Persistent dryness 2 years post Accutane - advice?

Question

34/F on isotretinoin for 6 months, taking my last dose in Jan 2020. I understand the medicine shrinks your oil glands, but I’ve read that the oil production returns to normal levels after you stop taking it. I was very oily before. It has been nearly two years and my skin is dull and dry. My hair is dull. Wearing contacts is uncomfortable. The skin under my eyes has tons of lines now. I take Zyrtec daily and take allergy shots - could this exacerbate the issue?

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

Jason Emer, MD · Answer

you need to start medical grade skincare like EMERAGESKIN refit face, hyla b, anteage serum and faith moisture lotion with restorsea 10x.

at home peels like cosmelan, enlighten and aerify along with dermarolling (EmerageSkin roller with anteage AERIFY MD ampules weekly, see link) should be started now to prevent further aging.

For facial rejuvenation,  I would suggest a combination approach of 
1) skin care with products and PRP/microneedling
2) PDT light therapy few times a month with growth factors
3) laser treatments like clear and brilliant or moxi regularly and a few times a year Fraxel/halo Viva, Co2/Erbium
4) Sculptra injections a few times a year for collagen production with fillers like juvederm/restylane/belotero/radiesse/bellafill
5) thermage/ultherapy for yearly skin tightening with or without PDO or cone based instalift threads for lifting
6) botox every 2-3 months to stop movement lines and prevent lines at rest
7) deep microneedling RF like Fractora/morpheus8/pixel8 for tightening of the skin
8) Vascular laser like vbeam/excel V or BBL forever young treatment every quarter (3-4 months)

Best, Dr. Emer.

Persistent dryness 2 years post Accutane - advice?

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Persistent dryness 2 years post Accutane - advice?

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Everything you need to know about Accutane

Our mission is to create a world where every investment in modern beauty is Worth It.