Isotretinoin is administered when

Most forms of acne are extremely severe, including cystic and nodular acne.
Acne is a widespread condition, as evidenced by the extensive acne on the trunk.
Scarring is the result of acne.
Post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation is the result of acne.
Acne that persists despite antibiotic therapy
Hormonal acne that is challenging to manage through conventional methods
Excessive psychological distress due to acne

Isotretinoin is one of the few medications that can provide prolonged control of acne for many years after the treatment course has concluded, and in some cases, it is a permanent cure, according to the majority of dermatologists. The absence of very long-term studies to demonstrate the number of individuals who are cured makes it difficult to determine an exact figure.

Our experience indicates that, in the long term, adults over the age of 18 may experience the following outcomes following a course of Isotretinoin:

One -third  of individuals can anticipate that their acne will not recur.
One -third of individuals can anticipate that their acne will recur at some point, albeit at a much milder state that can be managed with topical treatments.
One -third of individuals can anticipate that their acne will regress to a state that is comparable to that which existed prior to the administration of Isotretinoin.

Lip dryness.  Noted first as a side effect is this one Applying a lip balm every two or three hours (or more often if they get very dry) and avoiding licking the lips help to control this. Saliva causes the lips to become ironically more dry and chaffing prone. Looking at lip balms, Vaseline, Blistex Intensive Moisturiser, Burt’s Beeswalk Lip Balm and Dr Lipp’s Original Nipple Balm. Other advised products are Aquaphor Soothing Skin Balm, Carmex, and O’Keeffe’s Lip Repair Balm.
Nose  dryness. Nose bleeds and itching can follow from this. At least three times daily and more if very dry, dab Vaseline or Aquaphor Soothing Skin Balm inside the nose. If you have hay fever or a dust allergy that causes an itchy nose anyway, then minimise your contact to dust and pollen and take daily antihistamines to help.
Dry skin.  Your skin will become too sensitive to all topical acne treatments, thus you will have to stop them while on isotretinoin. Steer clear of anything abrasive on your skin, including bubble baths, soaps, gel, scrubs, loofas. For dry skin, use a mild soap substitute; Cerave Moisturising Lotion, Cetaphil Lotion (note: not the cleanser, the lotion) or Dermol 500. These products will hydrate your skin as they cleanse, not later or bubble. Unless your hands are obviously dirty or you must wash them for virus prevention, which in which case you should first use soap then Dermol 500. Three times a day you should also apply a non-comedogenic moisturiser. For dry skin, use a light product during the daytime, such Cerave Moisturising Lotion. At night, a heavier product like Epaderm Ointment or Cerave Moisturising Cream for Dry Skin, together with Cetaphil Lotion, Aveeno Lotion or Cerave Lotion. You will also need to use the heavier product during the day if your skin gets quite dry. If you are looking for a Vegan product, give Sukin Oil-Free Moisturiser some thought.
Red eyes and dry eye conditions. Try not to wear contact lenses; at least four times a day and more if needed, use artificial tears. Xailin Night lubricating eye ointment is for nighttime use; products to think about for daily use are Thealoz Duo Eye drops or Visu XL drops. If you are constantly red-eyed, you should let your doctor know; you might have to visit a specialist eye clinic.
Dryness in the vagina. Using vaginal hydrating products like YES VM consistently?from once every three days to daily (or more)? dependent on the degree of dryness will help this.
Aches and pains. Stiffness, aches and pains, can all be brought on by isotretinoin Especially common is low back pain. Usually mild, these can be controlled with sporadic paracetamol intake. Tell your doctor if they are rather severe. While on isotretinoin, you will want to avoid vigorous exercise or beginning a first-time fitness program. Intense cardio like rowing for thirty minutes and weight lifting constitute part of strenuous exercise. Muscle breakdown can result from very intense exercise. If you are highly athletic, schedule to have isotretinoin outside of season.
One gets headaches. Early on in an Isotretinoin course, mild headaches are rather common. A rare side effect of isotretinoin is severe headaches that worsen in the morning, linked with nausea and vomiting, and get worse with coughing and sneezing; treatment must thus be stopped immediately and a neurological review is needed. Before beginning Isotretinoin, medications including Doxycycline, Oxytetracycline and Lymecycline must be stopped to lower the likelihood of this rare side effect.
Severe damage to a foetus. While on isotretinoin or for one month following a course of treatment, women cannot become pregnant. This is so because isotretinoin raises miscarriage risk and causes severe birth abnormalities. Women of childbearing age should use either two less effective forms of birth control?the pill and condoms or one very effective form?the intra-uterine coil device or the hormonal implant. Appreciating that any contraceptive method can fail means that even with these strategies in place, there is a rather small risk of pregnancy. Before beginning Isotretinoin, you should get advice on contraception from your GP, a private gynaecologist or a private family planning clinic to guarantee you are using suitable techniques.

• £ 75 Single Mole or Lesion Assessment

• £ 120 Up to 5 Moles or Skin Lesions Assessment

• £ 200 Full Body Moles and Skin lesions Check ** RECOMMENDED **

• £ 200 Skin, Mole, Lesion Biopsy (when there is diagnostic uncertainty)