Isotretinoin (Accutane) is a prescription medication used to treat severe acne. It is the only acne drug that can cure the condition by reducing the amount of oil produced by glands in the skin. Isotretinoin belongs to a group called retinoids and works by slowing down the growth of skin cells.
Isotretinoin has been prescribed for more than 30 years. It has been proven effective in treating cystic acne and other types of severe acne that do not respond to other treatments such as antibiotics or other topical medications.
Isotretinoin is not a quick fix; it takes time for your skin to clear up after starting treatment. However, most people see visible results within four weeks of starting treatment with isotretinoin.
How Does Accutane Work?
Accutane works by reducing inflammation in your body, which helps prevent new blemishes from forming on your skin. In addition to reducing inflammation, this medication also reduces oil production from your pores, which helps keep them clean and less likely to clog up with dirt and debris from the environment around you or inside your body (such as dead skin cells).
When these clogs are formed on your skin’s surface, they can cause outbreaks of acne breakouts or rosacea flare-ups — both of which can be very painful and embarrassing for people who suffer from them. This medication prevents these breakouts by eliminating these clogs and keeping your pores unclogged!
How Long Will It Take for Accutane to Work?
It usually takes up to six months to see results when using Accutane. After two months of treatment, you may begin to see some improvement, but the full effects may not be seen until three or four months later. If you stop taking this medication too soon before it has a chance to work entirely through your system, the acne may return even worse than before you started taking it. However, if you wish to order Accutane Canada now, check out some of the best Canadian stores around you.
Benefits of Accutane
Control of acne
Acne affects mostly teenagers, but it can also occur in adults. Acne usually begins with blackheads and whiteheads. If these are not removed, they can become inflamed, infected, and may leave permanent scars.
Accutane (isotretinoin) is one of the most effective treatments for severe acne. It works by preventing the formation of comedones (blackheads and whiteheads), so they do not develop into papules, pustules, nodules, or cysts.
In addition, by reducing oil production in your skin, Accutane helps prevent new breakouts while you’re on medication (and even after treatment ends). However, if you stop using the drug before your course has finished, you might start breaking out right away — especially if you stop using sunscreen regularly!
Decrease in risk of scarring
Accutane is known to help decrease the risk of scarring. Although this drug is not a cure for acne, it does reduce the severity of acne and helps prevent scars. However, if you have severe acne and want to go on Accutane, you must consult with your dermatologist first, who will be able to tell you if this medication is proper for you and if it will benefit your skin.
Decrease in risk of inflammation and infection
Another benefit of Accutane is that it can decrease inflammation in severe acne patients. Inflammation can cause pimples or cysts to grow under the skin, leading to scarring over time if not treated effectively. By taking this medication, there is less chance of inflammation occurring and less chance of scarring forming due to this condition.
It has been shown that Accutane reduces infection risk in some cases, including bacterial skin infections, herpes simplex virus infections, and other viral infections. By reducing sebum production, it prevents bacteria from multiplying on your skin.
In addition to preventing acne, Accutane can also help prevent conditions like rosacea, perioral dermatitis, and melasma.
Removal of precancerous growths
Accutane is not a preventative medicine, but it is an effective way to treat and remove precancerous growths. These growths are called actinic keratoses (AK). They often appear as red or gray scaly patches on sun-exposed areas of the skin, such as the face, ears, and back of hands. AK can lead to skin cancer if not treated. Accutane effectively treats AK when used with fluorouracil for four to six months.
Less oily skin and dryness
This is the most common benefit of Accutane. After taking the drug for four months or longer, many people have less oily skin. This is because Accutane reduces the amount of oil your skin produces and increases your body’s ability to retain moisture. It can take about three months for this effect to kick in, so don’t expect instant results.
Side effects of Accutane
Some side effects are associated with taking Accutane. These include dry skin, nosebleeds, and joint aches. The most severe potential side effect of Accutane is congenital disabilities if you are pregnant or become pregnant while taking the drug.
Other possible side effects include:
- Dryness of the lips or mouth
- Dry skin
- Dry hair and hair loss
- Dry eyes
- Nosebleeds
- Joint aches or pains
Conclusion
There is some debate regarding the use of Accutane. While everybody’s face/skin is different, it still seems as though acne sufferers worldwide are raving about how Accutane changed their skin for the better, leading to more transparent and more beautiful skin. If you’re struggling with persistent breakouts (and who isn’t?) and have found that traditional prescriptions haven’t worked for you, we encourage you to consider Accutane. Your skin will thank you later, we promise.
