Isotretinoin (acne treatment)

The greatest feature of isotretinoin treatment is that it directly addresses the "root cause" of acne by suppressing the function of the sebaceous glands themselves. By reducing excessive sebum secretion, pores are less likely to become clogged and acne bacteria less likely to multiply, greatly reducing the occurrence of inflammatory acne.

Another major feature of isotretinoin is its low recurrence rate after treatment, since isotretinoin can suppress the activity of sebaceous glands for a long period of time, even for those who experience only temporary improvement with other treatments. Furthermore, isotretinoin also normalizes abnormal skin keratinization (keratin accumulation and clogged pores), making it suitable for all types of acne, including white acne, black acne, inflammatory acne, and cystic acne.

Unlike ordinary topical or antibacterial drugs, it works from inside the body, so it is expected to be effective for those who suffer from acne that spreads over the entire body or on the back or chest area. The fact that sebum secretion is greatly suppressed, and secondary improvements can also be expected for sebum-derived skin problems such as pore size and shine.

While isotretinoin is expected to be highly effective, it may cause side effects depending on one's constitution and physical condition. Therefore, safety is our first priority and treatment will be carefully performed under the supervision of a physician. At our clinic, the treatment process is as follows.

1. initial consultation and counseling

The first step is a consultation by a physician, who will carefully listen to your current skin condition, previous treatment history, and health condition. We will then determine whether isotretinoin is suitable for you and explain the details of the treatment and precautions to be taken.

2. blood tests (if necessary)

Blood tests may be performed prior to starting treatment to check the effects of oral administration on liver function and lipid metabolism. This is an important step to confirm the safety of the drug, especially if you wish to take the drug long-term or at high doses.

3. prescriptions and start taking

If there are no problems, isotretinoin will be prescribed and the patient will continue to take it internally once a day for a certain period of time. Usually, the dosage is started at 10 mg and adjusted as needed while monitoring skin reaction and side effects.

4. follow-up and periodic follow-up

During the treatment period, you will be asked to visit the clinic regularly to check your skin condition and any side effects. If necessary, blood tests will be performed again to continue safe and effective treatment.

5. end of treatment and follow-up visits

Usually, treatment is completed within 4 to 6 months. We recommend regular checkups for a while after the end of treatment to ensure that the effect is stable and that there is no recurrence.

At our clinic, we will carefully check your skin condition and health status at the initial consultation and, if necessary, perform blood tests before proposing treatment at an appropriate dosage and duration. Isotretinoin is an unrestricted drug that requires a physician's prescription and is treated as an unapproved drug in Japan, so adequate physician supervision is essential for its use.

Although isotretinoin is a highly effective treatment for severe acne, several side effects have been reported. In particular, due to the drug's characteristic of strongly suppressing sebum secretion, dryness symptoms are often seen throughout the body.

Main side effects

• Dry and rough lips and skin (can be treated with lip balm or moisturizer)
• Dry eyes, dry or bleeding nose, dry mouth
• Temporary worsening of acne (may be seen in the early stages)
• Headache, muscle pain, joint pain
• Elevated liver function and triglyceride levels (confirmed by regular blood tests)

Risks that require attention

1. Effects on the fetus
   Cannot be taken if you are pregnant or may become pregnant. Contraception is required during treatment and for a certain period of time after completion of treatment.
2. Depressive symptoms/mental changes
   In very rare cases, mood swings, anxiety, and depression have been reported, and if you notice any mental changes, please consult us immediately.

We have a system in place to safely proceed with treatment while minimizing the risk of side effects through pre-dose counseling, blood tests, and regular follow-up during treatment. If you have any concerns, please do not hesitate to contact us.

 

Q1: How long does it take to see results?

A. Early patients experience a decrease in sebum and improvement in inflammation within 2 to 4 weeks of starting treatment, but it usually takes 2 to 3 months to see sufficient results. Although there are individual differences, in most cases, the overall skin condition stabilizes approximately 4-6 months after the start of treatment.

Q2: What happens if I become pregnant while taking isotretinoin?

A. Because isotretinoin is teratogenic (risk of serious birth defects in the fetus), it is essential to use contraception for a certain period of time (usually one month) while taking the drug and after discontinuing it. If you become pregnant while taking isotretinoin, stop taking it immediately and consult your doctor.

Q3. can acne temporarily worsen?

A. Yes. In the early stages of treatment, an "initial aggravation" may occur, which is a temporary increase in acne and inflammation. This is a sign that the medication has begun to work in the body and is almost always transient. There is no need to be overly concerned, as it often settles down after a few weeks to a month or so.

Q4. can it recur?

A. Since isotretinoin has a long-lasting effect on the sebaceous glands, recurrence is unlikely to occur even after treatment is completed. However, in rare cases, a mild recurrence may occur months or years later. In such cases, the symptoms are usually less severe than before.