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Can Accutane Heal Red Marks and Stains on the Face?

asked 5 months ago by andy32
Latest answer by Melissa Chiang, MD
Question viewed 208 times
Tags: alternative, cure, red marks, stained

I'm currently on the second month of the Accutane treatment. I don't really have active zits on my face, my acne consists of red marks and stains that will not go away and have been on my face for a long time now. I have not seen much improvement and I'm wondering if Accutane will heal the red stains??

3 answers to Can Accutane Heal Red Marks and Stains on the Face?

+1

Redness takes times to fade

When inflamed pimples resolve, they often leave marks (or "shadows") on the face. Fairer people tend to get red marks; darker people tend to develop brown marks. These "shadows" from previous pimples take time to fade. The red marks usually fade within several months. Brown marks can take even longer to fade. Be patient and protect yourself from the sun since UV exposure can aggravate the marks. more
Melissa Chiang, MD

Houston Dermatologist
+1

You probably have post inflammatory hyperpigmentation

It sounds like what you have is redness and "stains" which are post inflammatory hyperpigmentation (PIH). These discolorations usually resolve over time, after active acne is no longer present. However, it can take a year or more for this to happen. I'm wondering if you have more sub acne lesions, meaning the acne is there but not so much on the surface, more underlying, and cystic. If that's what's being treated, I think you need to stay on the medication for the... more
F. Victor Rueckl, MD

Las Vegas Dermatologist
+1

Isotretinoin Great for Acne, but Won't Eliminate Scars

Isotretinoin is a wonderfully effective treatment for ACTIVE acne-- and is the only treatment that may offer a patient a "cure". By your description, however, it sounds like you have post-inflammatory erythema (redness) from old acne lesions. This discoloration generally fades with time-- but can take a year or more. Isotretinoin will NOT remove discoloration-- it WILL eliminate active lesions which cause the discoloration and scarring seen with acne. Based on... more
Jeffrey C. Poole, MD

Metairie Dermatologic Surgeon

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