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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August 15, 2007

Pros:

gives you near clear skin

Cons:

makes the rest of ur skin really dry, lips dry

if u have acne, just do it, its worth it you will NEED: Cetapil face wash a very good moisturiser WILL power Keep ur heads up sky high
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August 14, 2007

Pros:

Accutane is a very strong drug. I have had 3 courses and my acne has returned much less each time. It has definately helped clear up my skin and i have been without it over a year and its not too bad.

Cons:

It really dries out your skin. I would avoid strong sun and sea water. Always carry vasaline for your lips and drink penty of water. Can be very irritating and can occationally caused me some tiredness and aching. Cant really drink so much alcohol.

I am really glad that i have finished with Accutane but it really did make alot of difference. My skin is 90% clear now and i definately recommend it to anyone with suffering from severe acne. My advice would be to do plenty of excercise, clean your skin regularly and always follow the intructions. I would definately recommend anyone with acne to STOP HAVING ALL dairy products. I have also stopped having fizzy drinks and I avoid fast food and sugar, except the occational chinese takeaway. I take zinc and multi vitamins too and it all has made a difference. My acne is definately genetic and is really effected by diet it will be different for everyone, but keep fighting it because eventually you will find something that works. Good luck
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August 11, 2007

Pros:

Vast improvement in my skin

Cons:

dry nose, sore joints, dry lips, tiredness, expensive

It didn't work for me until month 3. I'd severe acne, and my skin has been reletively clear with a number of months now. I could go a month without a spot! My mood hasn't changed, but I find it quiet expensive at nearly €160 a month! Well worth it though.
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August 7, 2007

Pros:

Was on it for 5 months, started to see good results after month 2. Once i finished month 5, skin was 95% clear

Cons:

DRY LIPS, dry skin, itchy eyes, RED flushing when exposed to great amounts of sun. Body pain(chest and joints)

Last resort for acne, i have been on it all and this stuff was the only thing that cleared my skin.
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August 5, 2007

Pros:

Works amazingly well. It's the only thing that has worked to clear up my acne.

Cons:

Dry skin, though if you moisturize every morning and night you should be okay. Dry lips. Nose bleeds. Takes a while to work.

I've been on Accutane for 5 months and have just started my final pack of Accutane. My skin is nearly entirely clear. I now only get the occasional pimple, whereas before my treatment began, I'd always have pimples all over my face, including the cystic variety. Before beginning Acutane, I tried so many different types of medication for my acne, but nothing worked before this. While my acne was not incredibly severe, I am still incredibly glad that I went on Accutane. It is fully worth any side effects that you may experience. The nose bleeds are the most irritating, but there are different sprays and things that you can use to combat them. It can be a bit discouraging in the first few months of the treatment - my acne took at least 2 or 3 months to start clearing up - but after a while, you will notice your skin has cleared up a ton. I would recommend Accutane to anyone who wants an almost sure way to rid themselves of acne.
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August 3, 2007

Pros:

So far, so good. It does take awhile to work, I am almost at 8 weeks on this medication and my skin is nearly clear. It definitely works! Skin isl less oily, and the pores and almost invisible.

Cons:

dry lips, dry skin. Skin broke out very badly until just now. It took about 2 months to show an improvement. Monthly testing is a pain.

If you are struggling with bad skin do not wait!! This may help you. I had very persistent mild acne that was not responding to anything!This seems to be the only thing to work for me.
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August 2, 2007

Pros:

Cleared my skin after 6 weeks!! Made my VERY oily skin drier. My pores looked smaller. I had PERFECT "movie star" skin!

Cons:

dry skin, very dry lips, mild chest pain...nothing that made me worried enough to stop the treatment. Oh, and the annoying blood tests.

I have always had pimples and very oily skin. Living in a humid and hot place doesn't help. I broke out really bad due to stress in 2000 and tried it all...topical creams which all killed my sensitive skin, proactive, all the antibiotics you can imagine, even birth control pills. FINALLY, my derm. put me on Accutane. I took it for 6 months and was amazed. I had no pimples, no scars! People told me that my skin was beautiful and it really was. Over the years my face became very oily again and i had little break outs here and there. I used proactive for these everyday little pimples. Unfortunately, a few months ago I noticed that the proactive was making my face really irritated so I stopped using it and I broke out really bad! I went back to the derms and they started the whole creams and antibiotics charade. Finally, I went to a new doc who agreed to put me on Accutane. YAY! I start in 20 days. Has anyone taken it twice with success???
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July 27, 2007

Pros:

A month after I started using it, my acne was under control and I'm currently very happy.

Cons:

Very chapped lips (bought La Roche-Posay Ceralip..great stuff!)

Sure, there are a lot of side effects, and once the treatment stops, the acne returns. I've used a small dosage over the year, taking one pill twice a week. In adition I use mild skin treatments like Effaclar K and Stievamycin. I take monthly blood test and checkups to be sure I'm healthy.
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July 22, 2007

Pros:

VERY dry skin. constant visits to doctor. constant blood samples. long time to treat the acne. I had to take 3 pills a day...

Cons:

Cleared 95 percent of my acne my acne in 6 months, that's not me saying, that's what the doctor told me. I've been cured from acne for about 1.5 years now.

Although you have to be under the medication for a long period of time (6.5 months for me) it is VERY recommended way to treat the acne for good. My brother tried it and he NEVER had even a pimple ever since he stopped his medication 7 years ago.
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July 18, 2007

Pros:

Cleared up most acne erruptions, gave me a a lot of my self-confidence back, cut back on the amount of oil produced by my body as a whole (ie: scalp, back, etc.)

Cons:

Joint pain, inability for muscles to adapt to strenuous work outs, acne came back albiet in a much milder form but still came back

After 2 rounds of 6-month cycles over a 3 year period, my acne is as much in control as it has ever been. I had been suffering from skin erruptions since the age of 8 (I am now 20), and it cleared those up right away. While it came back in a much more milder form, the second round (not recommened by most doctors! Consult carefully!) has brought my acne down to small blackheads and pms-activated white heads. Compared to 4 yrs ago, I am still stoked about my skin.
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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.
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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