How to treat acne with accutane

Accutane is considered the most effective prescription based treatment for acne. However, it is usually prescribed to people that have serious cases of acne.

What is accutane?

Accutane derives from Vitamin A. It is much like another acne treatment called tretinoin (retin a), but it comes in pill form and is much more potent than tretinoin. Its medical name is Isetretinoin.

How does it work to get rid of acne?

It works by reducing the excess production of sebum by reducing the size of sebaceous glands. This stops sebum getting to the skin beyond what is required and therefore prevents blocked pores, which of course lead to acne in the form of blackheads such as comdones.

Who is it for?

• People who have serious cases of acne.

• Have tried other acne treatments without much success.

What to expect after you begin treatment?

Often, the result after few weeks of starting accutane is that the acne often appears worse than prior to starting on accutane.

What to do before using accutane?

• You will need to see a doctor or a dermatologist to discuss your acne. They will determine whether it merits the use of accutane. A lot of doctors hesitate in giving prescription because of the possibility of some serious side effects.

• You should undergo tests for your liver to check everything is fine.

Accutane side effects

Accutane is almost as well known for the possible side effects as it is for its treatment of acne. However, it must be stressed that the major side effects are very rare, and most people use accutane with great success.

• Any women planning on getting pregnant or already are should avoid accutane at all cost. There is an incredibly high chance that it may affect a foetus and the likelihood of a child being born with birth defects.

• It has also been linked to causing the onset of depression. However, it must be stressed that the link is not totally conclusive. It is also believed accutane can make one feel suicidal at times.

• Some accutane users have reported Hairloss/thinning.

Some common side effects

Here are some side effects that are very common. However, these are not serious and do not really deter people from using accutane because of them:

• Dry lips

• Dry skin

• Like retin a, which is applied topically, accutane can also increase sensitivity to the sun. The best practice to counter this is to apply a thin layer of sun cream when out in the sun. You should avoid sun tanning or exposure to sun for a long period of time because of the likelihood of skin damage and burns.

• It can also cause general irritation, especially in the acne affected areas and the eyes.