In contemporary society, with the acceleration of the pace of life and the increase of work pressure, many people's problems are becoming more and more prominent. Acne, a common problem, has brought trouble to many people's lives. In order to solve this problem, many people choose to resort to drugs, among which isotretinoin, as a commonly used acne drug, has attracted much attention. However, some people experience breakouts after taking isotretinoin, which confuses many people: is this a good thing or a bad thing? How do we deal with it?
First, we need to understand the mechanism of action of isotretinoin. Isotretinoin, also known as 13-cis tretinoin, is a derivative of vitamin A. It reduces the secretion of sebum by regulating the proliferation and differentiation of ** cells, so as to achieve the purpose of ** acne. However, due to the different constitution and course of the disease in each person, isotretinoin may cause breakouts in some people, which may manifest as severe inflammation, massive acne and blackheads, or cause ulcers, scabs and scars.
In reality, this is a complex question that cannot be answered simply with good or bad ones. In some cases, a breakout may be a normal reaction to isotretinoin working. When a drug induces the release of a deep inflammatory response, it can lead to a large number of breakouts in a short period of time, which usually occurs in the early stages. From this perspective, a breakout can be seen as a "good thing" because it can mean that the drug is clearing up the deep inflammation.
It has been reported in the literature that 15% of patients** will experience acne exacerbations in the first 1 to 2 months, and the pathogenesis has not been fully elucidated, so low-dose isotretinoin can be used as the starting dose to prevent acne exacerbations in the initial stage. However, if the breakout lasts for a long time, or is accompanied by severe systemic symptoms, there can be fever, joint pain and other symptoms, in this case, the breakout cannot be regarded as a good thing, and the reaction is severe and the dose needs to be reduced or even stopped. Therefore, we cannot generalize whether the breakout phenomenon that occurs after eating isotretinoin is good or bad.
If you have a breakout after using isotretinoin, you can refer to the recommendations in the "Expert Consensus on the Clinical Application of Oral Isotretinoin** Acne".
Patients who experience a minor acne exacerbation during the process of isotretinoin** do not need to adjust the protocol**.
In patients with severe acne fulminans, it is recommended to discontinue isotretinoin and start oral prednisone (0.).5~1.0 mg kg-1 d-1) for at least 2 weeks, extended to 4 weeks in patients with systemic symptoms; After the crusted lesion has healed, a small dose of isotretinoin is added in combination for at least 4 weeks, followed by a slow tapering of prednisone and a gradual increase in the dose of isotretinoin.
Keeping it clean is key, and use a gentle cleanser to avoid over-cleansing and irritation. At the same time, it's also important to take care of your hydration, and use a moisturizing lotion or cream that suits your skin type to help keep you hydrated and moisturized.
Avoid squeezing breakouts or excessive rubbing** to avoid exacerbating the risk of inflammation and infection.
Paying attention to your diet and lifestyle habits can also help relieve breakouts. Maintain a balanced diet, increase the intake of vegetables and fruits, avoid high-sugar and high-fat foods, including cakes, chocolate, milk tea, barbecue, cocoa, etc., and avoid drinking a lot of milk for a long time, which can help control sebum secretion and reduce inflammation. For some people who eat spicy and irritating foods that can easily cause acne to worsen, they should eat less spicy and irritating foods.
Maintain good living habits, maintain adequate sleep and good work and rest habits, and avoid staying up late and overexertion. Maintaining a good mood and reducing stress and anxiety can help regulate endocrine conditions and improve ** conditions.
In short, in the face of the phenomenon of acne after taking isotretinoin, we need to evaluate and ** under the guidance of a doctor. Understanding the possible causes of breakouts and how to deal with them can help us better manage the problem and get the best results. Remember, proper care and communication with your doctor are key to solving this problem. At the same time, patience and cooperation** are also important aspects. Let's focus on health, maintain good health, and lay the foundation for a better life.
References:1、edileiabagatin & caroline sousa costa.Isotretinoin** Acne - an update on optimal dosage, monitoring and adverse effects. Journal of Clinical Pharmacology, 2020, 13(8): 885-897