Post Accutane Skincare Routine – Dr. Zenovia
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- Skin texture after accutane
You want to try to look your best every day and seemingly blend in with all of the stylish women around you, but it literally hurts to put makeup on your face. Not to mention, you also are attending a fashion business school, where your whole look from head-to-toe is silently judged by your peers on a daily basis. There are some days when you don't even want to go to class or your internship because you are breaking out so badly and are embarrassed to show your face.
This was me during the fall of as I had Aquaphor glued to my hand along with a full bottle of water at all times to deal with the dryness caused by the meds.
The mental and emotional component of being on this medication truly tests you in ways you might never have thought of otherwise. So preparing yourself for these side effects is crucial if you and your doctor decide Accutane will be the acne treatment for you. While I was on it, I tried to indulge in my favorite activities. I made sure I took walks outside when the weather was nice with SPF protection, of course!
I found that trying to distract myself by watching movies and reading up on other people's experiences helped me cope when I was having a particularly bad mental health day. After nearly six months of constant agony and annoyance in relation to my skin, there was finally a breakthrough. All of a sudden, my skin began clearing up, and my pimples all started to fade away.
What I was left with was certainly not a blank canvas due to the scarring and discoloration caused by previous breakouts, but I was happy to see progress nonetheless. For the next eight months or so, my skin was in a place I had never imagined it would be: clear, glowing, improving by the day. I began to have some professional skin treatments done, like chemical peels, and was loving all the improvements I was seeing in my overall complexion.
I was on Accutane for 6 months. Some of the side effects I experienced included dry lips, dry skin, dry eyes, eczema, dry scalp, joint pain, and exhaustion. Thankfully, I never experienced any severe side effects nor any lasting side effects besides having a slightly drier skin type. While on Accutane, I initially maintained a very basic skincare routine: cleansing, moisturizing , and applying an SPF every morning.
As time went on, I began integrat ing additional steps in my routine such as using a gentle physical exfoliant to address my accumulating dead skin, Hyaluronic A cid to provide necessary hydration, and Vi tamin C to address hyperpigmentation. Both assumptions are not true. Yes, Accutane can be harmful and have severe , lasting side effects, but that is not the case for everyone.
We take medications and vaccines throughout our lifetime that have a plethora of side effects and possible concerns. Heck, even going for a drive in our car comes with risks! But every day we make calculated choices that gauge these risks and ultimately, we decide that the benefits outweigh the concern s.
At the end of the day, a person should be able to make an educated decision with the help of their board-certified dermatologist as to what treatment is best for them. This choice should not concern other people particularly strangers. At the same time, Accutane is by no means a cure for acne. Though Accutane is successful at helping to break the acne cycle, the only way to truly prevent your acne from returning is to identify what started the flare - ups in the first place.
I rarely experience pimples because I have developed a consistent skincare routine and adhere to a relatively healthy lifestyle. My skin does require more hydration than it did previously, but otherwise , I have no other long-term side effects from the medication. The absence of sufficient sebum is responsible for isotretinoin's less serious but exceedingly common side effects, including "dry eyes, dry lips, and very dry skin," says Dr.
But for some — like me, a decade post-Accutane and still struggling with moisture-starved and acne-prone skin — these symptoms stick around. Although dermatologists maintain that the sebaceous glands bounce back eventually, research shows still-inhibited sebum production in patients at two months , one year, and 12 years after isotretinoin treatment; one study called dry skin, dry eye, and eczema "probable long-term side-effects. Geria agrees. It's the body's built-in moisturizer, responsible for locking in hydration.
It is integral to the acid mantle, a thin layer of the skin barrier that helps neutralize invading pathogens and stabilize the skin's pH level. Sebum has " innate antibacterial activity " and can even have an anti-inflammatory effect on the skin. It is essential to the skin's wound-healing response, and it acts as a natural sun protector, too. Sebum is one of the most magical and precious skin care products in existence, and it comes out of your own pores.
So how did it get such a bad rap? It's complicated. Sebum is involved in the proliferation of acne, but to borrow one of science's favorite sayings, "correlation does not equal causation. Think of it this way: "Oily" and "acne-prone" are two different skin types, right?
