Last updated on May 7, 2024
Question:
Hello sir,
I hope you are having a good day.
I am wondering why I have bad acne in stage 3 of puberty. I thought it was supposed to be bad in stage 4. I had really oily skin, so my dermatologist prescribed me Accutane, and my skin is much better now. I asked my doctor right before I went on Accutane if it would stunt my growth, and he said it wouldn’t. He said I was in stage 3 of puberty at my physical two months ago. I am 14 and a half years old. I just hope my growth won’t be stunted, and I don’t think it did because I grew a little bit while on it.
Thank you.
Answer:
A recent study indicates that Accutane does not impact a person’s height. [Kevin Kunzmann, “Analysis: Pediatric Isotretinoin Use Not Linked to Shorter Adult Height,” 14 March 2024]. What hasn’t been determined yet is whether the length of time Accutane is taken has some impact or not. It sounds like you have nothing to worry about.
Why did your acne become bad in stage 3? When you are growing, various parts of your body develop independently. They are roughly in sync but not tightly. Thus, it seems your skin has already reached stage 4 even though most of your body is still at stage 3.