Accutane is a prescription medication used to treat moderate to severe acne. Its generic name is isotretinoin; other trade names include Amnesteem, Claravis, Clarus, Isotane, Izotek, or Sotret. It is a retinoid, meaining it is a synthetic form of Vitamin A and is found in small quantities naturally in the body. Accutane creates a potentially long-lasting change in the cells lining the pore. This change prevents pore openings from getting plugged, so oil can flow freely to the skin’s surface. It also reduces the amount of oil secreted by oil glands in the skin and helps your skin renew itself faster.

Accutane is usually used for acne only after other treatments and/or antibiotics have been tried but failed to produce successful clearing of symptoms.

What’s interesting to note the drug was first developed to be used as a chemotherapy medication for the treatment of brain cancer, pancreatic cancer and other cancers. It is still used in the treatment of these cancers because of its ability to kill rapidly dividing cells.   

Accutane Side Effects

Adverse drug reactions associated with isotretinoin therapy include:

* Common: Mild acne flare, dryness of skin, lips and mucous membranes, infection of the cuticles, cheilitis, itch, rosacea, skin fragility, skin peeling, rash, flushing, nose bleeds, dry eyes, diffuse alopecia areata, eye irritation, conjunctivitis, reduced tolerance to contact lenses, hyperlipidaemia, raised liver enzymes, permanent thin skin, headaches, permanent hair thinning (This could start or continue after treatment), myalgia and/or arthralgia, back pain.

* Infrequent: severe acne flare, raised blood glucose level, increased erythrocyte sedimentation rate, fatigue.

* Rare: impaired night vision; cataracts; optic neuritis; menstrual disturbances; inflammatory bowel disease; pancreatitis; hepatitis; corneal opacities; papilloedema; idiopathic intracranial hypertension; skeletal hyperostosis; extraosseous calcification; psychosis; and it is believed that severe depression can occur, although there is no conclusive evidence for this.

The following adverse effects have been reported to persist, even after discontinuing therapy: alopecia (hair loss), arthralgias, decreased night vision, inflammatory bowel disease, degenerative disc disease, keloids, bone disease. High dosages of isotretinoin have been reported to cause rosacea (a disease of severe facial skin redness and irritation).

Isotretinoin – Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Accutane and Pregnancy

* For your baby’s sake, you must NEVER, EVER take Accutane when you are pregnant.

* Accutane can cause severe, life-threatening birth defects if the woman takes the medication during pregnancy. A single dose of Accutane can lead to defects of the baby’s eyes, ears, skull, heart, and brain. It can also lead to miscarriage, premature birth, or even death of the baby.

* Fertile women of childbearing age who take Accutane must not be pregnant or become pregnant during treatment or for three months after discontinuing treatment.

* Prior to starting the treatment any woman of child-bearing age must agree in writing to take two forms of birth control and take pregnancy tests prior to, during and following the treatment.

Accutane Side Effects: Pros and Cons of Using Accutane for Acne

Accutane Treatment

Accutane has been in use for acne treatment since 1984, and for many people suffering from severe and persistent nodular acne – it certainly is a miracle drug they have been praying for.  The treatment lasts 5 to 6 months, and the dose of the medication is adjusted according to patient’s weight.  Most patients need just one course of treatment to see improvement in their condition. Only about thirty percent will need a second course, and about ten percent will fail to respond.

Accutane in the US is available only under a special program called iPLEDGE. To take the medicine, you need to register in the program and sign the release forms and consent to the terms.  Patients are required to take blood tests during the course of treatment to make sure the side effects are kept under control.

Natural Alternatives to Accutane

Even though Accutane can sometimes produce truly spectacular results, if you have read this far you now obviously realize that it is not an ideal treatment to free your body from acne.

As most conventional treatments, Accutane only addresses the symptoms of the condition, not the internal cause. Everybody who has severe acne, or even suffers a sporadic breakout every now and then, should know that getting rid of it should be a multilayered task. You should treat the entire body and target the true causes of the problem and not just symptoms. This is of course often a very difficult task…

Read more about Acne Skin Care: Acne Removal using natural methods, Natural Acne Removal Treatment, and Baby acne.

Acne Diet Myths

In many books and articles about acne, there is a section about “acne myths”. And one of those myths is usually the view that acne is caused by diet. While I agree that acne is not caused by that bar of chocolate that you ate last night, or last year for that matter; and that not one specific food has been found guilty of causing acne outbreaks, I do have a problem with these “acne diet myths”.

