Dermatologist Questions Dermatology

Can acne be cured completely?

I am a 27 year old female and I have acne. Can acne be cured completely?

4 Answers

Currently, there really is no cure for acne, although about a third of individuals who have undergone a course of the very potent oral medication, with many potential side effects, isotretinoin, may not get a recurrence. So for the time being, there really is no definitive cure for acne. However, we do have excellent and safe topical medications that can control and suppress active acne and help prevent acne scarring.
Acne is a condition that can be managed, not necessarily “cured.” Many patients who take a course of isotretinoin (accutane), may see long-term permanent clearance of their acne, but we still don’t call it a “cure” because there is always a chance it can recur. We have lots of different topical and oral medications we can use in combination with aesthetic treatment to help your skin look and feel great!
No, acne can’t be cured. We can prescribe a regimen in hopes to clear the acne and keep it in remission.
Technically, yes; 80% of persons who complete a 5-6 month course of a medication called isotretinoin are "cured."

Steve Schleicher