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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March 29, 2012

Pros:

- Cleared skin while on the medication.
- Made me so confident about myself and life once my skin had no active breakouts. Covered the remaining red scars/marks with concealer; it gave the illusion that I had always had 'perfect' skin.
- Works for most people; but there are other alternatives if you have time to research yourself.

Cons:

- 4 months after finishing the medication acne came back. Went on it again a year later and although it cleared my skin while on it the acne came back again once finished.
- The lifetime effects it can have on your body.
- I did have to see a psychologist while taking the first course of the medication, which wasn't a bad thing; but being a teen I felt embarrassed.

This is not a miracle drug, you still need to look after your skin. I regret taking this medication now; even more so for taking it twice! I wish my dermatologist didn't give up on retin-a after 3 weeks and put me on this medication. Although I was clear while on Accutane (after 2 months my acne cleared completely) it then came back after a few months of finishing the 8 month course. This is a very serious medication. I would only recommend going on it if you are healthy - don't drink or smoke etc. Although, without this medication I wouldn't be where I am today. I first started the treatment when I was 16; my skin was disgusting and my confidence was so low. Once my skin cleared I was doing so so much better at school in my senior year (it didn't come back til after I had finished school). So I do recommend you give this a go if you have tried everything else, but only go on it once. Side Note: I now use Tretinoin 0.1% (Alcohol Free*) at night and 2% salicylic acid liquid (leave on) in the morning after cleansing with La Roche-Posay Effaclar Purifying Foaming Gel. *You may need to use a Tretinoin gel that is Alcohol Free, because the Retin-A brand had more negative effects to my skin than good (because its a Alcohol based gel). I recommend using products that are alcohol and fragrance free, most acne treatments contain these things which actually (in my case) make things worse. Always! use a sunscreen SPF 30 or higher no matter what acne treatment you are on. Despite what some may say; the sun (and tanning) is not good for acne or skin as it thickens the outer layer making acne harder to get rid of acne (plus gives you wrinkles, blah!). Also wearing sunscreen stops the production of vitamin D3 from the sun, you should take a supplement instead. Always! Always! be gentle and kind to your skin. You only have one skin in a lifetime; treat it well.
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March 28, 2012

Pros:

Temporarily rid me of my acne, though only partially.

Cons:

-dry, flaky skin
-chapped lips
-could not wax during treatment
-body felt weaker

The Bottom Line is simple, I endured Ro-accutane for six months only to have my acne return to more or less exactly it's previous form. -Three years post-treatment I still get breakouts and my face is still scarred.
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March 27, 2012

Pros:

No more acne since end of month 4.
Oily hair gone.
No more oily skin.
Free if your personal doctor sends you to dermatologist.

Cons:

Facial flushing/blushing.
Chapped lips.
No alcohol.
Skin gets irritated from shaving.
Back pain.
Dry eyes.
Nause

I was on 40 mg for 4 months and then 90 for 2 more months. I weigh 80kg and I've reached required dosage. First 3 months will be pain... They will go so damn slow and you'll keep looking at the mirror for any improvements. For me the point of having no acne (not counting 1/2 shaving pimples once a month) was at midle of month 4 since then I only get tiny pimples from shaving but I dont shave very carefuly.. so I guess this can be avoided. Last 3 months I was realy annoyed by the slow acne marks fading.. but as the time flew by acne marks were gone in 2 months they fade way faster when you stop getting acne. Accutane also thins the skin so they'll be more visibile. Now I am 5 days post accutane and my face isnt as dry anymore and the redness is fading. However I still need to use chapstick. And dont worry for the minor acne scars they arent visibile when the red marks fade. It was totaly worth it I havent got any serious side effects and I think they are quite rare. Hope this review helped you and if you have any questions send me a message. =D + I'd like to thank to all the people that post reviews uphere they helped me alot =)
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March 24, 2012

Pros:

Gets rid of acne

Cons:

