How Long Does It Take Before a 5-month Course of Accutane Takes Effect?

A typical Accutane course (though brand name no longer is available in US, generic isotretinoin medications remain so) takes at least 5 months, sometimes 7-8 months depending on the clinical judgement of your board-certified dermatologist. The clinical benefit can be seen in 4 weeks though some may not see significant benefit until 2-3 months into the therapy. Procedures such as laser treatment or chemical peel should be deferred at least 6 months if not longer after completion of Accutane to minimize complication.

Within one month of starting Accutane, changes of acne clearance has started to begin.  Some will see over the 5 months, a total melting away of the acne condition, some will see it get much worse before it starts to melt away and the third group will notice that the acne waxes and wanes for the entire 5 months.I hope this is helpful.Steve Greene MD, Advanced Dermatology and Laser Institute of Seattle

The average recommended time you should wait before having any type of resurfacing, deep chemical peel or elective surgical procedure done after completing a course of Accutane is 6-12 months, although some physicians may perform these procedures after 3-6 months, depending on the patient and the procedure desired.  The reason for a delay in treatment after Accutane is because of a possible risk of raised or atypical scarring if the procedure is done too early.  Of course, the exact amount of time to wait and procedure to be performed should be discussed face-to-face during a consultation with a physician.  In reference to the time log for response to the Accutane for your acne-most patients start to see results by the 10th week. 

I typically dose Accutane for a six month treatment course to minimize the side effect profile.  While individual results vary, most patients experience their "Aha" moment during the third month where all the symptoms of acne seem to improve suddenly.  

1. Accutane (isotretinoin) is given for 5 months.

2. Dosage should be custom-tailored to your weight.

3. You will normally start looking good after the second month, but sometimes sooner.

4. Some patients can get a bit worse in the beginning, but this can be managed by your dermatologist.

5. In many cases, your skin is SIGNIFICANTLY improved for years to come.

Isotretinoin (Accutane) is a breakthrough drug for severe, nodular, scarring acne. Results are seen in 2-3 months from the initiation of therapy. After the course is completed, any scarring that needs to be corrected must be postponed until the oil glands return to their normal state. This takes a minimum of 6 months. If resurfacing is planned with deeper chemical peel, dermabrasion, or CO2 laser, the wait time increases to 12 months. The isotretinoin has a lasting impact on healing (it slows it down), so the wait time is eesential to allow proper healing and a good scar correction.

We typically treat patients for 20 weeks with Accutane. Although I tell patients to expect clearing by the 10th week, the results vary from person to person. Even people with the most severe cases of cystic acne can see drying and faster resolution of their cysts after as little as 4 weeks of treatment. I advise patients that they will continue to breakout but the cysts resolve faster and are less apt to result in scarring. Accutane continues to be an excellent treatment for papular and cystic acne and prevents scarring on the face, back and chest.

Accutane (Isotretinoin) is by far our most effective treatment for severe, resistant or persistent acne. A typical course is 5 months, though in some severe or slow responding patients, 1-2 months more (rarely) may be required.
I tell my patients not to expect much other than dryness and peeling in the first month. By 2 months, most people are seeing a definite improvement, by 3 months a significant improvement, and by 4 months most are clear or nearly clear. It is important to take the full 5 months (with a goal of 120-150mg of isotretinoin per kg of body weight)-- studies show this decreases your chance of having a relapse.
I don't know what procedure you are referencing (it's not mentioned in the question)-- but as a general rule, any procedure that would disrupt/damage your skin barrier should be delayed for 6-12 months. More aggressive procedures such as medium to deep chemical peels, laser resurfacing or surgical procedures should be delayed at least 12 months.