Can Accutane Cause Premature Aging?

(This post may contain affiliate links. Read the full disclosure policy here.)

To a cystic acne patient, Isotretinoin or Accutane is a well-known treatment. Now, this medication has so many side effects also. That’s why there are so many doubts about its side effects. 

one of the doubts is Can Accutane cause premature aging?

Well, the simple answer is, “No, Accutane doesn’t cause premature aging; instead, it helps to prevent aging.” There are other factors for occurring aging wrinkles. Here is our article on details in this regard.

Can Accutane Cause Premature Aging?

Accutane has no relation to causing premature aging. But when due to this medication, skin turns sensitive, and the patient remains outside all day long under sun exposure, it occurs. Moreover, sun damage is one of the leading causes of premature aging.  

Most people who are taking Accutane inquire with their dermatologist about the possibility of premature aging. Many middle-aged women are also taking Accutane, and their number one concern is whether the Accutane causes wrinkles and aging. 

Accutane is a medicine that stops oil production in our faces. While taking Accutane, most patients have experienced severe side effects such as hair loss, nose bleeding, liver problems, etc. Because of this, a lot of people assumed that one of Accutane’s side effects might also be premature aging. 

However, Board Certified Dermatologist Sonia Badreshia-Bansal, MD, has said that there is no premature aging associated with Accutane. She also stated that sun damage would cause skin damage, premature aging, wrinkles, and other skin issues.

The primary purpose of taking Accutane is to stop oil production from sebaceous glands and shrink them. There is no connection between Accutane and having wrinkles on your face. Reducing oil production will dry out the skin, but it will not make your skin loose and wrinkly. 

However, some might think the skin drying from Accutane will cause wrinkles, which is another myth. You will experience skin peeling from Accutane, which exposes the underlayer of your skin. Going directly under the sun while on Accutane without protection will cause severe skin problems. 

One of them is premature aging and wrinkles. People, therefore, believe that Accutane is to blame for their wrinkles when the sun is to blame.

Also See:

Does Accutane Make Your Breasts Bigger? The Truth Inside

Can You Smoke On Accutane?

Can You Wear Makeup While On Accutane?

Does Accutane Slow Down Aging?

Although there is no association between Accutane and aging, some evidence has proved that Accutane slows down aging. But Accutane alone cannot stop the aging process. Accutane might be added to a procedure to improve the likelihood of delaying aging.

A study has been done on sixty patients who are 35 to 65 years old. The doctors gave them Accutane oral medication, 10 to 20 mg, thrice a week for two months. They are considered Group A, and they also had additional rejuvenation procedures. On the other hand, Group B also has sixty patients with the same Accutane dosage but did not receive any surgical procedure.

The results of group A showed significantly more improvement in reducing wrinkles, the color of the skin, small pores, and tight skin than in group B. It means that using isotretinoin as an oral medication with surgical procedures will slow down aging. 

However, Accutane is helping other procedures increase their benefits. Because Accutane has nothing to do with the muscles of the skin or wrinkles, it cannot slow down aging on its own.

Our skin gets wrinkled because our muscles and skin tissues get loose. Accutane can not change muscle elasticity and skin tissue. Accutane can only change the production of oil from the sebaceous gland. So thinking Accutane can change face muscles and slow aging can be inaccurate. 

How Does Accutane Affect Collagen To Prevent Premature Aging?

Increasing collagen production can slow down aging and also prevent premature aging. However, many people ask, how does Accutane prevent premature aging? Accutane sometimes targets collagen production and increases it to prevent premature aging. Many studies have shown that Accutane can increase collagen production.

One study with 20 female patients aged 40 to 45 has been done to see if Accutane can prevent premature aging. They were given 20mg of oral isotretinoin medication thrice for three months. 

At the end of the analysis, 65% of patients experienced the thickness of their skin as well as the tightening effect. Their skin’s elastic fibers had thickened, and their skin tone had changed. 60% of patients had seen an increase in collagen density. However, the density got less dense after the 12-week duration. The reduction in collagen, however, was less than the percentage increase.

