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Accutane

Accutane is a medication used for the treatment of severe acne.  It works to reduce the amounts of oils released by the skin’s glands, and works to help the skin renew itself more quickly.  Accutane is usually prescribed after other medications have been rendered ineffective in the fight against acne and deeper nodules.

The active ingredient in Accutane is Isotretinoin, which is sometimes used as a chemotherapy medication for prevention and treatment of some types of skin cancers.  Isotretinoin is a retinoid (derived from Vitamin A).

Retinoids work by increasing skin cell turnover.  By increasing the skin cell turnover, old cells are purged and expelled which in turn unplugs the follicle of any congestion such as bacteria and oils.

What you should know – As mentioned above, Accutane is used for the treatment of severe acne and so naturally it is a very powerful medication.  Consequently, the use of Accutane may carry with it severe side effects.
Birth defects – Accutane can cause severe, life-threatening birth defects if the mother takes the medication during pregnancy.  Even one dose of Accutane can cause birth defects on the baby’s eyes, ears, nose, face, skull, heart, and brain. For that reason, in order to take Accutane, a woman must sign agreements to use birth control and undergo pregnancy in order to prevent said birth defects.

Unfortunately, this drug is sold illegally on the internet and outside of the United States which is in strict violation of FDA regulations.

Accutane is a serious drug with serious side effects.  Be sure to consult with a doctor before using this medication.  If any unpleasant side effects occur, stop using Accutane and seek medical help.

Conclusion – Acne Vulgaris is a skin condition which affects the majority of the world population.  Only a percentage of those experiencing symptoms of acne have a condition severe enough to use such a high-risk treatment such as Accutane.  If you are one of those people, and nothing else has seemed to work, be sure to consult with a medical professional before deciding if Accutane is right for you.

There is hope! With so much research being conducted on the causes and cures of acne, today there are numerous products which fight against acne in a safe and natural way.  To find out what consumers like you have rated as the top acne treatments, keep reading below…