Expert: Michael S. Fisher, <B>Ph.D., M.D.</B> - 12/17/2005

Question
Doctor,

I have rosacea and severely oily skin.  My nose is really bad.  I can completely soak a clean and clear pad 4 hours after washing.  The pores are very large and secrete oil non-stop.  If I take accutane for this condition, would I have to take it for life and is that possible?  I'm 50 and the oil is as bad or worse than when I was 18.  I don't expect it will ever slow down.

Tom

Answer
There are two ways to take accutane.  The typical treatment is to take accutane for 5 months.  The new generic accutane is not as effective as the branded accutane.  There is also low dose accutane where a patient takes the accutane 2-3 times per week.  Accutane can cure your oily skin or stop the oil production.  I do have patients that have taken accutane for 5 months and are now not oily.  I have never had a patient that has oily skin that is not helped by accutane.