2 rounds of Accutane and my acne has come back - what can be done?

Question

I have taken accutane once before for 6 months. After my 1st time I was clear for about 6 months. As I was approaching my senior year my skin started to purge again. Went on it again a 2nd time I stayed on it for 6 months again and it completely destroyed my mental health, so my dermatologist told me we need to stop. I came back and told her my skin was good and I wasn’t breaking out anymore, she was satisfied with me meeting the cumulative dose so we stopped. However it’s coming back again :(

Nelson Lee Novick, MD · Answer

I am no fan of Accutane. It is a systemic medication with a well documented history for its asociation with a variety  short and potentially long-term negative side effects related to its use. It is often over prescribed, much like systemic antibiotics during all too brief doctor visits and to patients who see it as a quick fix to their acne problem and one that requires little effort aqnd promises a "cure" for acne, which this particular case demonstrates clearly often does not prove to be the case. In the course of my career, I have been gratified that most forms of acne can be adequately controlled if the sufficient time is spent with a patient to explain how best to use the many strong topical agents we currently have available in conjunction with in-office acne "surgery" (to physically clean out clogged pores, blackheads and whiteheads, to perform appropriate superficial peels to open them up, and to inject potentially scarring acne nodules and cysts to bring them down quickly before they can lead to scarring. You would be wise to consult a board certified dermatologist and one who spends not just a quick five minutes to write a prescription for some systemic medication that potentially makes the whole body pay for the sins of the face, but one who performs the necessary in-office procedures to complement the at-home prescription anti-acne topicals regimens prescribed. For this reason, I personally spend 1.5 hours for a first consultation appointment for acne and one hour for follow-up visits with each patient. Hope this helps going forward. .

Barry Ginsburg, MD · Answer

acne can recur after taking accutane.  accutane can also cause some mood swings  and very rarely depression.. this is dose dependent.  Females can take spironolactone for acne when it recurs.
  Also low dose accutane can clear your face with fewer side effects.. I sometimes put a patient on 20 mg 3 times a week..  This works well but must be continued.  Females are still required to have a urine pregnancy test monthly.  Go back to your dermatologist and discuss the options.

2 rounds of Accutane and my acne has come back - what can be done?

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2 rounds of Accutane and my acne has come back - what can be done?

Answers (2)

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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.