If all other treatments for acne aren't working, you may be considering Accutane. Before you take it, find out what to expect when it comes to side effects and when you'll see results.
First of all, you'll need to visit your doctor to get a prescription. The length of your treatment is based on the severity of your acne and your responsiveness to the treatment, but you can expect to be on Accutane for about four to six months. During your first month you should pay close attention to how you're feeling. If you have any adverse side effects listed on your drug information sheet, such as feelings of depression, blurred vision or hives, you should call your doctor immediately. However, you may experience other mild side effects including headaches, dry skin, an increase in exhaustion and an increase in thirst. Accutane has an overall drying effect on the body, which can cause some of these issues, so be sure to drink plenty of water to stay hydrated. Also, your acne may actually increase during the first month. Just be patient because it may eventually clear up during month two.
As time goes on, any headaches and some of the tired feelings may decrease, though some patients begin to feel muscle pain or bone and joint pain. You'll need to avoid drinking alcohol because this can increase your dehydration and be taxing on your liver. When you get to the third month, you'll feel more and more of the drying effects in your skin. You may have dry itchy patches on your back, red and flaky facial skin and dry lips. During the third month, your doctor often will do a blood test to examine any negative impacts the drug is having on your body.
By the end of the treatment, you won't feel many side effects anymore beyond the dry skin. It's important to remember throughout the treatment that your skin will be more dry and therefore more fragile so you need to be careful. For example, waxing while using Accutane is not a good idea. If you play sports, your skin may be more prone to injury and could take longer to heal as well.
 | Over-the-counter and homeopathic treatments can help fight outbreaks of acne, as long as you keep in mind that too many treatments can dry out your skin. In the long run, a good skin-care routine will do the most to improve your complexion. |
 | Acne cannot be cured, but it can be treated. Acne treatments range from treating your skin more kindly to prescription drugs and procedures. |
 | It might seem like acne control is part of fighting a battle against raging skin, but it does make huge progress in the pursuit of clear skin. |
Learning how to get rid of acne is fundamentally based on the idea of how to keep your skin well looked after. |
What is acne? Acne is inconvenient and embarrassing, but it is important to note that it is also an umbrella term for different skin conditions that have unique causes and treatment approaches. |