So, yes, eliminating oil production with isotretinoin may consequently curb acne… but it does nothing to address the reason acne is present in the first place. If that's not an example of [isotretinoin] being a Band-Aid for what's actually wrong, I don't know what is. The root cause or causes will differ from person to person, but the big one is hormonal imbalance. Sebum production is stimulated by testosterone and the "stress hormone" cortisol.
An excess of either can lead to excess sebum, which can lead to clogged pores, which can lead to acne. This treatment can be used morning or night and wears well under makeup. Many people who have acne-prone skin avoid moisturizing out of fear that a moisturizer will make their skin oiler.
However, the epidermis requires moisture no matter your skin type! The Aloe Vera Blemish Soothing Moisturizer is amazing for acne patients because it is oil-free, serving as an effective, lightweight, non-greasy hydrator. The aloe vera we use is pure and medical-grade, sourced from high-grade medical suppliers. The aloe vera mucopolysaccharides molecule absorbs many times its weight in water and is a very effective moisturizer for people that need hydration even if they produce excess oil or have oily skin.
This moisturizer can be worn morning or night and serves as a great base for makeup application. Applying sunscreen daily is a must! Enriched with Vitamin C, this sunscreen also helps minimize the appearance of dark spots, discoloration , and fine lines.
If you have ever struggled with acne, you've probably heard your dermatologist mention Accutane at least once during your visits, or maybe you've come across it yourself while researching solutions for this very common skin condition.
Known as the "miracle drug," Accutane — medically referred to as Isotretinoin — has gained quite a reputation within the beauty and skincare community over the years. Whether it's due to some of its notorious side effects, or the unbelievable results that users have experienced, this medication has certainly made a significant impact on those who have dealt with extreme acne.
Dermatologists have praised the medication, citing its success and effectiveness. But before you consider this treatment, it's important to understand what it does to the skin. However, by doing so, Accutane also makes your skin much dryer and more sensitive, meaning that after a course of Accutane, it may be in need of some serious TLC.
And the impact may not last forever. Marinelli adds. That's why she also suggests developing an alternate skincare plan for the duration of the treatment along with taking the medication. In the morning, she suggests washing your face with a gentle cleanser that won't strip the skin, followed by a non-comedogenic moisturizer and sunscreen to nourish the skin and add in a layer of UV protection.
The thing about Accutane is that it typically purges your skin before it begins to work, essentially meaning that your acne is going to get worse before it gets better. In my case, my skin was constantly dry and required consistent hydration, the corners of my mouth and inside of my nose would crack and bleed, my joints would ache, and my head would hurt almost all the time.
The first time I used the medication, my day and nighttime routine were very simple. I was also advised to stay away from any heavy exfoliation or products that were not made for sensitive skin. I've been prescribed Accutane at two different points in my life.
The first was during my senior year of college — a time where I wished that my acne days were long gone. The rigorous requirements that are involved with taking Accutane definitely made my life quite difficult. Not only did I have to deal with having monthly blood work done, traveling back and forth between cities for dermatologist appointments, and unexpected medical costs, but the physical and mental toll that Accutane took on me wreaked just as much havoc.
Imagine this: you have just started your first week at an internship with a well-known PR agency on their fashion and beauty team. You want to try to look your best every day and seemingly blend in with all of the stylish women around you, but it literally hurts to put makeup on your face. Not to mention, you also are attending a fashion business school, where your whole look from head-to-toe is silently judged by your peers on a daily basis.
There are some days when you don't even want to go to class or your internship because you are breaking out so badly and are embarrassed to show your face.
This was me during the fall of as I had Aquaphor glued to my hand along with a full bottle of water at all times to deal with the dryness caused by the meds. The mental and emotional component of being on this medication truly tests you in ways you might never have thought of otherwise. So preparing yourself for these side effects is crucial if you and your doctor decide Accutane will be the acne treatment for you.
While I was on it, I tried to indulge in my favorite activities. I made sure I took walks outside when the weather was nice with SPF protection, of course! I found that trying to distract myself by watching movies and reading up on other people's experiences helped me cope when I was having a particularly bad mental health day.
After nearly six months of constant agony and annoyance in relation to my skin, there was finally a breakthrough. All of a sudden, my skin began clearing up, and my pimples all started to fade away. What I was left with was certainly not a blank canvas due to the scarring and discoloration caused by previous breakouts, but I was happy to see progress nonetheless. For the next eight months or so, my skin was in a place I had never imagined it would be: clear, glowing, improving by the day.
