The chance of developing keloids by taking accutane?

Hi, I have seen comments about the correlation of isotretinoin (accutane) and keloids.  I'm prone to develop keloids on the chest, shoulder and back.  Is there a chance to develop more keloids during and after the course of taking isotretinoin?

Please advise.

[Bhupinder Kaur, MD]

Hello,
Dermatologic side effects have been reported by using accutane and keloid formation and pyoderma gangrenosum have been reported. Isotretinoin inhibits collagenase, which may result in accumulation of collagen and the formation of hypertrophic scars and keloids.
A few patients have experienced keloid formation on the face when isotretinoin was administered in conjunction with dermabrasion. Keloid formation has reported to been occurred in patients who had been off isotretinoin for up to six months before dermabrasion was completed.

It is very difficult to precisely confirm a diagnosis without examination and investigations and the answer is based on the medical information provided. For exact diagnosis, you are requested to consult your doctor. I sincerely hope that helps. Take care and please do keep me posted on how you are doing.

[Ariel15]

I took accutane when I was 15 years old. It worked great and quickly cleared up my acne. Unfortunetly, I developed a keloid scar on my chest and a few on my shoulders from breakouts that did heal correctly. Keloids do not seem to run in my family, and I have always healed normally so I attribute my keloids to Accutane. Having these keloids have been a nightmare: The keloid on my chest, which is about an inch long and is raised/puffy and red in a very noticeable area, has especailly been upsetting to me because as a girl I have to even think about what styles of clothing I cannot wear and I live in Florida so this has been an issue as it is hot and I cannot be covered up and I have been self conscious for years especailly at the beach.

      My dermentologist told me that these ugly scars developed because of Accutane, and the silver lining is that I will not develop additional keloids because it has been over 6 years since I stopped Accutane and no keloids have emerged.
        I hope that someone benefits from my experience as I would not wish this on anyone...Accutane works wonders when clearing up acne but you have to accept the chance that you can develop keloids that can be hit to your self-esteem and happiness, and they are difficult to treat, and will never completely go away. I've gone through cortisone injections to help flatten them and will undergo laser treatments that will hopefully reduce the redness (that are about $250 per session, you may need 3 sessions, and are not covered by insurance).
     If you decide to go on Accutane, remember to be VERY CAREFUL, and never touch/irritate your skin/blemishes.

[mom990]

My son had the same thing happen to him. He developed a lot of keloids on his shoulders back and back of his neck. He hasn't went to the beach or swam in years because of them. He won't take off his shirt in front of anyone. He won't date. Its so sad because it has been years now. He has missed out on doing things with friends like going to a friends family beach house yearly, Even going in the hot springs when on a vacation. We never heard that some people who used accutane also developed keloids. He never had then before using accutane. He says now he wishes they never put him on it and he just dealt with having the acne he had back then. I feel bad for him. He lets it effect his life. He sees it as worse then others would see it but there is not convincing him of this. He tried the shots. They didn't do anything. Did the laser work for you?

Keep positive. Everyday there is new advancements in these lasers and treatment for keloids is right around the corner I really think.

I just wish the insurance companies would understand that the treatment is important to the quality of life of young people who were put on accutane and developed keloids as a side effect. I hear so little about this side effect mentioned. More needs to get out about this. Thank you for the info.