At the end of the analysis, we can say that Accutane increases collagen and fiber elasticity in our faces. However, most people say, “Accutane makes me look older,” which can result from extreme dryness. As we know, Accutane causes extreme dryness on the face and body, and the dryness can sometimes look like wrinkles. 

The drug will make you feel and look older because your body will ache. Yet the effects are temporary; after the course of Accutane, your skin will be soft and smooth like a baby’s.

Does Taking Low Dose Accutane Help With Anti-Aging? 

Low-dose Accutane has fewer side effects and a shorter course duration compared to high-dose Accutane. However, taking a low dose of Accutane will not help with anti-aging. Low-dose Accutane is taken in fewer milligrams, but it has the same side effects and advantages.

To reduce acne and prevent premature aging, you should opt for topical retinoids. Topical retinoids are a class of medication that contains vitamin A. Topical retinoids help with skin aging, acne, and blackheads. This type of retinoid is not taken as an oral medication like Accutane. You can put a retinoid in your face and leave it for benefits. 

Moreover, topical retinoids do not have side effects like Accutane, so you can easily use them if you are targeting anti-aging. Dermatologists always recommend using retinoids for anti-aging and wrinkles. So, if you want to prevent premature aging, Accutane is not the solution. Using topical retinoids will help you achieve youthful skin and prevent premature aging.

Accutane and retinoids are two different types of medications, and their methods are also different. However, if you don’t have severe acne and are targeting anti-aging, look for topical retinoids. 

Accutane has severe side effects such as nose bleeding, liver problems, suicidal tendencies, etc. On the other hand, retinoids only have one side effect: skin purging. So, we recommend using topical retinoids rather than going on an Accutane course to prevent premature aging. 

How Long After Accutane Skin Returns To Normal?

During the Accutane session, patients complain their skin looks older and wrinkled. It is because of the extreme dryness of the medication. However, your skin will return to normal after one to three months of the Accutane course.

Your skin will not be as smooth and wrinkle-free if you do not use sunscreen daily. Regular use of sunscreen will lessen current wrinkles and delay further aging. During the Accutane session, you have to use sunscreen to avoid looking old. 

Use sunscreen to prevent exposing skin to direct sunlight, even during the Accutane purging period. Not using sunscreen with spf50++ will cause skin cancer, skin damage, and wrinkles even if you are on Accutane.

Some people will take more than one to three months to return to normal after taking Accutane. If you have severe cystic acne, your body needs six to eight months to heal. During the healing period, you will experience skin peeling and dryness. Ensure you use sunscreen during and after Accutane to prevent premature aging.

Reference

Causes Of Premature Aging

Sonia Badreshia-Bansal, MD

Study of Accutane slowing down aging

Does Accutane increase collagen production?

All about topical retinoids 

FAQs

Does Accutane make you look younger?

Yes, dermatologists reported that their patients taking Accutane had not only an improvement in their acne but also a more refreshed appearance. The fine lines on their face vanished, their skin tone became more uniform, and their faces seemed more plump and young.

Does Accutane thin your skin?

No, Accutane does not appear to induce skin thinning. Due to decreased oil production, Accutane can make the skin dry and sensitive. Thinness is often blamed incorrectly for this vulnerability.

Conclusion

Finally, Accutane has no such side effects to cause premature aging. Moreover, it will help to reduce your aging. But remember, you have to follow the guideline properly when you are on Accutane medication. For any complications, contact the doctor as soon as possible.

More Articles on Accutane

Will Accutane Get Rid of Blackheads?[Explained]

Does Accutane Affect Your Period?

Can You Drink Alcohol On Accutane?

Why Does Acne Get Worse On Accutane?

Why Does Accutane Cause Joint Pain? Reason Behind The Fact

When Can You Get A Tattoo After Accutane? Things to Know

Can You Get Botox While On Accutane? Complete Guide

Does Accutane Help Dark Circles? Facts Explained