The Whole Story: Accutane

 Some rights reserved by perry_marco

So you have acne. Your acne is very bad and you’re thinking only Accutane will cure it.

You may want to think a little harder about this decision. Accutane is very effective for treating acne, but also very powerful and potentially dangerous. In this blog post, I’ll outline some of the effective uses for the drug, as well as when you should take it – and if you should take it.

1.    See a dermatologist.

Acne is a medical problem. If you have a virus, you would go see a doctor, and acne is not different. If you have tried some of the over-the-counter washes and creams, it may be time to check out medical-grade treatments. But only a licensed dermatologist can provide you with the proper skin care you need to overcome your acne.

2.    Work with your dermatologist to evaluate your acne.

Although approximately 80 percent of teens and pre-teens have acne, most cases are not severe enough to warrant major treatment. Usually, some regimen of topical creams, medications and/or washes will do the trick. Your dermatologist can recommend which regimen will work best for you, and can make changes as needed.

3.    Exhaust all possible avenues.

There are hundreds of medical treatment options available to treat acne, so I would never recommend making Accutane your first choice. If you can use something gentler, milder or safer – do. Accutane really should be a last resort for particularly tough or persistent cases of acne.

4.    Discuss the pros and cons of Accutane.

Accutane works by reducing oil production in the body’s glands. As clogged pores are the primary reason for breakouts, Accutane is effective in reducing or eliminating acne for most people.

Although it can be very effective, Accutane can also be dangerous if not taken correctly or if precautions are not taken. Risks include:

• Serious birth defects if taken while pregnant
• Depression or other psychological side effects
• Liver problems related to fatty buildup

While taking Accutane, patients should not give blood, drink multiple alcoholic drinks at one time, have laser procedures or wax regularly.

5.    Educate yourself on the iPLEDGE program.

As a result of so many serious risks associated with Accutane, the drug is now only available through the iPLEDGE program. The program is designed to prevent Accutane-related birth defects. The program requires:

• Two forms of effective birth control (acceptable forms are spelled out by the program)
• For women - A negative pregnancy test 30 days prior to starting medication and every month prior to filling the prescription
• Monthly questionnaires to remind patients of the rules and risks associated with Accutane

6.    Take precautions.

Although Accutane-related birth defects are one of the biggest risks associated with the drug, it is important to consider others.

• Accutane patients should not drink, as the drug itself can cause fatty buildup in the liver. It can also replicate the effects of long-term drinking, like cirrhosis of the liver. Drinking multiple alcoholic drinks at once while taking Accutane can exacerbate potential liver problems.
• Patients will be required to undergo regular blood tests prior to fulfilling their prescriptions each month. This ensures (for women) that there is no pregnancy and for all patients that the liver is functioning normally.
• Family members and friends should watch Accutane patients for signs of depression and other psychological side effects. While these side effects rarely last beyond the final pill, they should be monitored during the Accutane regimen.
• Patients should not wax, have laser treatments or exfoliate heavily during their Accutane regimen. Because the drug dries out the skin, it is more susceptible to ripping or tearing, and waxing may leave permanent scarring. 

7.    Prepare to prevent future breakouts.

Accutane works very well for many people who use it correctly. Although it is risky, it is one of the most effective acne drugs on the market. Due to its risks, most patients should not take Accutane for longer than six months at a time.

Although this is plenty of treatment time for many patients, it may not be the final cure for everyone. Acne is not just a teenage problem, and it is important to maintain a facial cleansing regimen and to keep your dermatologist updated on the state of your skin.

If you have questions about whether Accutane is right for you, make an appointment with a dermatologist. Have general questions I didn’t address in this post? Leave them in the comments and I’ll answer them there.              

Busting Acne Myths

Don’t eat chocolate. Wash your face three times a day. Don’t wear makeup. You’ll grow out of it.

We’ve all heard the countless pieces of advice offered by our grandmothers for treating and avoiding acne breakouts in our teens. Unfortunately, most of these wise words are just myths that have been repeated so often they’re disguised as truth!

In this blog post, I’ll address and debunk some of the most common myths and replace them with truths about how to manage or avoid breakouts.

Myth #1: Chocolate and other junk foods cause acne.

If you’re a chocoholic, cutting back on the sweets or greasy foods can only help your overall health. But if you’re hoping it will clear up your acne, you’ll find yourself craving a piece of candy and still dealing with those pimples.

Although this is one of the longest-running acne myths, no one is really sure where it started. Rest assured, though, that study after study has failed to find a connection between diet and acne.

Myth #2: You’ll grow out of it. Acne is a teenage thing.

Not to burst your bubble, but someone who is prone to acne will, most likely, always be prone to acne. Although acne tends to be worse in teenagers with ever-changing hormone levels, it won’t just go away completely without proper treatment.

Acne is caused by clogged pores, and is often the result of naturally oily skin. That’s why many of the acne medications out there work by drying out the skin to help reduce the breakouts. If your skin is oily, you’ll probably always deal with some form of acne.

But remember that it doesn’t have to be that way! There are lots of treatments out there – both over-the-counter and prescription medications – that can help quell those breakouts and get your acne under control.

Myth #3: “Popping” a pimple makes it go away.

Sorry, pimple popping posse. Despite what your mother may have told you, popping a pimple is not good! While it might make it a little smaller or less noticeable temporarily, popping a pimple actually causes it to be around longer. It forces the bacteria deeper into the skin, resulting in a return (with a vengeance) later or, worse, a scar when you get older.

While it may be tempting to go for the temporary relief before a big event, avoid the temptation by considering that broken skin is more difficult to cover up than any pimple. If you’re looking for a quick fix, try a benzoyl peroxide-based wash, cream or other drying agent to help take away the oil – the cause of the pimple.

Myth #4: Wash your face several times a day – good hygiene prevents acne!

Oops, wrong again. While washing your face is necessary and helpful to clear up or prevent acne, washing it too much can actually aggravate the problem. I always recommend washing twice a day with a mild, non-irritating wash. Make sure to gently rub, not scrub, your skin.

Washing your face will remove dirt, excess oil and dead skin cells. However, washing too much or using an irritating agent can dry out the skin and cause it to produce more oil to get back to its natural state. Kind of negates all that washing, don’t you think?

Myth #5: Sun exposure or getting a tan will help clear up a breakout.

Absolutely not! As I’ll say to anyone who will listen – too much sun exposure is never a good idea for healthy skin. Yes, some exposure is necessary for Vitamin D, but any change in skin color is a sign that some damage has occurred. No matter what, never visit a tanning bed, and never expose your skin to the sun without wearing sunscreen of at least 30 SPF.

Although technically not a myth – UV light does kill the p.acnes bacteria and can decrease breakouts, the risk is not worth the minor benefit. Aside from UV light, other reasons for this rumor likely resulted from the temporary skin dryness associated with sun exposure, as well as redness or darker skin that may make pimples less noticeable. These effects are not long-lasting, nor are they a cure for acne. In fact, the risk for melanoma and other skin cancers essentially counteracts any “benefit” you may see to your acne.

Did I miss any common myths you’ve encountered? Leave them in the comments, and I’ll address them!