Accutane, or Isotretinoin, is an oral medication used to treat moderate to severe, nodulocystic acne. It is a derivative of Vitamin A, and helps to improve the blocked-up material within whiteheads and blackheads. It has become a mainstay in the treatment of acne, and is one of the most effective treatments available.
This is not uncommon, but Ciraldo says that you should see noticeable improvement around the six- to eight-week mark.
During Your Treatment. Your acne may get worse when you start using isotretinoin. This usually just lasts for a little while. You can tell your doctor if this happens to you because you might need to use other medicines along with the isotretinoin in this stage.
Isotretinoin's high dose of vitamin A treats acne in two main ways: it reduces sebum (oil) production and reduces cell shedding and stickiness. These two results lead to less material that can clog pores and a reduced propensity for cells to hold onto those pore-clogging materials.
Accutane Side Effects:
Before your acne can get better, it will likely get worse at the beginning stages of taking Accutane. Called purging, the drug will push out all dead skin cells, oil, and debris from underneath the skin causing inflammation and more acne. Once this stage is complete, acne will begin to subside.
People sometimes mention weight gain or weight loss when talking about Accutane. However, the FDA do not currently list weight change as a side effect of this drug.
Isotretinoin is a pill you take for four to five months. Your acne will start to improve in one to two months, and the vast majority of people are clear at the end of treatment. It is the only acne medication that permanently reduces acne an average of 80 percent—some people a little more and some a little less.
Four to five months of Accutane treatment usually leads to clearing of acne. 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.
Accutane, or isotretinoin, attacks acne in a number of ways: It reduces the production of oil on your skin, slows down the growth of skin cells that can clog pores, and kills the bacteria in your pores that can cause acne and inflammation. It has a high success rate: 85%.
Maintaining Clear Skin After Treatment:
Think: a gentle cleanser, hydrating moisturizer, and a facial sunscreen with at least SPF 50. Post-Accutane, your skin should be pretty low-maintenance, but it may take some time to adjust.
Hormonal acne is more likely to come back after a course of Roaccutane (Accutane) has successfully cleared it. Besides being stubborn to treat, hormonal acne causes redness for prolonged periods, scarring and pigmentation.
Accutane can cause miscarriage, premature birth, severe birth defects, or death of a baby if the mother takes this medicine at the time of conception or during pregnancy. Even one dose of isotretinoin can cause major birth defects of the baby's ears, eyes, face, skull, heart, and brain.
The results are where Accutane® treatment really shines. Peak effect is visible at the 8-12 week mark, and patients see a difference in their skin within 2 weeks. ZENA Medical is so confident in your Accutane® protocol that we guarantee your face will be 100% pimple-free after 3 months of Accutane® therapy.
Conclusion: Three months of treatment with low-dose isotretinoin (20 mg/day) was found to be effective in the treatment of moderate to severe acne vulgaris, with a low incidence of serious side effects. This dose also was more economical than the higher doses.
Accutane improved the overall texture and appearance of my skin in addition to clearing up my acne. It truly was a miracle medication for me when it comes to results.
Usually the skin oiliness does return, but may not completely return to the degree it was before. Most patients find this is an additional benefit of the treatment.
Accutane may affect the body in ways that could contribute to hair thinning or hair loss. For example, Accutane may affect the hair shafts and follicles themselves. Most of the time, any hair loss is temporary, and the thin hair should start to thicken again with time.
Women have reported vaginal dryness, painful intercourse, loss of libido, genital anesthesia, and anorgasmia as a result of isotretinoin treatment, any of which may accompany altered menses, loss of menstruation and infertility.
Conclusion: This study showed that oral isotretinoin can increase the level of serum LH and cause changes in menstrual cycles.
You are most likely to have severe acne in your teens or early 20s on your face, chest, back, upper arms and shoulders. Isotretinoin, more commonly referred to as Accutane, is one of the most effective treatments for severe types of acne.
Accutane is the single most effective drug for treating severe acne that hasn't responded to other treatments. About 50% of people who take it experience cleared skin to the point that they never need to treat acne again. Most people take this drug for four to six months.
Do not have cosmetic procedures to smooth your skin (such as waxing, laser, dermabrasion) during and for 6 months after isotretinoin therapy. Skin scarring may occur. Avoid the use of alcohol while taking this medication because it may increase the risk of certain side effects (such as pancreatitis).
Consider refraining from bleaching, dyeing, or using other chemical treatments on your hair if you're taking isotretinoin. Many of these products can weaken your hair, which could worsen hair thinning.
3 – Most People Only Need One Course of Accutane Treatment
After completing the course of medication, the vast majority of people will not need any additional rounds of . While they may see a few pimples or mild breakouts, most never have flareups that are ever as severe again.