and am now on a dose of 25mg. I didn't want to deal with an initial flare, so my dermatologist is slowly working me up to a full dose of 50mg. I've already noticed positive results. I used to have to blot my skin on the hour to avoid looking shiny, and now I can just forget about my skin and get on with my life. Little bumps and blackheads that I've had for months are slowly going away and all cystic acne is gone. The side effects have been very tolerable so far, but we'll see how it going when the dose increases. I tried drinking a glass of wine over the weekend and had a very negative reaction - essentially felt drunk after a few sips. It will be hard not to drink socially over the next months, but the results are completely worth it for me. I finally feel in control again.
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September 30, 2008

Pros:

accutane cleared up my face completely.

Cons:

it left my lips a wreck even with chapstick

it does the job just as it should but be prepared to suffer the side effects
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September 28, 2008

Pros:

Only been a week but have had comments already about better complextion

Cons:

so far dry lips, sore eyes ,
light headache & some upper back/neck pain

Had light to moderate acne including shoulders/back & chest thats been VERY persistent since teens . ive had good & bad weeks were i didnt want to go out ! tried over the counter stuff including Minomycin and Erothomycin worked someout but never did the job & the usual array of products face washes, creams, even diet. ive heard great things about liver cleansing which when done right will help regulate and correct hormone release and ultimately reduce oil production = less acne . BUT time consuming & doesnt happen overnight. so far ive had light headache and dry lips and some upperback / neck pain but nothing dramatic. must say i was scarred out of my mind when i read alot of the sideffects , like most im desperate for good / clear skin, make sure youve tried other treatments before going on this , it shouldnt be a light decision. id suggest monitoring your symptoms (write a weekly log) & tell family/friends your on it so they can give you feedback t
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September 27, 2008

Pros:

clears skin, hair doesnt get oily, skin isnt oily.

Cons:

dry lips

this has really helped my skin to improve, the side affects are very minor and easily tolerated, i have not felt depressed or anything. my eyes do get dry in the afternoon/night. my complexion has cleard and i dont have any pimples, i still have a few blackheads, with a month left on the medication. it can get annoying not being able to go in the sun without sun screen, but the pros outweigh the cons by far. im really happy with the results ive been seeing, for the first few weeks my skin was sorta red, luckily that was during the holidays.
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September 26, 2008

Pros:

waking up to MAYBE one zit as apposed to ten news ones... face is very clear already & no side effects.

Cons:

Lips are a little dry, but nothing chapstick and extra water isn't curing

I've tried the strongest medications for topical, oral, and even top prescription face washes with a combo of birth control and it never was enough. Now just washing my face with Cetaphil (recommended for the dryness) keeps my skin smooth and hydrated. I hope it stays like this once the treatment is over! I love it!
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September 22, 2008

Pros:

Cleared up my hormonal acne like magic!

Cons:

It wont last forever! About a month after finishing i started developing whitheads but thats it. No pimples!

It works wanders. I was on it for 5 month at a very low low dose and was clear by the end of month 4. After finishing i started using differin and duac and taking Vit A and Zinc. Seems to be working well.
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September 22, 2008

Pros:

it really cleared all spots , my skin was smooth , less oil production, during the period i used it i could wash my hair only 2-3 times a week.

Cons:

expensive , VERY DRY skin when using it I even had to apply pure shea butter on it ;D very dry lips and eyes, it takes very long to cure your acne , if you squeeze a pimple it heals much longer than without accutane and it is temporary not permanent

I haven't got acne for about 5 months after it but now it started to show again and i have to use some treatments again , i will try not so serious ones , but if my acne will get worse i will use accutane again.
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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