Acne transformation

Woman Shares Before-and-After Photos to Show How Isotretinoin Transformed Her Skin

She says the drug cleared upallof her acne, and these photos are proof.
Redditor shares beforeandafter images of acne transformation after using Accutane drug
Courtesy of lisalisa96

There's no cure for acne, but the skin-transformation photos one woman shared on Reddit look pretty damn close. Given thatup to 50 million peopleexperience acne in the United States alone, science has put a lot of resources into figuring out treatments that can help. (There's even anacne vaccine in the works.) What works for some to clear up blemishes might not work for everyone, but whenever we see super-dramatic results, the treatments involved typically warrant a closer look. And in the case of these striking before-and-after photos, originallyshared in a postby Redditor lisalisa96 in the Skincare Addiction subreddit, the treatment is Isotretinoin — and, according to Lisa, it made amassive的区别。

The Treatment

Taken before starting treatment with Isotretinoin (commonly referred to by one of itsbrand names, Accutane, even though its manufacturer pulled it from the market in 2009) one year after using the treatment, the before-and-after photos are shocking.

In the first photo, you can看到囊性,发炎的疙瘩和脓疱on the cheeks and chin but in the after photo, not only is there not a blemish in sight, there's no trace that any blemishes ever evenexisted. Users commented on the porcelain nature of lisalisa96's skin in the after photo — so flawless it looked like she’d never had a pimple in her life.

"After struggling with acne and confidence issues for as long as I can remember, my dermatologist put me on a 40mg Accutane course for seven months," lisalisa96 wrote.

Accutane as a Last Resort

Before trying the treatment, often seen as a bit of a last resort by dermatologists, she shared she had tried just about everything else — chemical peels, salicylic acid,benzoyl peroxide, a dairy-free diet — all to no avail.

"Nothing worked, my acne kept returning," she said. "I've heard horrendous things and read every possible Accutane-related horror story, however things thankfully worked out just fine [for me]. I definitely experienced some intense skin/lip dryness, some headaches, and fatigue, but that was pretty much about it."

The Power of Isotretinoin

So, what's the deal with Isotretinoin's seemingly magical powers? The drug has a reputation for delivering powerful results when nothing else works. AsAllurepreviously reportedthe acne drug is avitamin A derivative— what dermatologists call an "internal retinoid." It works by addressing all four major acne-causing factors by reducing oil production, boosting skin cell turnover, zapping naturally occurring P. acnes bacteria on the skin, and calming inflammation.

But the drug, formerly known as Accutane, can have some serious side effects. These can include other-worldly dryness, serious warnings about getting pregnant, and a potential relationship to increasing your risk of depression and anxiety. It's serious stuff and should be discussed with your dermatologist in detail.

The Results
Courtesy of lisalisa96

While Isotretinoin worked for lisalisa96, she's aware the treatment isn't a be-all end-all for most. "I realize that everyone is different and medication this harsh will affect everyone differently, yet, I strongly believe more positive Accutane experiences need to be heard," lisalisa96 writes. "Never lose hope, always listen and be kind to your bodies, be patient with your skin!" Amen to that.


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