Accutane is a medication primarily used to treat severe acne. Recently, some TikTok users have claimed that Accutane can "shrink" the size of the nose, resulting in a free "nose job". However, dermatologists have stated that Accutane cannot actually shrink the nose. Instead, Accutane works by inhibiting sebum production, or oil, in the skin and decreasing the sebaceous gland size. The skin of the nasal tip and nostrils has a lot of sebaceous glands, so Accutane can cause these to shrink and thin the skin, which can lead to a smaller tip. However, it is important to note that the use of Accutane outside of its prescribed use, usually for acne, is not recommended and highly dangerous.
There is no information available on the specific ingredients or materials in Accutane that may cause the nose to appear smaller. Accutane is a brand name for isotretinoin, which is a retinoid related to vitamin A. The most common adverse effects of isotretinoin are dry lips, dry and fragile skin, and an increased susceptibility to sunburn. Uncommon and rare side effects include muscle aches and pains, and headaches. Isotretinoin is known to cause birth defects due to in-utero exposure.
