scarring years after accutane

[kerry902]

I finished taking accutane about 7 years ago.  Now every pimple or mark i get, i get a scar.  Its white and slighly raised.  My question is, is it possible that accutane could affect your healing and make you prone to scarring permanently?  I've heard durning the treatment and a couple years after your skin is thin and sensitive but not permanently.  I would appreciate an answer as I am really depressed over this.

[kerry902]

So are you saying accutane is not causing me to be prone to scarring later in life?

[Bhupinder Kaur, MD]

Hello,
Accutane is known to cause hyperpigmentation or hypopigmentation but these side effects are not permanent. You seem to be having post inflammatory hypopigmentation since it is occurring after bumps. Although this type of skin problem is very difficult to treat, but you can try Elidel cream or Protropic ointment on these hypopigmented  areas. But use them after a dermatologist’s guidance. If the symptoms still persist then you can talk to your dermatologist about laser-assisted chemabrasion(LACA).It has provided excellent results in such hypopigmentation.

I hope it helps. Take care and please do keep me posted on how you are doing or if you have any additional queries. Kind regards.