Oral isotretinoin: beyond acne - a review of its use in cosmesis

Oral isotretinoin is the first generation U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved retinoid introduced for severe nodulocystic acne. It exerts its effects on anti-inflammatory, immunomodulatory and anti-seborrhoeic pathways. There is clear and extensive evidence in its efficacy in acne treatment. Newer studies are under way to explore its use beyond the confines of acne. In this paper, we studied the role of isotretinoin in improving the following primary cosmetic conditions: acanthosis nigricans, seborrhoea, ichthyosis, rosacea and photoageing. Publications were sourced from Pubmed/Medline and OVID. Isotretinoin was found to be promisingly effective in improving cosmetic outcomes in the above conditions.