Accutane Acne Treatment

Is It For You?

Accutane Acne Treatment

Accutane acne treatment is a prescribed medication used for treating serious forms of acne such as nodular acne and cystic acne that haven’t responded well to other treatments.

What is Acne?

Acne is formed when excess oil clogs the skin’s pores and causes the pores to be blocked. If left alone, the blocked pores will manifest themselves into pimples. This is only the beginning.

Sometimes, these pimples can turn into nodules, which are often painful and remain on the skin for a longer period of time. Over time, the nodules can get more inflamed and turn into acne cysts, which often require draining by a physician.

This type of acne can persist for weeks if not months, and is one of the most severe types. If the treatment you have sought isn’t giving you the results you want, you might consider Accutane as a possible treatment. There are, however, some things you should know before making the decision to take this medication.

Things You Should Know About Accutane Acne Treatment

Accutane Acne Treatment

There are literally hundreds of topical solutions available over the counter. Sometimes they work, sometimes they don’t. If you have tried many and are still suffering from acne breakouts, it may be time to talk to your doctor about a prescribed treatment. One such prescribed treatment is called Accutane.

Accutane Acne Treatment Side Effects

Accutane acne treatment has been found to be effective in treating more severe types of acne, but can have serious side effects. You will most likely need to sign a form from your pharmacists or from your doctor to state that you have understood the possible side effects of Accutane, and that you are taking the medication under your own choice and understanding.

Not Suitable For Pregnant Women

If you are thinking of becoming pregnant or think that you may be pregnant, then avoid Accutane at all cost. One of the most serious possible side effects of taking Accutane is that it can cause birth defects in unborn children. It may even cause miscarriages, premature birth, or stillbirth.

In fact, many doctors make under going a monthly pregnancy test a prerequisite to taking Accutane. This enables them to stop the medication as soon as there are indications of a pregnancy.

It is also highly advisable that even after you have stopped taking Accutane, a woman should wait a minimum of one full months before becoming pregnant. Obviously the longer the period between stopping the Accutane acne treatment and becoming pregnant, the better and safer it is.

Mood Swings and Depression

There have also been reports of Accutane affecting moods and in more severe cases, depression and even thoughts of suicide. Symptoms of these problems include: feeling down or anxious, feeling useless, irritability, anger, not wanting to socialize, sleeping too much or too little, contemplations of taking one’s own life, and changes in weight or appetite.

Others have reported nose bleeds, dry eyes and panic attacks. Should any of these symptoms, or any other changes that are not normal (because Accutane will affect each and every individual differently), consult your doctor immediately.

Although Accutane could be the final treatment to cure you of your acne, it is important to make note of any changes in your behavior, moods and bodily functions whilst taking this acne treatment.

As we know, not only is severe acne physically unattractive and painful, it can also cause many psychological problems and depression too. Acne can greatly impact one’s social life, and can affect many sufferers mentally, especially teenagers.

But before embarking on an Accutane acne treatment, have a discussion with your doctor to see whether or not the benefits of taking this medication outweigh the possible side effects, and whether this is an effective treatment for you.

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Acne Medication

Prevention Is Better Than Cure

Acne Medication

So you have tried everything to get rid of acne, and it is looking as if using acne medication is the only solution left to deal with your acne papules, pimples, cyst and other acne lesions.

Where do you start?

A qualified skin doctor – a dermatologist – is the first port of call. However, you should still have some idea of what sort of acne medication is on offer and what sort of effect certain treatments will have.

Over the counter medication are usually milder and do not contain antibiotics and other chemicals to get rid of bacteria; whereas prescription acne medication will give you that little extra to remove more severe acne.

Some common over the counter topical acne medication:

Salicylic Acid :

A natural source of salicylic acid can be found in the plant White Willow and has been known for centuries to ease aches and pains and even reduce fever. Its chemical make up resembles closely the aspirin.

As an acne cure, it causes the surface cells of the skin to shed more easily, destroy bacteria in the clogged pore and minimize the pore size so that further infections cannot occur. It also helps to generate new cells.

The FDA recommends protecting the skin from the sun whilst using products with salicylic acid.

Benzoyl Peroxide :

Discovered in the 1920s that it can treat acne, benzoyl peroxide is used as a topical cream or gel to treat acne. It is recommended to use a concentration of 2.5% to begin with, and slowly build the concentration up to 5% and 10% after the skin has had time to develop a tolerance.

Benzoyl Peroxide works by drying and clearing the pores of bacteria and accelerating cell renewal.

Resorcinol :

Resorcinol is a chemical compound that has antiseptic and disinfectant properties. Used usually for more severe skin ailments such as eczema and psoriasis, at a small dose of 2% or less of concentration, resorcinol is also an effective acne medication.

Below is a list of common prescription acne medication :

Clindamycin :

A class of antibiotic, Clindamycin is most effective against aerobic (requiring oxygen) and anaerobic (not requiring oxygen) bacteria infections.

When applied topically, it can help fight acne and  is most effective when used together with Benzoyl Peroxide or Adapalene (a retinoid).

Erythromycin :

An antibiotic that is similar to penicillin, it is best used as an ointment, cream or gel to treat acne.

Tetracycline :

Tetracycline is also a form of antibiotic to fight against bacterial infections. It is used to treat acne and also rosacea. Its side effects include teeth discoloration, and should not be taken by pregnant women.

Tretinoin :

Tretinoin is the acid form of vitamin A and is known more commonly by the acne medication  Retin A. Tretinoin also treats keratosis pilaris (rough bumps on the skin that looks like chicken skin) and has been shown to slow down the skin’s aging process.

Side effects include itching, redness and a burning sensation. It is essential whilst using Retin A to follow your dermatologist’s recommendations carefully and avoid the sun. As Tretinoin thins the skin, waxing should also be avoided.

Important note: Do NOT use or take any of the drugs above without first consulting a qualified doctor. This post is for informational purposes only and is not to be viewed as acne medical advise.

See Herbs – The Natural Acne Treatment and acne-vitamins-eat-right-to-get-rid-of-acne-2

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