My problem is that what these authors (who are often doctors) are saying that what we put in our bodies does not affect our health; while all common sense and evidence provided by hundreds of scientific studies confirms that in fact it’s just the opposite.

I think these statements lull acne sufferers into thinking that it’s OK to eat anything they want, because there is no proven direct link between any specific type of food and acne. So they keep eating the SAD diet (SAD stands for standard American diet), which is truly really sad…

Rather than eat unprocessed foods as nature intended, most of us consume large qualities of food items that are high in fats, sugar, salt, chemical additives, but are deficient in fiber and essential nutrients. Instead of a diet predominating in fresh fruits and vegetables, the top three sources of calories in most American diets today are milk, cola, and margarine, with the fat and refined sugar accounting for 65% of caloric intake. The rest of the standard American diet is mostly about animal foods and processed wheat products, neither of which are ideal foods.

As I said, acne outbreaks are not caused by a bar of chocolate or a greasy pizza you ate yesterday, but if for years we keep abusing our body with unhealthy foods, how can we expect it to be healthy and look beautifully?

We need to accept the responsibility for our actions and realize that everything we put into our bodies contributes to our health or sickness. The truth is by making simple changes to your lifestyle, practically any disease can be prevented and reversed.

Foods that Cause Acne (and Other Disorders)

Our bodies are not designed to digest all the processed foods, saturated fats, and chemically engineered substances that people have been consuming for the past hundred years or so. When fed with unwholesome diet of refined sugars, refined grains, fats and processed meals, our bodies begin to deteriorate and suffer from many functional and organic impairments, and, ultimately, start to break down.

Acne is just one – albeit very common – manifestations of this process.

There is really no special diet or special foods for people suffering from acne outbreaks. There are really only two types of diets in this world: one that is health promoting and the other one that is unhealthy and eventually leads to various disorders and diseases.

Adopting proper lifestyle, including proper diet, proper sleep, physical activity, not overreacting in stressful situations are all important things that you can do to maintain good health and general well-being.

Fasting and Eating for Health

Acne Free Diet

Our bodies have been designed by nature to thrive on natural foods, mainly on fresh ripe fruits, vegetables, and young greens, with limited consumption of animal foods or whole grains. For optimum health we should consume at least 60 percent (of caloric intake) of fresh fruits and vegetables – eaten RAW. The rest should be cooked vegetables, perhaps some meats and fish if you choose not to be a vegetarian, and some whole grains.

If you are not seeing results with the changed diet, perhaps you could try a short fast to speed up the recovery process (read the great book “Fasting and Eating for Health” by Joel Fuhrman).

I am also a great believer in the benefits of eating a diet of RAW FRESH fruits and vegetables, and drinking freshly made vegetable juices – even if you can do it just for a few days or weeks. You may be able to see great improvements in your skin condition and energy levels (read the 80/10/10 diet by Douglas N. Graham and/or The Raw Secrets by F. Patenaude).

The 811 Diet

Even if you are unable to stay 100% on this diet, increasing raw fruits and vegetables to 60% or 70% or more of your caloric intake, will make a big difference in your skin condition and general health.

When trying a raw food diet for acne and general health, be sure to avoid the diets that recommend eating excessive amounts of fats: nuts, avocados, coconut oils. Even though these are natural foods, excessive amounts of fats are never beneficial.

Keep in mind that in the beginning of the fast or raw diet your skin condition may temporarily get worse. That may be an indication of the body working overtime to get rid of the accumulated toxins. This should pass after a few days and you should be able to see an improvement after that.

Raw Secrets

Getting Rid of Acne: The Prerequisites of Good Health

There are many elements that are necessary to maintain good health, with proper nourishment and physical activity being two of the most important and usually the most neglected of all. Other elements include fresh air, sunlight, cleanness, rest and sleep.

All things in the universe operate according to unchanging laws and principles. Despite of what we would like to believe – that we can change and control nature and its processes – we are still subject to natural laws that govern the entire universe.

“ There is no truth in nature more positive than that the normal condition of man is one of health”. Herbert Shelton

Our health is not subject to chance, disease is not an evil that attacks us out of the blue. Our well being is governed by simple but universal and fixed laws of nature, that we so often violate thinking there will be no consequences. The simple truth is that the consequences of law violations manifest themselves in diseases, and obedience of these laws results in good health.

