Renova for Acne

Recently my doctor gave me a prescription of Refissa (Renova) for my acne. Is this a good medication?

If you look at all my posts, I provide honest opinions without any bias. I do not work for any drug company, i do not own any shares in any pharmaceutical products and i never associate myself with pharmaceutical reps. I provide information for patients which is useful, practical and honest.

Renova is a great medication for mild to moderate acne. Refissa (Tretinoin emollient) also known as Renova is used for the treatment of severe acne. The drug is also known as accutane, claravis and amnesteem. Refissa is usually prescribed when other treatments have failed.

Refissa belongs to a class of drugs known as retinoids. The drug works by decreasing skin oil production and increasing the peeling action. This leads to thinning action of skin and resolving of acne. If acne is untreated, it can lead to scar formation. The drug is also used to erase fine line and wrinkles.

Trust me, you will not be disappointed. However, it is relatively expensive. Most general practitioners do not prescribe this drug because they are clueless about skin disorders. You need to speak to a skin doctor, but it is worth the money.

Refissa for acne

I am a 23-year-old female and have terrible acne, but my doctor will not prescribe me Refissa. Why?

Refissa is known to cause damage to the fetus and all women of childbearing age should not take this drug. One has to sign a consent before approval can be given to use of Tretin in young women. Once you take Refissa, you should not get pregnant at least one year after stopping the drug. Most doctors are afraid to prescribe this medication to women, because if anything happens during the pregnancy, the doctor is most likely going to be sued. Instead of the pill, you may want to try the topical ointment. However. it also comes with similar restrictions.

Birth defects and pregnancy

Are birth defects common? This is my first pregnancy and I am worried? 

Birth defects continue to occur despite good prenatal care. It is estimated that one in every 33 infants born in North America has some type of birth defect. Birth defects can affect almost any part of the body. Birth defects also vary in severity. Some infants may have a simple cleft lip but others may have serious heart and limb defects. Birth defects of the heart can often be life threatening but most of these can be corrected with surgery within the first year of life. Unfortunately, in other parts of the world the majority of babies born with even the most simplest of heart defects die because of lack of surgeons. If you eat right, do not smoke, do not drink, and do not ingest medications during pregnancy, i would not worry about it. Most things in medicine happen because of bad luck rather than any specific factor.

Neural tube defect

What exactly is a neural tube defect in a baby?

Birth defects can affect the spinal cord. They are also known as neural tube defects or spinal bifida. In simple, there is a hole in the spinal cord and some of the nerves pop out through the skin in the back. These defects vary in severity. Neural tube birth defects affect about 1 in every 1,000 pregnancies. The mildest form of spinal cord defects are only of cosmetic concern, but other spinal cord defects can be life threatening. Even though spinal cord defects are rare, they account for a high number of newborn deaths. One of the ways to prevent spinal cord birth defects is to make sure that you take folic acid supplements during pregnancy.

Assess my PIP breast implant

How do I know if my PIP breast implant is okay?

The best test to check for leaks from breast implants is an MRI. It will cost you about $1,500 at minimum. I am sure the plastic surgeons are going to jack up the consultation fee and recommend removal- so they can make more money. Then if you still want big boobs, you will have to fork out a minimum of $5,000.

Problem with PIP breast implants

What is the major problem with PIP breast implants?

Well, it looks like this French company cut corners and used low quality, cheap grade silicone. It is believed that there are over 400,000 women with these implants and countless more because many women have no idea what the surgeon did. In the last few years, women with these breast implants have been complaining of severe pain, hardening of the breast, leakage of silicone and breast asymmetry. There are some women who have even died from an unusual cancer, but so far there does not appear to be any link between the silicone and the cancer. I recommend that if you have had a PIP breast implant, first go online and see if there is any sincere surgeon who will have anything to do with issue. Most US surgeons are unwilling to help out unless you pay.

PIP Breast implants

If I had my PIP breast implant in Mexico, who will pay for its removal?

Well, you are in big shit. There is a lot of confusion as to who is going to pay for the removal of PIP breast implants done outside the USA. Each country has made their own policy. If you are an American and went abroad for this breast implant, it looks like you will be forced to pay for the removal. However, no one even knows if all the PIP breast implants needs to be removed. Some countries say only women with symptoms should have their PIP implants removed- others like Venezuela and Holland say all women should have these implants removed. Best advice- speak to a plastic surgeon in America. 

I am 100% sure, you will be out of lots of money at the end of all this. Plastic surgeons in the USA will make up some bogus story that you need the implants out. They will then charge you for removal and if you want new silicone implants, you will have to fork out extra. This is usually what happens when you seek healthcare or surgery outside the country-you get ripped out by both sides.