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Everything you need to know about
Roaccutane Acne Treatment and its benefits

Effective, medically led solutions for persistent or cystic acne

Accessing effective cystic acne treatment in the UK can be challenging. GP appointments often lead to antibiotics or topical creams, which may help mild acne but rarely improve severe, nodular or cystic breakouts.

Roaccutane (isotretinoin) is one of the most powerful and reliable acne treatments available — yet it can take months to be approved through the NHS due to long referral pathways, blood tests and limited dermatology appointments.

At LINIA Skin Clinic, you can begin treatment far sooner. As a licensed medical clinic, we offer comprehensive assessment, personalised dosing and close medical monitoring throughout your programme. Your care is overseen by our dermatology team and supported by our exclusive aftercare and supplement protocols developed through many years of treating acne patients.

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Isotretinoin For Acne – What is Accutane?

Isotretinoin (Roaccutane) is an oral retinoid used to treat severe and chronic forms of acne in adults and young people over 12 years of age. This retinoid is derived from Vitamin A and occurs in small quantities naturally in the body. This acne treatment is very effective in preventing further scarring. As an adult acne treatment, Roaccutane (Accutane) has been effectively used for over 30 years.

Isotretinoin is often still referred to by its former brand name Accutane or Roaccutane.

Is Isotretinoin Acne Treatment (Roaccutane) available in the UK on the NHS?

Yes – however the typical wait for an NHS appointment is 6 months. You don’t need to let acne ruin your life when there are fast, effective and safe treatments in the UK for Accutane, accessible via a private prescription from Linia Skin clinic in Harley Street, London.

How Does Accutane Work?

Accutane works in a number of different ways to treat severe acne. It dramatically reduces the size of the skin’s oil glands (35%-58%) and even more significantly decreases the amount of oil these glands produce by around 80% according to some studies.

Acne bacteria (P. acnes) is also largely reduced. This bacteria lives in skin oil and as the amount of oil that your sebum glands produce is decreased, so are the levels of acne bacteria in your skin.

Isotretinoin is also thought to slow down the speed at which the skin produces skin cells within your pores. This also ensures that your pores do not become clogged in the first place which can cause severe acne. The final way in which Roaccutane works is by decreasing inflammation underneath the skin.

What Are the Benefits of Isotretinoin Acne Treatment?

Accutane is probably the quickest, most effective and longer term treatments available at present for adult onset acne. As long as the Doctor prescribing your Roaccutane is providing you with professional supervision
Roaccutane (Accutane) makers stop short of claiming it’s a cure for acne, but many patients enjoy skin that is free of spots for many years or even permanently.

What is Involved in Acne Treatment With Roaccutane?

Oral Isotretinoin or Accutane can only be prescribed in the UK by a Dermatologist as it is a specialist medication. There is a broad range of acne medications available and the Dermatologist will firstly assess if Isotretinoin (Roaccutane) is the most suitable treatment for you.

It is not suitable for female patients who are pregnant or trying to conceive, or in cases where patients have a history or a susceptibility to depression.

For this reason, it’s critical that your course of Roaccutane is supervised by a professional Dermatologist with experience.

Treatment includes the following

Your initial consultation and assessment with our experienced prescriber
Regular prescriptions for Roaccutane (Accutane) that can be filled at any pharmacy
(For men) Assessments every 6- weeks are required with your dermatologist during the 5-8 month treatment course
(For women) Assessment every 4 weeks are required with your dermatologist during the 5-8 month treatment course, including a monthly pregnancy test

It is not uncommon for patients to experience an increase in acne when starting treatment, and at each point, that dosage is increased.

How long does Accutane take to work?

Isotretinoin for acne treatment generally takes around 4-8 months to complete. How long it takes to start seeing an improvement in severe acne is dependent on a few factors, for example, how severe the acne is to begin with, genetics, and lifestyle among other things. Some individuals may start seeing changes in the second month while others may experience slower changes.

What are the risks or potential side effects of an Isotretinoin Acne Treatment?

Side effects of Accutane can include:

Dryness and cracking of the skin and lips
Headaches
Joint and muscle pain, back pain
Dry irritated eyes, inflammation of eyelids
Skin rash, mild itching
Dry mouth
Dry nose, potential nosebleeds
Raised cholesterol
Raised Liver function

What aftercare is required for Isotretinoin Acne Treatment?

While being treated it is important that patients:

Avoid wax epilation, dermabrasion, and laser skin treatment during treatment and for 6 months after treatment.
Minimise excess sun exposure and use high SPF factor broad-spectrum sunblock when in the sun
Use plenty of moisturiser, particularly on the lips (we recommend Vaseline petroleum jelly)
For female patients, avoid becoming pregnant

Some patients may need to repeat treatment with Isotretinoin (Roaccutane) in the future.

Acne scars will tend to fade over a period of six months once treatment has finished. Laser procedures may be suitable at that point for further improvement of the skin.

