How Do I Maintain My Skin After Accutane?

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Accutane is one of the well-known treatments for cystic acne. A patient should take proper care of skin and body to heal the side effects of the treatment. Moreover, after completing the medication, you also have to maintain your skin. The reason is to fasten your skin’s healing and prevent acne from returning.

How to maintain skin after Accutane?

Applying a mild cleanser, nourishing moisturizer, and face sunscreen, that has at least SPF 50 daily will help you maintain your skin after using Accutane. Additionally, you should drink plenty of water and healthy food.

Want to know more about Accutane and how it works on the skin? This article is for you. Read with patience.

Accutane

Accutane or isotretinoin is a drug for treating cystic acne (also called nodular acne). When acne is not treated after topical or oral treatments such as benzoyl peroxide, clindamycin, or tetracycline, Accutane is a good choice. 

This Accutane medication is classified as a retinoid. It helps by reducing sebum (oil) production in the skin. Sebum production that is too high might exacerbate acne. Severe acne, if untreated, can leave scars that won’t fade.

How Does Accutane Work?

The purpose of Accutane is to shrink the sebaceous gland and stop oil production. The duration of an Accutane course can be different according to the patient’s skin type and acne type. However, the side effects of Accutane remain the same whether you take a small or a high dose.

Accutane works by stopping the oil production from the pores, which is the food for acne-causing bacteria. Due to insufficient oil, the acne-causing bacteria then perishes, causing the acne to go away. However, the shrinking pores cause excessive dryness to the skin, and it needs 24/7 hydration. 

Additionally, some people experience the Accutane purge, characterized by skin flaking, peeling, and extreme dryness. The effects of Accutane remain even after the finish of the Accutane course. That’s why people need to maintain their skin after Accutane.

Although Accutane reduces oil production, the sebaceous glands reopen and start producing oil after the course. If you do not maintain your skin after Accutane, you will experience acne again. 

The post Accutane skin texture will be dry and flaky due to extreme dryness from the medication. That’s why you must follow the post Accutane skincare routine after the end of the course.

How Do I Maintain My Skin After Accutane?

After the Accutane course, your body will take time to heal from the damages it got from Accutane. During the healing phase, your skin will feel extremely dry and irritated. Because of this, you shouldn’t apply harsh chemicals to your face while taking Accutane or right after. 

Your body needs two to three months to repair the harm caused by Accutane. You will find many tips on “how do I maintain my skin after Accutane?” on different resources. However, you should also go to the dermatologist to ask about post Accutane skin care routine. Here are some of them.

Include Double Cleansing In Your Routine

You should include double cleansing in your skincare routine if you use makeup. Removing makeup after a long day can be difficult with only one cleanser. Some sunscreens are also hard to remove from the face, which can cause acne later. Include an oil-based cleanser to help your makeup and sunscreen melt and wash away properly.

Use A Gentle Cleanser

Accutane thins out the upper layer of the skin, which will irritate it if you use any hard ingredients. Cleansers with active ingredients like salicylic Acid, AHA, BHA, glycolic Acid, etc., will go deep into the skin and irritate it. You should choose a gentle cleanser after Accutane to keep the skin non-irritated. Many gentle cleansers are available to maintain the hydration of your skin.

Add Hyaluronic Acid

Hyaluronic Acid is a hydrating ingredient that will keep your skin’s moisture level balanced. Use serums and toners in your post Accutane skin care products that contain hyaluronic Acid. Use hyaluronic Acid on your damp skin to absorb moisture properly.

Moisturize Daily

You need the best moisturizer post Accutane to maintain your skin. And choosing a gentle moisturizer would help to keep the skin hydrated. Moisturizers like Cetaphil and Cerave are some best products for post-Accutane. You have to use moisturizer twice to ensure your skin is hydrated. 

SPF To Save Your Skin

Whether on an Accutane, you must use SPF 50++ to ensure your skin’s barrier is healthy. Accutane makes your skin thin, and direct UV rays damage your skin barrier. To maintain a healthy skincare routine, you must adhere to your post-Accutane skin regimen. 

How Do I Keep Acne From Coming Back After Accutane?

Most patients experience acne even after they have finished their Accutane course. There are so many reasons for a person to experience acne after the Accutane course. The main reason for returning acne after Accutane is not properly maintaining your skin. 

After finishing the Accutane course, you must build a post-Accutane skincare routine. Your morning skincare and night skincare routine have to be different. For the first two to three months, we don’t recommend using active ingredients such as vitamin C, AHA, BHA, salicylic Acid, etc.

You can use pimple patches if you see any pimples forming on your face. Moreover, using hydrating face masks will keep your skin hydrated and pH balanced. 

During the nighttime skincare routine, eliminate the SPF and add vaseline. Vaseline will lock the moisture off your face and keep it hydrated. 

Another reason for coming back to acne is hormonal reasons. If your hormones are imbalanced, your acne will come back after Accutane. You must take vitamin and hormone balancing pills to prevent acne from returning after Accutane. To do that, contact your gynecologist and discuss your hormonal imbalance. 

How Long After Accutane Can I Use Retinol?

We know retinol is the best product for acne and blackheads. However, doctors do not recommend using retinol during and after the Accutane course until your skin is healed properly. It is because Accutane is already a medicine consisting of vitamin A and using retinol over Accutane will affect your skin. 

Our skin already suffers from Accutane purge. And retinol also causes purging on our skin. Using retinol over thin skin will create discomfort and pain in your skin. 

It takes two to three months for our skin to rebuild and thicken from the Accutane damage. We can include Accutane in our skincare routine after three months of the course. By doing that, your skin can bear the potential benefits of retinol without causing pain or irritation. 

Make sure to start with gentle topical retinol and use only twice a week after Accutane. You can gradually elevate the percentage of Accutane after four to six months. Using retinol after two months from Accutane will ensure good skin and prevent acne Vulgaris. 

FAQs

Does your skin turn normal after Accutane?

Yes, your skin will return to normal after Accutane, but not instantly. It will take around 6 months to heal properly. Some people see fewer adverse effects during the first one to two months of treatment, while others may experience them throughout. As soon as the medication is completed, the side effects typically disappear.

How many times can you take Accutane in your lifetime?

Accutane treatment at the standard dose of 0.8 mg for 16–20 weeks is usually repeatable up to three times. Most doctors will start with a dose of 0.8 mg/kg, but some will raise it to achieve the best outcomes.

Conclusion

Finally, we are here to conclude in one statement that you should maintain a good skincare routine for a better outcome of the Accutane treatment. Such regular follow-up skin care will not only help to heal your skin but also prevent acne. Moreover, you may consult your doctor in this regard.