Will my doctor prescribe me accutane if I have persistent moderate acne on my face, back, and chest? I want a permanent fix.

Question

I have done everything for my acne except oral antibiotics. I personally don’t want to go on them because i want a permanent fix. i want the chances to be as little as possible for the medicine not to work, and antibiotics don’t work for many people permanently. my acne is hormonal, but it is persist and painful. will my dermatologist put me on accutane?

Jason Emer, MD · Answer

If you have active acne, it's highly recommended you go on Accutane. To get a long term fix, not until active acne is under control, we can start laser treatments.

All of my Accutane/isotretinoin/acne patients do our Accutane protocol from emeragecosmetics.com (where we do free skincare consults daily) and peels like aerify/cosmelan/enlighten.
Acne requires a combination approach to get long-term improvement.  For all patients on isotretinoin, we require them to be on skincare such as vitamin C (Skinceuticals Phloretin CF, EmerageSkin AOX-C), glycolic cream (Jan Marini bioclear, EmerageSkin enzymatic polish), kojic acid serums (Skinceuticals phytoplus), and hyaluronic acid serum (IS clinical hydra cool serum, Skinceuticals B5, EmerageSkin hyla B) in the morning and retinols  (reve skin 1.0 and sente biocomplete serum) and salicylic acid (reveskin acne purifying enhancer), growth factors and peptides (anetageMD, EmerageSkin Re-Fit Face/Eye) night.   
All of our patients get clear+brilliant non-ablative laser along with a microsecond YAG laser such as aerolase or laser genesis and microneedling with PRP or microneedling RF like intensif or fractora or pixel8 monthly to help improve breakouts, speed the healing process, and improve scarring and facial redness while on the isotretinoin/Accutane.  LED light therapy, cosmelan/enlighten/AERIFY peels, salt facial, or dermalinfusion can be done as well to speed up the improvement. I suggest you go to an expert who combines skincare, lasers, microneedling, PRP, and facials while on oral medications for acne.  Best, Dr. Emer.

Raffy Karamanoukian, MD, FACS · Answer

Accutane is a go-to medication for patients with recalcitrant cystic acne. It can reduce pore size and also reduce sebum production in your skin, making it less oily; and in turn, dryer. Accutane can be used to control acne, but patients receiving the medication should be carefully monitored. In terms of skincare, always wear an appropriate sunscreen and reduce direct sun exposure. In my patients, I recommend a good ceramide moisturizer such as Elevase whenever they are on Accutane. This will keep the skin hydrated and reduce the oiliness of the skin that is associated with oil-based moisturizers.

Best, 
Dr. Karamanoukian 
Realself100 Surgeon

Barry Ginsburg, MD · Answer

If you have moderate persistent acne then accutane is probably the drug of choice.. you should discuss this with your dermatologist

Reuel Aspacio, MD, FAAD - Account Suspended · Answer

Thank you for your question. In my experience, Accutane is effective in treating acne especially when standard treatment with oral and topical antibiotics have failed. With that being said, there is no cure for acne, and acne may return after Accutane. I highly recommend you consult with a board certified dermatologist to discuss appropriate therapies. Take care and good luck.

Will my doctor prescribe me accutane if I have persistent moderate acne on my face, back, and chest? I want a permanent fix.

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Answer: Accutane treatment

Answer: Accutane treatment

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Will my doctor prescribe me accutane if I have persistent moderate acne on my face, back, and chest? I want a permanent fix.

Answers (4)

Answer: Accutane treatment

Answer: Accutane treatment

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Everything you need to know about Accutane

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