Roaccutane Benefits

Roaccutane, also known as isotretinoin, is a highly effective treatment for severe acne that has not responded to other therapies. Its main benefit is the ability to target the root causes of acne rather than just the symptoms. By reducing excess sebum production, Roaccutane helps prevent clogged pores, which are a primary factor in acne formation.

Another key benefit is its effectiveness in treating nodular and cystic acne, which are often painful and can lead to permanent scarring. Many patients experience significant improvements in skin texture and appearance within a few months of starting treatment.

Roaccutane also helps reduce the risk of future acne breakouts. Unlike topical treatments or antibiotics that provide temporary relief, Roaccutane works systemically, providing long-term results for many patients even after completing the course.

Additionally, successful Roaccutane treatment can boost confidence and improve overall quality of life. Clearer skin often positively impacts social interactions, mental health, and self-esteem.

While Roaccutane offers significant benefits, it should always be taken under strict medical supervision due to potential side effects. At Linia Skin Clinic, our dermatology specialists carefully monitor patients throughout the treatment to ensure maximum effectiveness and safety.

Before & After

We’ve helped thousands of patients achieve smoother, clearer skin. See some of our recent treatment results below.

Questions & Answers

Some common questions we get asked about acne and Roaccutane

Why Choose Linia Skin Clinic?

Linia Skin Clinic is a leading dermatologist-led centre on Harley Street, trusted by more than 70,000 patients. All treatments are overseen by Dr Simon Zokaie, BSc MBChB MRCP, a Consultant Dermatologist with over 16 years’ specialist experience in both medical and aesthetic dermatology. He is supported by a dedicated team of nurses and medical aestheticians who focus on safety, comfort and personalised care throughout your treatment.

With over 1,000 five-star reviews across Google, Trustpilot and Top Doctors, our reputation for exceptional results and patient satisfaction is well established, giving you complete confidence in your treatment journey.

How quickly will I see results from Roaccutane?

Most patients see early improvement within 6–8 weeks, although some may take longer. It’s normal for acne to temporarily flare at the start. Full results usually develop over a 5–8 month course.

What types of acne does Roaccutane treat?

Roaccutane is highly effective for moderate to severe acne, including cystic, nodular, and treatment-resistant acne that hasn’t improved with topical creams or antibiotics. It is also commonly used for persistent adult acne or acne that causes scarring.

Do I need blood tests during treatment?

Yes. Blood tests are required before and during treatment to monitor liver function, cholesterol levels and (for women) pregnancy status. All monitoring is arranged and reviewed by your dermatologist at Linia Skin Clinic.

Will Roaccutane permanently cure my acne?

Many patients enjoy long-term or even permanent remission after a single course. While results vary, Roaccutane offers the highest chance of long-lasting improvement compared with other acne treatments.

What aftercare and support does Linia Skin Clinic provide?

Our aftercare is based on a unique protocol developed exclusively by Dr Zokaie after treating thousands of acne patients over many years. This personalised framework includes structured follow-up appointments, tailored skincare guidance, recommended skin supplements where appropriate, and ongoing dermatologist support to ensure your skin heals safely and achieves the best long-term results.

Are online consultations available?

Yes. We offer both online and in-clinic consultations, and many patients complete most of their treatment with convenient remote follow-up appointments.

Do you offer payment plans?

Yes, with Linia Skin Clinic you can spread the cost of your treatment over 3 months with interest-free payments.

How do I start treatment?

The next step is to book a consultation with Dr Zokaie. We’ll assess your skin, arrange any required tests and guide you through a personalised Roaccutane treatment plan.

Have any other questions? Get in Touch

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Years Experience as a
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Consultant Dermatologist-Led Skin Clinic – As Seen On

What Our Patients Say

For over 15 years, patients have trusted us for expert acne treatments. Here’s what they have to say.

I was referred to Dr. Zokaie for roaccutane treatment to tackle my persistent acne. My skin has changed completely in the past 6 months and never looked better. The atmosphere is very friendly, both Dr Zokaie and his team are very professional. Highly recommend for acne treatment and beauty twickments:)

Ilya Nikishin
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Dr Zokaie has provided me with the best acne treatment he’s very thorough and makes sure I’m getting optimal results. My skin has completely transformed and has never been better. Thank you Dr Zokaie!

Mariam a
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I went to see a lot of other dermatologist and unfortunately I didn’t see any results from their treatments. Linia and doctor Zokaie were recommended to me by a friend. I am so happy I went to see them the whole team is very professional and his treatment plan has really helped and I feel very confident about my skin. I highly recommend him and his team

Ariel Mansouri
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I visited doctor Zokaie for the baby face procedure and I have to say he is excellent. The service was wonderful. My face was a bit red at first but within a few hours the redness went away. I could already see the results. I am very very happy. The staff was amazing as well.

Ania
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