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There are different levels of acne. For moderate or low level acne, most topical solutions and a hands-off picking mentality should do the trick. However, for people with cystic acne (inflamed nodules that can cause scarring), Accutane is the best treatment. The most common side effect is dry lips. So if your dermatologist recommends this treatment, you should probably keep a tube of chapstick or Vaseline in your pocket at all times and apply it throughout the day. And remember, dry lips are often less considered as a side effect but rather as a marker of Accutane activity. If you don’t have dry lips while taking Accutane, we worry that the medication isn't being absorbed properly. Other possible side effects (that aren't very common) include headache and muscle aches. Certainly, birth defects are the worst side effect, and a pregnant woman shouldn't be taking Accutane; you should also wait 30 days from the time of discontinuing Accutane to try to get pregnant.

-- The Nest Editors

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