Accutane and Laser Resurfacing

Name: Braden
Question:

I’ve had to deal with acne since I was 13. I used creams and pills up until I was 20 which only controlled acne to a point, but not completely. This left me with sever scarring to my chest and back (thankfully my face was left pretty much in tact). Nevertheless, the scars are embarrassing, I haven’t gone swimming since I’ve been in college. I don’t have confidence with women and I just can’t walk around without a shirt on in front of people (even my roommates). Finally, when I was 20, my dermatologist finally introduced me to accutane, I instantly said yes and just finished up an intense 80 mg dose a day for 6 months (the first month was 40 mg). It’s been about two weeks since that and I’m already noticing acne returning. It’s incredibly depressing. I need to get rid of the scars and I need to get rid of the acne. I know that to do laser resurfacing surgeries you have to wait 12-18 months after accutane before you can undergo the procedure, but if my acne comes back (which seems likely) that means I’d have to go on that again for 5-6 months and then wait another 12-18 months. This means I won’t have confidence without a shirt on until I’m at least 23. I want to enjoy my youth and go swimming or take my shirt off after a hard game of rugby when I’m sweating, or walk back from the shower without a shirt on. I can’t imagine waiting 2 years for this. Is it possible that I can undergo the laser resurfacing at 12 months and then immediately (within a few months of it) go back on accutane? That way I can take care of what I care about most (the scars) and then finish off the acne afterwards. I really don’t care if I develop say 1-2 scars after the treatment, I can live with that. I just need to get rid of these scars and acne, it has ruined a good portion of my youth. Essentially, is accutane-12 months-laser resurfacing-(insert waiting period)-accutane a viable option if I don’t care about developing a few scars in between the resurfacing and accutane?

Dear Braden,
I would recommend that if you are having cystic acne again, that you re initiate Accutane treatment for another 6 months. This will increase your chance of being acne free by another 50-60 percent. Do not initiate laser treatment until your acne is in full control.