Vitamin A Derivaties

My dermatologist suggested that I start using a gel on my skin that contains retinol. She has also suggested maybe putting me on Accutane if we can't find anything to clear my acne up. Both of these I believe are Vitamin A derivatives, which are fat soluble. I have heard that once you absorb something fat soluble it will be with you forever. Is this true? I know they have tested these medications but that still does not sound very appealing to me.

[loiloi]

Hi. Accutane will not stay inside you forever. It has a long half-life and traces remain in your body for up to 5 weeks after you stop using it. It works by shrinking the sebaceous glands which causes oily skin. These glands grow back very slowly, by which time the patient has usually out-grown their tendency for acne.
Try a topical retinoid first: Differin gel (adapalene 0.1%)  is generally well-tolerated and very effective. If topical retinoids/oral antibiotics/anti-androgen contraceptive pills have failed, Accutane is your best hope of a long term remission from acne.
Eloise.