What Is An Accutane Nose Job? Does It Really Shrink Your Nose?

Have you heard claims about getting a free nose job using Accutane? Accutane is a strong drug primarily known for acne treatment. Some believe it shrinks the nose but its results are often exaggerated.

Despite social media influencers’ claims, Accutane has potent side effects. Let’s find out what an Accutane nose job is, whether it really shrinks your nose, and its possible side effects.

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What is Accutane Nose Job?

Accutane, or Isotretinoin, is used for the treatment of skin diseases like severe or antibiotic resistant acne.

“Accutane nose job is a non-surgical procedure in which Accutane is used to temporarily change your nose appearance.”
Nose shape is determined by bone structure, cartilage, and skin elasticity. Accutane doesn’t directly affect the bone or cartilage which is why it’s considered a non-surgical procedure.

The most commonly asked questions about Accutane nose job is “Does Accutane shrink nose or does Accutane make your nose smaller?”.

Accutane reduces oil production in the skin.
It reduces acne on your skin.
It makes your nose look less bulbous and smaller.

How Accutane Reduces Nose Size While Treating Acne?

Accutane is a powerful retinoid that treats severe acne known as Nodular Acne. This type of acne is difficult to heal leading dermatologists to prescribe Accutane in cases where:

The person has overgrown sebaceous glands.
Tried every remedy, even antibiotics to treat his acne.

Our noses naturally have a high concentration of oil-producing glands. These glands produce a thick, oily, and waxy substance called sebum. Excess sebum clogs the pores and leads to breakouts.

Accutane slows down sebum production by up to 90%, shrinking sebaceous glands, and makes the nose look thin and smaller. Meanwhile, the process of cell death i.e., Apoptosis also occurs in sebaceous glands and cartilage.

Retinoic acid in Accutane breaks cartilage structures, which cannot repair themselves. It affects the joints which is why people using Accutane drug for acne treatment suffer from joint pain.

See Also: Oily Nose After Rhinoplasty

Does Accutane Really Shrink Your Nose? Fact vs Fiction

Some people believe that Accutane can reshape the nose by reducing the oil-producing glands. But does Accutane permanently shrink oil glands?

Let’s debunk the myth – there’s no scientific evidence which says Accutane shrinks your nose. So, the Accutane nose job changes your nose apparently as a result of;

Reduction of oil-producing glands’
Breakdown of Cartilage structure

Accutane won’t permanently change your nose as its results won’t last for a long time. This is why, Accutane nose job isn’t considered a reliable cosmetic treatment. However, some surgeons use it alongside rhinoplasty.