Conclusion. Both Accutane and Vitamin A can be effective treatments for acne, with similar mechanisms of action. Accutane is generally considered more potent and is often the go-to treatment for persistent acne. However, recent research suggests that high-dose Vitamin A may be a viable alternative in some cases.
No. Vitamin A is toxic at high levels, and the side effects of Accutane are pretty similar to the symptoms you experience from Vitamin A toxicity. You also have mild acne, Accutane is only used as a last resort for treatment resistant acne.
Retinol and Retin-A (tretinoin) are both retinoids — topical forms of vitamin A. Retinol is a common over-the-counter (OTC) ingredient in acne and anti-aging products. Retin-A is a prescription-only acne treatment, but it's used off-label for anti-aging effects, too. Retinol and Retin-A work the same way to treat acne.
Isotretinoin by any other name is still Isotretinoin
Although the name is still widely recognized, Accutane was discontinued in 2009 due to lawsuits over side effects and diminishing market share due to the availability of the many generic versions of the drug.
The recommended daily intake of vitamin A for women is 700 micrograms, and for men, it's 900 micrograms. Most people can get this amount from the foods they eat. As noted, MINDBODYSKIN offers a daily dose of 6,110 micrograms of vitamin A—the sweet spot for treating acne.
If you're looking for Accutane alternatives to treat your acne, there are many options to try, including topical retinoids, antibacterial medications, and hormonal treatments. Check with your doctor or other healthcare professional to see which treatment option is best for you.
In particular, zinc and vitamins A and D may help treat and prevent acne. Many foods naturally contain these nutrients, including meats, fish, vegetables, and dairy products. Fortified food products, such as breakfast cereals, milk, and fruit juices, are another excellent source.
When taken by mouth: Vitamin A is likely safe when taken in amounts less than 10,000 units (3,000 mcg) daily. Vitamin A is available in two forms: pre-formed vitamin A (retinol or retinyl ester) and provitamin A (carotenoids). The maximum daily dose relates to only pre-formed vitamin A.
Vitamin A (retinol, retinoic acid) is a nutrient important to vision, growth, cell division, reproduction and immunity. Vitamin A also has antioxidant properties.
The risk of developing severe side effects is very low – with only 1 in 500 patients experiencing serious adverse events – and the potential benefits of the treatment are very high, especially for those who have found that no other treatments are effective.
The Accutane Purge
Usually, this occurs within the first month of using Accutane, and it may last several weeks. After the initial flare-up, your symptoms should subside, and your skin should begin to clear up considerably. If you experience an Accutane purge, call your dermatologist to discuss it.
Isotretinoin. Isotretinoin is a treatment for severe acne that comes in capsules. It has a number of beneficial effects: it helps normalise sebum and reduce how much is produced.
Benzoyl peroxide.
This ingredient kills bacteria that cause acne, helps remove excess oil from the skin and removes dead skin cells, which can clog pores. Benzoyl peroxide products that you can buy without a prescription are available in strengths from 2.5% to 10%.
Sage is one of the most popular herbs for treating acne due to its beneficial properties. Specifically, its main attribute is its antimicrobial action. In detail, it reduces bacterial growth on the skin and addresses bacterial infections that are often associated with acne.
cysts – the most severe type of spot caused by acne; they're large pus-filled lumps that look similar to boils and carry the greatest risk of causing permanent scarring.
If you forget to take the capsules, take them as soon as you remember, unless it's nearly time for your next dose. In this case, skip the missed dose and take your next dose at the usual time. Never take 2 doses at the same time to make up for a forgotten dose. Never take an extra dose to make up for a missed one.
Oral Vitamin A varies in effectiveness for acne treatment. The recommended upper limit for Vitamin A supplementation is 3,000 IU. However, the dose necessary to mimic Accutane's effects would be potentially toxic to consume, ranging from 36,000 IU to 500,000 IU per day.
It is a potent medication that is very effective for nearly all types of breakouts. Accutane is needed for moderate to severe acne that has failed other treatments. It should be used for a severe, scarring acne. Is also used for acne present for many years that has not respond completely to antibiotic pills and creams.
Retinols are like a lighter alternative to isotretinoin that are safe and effective for everyday use. Like Accutane, retinols are derived from vitamin A. Unlike isotretinoin, they are applied topically rather than taken orally. Retinols are available over the counter in a variety of strengths.
As with most acne treatments, vitamin A takes time to work and you should allow for twelve weeks of use before determining whether or not the product has worked for you. It is also advised that you continue to use vitamin A (if it has proven effective) even after your acne symptoms have improved.
After four weeks, there was a significant decrease in the number of papules, pustules, and infiltrates in the zinc-treated groups. The effect of zinc plus vitamin A was not better than zinc alone. After 12 weeks of treatment, the mean acne score had decreased from 100% to 15%.