Did nothing for blackheads or pore size.
Very expensive.
Minor dryness
Reduced night vision

I was on 40mg for 6 weeks, then 60mg for 12 weeks. It cleared my acne slowly, with no major peeling/dryness and no initial breakout. I guess I'm not an average case, because I didn't experience many of the side effects that people do. I did, however, notice a pretty big difference in my night vision and was sometimes even uncomfortable driving at night. I also scarred extremely easily, and my arms got a weird rash, which was super itchy. I now have blotchy white scars all over my arms from scratching them. I still have blackheads and large pores on my cheeks, which is a little disappointing. Overall, this drug achieves what it's supposed to. Considering my lack of major side effects, I'd recommend it if you can afford it/have good insurance.
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March 20, 2012

Pros:

Acne disappears
Prevents a lot of acne from returning

Cons:

Dryness
iPledge Program

I took Accutane when I was 15 because my acne so was severe for about a year and it was the best decision ever. The best solution for your lips drying out is Aquaphor and Vaseline. If you put it on and then take a shower it really helps get rid of the dead skin. After taking it for about 9 months I was taken off and am now 18 and being put back on. From my past experience I can tell you that it is totally worth it. The acne stayed away for over and year and only started to return from stress but the 2nd time you take it usually kills off the acne for the rest of your life. The program is a little of a nuisance but for the results it is completely worth it.
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March 18, 2012

Pros:

-acne clearing already
-smoother skin
-so easy
-nicer hair (explanation below)
-lost 10 lbs from less appetite (sweet!)

Cons:

-chapped lips
-eczema on hands
-iPledge is a hassle

I am a 19 year old caucasian female who has struggled with acne since I was 12. It's gotten worse on and off since then and sometimes been completely clear but I started college last fall and my acne got completely out of control. I had tried literally everything: Duac, Differin, Minocyclene (antibiotic), Atralin, washes, creams, lotions, etc. and nothing worked. I went to three derms who all suggested accutane. I didn't have deep cyctic acne but more like many small bumps on my forehead and cheeks that never really went away. The iPledge program is a real bummer, mostly just because you have to wait a month to start taking the pills. But it's so worth it! I've been on accutane for three weeks now and although I wasn't expecting it to work at all for eight weeks my skin already looks worlds better! Most of the little bumps have gone away and my face isn't so red and inflamed. At this point I'm getting more white heads, but they are pretty sparse and go away quickly and that's what my derm told me to expect for the first few months. To moisturize, I use buckets of vaseline on my lips (don't use chapstick because that actually dries out your lips), and CeraVe PM moisturizer on my face morning and night. I use CeraVe or Cetaphil cleanser, which is really gentle. So far I haven't experienced any severe side effects other than minor dryness, but I'm keeping track of anything that could be a symptom just to be safe. One good thing about the dryness is that I don't have to wash my hair every other day! It never gets oily and I can make a blow out last for 5 or 6 days! Hope that lasts after I stop Accutane! Bottom line is Accutane is definitely a personal choice and I'm sure it's better for some people than others but why not try something that has worked wonders for many. I feel so good! *About the high cost, my insurance is super high deductible so essentially we pay out-of-pocket prices until we hit a certain amount and the insurance kick
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March 17, 2012

Pros:

- Dried up my skin very quickly (started from day 2)
- My skin became perfect. My dad said my skin looked like someone had smoothed it with sandpaper then polished it! Haha. Poreless skin!
- My 'mucus' inside my nose dried up as well. I always had a very runny and blocked nose, accutane completely took care of that.
- Smooth skin, great increase in confidence, very quick results day after day
- Easy to swallow; smooth pill
- Allowed me to sleep better (more on that later, it is

Cons:

- Very, very tired after a week or so. Would have to take afternoon naps. But, when I slept, I would easily be knocked out for 8-9 hrs :)
- Lost a lost of hair, still losing hair. But sebaceous gland size is linked to amount of hair as well; oil glands shrink/get destroyed --> naturally less hair
- Back pain when lying down, weirdly achy joints
- Horribly itchy eczema outbreak all over my body. Had to use soap free wash for months. Had trouble sleeping b/c it was so itchy
- Mental si

