How long will it take for my skin to clear on Accutane? Is it 6 months? Or 9?

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

Accutane is an oral form of vitamin A. It reduces the amount
of oil released by oil glands in your skin, and helps your skin renew itself
more quickly. As it dries out oil glands, patients experience severe dryness of
their skin and mucous membranes including eyes and nose and mouth. Accutane is
used to treat severe nodular acne. It is usually given after other acne
medicines or antibiotics have been tried without successful treatment of
symptoms. Because it can cause severe, life-threatening birth defects, many
doctors are hesistant to use it. Never use Accutane if you are pregnant or
planning pregnancy. Women of child-bearing potential must agree in writing to
use two specific forms of birth control and have regular pregnancy tests
before, during, and after taking isotretinoin. Since their has been some links
to depression, crohns disease, liver disease and other rare effects, many
lawsuits have arisen in the USA which is another reason it is very difficult to
give. Accutane is available only under a special program called iPLEDGE in the
USA.

The course of accutane is usually 4-6 months in dose ranges
from 20-60 mg/day. The goal is to reach a 120-150 mg/kg dosage over the single
4-6 month course. The typical dose ranges from 0.5-1 mg/kg/day. This gives you
a 90-95% success rate of clearing acne for lifetime. When starting accutane,
you can get a flare of symptoms and you will start seeing results usually after
6-8 weeks. There is a 5-10% recurrence rate of  acne on accutane and courses can be repeated 2-3 times if
needed after a 4-6 weeks break on the medication.

Overall, in the right hands, it is a great medication and if
used properly, it will clear acne for life in 90-95% of cases. For the best
results, please consult a board certified dermatologist with experience with
severe acne.