Roaccutane is the brand name for the drug isotretinoin and is used in the treatment of severe acne. It is classified as a retinoid and is made from a synthetic form of vitamin A.

Vitamin A plays a very important role in the maintenance of healthy skin. It assists in the release of oil from the oil glands and it also aids in skin renewal. As a form of vitamin A, Roaccutane is one of the most effective treatments available for people with severe or cystic acne. In fact 69-75% of those who used this product experienced a significant decrease in breakouts or a complete remission of acne. Even those who have failed to respond to other treatments seem to benefit from its use.

ACTION AND TREATMENT

Roaccutane works by shrinking the sebaceous glands within the dermis, which in turn reduces the amount of oil produced. The reduction in oil in turn leads to less clogging of the pores and therefore a reduction in breakouts.

It is commonly used for periods of 16-20 weeks followed by a period of rest. If, after this initial treatment, a noticeable improvement has not been observed another course may be prescribed. However, it is usually the case that 1 course is all that is needed to produce results and only about 20% of those who use Roaccutane require a second course.

It is very important that the drug is taken for the entire period prescribed – even if skin becomes clearer early on in the course. Early termination of treatment could lead to a relapse.

SIDE EFFECTS

Roaccutane is a drug that comes with significant side effects. Most people who use it will experience chapped lips, dry skin and itching, dryness of the nose, mild nosebleeds, irritation of the eyelids and eyes, joint and muscle pain. Some users will also experience temporary hair thinning, headache, increased sensitivity to sunburn, decreased night vision.

More serious side effects such as nausea and vomiting, diarrhea, severe chest or abdominal pain and difficulty swallowing are the exception rather than the rule.

Roaccutane may also pose a threat to the liver and it is recommended that regular blood tests be conducted throughout its use – with a baseline reading taken before you begin a course of treatment.

Serious mood changes have also been noted by those taking Roaccutane ranging from depression to suicidal thoughts and psychosis.

Given the above, this is definitely not a drug to be taken lightly. However, severe acne can be extremely painful and socially debilitating for most people and the long-term advantages are often considered to outweigh the short-term risks.

Roaccutane is a very popular drug in Hollywood and the world of modeling where perfect skin is almost a job requirement.

PREGNANCY WARNING

The most significant side effect with Roaccutane concerns its effect on the unborn fetus. If a pregnant woman takes even one dose she risks causing major birth defects on the baby’s eyes, ears, face, skull, heart or brain. If a woman is sexually active and could become pregnant it is mandatory that birth control be used in conjunction with Roaccutane. In fact, if obtaining this drug directly from a doctor, a woman must sign a written consent to use birth control. Negative pregnancy tests must also be submitted 30 days prior to beginning treatment and before getting each prescription filled. At least two months should elapse following termination of treatment before it is considered safe to become pregnant.

It is not known whether Roaccutane taken by men can cause birth defects, so it is best not to get a woman pregnant while taking it just to be on the safe side.

Roaccutane is an extremely potent drug and it is often a last resort for people who have tried all other forms of acne treatment. There is no doubt that it works; you just have to be very aware of the side effects. It is certainly not an ancillary drug to be used without adequate education and knowledge.

N.B. You can find out more about Roaccutane by visiting www.maximedicine.com

Leigh Penman, in addition to be a staff writer at MuscleSport Mag, has been writing for bodybuilding magazines, websites and nutritional supplement companies since 1985. Whilst residing in the UK, she earned the reputation of being one of the top female writers in bodybuilding-related media. Her credits included being a contributing editor on all the magazines in production as well as filling the shoes of Ladies Editor and Showbiz Editor on two publications (the later being on Arnold’s sanctioned magazine, ‘Bodypower’). During this time she also competed successfully on four occasions (placing in the top four in all contests).

Relocating to New York in the late 1990s she focused her writing attention to crystal healing techniques and metaphysics – however, she still maintained a five day workout schedule during this time and gained her personal training certificate.

Having also studied pharmacology in relation to sports performance, her writing began taking her in that direction until the present day which sees her embarking on a return to the magazine world, as well as extending her web-related work in the bodybuilding and fitness field.

Leigh has been working out for close to thirty years so she is clearly a writer who ‘walks her talk.’

She can be contacted personally at zeal2heal@yahoo.com. 

Working out at the gym may tone your muscles and cause the ladies and gents to swoon over your chiseled physique. But when they get a closer look and realize you’re covered in acne, your six-pack abs can’t save you. Skin, the body’s largest organ, can be riddled with acne problems after a workout.

Even if you don’t suffer from excessive acne, your training may be adversely affecting your skin. Yes, acne can be induced by exercise. But exactly what causes this? Scientists are still uncertain what the exact cause is, but they do have some worthwhile theories. Your lymphatic system is controlled by movement and operates best during exercise. The lymphatic system is also known as “the drainage system of the body”. This system consists of lymph nodes & vessels that carry lymph fluid around your body. This amazing circuit collects waste from tissues and returns it to the blood after it has been fully purified.

If the lymph is insufficiently activated, cells swim in their own waste which can block pores. Lymph fluid is a transparent, pale yellow fluid that carries cells that help fight infection. When the blood cells are not able to unload their toxins via the kidneys, they go to the next best eliminative organ: your skin! When bacteria starts to set in the pores it causes acne. A raised heart rate brought on by exercise also activates your oil- producing sebaceous glands. Some people have over active sebacious glands to begin with and, when mixed with lymph fluid, toxins, or bacteria, the condition produces blemishes induced by exercise. This can creep up on us over a long period of time, which is why persons who never had acne are suddenly plagued by it, regardless of what age the exerciser is.

Because acne appears on one’s outermost layer, the epidermis, there are natural topical remedies which can be used to the exercisers’ advantage. Most acne treatments tend to dry the skin with chemicals and mass- production methods. Organic botanical and herbal extracts which use a processing method called “cold pressing” eliminate alcohol content. Some key plant ingredients in acne treatments are salicylic acid, derived from willow bark and horse tail extract and coltsfoot. Salicylic Acid is a natural beta hydroxy acid which exfoliates surface dead skin cells (keratinocytes) and debris that cause acne. Horsetail extract or coltsfoot are both known for detoxifying and healing properties.

Although there is no quick fix for acne, there are treatments that can help to keep the acne at bay once healed. Camphor, a thick oil derived from the wood of the cnamonum caphora tree, is grown in the Far East. It has been valued for natural remedies since the 12th century. Camphor is now being used to cure acne as a medicinal ingredient that purges skin to remove toxins. Bentonite is a fine mineral clay used to draw excess oil from the skin. When using products containing this combination of natural ingredients as a daily treatment, it has been proven to help with acne induced by exercise without drying the skin.

Sandy Alcide is the founder of Fitness Botanical Skin Care Co,. innovators of Motion Medica, a skin care line formulated for fitness enthusiasts. For information regarding products containing the above listed botanicals, visit www.MotionMedica.com