I began to have some professional skin treatments done, like chemical peels, and was loving all the improvements I was seeing in my overall complexion. I went off of Accutane. I developed an entirely new skincare routine and was trying out new products that I could finally withstand now that I was off of the medication. The Tatcha powder cleanser offered light physical exfoliation that my skin could handle.
The Skinceuticals serum was given to me by the esthetician I went to for the chemical peels, and it really helped with the dark spots that were left behind from my acne. As for First Aid Beauty 's cream, it helped to keep my skin hydrated and soft.
However, a few months later, my acne slowly began to creep back. After trying out several different remedies, I made the difficult decision to restart Accutane, something I had hoped I would never have to do. This time, though, I knew what was ahead of me. I was prepared to roll with the punches, ready for round two — and all the subsequent side effects — from incredibly dry skin and hair to headaches and mild joint pain. While on Accutane, your skin becomes extremely sensitive, therefore limiting the types of products you can use within your skincare routine.
Think: a gentle cleanser, hydrating moisturizer, and a facial sunscreen with at least SPF Post-Accutane, your skin should be pretty low-maintenance, but it may take some time to adjust. Despite the side effects and discomfort, I found Accutane to be an excellent solution for my long-term acne. If you decide to give it a try, you'll definitely want the guidance of a good dermatologist to help you through — especially when the side effects get intense.
I was able to stick it out, and I'm so glad I did. Beauty Skincare. By Jenna Curcio. Jenna Curcio. InStyle's editorial guidelines. Pin Share Tweet Email. Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Tell us why! Newsletter Sign Up.
localhost › forums › topic › dra. Buy a good moisturizing and a silicone based foundation primer. It's deigned to fill in and soften pores/texture so it's smooth. Please don't do. localhost › forums › topic › dra. Discover short videos related to skin texture after accutane on TikTok. Explore the latest videos from hashtags: #skincaretextute, #skinafterlockdown. From my experience, WHILE on Accutane your face is smoother but after you are on it, it can have some texture. It also depends on how healthy/unhealthy you. That's why she also suggests developing an alternate skincare plan for the duration of the treatment along with taking the medication. I began to have some professional skin treatments done, like chemical peels, and was loving all the improvements I was seeing in my overall complexion. The thing about Accutane is that it typically purges your skin before it begins to work, essentially meaning that your acne is going to get worse before it gets better. Of course, it's important to note that it can take months or even years to properly address the root cause s of your acne.A dermatologist once described Accutane to me as a drug that "damages the oil glands so they no longer produce oil. Well, kind of, but that's a bit like amputating your arm to fix a broken bone.
It's like torching the planet to put a stop to climate change. What Accutane really does to your skin is like, well, destroying it in the name of saving it.
To back up a bit: Accutane is formally known as isotretinoin, an isolated vitamin A derivative that has been prescribed to millions of acne patients in the U. The substance has come under scrutiny for its side effects, which are alarming if infrequent: depression, rectal bleeding, seizures, anemia, and increased blood cholesterol, to name just a few of the hundred or so possibilities that appear on isotretinoin's official Rx warning.
Some studies have linked it to a higher risk of developing inflammatory bowel disease , though this link has not yet been definitively proven. Its impact on the reproductive system — birth defects, spontaneous abortion — is so severe that patients with a vagina are required to pledge to use two forms of birth control while on isotretinoin, and submit to monthly blood and pregnancy tests, just to be safe.
Yet, for all the criticism thrown its way, isotretinoin catches a similar amount of praise. Beauty editors and influencers are quick to downplay its risks and revel in the rewards of a pimple-free face. Simply put, the stuff works. Katta explains. The sebaceous glands are part of the body's exocrine system, FYI, and sebum is a fancy word for the skin's natural oil.
Aanand Geria , a board-certified dermatologist with Geria Dermatology in New Jersey, puts it a little less delicately: It seems that isotretinoin makes your "oil gland cells self-destruct.
The absence of sufficient sebum is responsible for isotretinoin's less serious but exceedingly common side effects, including "dry eyes, dry lips, and very dry skin," says Dr. But for some — like me, a decade post-Accutane and still struggling with moisture-starved and acne-prone skin — these symptoms stick around.