Healthful habits do not cause disease. Moderate eating of natural foods, pure air, pure water, physical activity, relaxation, sufficient sleep – all these are not disease producing. Impure air, impure water, unwholesome food, eating too much, insufficient rest and sleep, lack of physical activity smoking, drugs, etc., are all disease producing. These are two opposite ways of living – one leading to health and strength, the other leading to disease.

Doctors who believe that living according to the prevailing habits – even if they are in violation to the laws of nature – is OK, will search for some obscure explanation of suffering – germs, viruses,or genetics but will never get to the root of the problem.

Taking care of your health is usually associated with deprivation and boredom. Another reason so few patients are adopting natural methods is they require effort on the part of the patient, and many people are just not willing to do it.

How to get rid of acne for good?

Our bodies are designed for health and beauty. It is simple amazing what our bodies are capable of if we just follow the laws of nature and not go against them.

If you are interested to learn more about foods that are truly health promoting, read the books I am recommending – they truly changed my life. You may notice that none of these books is specifically about acne free diet – but they will surely help your overall health and improve your skin condition.

Even though I am a big believer in natural acne prevention methods, this does not mean I do not approve of using conventional methods of dealing with acne. Sometimes we just need to see the improvement quickly – perhaps we need to get rid of pimples on our face, or have acne scarring and want to know more about acne scar laser removal treatments, or other conventional treatments (I will soon be writing about drug treatment therapies and other surgical procedures). This is all fine and you can read about these topics on this Acne Removal and Skin Care blog. But in the meantime work on improving your diet and lifestyle habits.

Your body will thank you for it with beautiful, glowing skin!

It often happens that your acne or pimples get worse right before a big event – like on the night before your wedding day or first date. Everything seems fine until the BIG day, and then – BAM!  There it is!

—Don’t you just HATE that..!

I know I do. It may be just a coincidence, it may be Murphy’s Law, it may be stress associated with the event – it does not matter. What matters is getting rid of it or making it invisible PRESTO!

So what are some steps that one can take in getting rid of pimples? There are many home remedies and cures that you can try if you need fast results. I have not tested all of them, as I am a proponent of natural acne treatment that take care of the reasons we get acne in the first place, but for short-term solutions, these may work for you:

• Use cold treatment to reduce swelling and redness of the affected area. Take an ice cube and rub it against the spot for two minutes every 30 minutes. This will also help decrease any inflammation and pain.
• One of the simplest ways to make acne disappear overnight is by using toothpaste. First you’ll have remove any makeup that you may be wearing and then apply white toothpaste on the affected area. You may feel burning sensation for the first few minutes and if the irritation persists then rinse it off. Putting toothpaste on your zit will dry out the zit and help to bring matters to a head, thereby speeding up the cycle of zit growth.
• Wash your skin delicately twice a day with mild soap or cleanser and apply a little bit cream or ointment with benzoyl peroxide (not recommended if you have very delicate skin). Do not scrub too hard. Scrubbing your skin vigorously can, irritate your skin and make things even worse!
• Cucumbers have been known for being good for your skin. Peel the cucumber and cut it in thin slices or make a paste. Put it on your face and let it sit for at least 20 minutes. This should be enough time to soak into your skin pores.
• Make a paste of mint leaves and milk and apply on the acne. Leave it for 15 to 20 minutes and then wash it. Mint leaves contain ingredients that kill bacteria and have been used in acne remedies for ages.
• Apply a paste of fresh garlic on the affected areas overnight. Make a fine paste of garlic cloves and just leave it for a few hours or over night.
• Use makeup to conceal the pimple. Just be sure to use oil-free makeup products, and to remove it before going to bed.
• Stop touching your face! It is surprising how many times a day we touch our faces with our not-so-clean hands without even thinking about it. Touching your face with your hands can spread bacteria which can lead to inflammation.

Some of these may not be a gentle or natural solutions, but for many people they work really well and fairly quickly.

Now, if you absolutely must squeeze a pimple, I suggest that you at least use these tips to decrease the risk of scarring.

How to Squeeze a Pimple?

It is important to use the method correctly and apply the pressure GENTLY around the affected area.

There are some cosmetic tools that can be purchased to help you do that, which is much better than using your fingers. Comedo extractors are special cosmetic instruments that allow you to extract a comedo from its follicle by applying even pressure around its circumference. They are widely available and easy to use.

Pore strips can also be used. These are pieces of cloth soaked with a glue-like substance. You stick it and press it to the affected area. When you pull the strip off, it should pull the plugs in the pores out.

The common method of pinching the skin together hard can actually push the pus further back in, leading to inflammation and the possibility of making the pore larger.  In some case a lump can form on the skin, which can only be removed by a clinician using a special tool to create a larger hole to release the built up pus.

