Is it normal to experience changes in skin texture and increased pore size while using Accutane?

Question

I'm a 22yrs old female and 2 months into treatment with 40mg of accutane and while my acne is improving my skin texture is changing and I am seeing large pores appearing on my cheeks and forehead and indentations that weren't there before. Is this likely to resolve after the course is finished or is my skin texture permanently altered? Thanks

Anna Chacon, MD, FAAD · Answer

It’s a great question, and something many patients on Accutane notice. While Accutane is very effective in treating acne, it also dramatically reduces oil production and changes how the skin renews itself. During the first few months, your skin may appear drier, pores can look more visible, and surface texture may seem uneven or rough. Sometimes indentations or irregularities that were masked by oil and active acne become more noticeable as inflammation decreases.

The good news is that these changes are usually temporary. As you continue treatment and especially after finishing the course, skin often remodels, pores can appear smaller, and texture tends to smooth out over time. For most patients, these early changes are part of the adjustment phase and not permanent damage.

Once your course is complete, gentle skincare, proper hydration, and sometimes treatments like chemical peels, microneedling, or lasers can further refine texture and pore appearance if needed. But in the majority of cases, your skin continues to improve as healing and collagen remodeling take place after Accutane.

Is it normal to experience changes in skin texture and increased pore size while using Accutane?

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