scarring from accutane

[janey106]

I've been on Accutane for the past 7 weeks. While my skin has dried up a little (40mg/day for 110lb person), I feel like my skin won't ever clear because Accutane has caused my skin to scar like never before. I've had a scar on my foot from a blister I had over a month ago, and a minor scrape on my leg has been around for almost six weeks. Is this a normal thing to have happen? I rarely get new pimples, but the ones I've had in the past 7 weeks won't completely heal and disappear now. Should I up my dosage? Or is Accutane a lost cause? Any thoughts would be appreciated!

[loiloi]

Hi. Do not change your dose unless your dermatologist tells you to. 110lb is about 50kg so your recommended dose (depending on severity of acne) will be between 25mg and 50mg per day. That is 0.5 to 1 mg per kg bodyweight a day.
7 weeks is still early days so don't give up. You should have no new lesions after about 12 weeks with further clarity of skin at 16 weeks.
Accutane changes the healing process of the skin so you may find lesions take longer to heal. This is an expected side effect and such side effects are generally dose related. Put some Vaseline or Elizabeth Arden 8 hour cream on these minor abrasions.
If you have acne scarring after treatment this can be removed with microdermabrasion or a chemical peel. You must wait 6 months after finishing Accutane before having these procedures due to the increased risk of scarring.
Accutane provides your best hope of a long term remission from acne. Please see my photos in my profile :)
Eloise.

[jendo]

Vitamin C, and St. Johns Wort are incredible for healing and less scarring.  Also, topically, vitamin A and coconut oil.  

[loiloi]

Hi thanks for your post. Just to remind female patients NOT to take ST John's Wort whilst on Accutane. This is because female patients must use two forms of contraception during therapy (combined pill plus a barrier method). Pregnancies exposed to Accutane are highly likely to have malformations. St John's Wort can stop the pill from working properly.
Eloise.