post redness after accutane??

Hi Doctor!

My name is Marc and i have some serious questions about my skin that hopefully you can answer them in detail.. I have a strong history of severe cystic acne and my derm prescribed me Accutane. Anyway, i just finished a 5 month course of Accutane literally 2 months ago and im clear of my cystic acne but the only problem im having right now is the redness thats left behind the healed acne. My skin still looks super bad even after the course. My skin looks like i still continue to have cystic acne even though i dont due to the redness. My last appointment with the derm was the month before i finished Accutane. He also said that 2 weeks after COMPLETING my accutane course that all the REDNESS would clear 100%. Well its been 2 MONTHS now and i havnt seen any dramatic improvement with the redness.. Ever since the 2 weeks after my course ive been using an OTC anti redness medication for my skin but havnt seen any improvement at all. The derm said that people usually dont use anything on their skin after the course and that the redness will go away with two weeks.

1. You think the medication im using counters the effects of accutane? That since im using a topical medication that its preventing my skin from clearing?? should i try stop the otc medication??

2. Will taking any type of vitamins help?

3. What should i wash my face with? I heard that Cetaphil and Dove soap is good but does that help reduce the redness or its just a regular facewash?

4. I heard you say in some posts that the redness may take several months to clear, what is considered several months? is there a way you can provide a more detailed timeline? ex. 3-5 months for severe acne, 6-8 months

5. When it comes to Accutane, the dryness really makes the redness appear more red than it really is, since i had severe acne does that mean that the redness is gonna take even longer to heal and go away

Anyway, Please help me, this is very depressing, i need all the advice i can get.

[Alan Rockoff, MD]

1. You think the medication im using counters the effects of accutane? That since im using a topical medication that its preventing my skin from clearing?? should i try stop the otc medication??

No.  But I doubt that it helps either.  I'm not sure why your dermatologist told you that redness goes away 2 weeks after Accutane.  It often takes several months.

2. Will taking any type of vitamins help?

Not really.

3. What should i wash my face with? I heard that Cetaphil and Dove soap is good but does that help reduce the redness or its just a regular facewash?

Nothing reduces redness except time.  Dove and Cetaphil and other mild soaps are fine.

4. I heard you say in some posts that the redness may take several months to clear, what is considered several months? is there a way you can provide a more detailed timeline? ex. 3-5 months for severe acne, 6-8 months

3-6 months.  That's the best I can do.

5. When it comes to Accutane, the dryness really makes the redness appear more red than it really is, since i had severe acne does that mean that the redness is gonna take even longer to heal and go away

You shouldn't have any residual dryness from Accutane at this point.  You may feel dry because it's winter.

Thinking about your redness and looking at it all the time are not going to help.  You've done what you needed to--take Accutane.  Now I suggest that you relax and let nature take its course, which I expect it will.

Best.

Dr. Rockoff

[CC94]

I have been on roaccutane ( accutane ) for the last 6 months . 60mg a day . I finished about 2 weeks ago . my skin is stil red . I don't mind if it takes time for it to go away I jst want to know will it definately eventually be gone and my normal skin colour return ? Cheers .