# How New Acne Drugs Target Oil Production
Acne develops when several factors combine to create the perfect environment for breakouts. One of the most important of these factors is excess oil, or sebum, produced by glands in the skin. When oil builds up, it clogs pores and creates a space where bacteria can thrive. This is why controlling oil production has become such a central focus in modern acne treatment.
The most powerful acne medication available today works by directly attacking this oil problem at its source. Isotretinoin, commonly known by the brand name Accutane, is a derivative of Vitamin A that takes a unique approach to treating severe acne. Rather than just managing symptoms, it actually shrinks the sebaceous glands that produce oil in the first place.
When a person takes isotretinoin, the medication enters the bloodstream within hours of the first dose. However, the real changes happen gradually over time as the sebaceous glands respond to the drug. The medication works by reducing sebaceous gland size and decreasing sebum production. This shrinking of the oil glands is what makes isotretinoin so different from other acne treatments.
The benefits of reducing oil production go beyond just making skin feel less greasy. When oil production decreases, pores become less clogged. This lower level of pore blockage means less inflammation develops in the skin. Inflammation is a major driver of painful cystic acne lesions, so reducing it helps clear existing breakouts and prevents new ones from forming.
One of the most interesting aspects of this medication is that the improvements often continue even after a person stops taking it. Oil levels frequently remain lower for months after treatment ends because the sebaceous glands recover gradually. This sustained reduction in oil production is why about 65 percent of patients achieve remarkable results after one full course of treatment without needing further medication.
The timeline for seeing results varies from person to person. Some individuals notice improvements around month three of treatment, while others do not see substantial changes until after completing their full regimen. Peak improvement often occurs two months after stopping the medication entirely. Most patients experience significant improvement within four to six months of starting treatment.
It is important to understand that while the drug itself leaves the bloodstream relatively quickly, its effects on the skin last much longer. Isotretinoin usually remains active in the bloodstream for about five to seven days after the final dose. However, the changes to the sebaceous glands persist because these glands take time to recover their normal function.
The way isotretinoin works represents a major advance in acne treatment because it addresses multiple underlying causes simultaneously. By shrinking oil glands, reducing sebum production, normalizing how skin cells develop, and decreasing inflammation all at once, the medication tackles acne from several angles at the same time. This multifaceted approach is why it remains the most effective treatment for severe acne that does not respond to other therapies.
Doctors typically recommend isotretinoin for patients with severe acne or those who have not responded to standard treatments like oral and topical medications. Patients who experience significant scarring or emotional burden from their acne are also good candidates for this treatment. The medication is taken orally at a daily dose of 0.5 to 1.0 milligrams per kilogram of body weight.
Understanding how these drugs work helps explain why they are so effective and why the results can last long after treatment ends. By directly targeting the oil glands that fuel acne development, modern medications offer a path to clearer skin that goes far deeper than surface-level treatments.
Sources
https://www.oreateai.com/blog/how-isotretinoin-works-on-acne/c6d8e456dda17a298120d8ea8e6e29d4
https://dermondemand.com/blog/how-long-does-it-take-for-accutane-to-leave-the-system/
