Acne returning 15 years after Accutane Tx

[heidi35]

I am 35 year old female, who underwent Accutane Tx for severe acne 15 years ago.  Over the past 4-5 years, I have used ProActive products with good results to maintain good skin.  Over the past three months, however, I have had a return of the deep, cystic acne I used to have.  Intitally, I would develop one pimple at a time, which would heal.  Presently, I am up to 3 or 4 developing at a time.  Is there a possibility that I am retruning to the severe acne I thought was eliminated by Accuatane Tx years ago?

Thank you for your consideration of my concerns,
Heidi

[loiloi]

Hi. Accutane works by shrinking the sebaceous glands responsible for oil production. They grow back very very slowly, by which time the patient has nearly always outgrown her tendency to acne. However, about 20% of us do require a second course of Accutane.
Have you changed your method of birth control recently? At age 35 many women stop taking the combined birth control pill which contains oestrogen. Oestrogen blocks the actions of androgens - the hormones responsible for acne. Although the risks associated with taking the combined pill do increase after age 35, discuss with your doctor whether these risks are outweighed by the benefits. Avoid the mini-pill, depot shot and hormonal IUD, all of which can induce acne.
Eloise.