All About Isotretinoin What You Should Know About This Acne Treatment

Isotretinoin is a common acne treatment that addresses more severe forms of acne that have not responded to other forms of treatment. It is in a class of drugs called retinoids, which are a vitamin A derivative. There are several different types of retinoid-based skincare products, including tretinoin and Retin-A. 

What Does it Do?

Isotretinoin is extremely effective because it targets the four main contributing factors of acne. These are excess oil production, clogged pores, acne-causing bacteria and inflammation. Below are the main benefits of Isotretinoin (which also applies to Accutane and Roaccutane).

Treats Severe Acne

One of the main benefits of Isotretinoin is its effectiveness in treating severe acne such as cystic and nodular acne that has not responded to other treatments. It reduces the size and secretion of the sebaceous glands, leading to a significant reduction in acne lesions. Treatment with Isotretinoin often leads to long-term clearance of acne. Many patients experience a permanent reduction in acne breakouts or a significant decrease in severity after a full course of treatment.

Prevents Acne Scarring

Isotretinoin reduces the number, size and severity of acne lesions. Since there are fewer severe acne lesions, such as cysts or nodules, this prevents or reduces acne scarring. Scars often form as a result of the body's attempt to heal severe inflammatory acne. So by treating the inflammation, Isotretinoin reduces the likelihood of this scarring.

Reduces Hyperpigmentation

Post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation (dark spots) can occur after acne heals, particularly in individuals with darker skin tones. While not scarring in the true sense, these marks can be as distressing as scars. Since Isotretinoin reduces inflammation and anti-acne, this helps prevent dark spots from forming and keeps the skin tone more even.

Improves Overall Skin Texture & Rejuvenates Skin

By promoting proper skin cell turnover, Isotretinoin can improve the overall texture of the skin. It makes it smoother and less oily. Additionally, like all retinoids, Isotretinoin also stimulates your skin cells to produce more collagen. Firstly, this leads to smoother healing which improves the appearance of acne scars. It also helps treat signs of skin ageing like fine lines and wrinkles.

How Does it Work?

Isotretinoin works using a multi-targeted approach which makes it a highly effective treatment for severe acne. This comprehensive action often results in long-lasting improvement, with many patients experiencing extended remission from acne after completing a course of Isotretinoin. Below is a little more detail about how Isotretinoin for acne works.

Reduces Sebum Production

Sebum is the oily substance that sebaceous glands produce. An excess of it can lead to clogged pores. Isotretinoin dramatically reduces the size and activity of the sebaceous glands. This leads to a significant decrease in sebum production. By doing so, it prevents the clogging of pores and the formation of acne.

Prevents Clogged Pores

Isotretinoin alters the life and growth cycle of skin cells. It promotes the shedding of dead skin cells and prevents them from clogging the pores. By keeping the pores clear, it reduces the chances of  blackheads and whiteheads forming. These are both precursors to more severe types of acne.

Anti-Inflammatory Effect

Acne often manifests with redness and swelling due to underlying inflammation. Isotretinoin has anti-inflammatory properties that reduces this inflammation. This calms the skin and speeds up the healing of existing acne lesions.

Anti-Bacterial

Propionibacterium acnes (P. acnes) bacteria contribute to the development of acne and the severity of the type of acne. Whilst isotretinoin doesn't directly kill these bacteria but creates an environment where these bacteria struggle to thrive. By reducing oil production and preventing pore clogging, Isotretinoin deprives these bacteria of their ideal breeding ground.

Who Is Isotretinoin Right For?