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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June 27, 2007

Pros:

IT WORKS, YES, NO ACNE, NO OIL, CLEAR SKIN, NO NEED TO SPEND HOURS IN FRONT OF MIRRORS AND KEEPING UP WITH REGIMENS. YOU "FORGET" U HAVE ACNE WHEN U 'BEGIN' CLEARING UP. Had to write the Pros in capitals, its really that important.

Cons:

Dry lips, sore joints/muscles but only if u exercise otherwise nothing. Nosebleeds if u blow ur nose too hard when u have flu

Lifesaver. It changed my life, from dull to bright. All the oil has disappeared and I dont even run to a mirror as often anymore. In fact I dont even think of my acne anymore because I dont have any acne worth complaining about. Almost finished 6 months and im 99% clear. The other 1% retin-a will finish off :) Read the horror stories? I know, so did I. At least u know what the WORST-CASE scenario is but its a TINY minority. The majority are here giving you their excellent feedback. I was on a low dose throughout my course so did not have many side effects other than dry lips. SAVE YOURSELF the hassle and time, leave the antibiotics and get yourself on the tane. IF ONLY I done this 10 years ago, would have saved me a decade of hell. Dont make the same expensive mistake like me and the rest of us. This WORKS.
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June 18, 2007

Pros:

Gives flawless skin - literally!

Cons:

Dry lips.

I had horrible cystic acne, many red lumps and inflamed spots that really got me down. I started a six month course of accutane on June 1st 2006 and finished on December 1st. I am happy to say that the last zit I actually got was on August 13th 2006. I never get spots anymore, but the occasional SMALL blackhead on the edge of my nose, but that's it. Accutane works wonders... I really recommend it as it's a wonder drug!
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June 14, 2007

Pros:

Cleared up my mild/moderate, persistent (as in I'd had acne for 7 years)acne! Very mild side effects which were all completely worth bearing for the results :)

Cons:

Didn't totally clear up the small white lumps (milia?). That's about it!

Fabulous stuff...don't hesitate to take it out of fear of the side effects. I was suprised by the number of friends who had taken it but had never mentionned it. If it were such a dangerous drug, I doubt so many would have taken it and experienced little to no issues.
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June 12, 2007

Pros:

Cleared my skin up

Cons:

Had thoughts about killing myself

Wouldn't let me dog take it.
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June 11, 2007

Pros:

After dealing with persistent acne (mild with moderate flares from time to time) for 20 yers, I finally tried accutane. I was clear within 3 months of treatment (face and back). I've been off of it for 4 months and still completely clear.

Cons:

None for me. The worry about severe side effects was worse than the actual mild ones I experienced.

I wouldn't hesitate to recommend accutane to anyone. I'd be willing for my sons to use it if they wind up with my (pre-tane) skin.
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May 20, 2007

Pros:

less oily skin, much reduced acne

Cons:

no side effects for me other than than dry lips, some pinkness of skin

After having persistent sometimes severe acne since my teenage years (I'm 30 now), it was more than about time to try isotretinoin (I take Clarivis). I have to thank the dermatologic nurse (a woman) who prescribed this to me because she understood that I really did try nearly all the prescription topicals and antibiotics. I've been to a lot of dermatologists (mostly males) who were not willing to give me this. They are practicing bad medicine and who knows how many years of suffering I could have avoided. Especially bad for me was that even the smallest pimple always left a mark that took forever to go away. I'm on my last month now; my skin has cleared almost perfectly. I don't know if acne will stay away permanently and I still get the occasional pimple but I am happy with the result. I had very oily skin before which I had to constantly blot and it is so much easier now without that problem. This drug has been around. It's been proven to work. Bad side effects are rare. Try it.
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May 13, 2007

Pros:

clears skin very well

Cons:

side effects not bad majority of people that i know that have used this have had very mild side effects i was worried to take this at first but i have been on it for about 3 months now and basically have no side effects

works great and i have no side effects
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April 25, 2007

Pros:

Best stuff ever! I am a guy and I have been taking a mild dose, 60mg a day (I weight 150). I have absolutely no oil on my face and I only use a light moisterizer. My acne was ALWAYS very mild, but it bothered me.

Cons:

Absolutely none...use EMU OIL ALL OVER YOUR BODY IT HELPS! And, a mild moisterier helps too. NO dry lips when used consistantly and correctly and cheap too.

THIS stuff is great so far! THough some people get side effects, they are very very rare. You won't know till you've done it, right? If your acne bothers you, give accutane a try and start with low doeses to build up your tolerance. I started on 40 mg a day and that was great for me. Also, if you can afford it, get brand accutane, its much better!
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April 25, 2007

Pros:

Clear perfect skin

Cons:

The only con I ever had was waiting 4 months for the treatment to be over, but it cleared up completely within 4-6 wks. And 4 months goes by so fast.
Dryness, but it was so mild that it shouldnt be bothersome, as long as you have a few skin produ

Fabulous, at least for me it was. I sarting clearing up within 2 weeks. It basically changed my life. I don't know if it really can cause depression, however I even have a genetic connection to depression and accutane didn't trigger it so I don't know. I have tried EVERYTHING I can tell you and this is the only thing that works. My doctor even told me that, expecially for sufferers of severe acne, it's the only treatment that can actually be consistant even after you stop using it. It's been about a year since I last used accutane, and I only got one or two small pimples, and they were so small that I can easily cover them up with makeup anyways.
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March 30, 2007

Pros:

Cleared me up almost immediately!

Cons:

Dry, cracked skin but just on the back of my hand.

I'm heading into my last month of treatment. My symptoms have mainly been dry skin which is very controllable with some moisturizer. I've had some minor joint pain... and a total of 2 (3 second) nosebleeds. This stuff is AMAZING!! I was cleared up within my first month and have been enjoying clear skin since. I tried it all before accutane and I just wished I had started sooner... I could have save myself some scars; and I'm talking the deep pitted kind courtesy of nodular cystic acne. Acne was definitely a shock for me. I had great skin until I was 16 and then the cysts just showed up. From then on, every pimple I got was a cyst and an abnormally large one as well. I'm scared to death that the acne will return soon after the end of my treatment... but for now I can say nothing bad about Accutane. It basically saved me from depression.
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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