Acne, this word haunts the universal population – both women, men, and the third gender. Seeing those red and black spots, sometimes whiteheads, and cysts, on your face is a disturbing experience. Scared to look at oneself in the mirror while begrudging people with clear skin is something people with acne generally do. Degrading and criticizing yourself for not taking care of your skin or whining about your hormones daily gets tiring.
However, you should know that acne does not matter. Yeah, it is easier getting said than done. People having naturally clear skin possessing no skincare routine giving you unsolicited advice when you have a whole skincare regime is uncomfortable and bothersome. Phrases like ‘Drink more water’ or ‘Just wash your face every day or ‘Try this cream’ are prevalent among people with this condition.
People often neglect to understand that acne is not some kind of disease, but an inflammatory skin condition that cannot get easily cured with steps like these. TikTok and Youtube DIYs are popular among people with this condition but fail to realize that these DIYs by so-called random influencers on the internet often do more harm than good. They are not certified dermatologists, and your skin is not something you should go on experimenting with. So many times, the advice that people on the internet give has caused harmful reactions on people’s skin and made the condition even worse.
Several cases of acne are so severe that they cannot get treated from tropical treatments and retinoid creams. So, the last resort in these cases is the Vitamin A-rich oral treatment- Roaccutane or isotretinoin. Often called the miracle medication, Roaccutane works by minimizing the amount of the oils produced by glands in your skin while lessening the bacteria and swelling from acne and clearing the clogged pores.
Usually lasting for 4-8 months, over 80% of patients experience a long-term remission after one course of Accutane. Unfortunately, about 26% have to do the course once again due to relapse. It is called Accutane Relapse. Acne gets worse before getting better. It is called purging and usually happens in an extensive percentage of people who start Accutane. Don’t quit the treatment just because of purging. It will get better! Purging lasts for 2-3 months, and you start getting clear skin from the fourth month.
However, it should be noted that you cannot take Accutane without the prescription of a dermatologist.
Following are its side effects:
- Dryness of the lips, mouth, nose, and skin
- Alteration in the colour of the skin
- Peeling palms of the hands and bottoms of the feet
- Skin dermatitis
- Sunburn
- Eye problems
- Nosebleeds
- Tiredness
- Hair loss
A blood test has to get taken every month to keep track of the levels in the body. Do not conceive while on Accutane and even six months after the treatment as it can cause congenital defects. Abstain from drinking and some medicines as directed by your dermatologist to avoid drug reactions.
Overall, Accutane is a drug that can drastically change your life, but it can be taken with guidance from a certified dermatologist.