Although dermatologists maintain that the sebaceous glands bounce back eventually, research shows still-inhibited sebum production in patients at two months , one year, and 12 years after isotretinoin treatment; one study called dry skin, dry eye, and eczema "probable long-term side-effects. Geria agrees. It's the body's built-in moisturizer, responsible for locking in hydration.
It is integral to the acid mantle, a thin layer of the skin barrier that helps neutralize invading pathogens and stabilize the skin's pH level. Sebum has " innate antibacterial activity " and can even have an anti-inflammatory effect on the skin. It is essential to the skin's wound-healing response, and it acts as a natural sun protector, too. Sebum is one of the most magical and precious skin care products in existence, and it comes out of your own pores.
So how did it get such a bad rap? It's complicated. Sebum is involved in the proliferation of acne, but to borrow one of science's favorite sayings, "correlation does not equal causation. Think of it this way: "Oily" and "acne-prone" are two different skin types, right?
So, yes, eliminating oil production with isotretinoin may consequently curb acne… but it does nothing to address the reason acne is present in the first place. If that's not an example of [isotretinoin] being a Band-Aid for what's actually wrong, I don't know what is.
The root cause or causes will differ from person to person, but the big one is hormonal imbalance. Sebum production is stimulated by testosterone and the "stress hormone" cortisol.
An excess of either can lead to excess sebum, which can lead to clogged pores, which can lead to acne. In this sense, hormonal breakouts act as communications from the body "We're imbalanced in here! In patients whose acne was determined to be hormonal, " complete remission could not be obtained " with isotretinoin, one study found.
There are plenty of other acne instigators: low linoleic acid levels which can thicken sebum and lead to clogged pores , diet sugar and dairy can cause acne, but so can "healthy" foods, if your unique body is sensitive to them , an impaired microbiome in your gut or on your skin , not getting enough vitamin D , the overuse of skin care products, the overuse of harsh skin care products, immune response, intolerances, and more.
But you know what's not on that list, and will never be on that list? Here's where you may be wondering, "If sebum don't cause acne, how come sebum-zapping isotretinoin is considered the gold standard in acne treatment? But on a less capitalist-conspiracy-theory level, it's because sebum is the single common denominator across all of the acne triggers above.
Then I have the post-Accutane clients who are just chronically dry. Many of these patients, Cogan says, feel duped. Isotretinoin merely replaced one chronic skin condition with another; one that's arguably more difficult to deal with.
As for how, I'd need an entire book, but The Acne Answer is a good place to start. Of course, it's important to note that it can take months or even years to properly address the root cause s of your acne.
I understand, too; that's precisely why I agreed to Accutane 10 years ago. Acne anxiety — the intense shame, the feeling of unworthiness, the avoidance of mirrors at all costs — had taken over my life, and dermatologists told me this was my only option. I wouldn't do it again, and Dr. Geria perfectly sums up why: "We need to change our attitude toward sebum, because vilifying it almost always makes skin worse in the long run.
Crockett, S. Isotretinoin use and the risk of inflammatory bowel disease: A case—control study. American Journal of Gastroenterology, 9 , — Goulden, V. Long-term safety of isotretinoin as a treatment for acne vulgaris.
British Journal of Dermatology, 3 , — Harms, M. Isotretinoin: 10 years on. Dermatology, 2 , 81— Characterization of the vitamin d endocrine system in human sebocytes in vitro. Makrantonaki, E. An update on the role of the sebaceous gland in the pathogenesis of acne. Dermato-Endocrinology, 3 1 , 41— Strauss, J. Changes in long-term sebum production from isotretinoin therapy.
Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology, 6 4 , — White, G. Recurrence rates after the first course of isotretinoin. Archives of Dermatology, 3 , — Zelickson, A. Ultrastructural changes in sebaceous Glands following treatment of Cystic acne With isotretinoin. The American Journal of Dermatopathology, 8 2 , — Aanand Geria , board-certified dermatologist with Geria Dermatology. How Does Accutane Work? The Issue? Sebum Is The Common Denominator "I have a ton of post-Accutane clients whose skin is so damaged and so dry and so prematurely aged because their face isn't naturally hydrating, and they have to work so much harder to balance out their skin, because their skin has lost its natural function," Cogan says.
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