–WARNING! — Do not EVER try to squeeze, pop, or otherwise manipulate an inflamed pimple that is just a red, headless bump, deep under your skin! There is no way you can squeeze it out, instead you will most likely make the inflammation worse, longer lasting, and much more likely to leave a permanent scar. Then your only option may be acne scar laser treatment, which is a costly and painful procedure.

When bumps turns into a pimple with a yellow or whitish head, or a blackhead, it’s best to just keep applying the ice and the spot treatment and wait for the pimple to resolve on its own. Eventually it will open up, drain and heal.

Removing pimples is tricky and likely to lead to new inflammation and eventually scarring. Most dermatologists advise patients not to try this at home, but to turn to a trained specialist. And this is good advice.

Read more about Acne Skin Care: Acne Removal using natural methods, Natural Acne Removal Treatment, and Baby acne.

Just like many others acne sufferers, you may be looking for a fast and permanent way to remove acne from your skin. It is estimated that in the US alone there are over than 18 million people who suffer from this acne, not only taking its toll on a person’s physical condition but on their mental attitude too, having a negative effect on a person’s self-esteem.

You can see many “miraculous” treatments for acne that are advertised on the Internet and in popular magazines. Just about everyone you know has some kind of magical remedy or secret advice.

Many people who suffer from acne choose go for some sort of commercial treatments, such as pills, creams, and even cosmetic surgeries, to get fast relief without any effort on their part. They either don’t realize or don’t care that they are only getting a temporary solution – by treating the symptom, rather than the cause of the problem.

If you are looking for a permanent cure, you should NOT rely entirely on over the counter treatments or prescription drugs – these may be good for short-term relief of severe symptoms. I believe that all forms of acne, no matter how severe, can be treated by using natural methods alone. It just may take a little longer and require a little more patience and discipline if your acne is severe.

To cure acne fast and keep it off forever, there are many of things you can do that are much safer than any medications. Alternative treatments for acne focus on self care: proper cleansing to keep the skin oil-free; eating a well-balanced diet high in fiber, zinc, and raw foods; and avoiding substances that are not good for you.

The main component for proper acne skin care is to live a healthy life. This means eating healthy foods, avoiding harmful substances, getting exercise, and many other aspects of what is considered a healthy lifestyle. Do not concentrate on treating symptoms and worry about a specific part of your body not being well (in the case of acne this could be your liver or kidneys).

The simple truth is it is impossible to have acne when living a healthy lifestyle. Acne – and other skin conditions for that matter – is a way for the body to try to get rid of toxins.

Eat a very healthy diet high in green and other vegetables and lots of fruits. Raw is always best. If you like, have some fish and lean meat. Have some fresh made fruit and vegetable juice, water or green tea. Freshly-squeezed juices are very nourishing and water can help to remove unwanted toxins. These toxins not only affect your skin but other functions within a body. Increase the amount of citrus fruits you have in your diet especially oranges, lemons, limes and grapefruits.

Keep in mind that its not just what you eat, but what you don’t eat that makes a huge difference. Avoid processed foods, fatty foods, alcohol, dairy products, tobacco, caffeine, sugar, and foods high in iodine, such as salt.

Get enough sleep and avoid stress. Exercise at least 3 times a week. Do whatever you like: walk, run, swim or do yoga. This not only helps to sweat toxins and other garbage from one’s body, but is vital for boosting your metabolism. Again not only will exercising help to get rid of the acne you are suffering from but can actually help with you maintaining a healthy body weight.

Spend some time outside in the sun (but be careful, too long exposure can make your acne worse).

Consider fasting once a week. Fasting helps your body to get rid of all these unwanted toxins. It is best to drink only water when on the fast, but drinking fresh fruit or vegetable juice is acceptable too.

Natural treatments are essential because they will help your acne heal faster, reduce the redness and inflammation in a pimple and make sure your acne does not come back with full force after you stop using the medications or creams.

The natural way to treat acne will always be better, but don’t feel as though you can never use conventional treatments. Just remember that conventional treatments, such as antibiotics and topical gels, only treat the symptoms without getting to the real cause.

If you suffer from acne then there’s most likely something in your body that isn’t working as well as it should.

Natural methods of acne skin care are essential to remove the real cause of acne. If you choose to use conventional treatments, you should know that you can still use natural methods, as the two can work together well.

Read more about Acne Skin Care: Acne Removal using natural methods.