Accutane treatment is a Vitamin A derivative used in the treatment of severe acne that has, in most cases, failed to respond to other forms of treatments. Accutane is said to be very powerful and effective in clearing all forms of stubborn breakouts. This drug works to unclog the clogged pores, clear acne-causing bacteria, fight inflammation, and control oil production.
Accutane belongs to a class of drugs known as Retinoids. Accutane drugs are taken as a whole and should never be chewed or crushed. The right dose for you will depend on the severity of your acne, your weight, and your response to the treatment. Your doctor may recommend that you take the Accutane drug twice daily for 15 to 20 weeks or more.
Some specialists recommend taking this drug together with your meals to increase its absorption into the bloodstream. Others may recommend taking it alone with just a glass of water to assist in swallowing. Whatever advice your doctor recommends, take action to adhere to them and ensure to ask anything that’s not clear.
What to Expect When Using Accutane to Treat Severe Acne
Like most acne treatment methods, Accutane will have some pronounced side effects, as discussed below. The first thing you should expect when you start using this drug is for your condition to worsen instead of getting better. This will take place in the first few weeks of using Accutane and may prolong to two months before you start observing any commendable results.
Using Accutane to treat acne will also result in the following side effects on your body; chapped lips, dry mouth and skin, dry nasal passages, increased skin sensitivity to the sun, irritation, fragile skin, itching, and muscle aches to name a few.
Accutane may also have severe side effects on your body, such as stroke, vomiting, nausea, uncontrollable headache, blurred vision, and Crohn’s disease, amongst others.
How to Manage the Side Effects When Using Accutane Treatment to Address Severe Acne
Though unavoidable, the side effects of Accutane treatment are manageable. One of the best ways to manage these side effects is to ensure you use the drug as recommended by your physician or specialist. Also, ensure to keep in touch with your doctor and inform them of any occurrence that seems abnormal when on this drug. Moreover, pay attention to useful recommendations such as moisturizing using mild moisturizers to minimize dryness and itchiness and using sunscreen to protect against the negative effects of the sun.
In addition, avoid any incident that may worsen the condition, such as exposing yourself to high levels of sunshine, using heavy metals and chemicals on your body, waxing, and other pronounced body treatments such as sun tans. If possible, keep away from these treatments up to 18 months after the Accutane treatment so that your skin may fully recover.
Lastly, be on the lookout and consult your physician immediately when you experience serious side effects such as severe headaches and Crohn’s disease. A doctor will be able to advise you on the best actions to take to minimize the side effects of Accutane. Some experts may recommend reducing the dosage in order to control the side effects, while others may advise halting the usage of the drug for some time for the side effects to capsize. Whatever your physician advises, ensure to adhere to it for the best results.
Why Should You Not Wax While on Accutane Treatment?
Accutane treatment makes your skin overly sensitive and thin. This drug will also cause your skin to lift, which may result in wounds, bleeding, and brown spots after waxing. A sensitive, thin and weakened skin should never be exposed to heavy body treatments such as waxing. That’s why you need to avoid this action on the skin that has already been weakened by Accutane treatment.
How Long Should You Wait to Wax After Accutane Treatment?
Experts recommend waiting for at least six to twelve months before indulging in any form of waxing when on Accutane treatment. This drug is known to cause some serious side effects, such as thinning, drying, and flaking your skin. Waxing such skin will cause the top layer to lift, resulting in wounds and sometimes brown spots.
After the recommended time is over, take action to consult your dermatologist or physician before you can resume waxing. These experts will be able to examine and give you a sound go-ahead that will see you treat your skin without any negative side effects.
My Thoughts on What You Should Do
There is no doubt that Accutane is the go-to solution when addressing severe and stubborn acne that has outweighed all other forms of treatment. Accutane treatment is highly powerful and works on your condition to clear the tiniest form of scarring. This drug is recommended by dermatologists and other experts to use in the treatment of severe acne.
Despite its effectiveness in treating acne Accutane has pronounced side effects that may turn out to be dangerous when not controlled. Some of this drug’s side effects include drying, thinning, flaking, weakening, and irritating the skin. Accutane treatment is known to weaken the skin, and it is for this reason that you should avoid exposing the skin to heavy procedures such as waxing when under this treatment to avoid damaging it further.
For best results, ensure to give your skin time, 6-12 months, to heal and rejuvenate before you can start waxing or any other heavy procedures such as chemical tanning and sun tans after the Accutane treatment. Also, ensure to talk with your specialist on the best way forward before resuming these procedures after the treatment.
