Acne.org Products
Oral Retinoid
Efficacy
87%
Based on All Available Studies
Strength of Evidence
Note: Use with EXTREME CAUTION: Causes severe birth defects and fetal death.
Oral Retinoid
Acne.org’s Real World Take
The nuclear option. It works reliably and provides long-term remission of acne, and even severe acne, in about ⅔ of people who properly take an adequate dosage. However, it permanently and irreversibly changes the skin and the body forever and users may experience long-term side effects for the rest of their lives. It’ll nuke it, but there is no going back.
Oral Retinoid
How to Get It
Have a dermatologist? Make an appointment to get this medication. Don't have a dermatologist? See The American Academy of Dermatology Physician Database to find one.
Used Isotretinoin (Accutane®)? Rate It:
Choose from 1 to 5 stars
March 5, 2009
Cons:
chapped lips
AMAZING! don't let the warnings put you off. I tried everything for years, and had to spend so much time on my face before this. any makeup and cream would make me break out!
now i only wash with a gentle cleanser and moisturize, moisturize, moisturize and im good to go.
seriously try it..i've been on it for about 4 months, and so many people have complimented me on my skin.
February 27, 2009
Pros:
So easy versus applying creams and gels everyday. Simply take a pill twice daily and that's that!
Cons:
Don't get hung up on all the warnings. The prescribing information makes it sound like the world will stop spinning and plunge into darkness, but all it really does is give you dry lips. Buy a product called Cortibalm for dry lips.
Worked extremely well for the 6 months that I took it. Unfortunately it's been 6 months and I'm already back on Doxycyline Hyclate tablets, Differin gel, and Duac gel. However they work MUCH MUCH MUCH better than they did prior to Accutane. That's the one thing to remember! Accutane is not the be-all-end-all guaranteed "cure" from acne for life. Many people have their acne come back. But it's less severe and way less stubborn. I tried Aczone gel and it didn't really work for me. But using the Doryx, Differin, and Duac post Accutane my face has remained completely clear.
February 24, 2009
Pros:
Skin is left clear, acne went away and never came back.
Cons:
dry skin, chapped lips, easier pains
Although the side effects can be horrible, after a while you get a lot of confidence because your skin becames so much clearer.
February 21, 2009
Pros:
After about three months of taking the meds, my face cleared up. Even my pores closed up. But this was all temporary.
Cons:
Serious hair thinning, very dry scalp, very dry eyes (permanent). I've been off the meds for about 8 months and my acne has returned in new places.
Try something else.
February 21, 2009
Pros:
Cures acne in one or two 4 month courses, 9 months apart...rarely a third is necessary...
Free for me coming from england - gotta love the national health service :D
Cons:
dry lips can be a pain...no alcohol for 4 months isnt great either
Saved my life. Literally.
February 7, 2009
Pros:
Cleared up my acne. It really is a miracle drug!
Cons:
very verryyy dry, cracked lips. Also reallyyy dry skin. My skin would constantly flake off. Also I experienced some hair loss and depression/ terrible mood swings.
Although the side effects were strong and really do suck its worth it in the end! My skin looks great! Friends that I have now don't believe that I once suffered from acne because my skin is clear 99 percent of the time.. Only when I am pmsing do I get one or two pimples. But they are pretty small in size and go away within a few days.
February 3, 2009
Pros:
My skin cleared up very progressively and I was feeling so much more confident with 2 months.
Cons:
I had awfully dry and ripped lips, ripped skin, I got nose bleeds and at stages while I was on my highest dose I got very depressed which affected me and everyone around me so my dose was cut in half.
If you are someone who is an extremely emotional person at heart beware depression is most likely going to be a side effect for you 4 or 5 months into the treatment but if you are the opposite to this the only side effects you will most likely experience is the dry skin which trust can be a nightmare! My skin has never been better after 7 months.
January 27, 2009
Pros:
Clears skin, actually WORKS, increases confidence
Cons:
dry lips, dry skin, sensitivity to the sun
Accutane is that one product that actually WORKS. I spent hundreds of dollars trying to find a good acne medication but none worked. I am only on my second month of accutane out of a six month treatment but im already 50x better than i was before. My IB wasn't bad at all. Bottom line though if you are wondering whether or not to go on accutane DO IT!!! you will be happy with the ending results!!!
January 22, 2009
Pros:
Cleared acne completely for two years. Was able to go make up free and was once complimented for having naturally gorgeous skin.
Cons:
Acne came back (although not as cystic/exception of a few breakouts) . Thinning hair, thinning skin (shins almost see through, vein under the eye), not being able to drink alcohol for 4 months while at uni, dry lips.
If you are considering Accutane think VERY carefully as it could leave you with more issues than you started with. I took it aged 21 for moderate/severe cystic acne and if I could go back in time I wouldn't do it again.
Yes it completely cleared my skin for 2 years, but as a result I am left with fragile, thin skin which scars so easily. I am now ashamed of my once gorgeous dancers legs because they look like a road map of England. The skin has thinned so much on my shins that they are veiny. And now at 25 my hair is starting to thin and my acne is back with a vengance (cystic on my cheeks and jawline, VERY PAINFUL and TOTALLY CONFIDENCE CRUSHING).
I also had Microdermabrasion and IPL to treat the acne, which if I had the money I would definitely do again.
I am starting on Retin A Micro on Saturday as I am very interested in the supposed anti-aging benefits. If it clears me up then great. If not I will be saving for NLite. I don't hold out much hope though. Acne is pretty te
January 4, 2009
Pros:
I have used it for 2 months now and I have seen a n improvement in everything on my face besides my chin which was the worst of my acne going into accutane.
Cons:
my chin is still getting inflammation and my body is also getting the same amount of inflammation that it used to.
the side effects have been dry lips, dry eyes, dry hair, dry face, and I even got excema on my arms.
Im sure that I havnt seen the full results from accutane yet but I have improved in areas where I used to have acne like my jaw line, nose, and forehead so it definetly has helped, and my doctor just raised my dose from 40mg a day to 40mg one day and then 80mg the next so I just switch off everyday. I have had a lot of side effects but it could also be attributed to the cold winters in Canada that dont really help dry skin. But all of the side effects that I listed Ive been able to control.
Pros:
gets rid of acne, hair is less greasy, pores smaller, and skin is so smooth!