What acne treatment medication is known to cause desquamation?

The medication known to cause desquamation is Accutane, which is a brand name for isotretinoin. Accutane is a powerful retinoid that is often prescribed for severe cases of acne that do not respond to other treatments. One of its key actions is to reduce the size and output of sebaceous (oil) glands in the skin, which leads to less acne formation.

In addition to reducing oil production, Accutane accelerates skin cell turnover. This increased cell turnover causes the outer layer of the skin to shed more rapidly, which is referred to as desquamation. This process helps to prevent clogged pores, which is crucial in acne treatment. Because of its mechanism of action, Accutane is particularly effective for individuals experiencing cystic acne or acne that is resistant to more common therapies.

While other options such as tretinoin also promote cell turnover and can lead to desquamation, Accutane is specifically known for this effect at a systemic level due to its potency and the significant changes it makes to skin cell behaviour.