17, female, Asian, moderate on face, severe acne on back (cystic). 40mg/day (20/20), 45kg, slim build. Let me start by saying this - I did not regret taking accutane at all. BUT, I would also never take it again, unless I have an absolutely terrible cystic outbreak and I get put on a VERY low dose. The physical side effects I could tolerate; but the burden of reading about its negative side effects THEN finally experiencing some of the more serious side effects personally, I decided it was time to quit. At first, I was absolutely in love with accutane. I had the most glowing, smooth skin and my oil glands/mucus secretions greatly reduced. I'm genetically predisposed to oil overproduction, and would be extremely shiny and oily all the time. Accutane really took care of that well. However, I started to get back pains - tolerable. Eczema - tolerable too, eventually disappeared completely. However, I cringe as I say this, I feel like I'm betraying such a great drug... but I did get mental side effects. I felt... I don't know how to say it, I felt like I wasn't worthy. I felt I didn't really have a purpose in life anymore (this kicked in at the 2nd month), and the feeling was just WEIRD! I had a great life and nothing to worry about; I was on holidays. But it was a sad feeling that gradually built up and got worse. Having read articles on accutane and depression, I stopped the drug at my 3rd month. I have always taken the full 40mg. After I stopped, the next 1-2 weeks I still had disturbing thoughts. However 1 month on, I am completely fine now :) Back to how I was used to be, all happy :) These days, I still lose alot of hair and I'm slowly getting mucus and oil back. I'm on Tretinoin cream currently, but my acne hasn't returned. My hair loss is decreasing and I'm really thankful for what accutane has done for me. Bottom line - listen to your body. It's better to be safe than sorry :) But, accutane - thank
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March 17, 2012

Pros:

Clears acne completely
Simplified skin care routine

Cons:

Side effects
iPledge program
eczema if your don't moisturize well!

This medicine is a miracle for acne sufferers. I dealt with acne in varying degrees for 10 years. Once it got bad the last time, my derm said it was time for Accutane. I had no initial breakout; my skin started getting dry and clearing within the first week. My side effects were mild, for the most part. My period migraines were worse and I felt foggy headed in the beginning of my treatment, that's it. My full course was 5 months, not bad for an acne cure!
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March 17, 2012

Pros:

Clears up acne

Cons:

Dry lips
Occasional new, quite inflamed spots
Must have a pregnancy test every month, and a blood test before, halfway through and 5 weeks after the course

I have tried several different prescriptions, all from a dermatologist, and all unavailable unless with a prescription, and this is the best of them all! However, it is also a last resort. Ive been on this for nearly 2 months, and in less than a month, my forehead had completely cleared up, and is now completely smooth. The rest of my acne has also "died down" a bit, although you can get the occasional new spot, which is an effect of the medicine working. I am currently on Dianette (a contraceptive pill) and my Isotretinoin course will last only four months, and it is extremely unlikely that my acne will be coming back. However, in the UK it is extremely hard to get this course of treatment, as it is considered to be very risky. But overall, it has given me amazing results, and I'm not even halfway through!
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March 14, 2012

Pros:

-100% Clear skin

-Eliminates oiliness and even some discoloration.

Cons:

-Dryness

-Rosy to red complexion during treatment

I took accutane about a year and a half ago, and it was one of the best decisions of my life. My skin has been staying consistently clear. I was told by my doctor, however, that there was a possibility that I would need a second treatment. Due to lack of sleep and proper nutrition, along with a difficult semester, I've started to break out again, and will be asking my doctor about taking the second treatment. It is totally worth it, and if you have painful acne, it's a life saver. I didn't experience any of the severe side effects, simply mild dryness. It does work differently for everyone, though.
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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