What treatment options are there for severe acne relapse after Acnotin? (photo)

Doctor's Answers 2

Understand the frustrations. Relapse of acne after Isotretinoin is not uncommon. But usually the recurrence is milder than the baseline acne condition since the medications change the pathophysiology of the skin (less oily).

Various issues like hormonal or stress can lead to a pro-androgenic state which results in more congestion. However, more importantly is, what can be done.

Since isotretinoin is no longer a possibility, in view of the desire for children, spironolactone or oral contraceptives and antibiotics are probably not great ideas either. That leaves us with topical treatments.

I would suggest combining topical salicylic/glycolic acid peels, be it at home or in clinic setting, changing your home skin care products to primarily gel-based products. Other treatments like lasers/LED light therapy can also be considered.

Hope that helps!

Dr Winston Lee

In pregnancy, treatment options do get more limited due to safety issues.

Topical treatments are generally safer and include:

- Benzoyl peroxide

- Clindamycin

- Erythromycin

- Glycolic acid

- Azelaic acid

- Salicylic acid (only in low concentrations and to be used with caution)

If you have tried those without much response, the following oral antibiotics can be considered:

- Erythromycin

- Penicillins

Other treatments will be machine driven therapies such as different lasers targeted at treating acne.

Do speak with your doctor so that a safe and effective plan can be tailored for you.

Hope this helps.

All the best!

Similar Questions

Are there any Accutane providers other than NSC in Singapore? Do antibiotics work for acne?

Thanks for the detailed summary. There’s no problem at all with seeing a GP to treat your acne – the treatment algorithm for acne is pretty standard. My pet peeve is only with clinics who overcharge based on having some sort of special super secret ingredient “miracle acne creams”, because the reality is that all effective topical creams contain well-known ingredients, and packaging it under their own brand shouldn’t give them the right to charge more, or “lock-in” patients to only using their creams.

Photo of Human

Answered By

Human

Which topical acne medication should I apply first?

Hi Sarah. You can go with either one since both are gels. As a rule, I recommend serums, creams, then gels in that order.

Photo of Dr Kevin Chua

Answered By

Dr Kevin Chua

Aesthetic

Ask any health question for free

I’m not so sure about a procedure...

Ask Icon Ask a Question

Join Human

Sign up now for a free Human account to get answers from specialists in Singapore.

Sign Up

Get The Pill

Be healthier with our Bite-sized health news straight in your inbox