How long accutane work

After raiding the drugstore for over-the-counter treatments with little success, my mom finally took me to a dermatologist at the start of my junior year. My remaining breakouts were generally limited to my chin, but they were cystic, painful, and most irritatingly, constant. I always had at least two deep red pimples that would inevitably scar. By the time I got to college, my acne was no longer just an insecurity but a huge factor in my worsening mental health.

I felt trapped in my own skin, to the point where I refused to go out on weekends. I was constantly comparing myself to other women and feeling increasingly worthless. I had always placed value on my appearance and was preparing to enter the beauty industry. It weighed on me. After a brief experiment with spironolactone , a blood pressure medication used to fight hormonal acne, that hit a wall, my dermatologist finally suggested I go on isotretinoin—commonly referred to as Accutane, a now discontinued brand.

At the time I was about to graduate and desperate to try anything that could clear up my skin. It's now a year after I finished my treatment. And ultimately, I'm so glad I did it. I wouldn't go so far as to call it life-changing, but it absolutely had an effect on my outlook and how I feel about myself.

It wasn't an easy process, though. Going on isotretinoin is a serious undertaking that involves pregnancy tests and flaky skin.

The decision to go on this medication shouldn't be taken lightly. Read on for the nine things I wish I'd known before going on isotretinoin and what you need to know about Accutane side effects. Isotretinoin is an oral retinoid, so it behaves similarly to the way a topical retinoid would, just at a much higher strength.

Most doctors recommend avoiding alcohol during treatment, which is something to consider before committing to the medication. In some individuals, there may be an initial outbreak before it gets better. This can cause a lot of dryness of the lips and face. Using products containing benzoyl peroxide can certainly cause the skin to be more irritated and dry.

I think it is best to stop applying this if you are experiencing skin dryness and tightness. It is good to continue with moisturizers to calm the irritation.

You should let your doctor know your concerns. Sometime, additional treatments like antibiotics may be prescibed if there is a bad flare to help settle it. In majority of cases, the acne flares will settle while on isotretinoin treatment and the acne will be well controlled. I have seen really bad cases settle beautifully, so hang in there.

Accutane can cause initial flares but this is usually related to the starting dose ie. Personally, I start my patients on a lower dose for the 1st month and adjust accordingly subsequently. As what Dr Colin has mentioned, I will definitely advise to cease any topicals that can cause additional irritation such as Benzoyl peroxide, astringents, acid based products etc.

If you are still having flares, consult your doctor and discuss whether you need to adjust your dose, add in some antibiotics or a short course of oral steroids to help with the flare. For a dual dose missed and then remembered within two hours of the next dose — skip the missed dose and take your next pill at the regular time. Some of the most common mild to moderate side effects as well as the recommended at-home care tips for each are listed below: Dry skin and lips — Use moisturizers and lip balms regularly to keep skin hydrated.

Photosensitivity — This can lead to redness, rashes, or sunburning more easily. To protect the skin, minimize sun exposure during treatment and wear sunscreen every day. Dry eyes — Red, itchy, or dry eyes are fairly common. Use over-the-counter or prescription eye drops to maintain moisture and alleviate itchiness.

Dryness of the sinuses nose, throat, nasal passage — Chew gum to stimulate saliva production, drink plenty of water, apply petrolatum Vaseline to the nose to avoid chapping and to protect the skin.

Head and body aches — Take over-the-counter pain medications to alleviate discomfort. Continue light to moderate exercise routines but avoid more intense workouts that could lead to further discomfort.

In addition to these common mild to moderate side effects, some patients experience more serious symptoms while taking Accutane that require immediate intervention by a dermatologist, including: Changes in mood — Depression, anxiety, aggression, suicidal ideation, and other mental health concerns.

Stomach issues — Nausea, diarrhea, pain, vomiting, and other signs of pancreatitis. Rashes — Severe rashes, hives, blisters, peeling skin, or other signs of allergic reaction. Eye infections — Inflammation, redness, pain, or changes in eyesight. Kidney or liver problems — Signs include difficulty urinating, exhaustion, yellowness of skin or the whites of the eyes.

Muscle weakness — Can feel tired, painful, swollen, bruised, or just difficult to move. Ready to Discuss Treatment with Accutane? Search Blog Posts. Topical medications like benzoyl peroxide, erythromycin and clindamycin have antimicrobial action.

Some, like azelaic acid, can clear up your pores while getting rid of bacteria. Minocycline and clindamycin—two of the most commonly prescribed acne-busting antibiotics—also prevent oil accumulation in the skin.

Some individuals are prone to hormonal acne or breakouts caused by androgen fluctuations. These patients may benefit from anti-androgenic medications. Chocolate, milk, sweets, and fatty meals have all been implicated in breakouts, although the link between acne and food is not entirely clear. Still, adequate hydration and a healthy diet never hurt the skin, so we encourage our patients to make better food choices consistently.

UV radiation targets P. Laser treatment and photodynamic therapy get rid of abnormal sebaceous glands. Retinoids are vitamin-A-like molecules that can work wonders on the skin. Accutane is a kind of retinoid. These treatments work in different ways, so their efficacy and safety also vary.

Your dermatologist may recommend the mildest therapies first but will consider aggressive ones if you fail to respond. Moreover, isotretinoin has antimicrobial action against P. Dermatologists recommend it for various acne types because it thwarts all the stages involved in acne formation.

In contrast, other pimple treatments inhibit only one or two stages. Isotretinoin is also available in topical form. Doctors may combine both oral and topical treatments to reduce your systemic dose and risk of developing unwanted side effects. Oral isotretinoin treatment is highly effective against acne and a myriad of other skin problems.

But many find the experience uncomfortable or too restrictive. Here, we rounded up the things that you can expect when taking this medication.

After months, you should see your skin becoming clearer. From 4 months onwards, isotretinoin will continue to block acne formation. The usual duration of therapy is months. Isotretinoin continues to work for up to 2 months after your last intake. So your physician may stop your prescription without waiting for your skin to clear up totally. This helps you avoid unwanted side effects.