Is It Time I Started Taking Accutane or at Least See a Dermatologist?

You don't mention your age in your email. There are many factors that play a role in acne, age, hormonal status, sex of the patient as males tend to have worse acne than females, family history (someone with a family history of severe acne is more likely to have severe acne), medications that you take, whether periods are regular or not. Also, there is new data that high consumption of milk and milk products can contribute to severity of acne. To decide whether you are a... more

Once acne begins to scar (and preferably before), one should definitely consider isotretinoin (Accutane).  This medication is still the gold standard for acne treatment, and works better than any other regimen for most patients. I would recommend visiting a dermatologist to discuss the risks and benefits of treatment. All medications, including isotretinoin, have risks associated, and should be taken under medical guidance. I treat many patients with this medication, and the... more