Accutane Nose Job: Myths vs Facts About Nose Size Reduction
If you’ve ever wanted to get a slimmer and smaller nose, you must have seen some TikTok and YouTube videos claiming that Accutane, a prescription medication for treating severe acne, shrunk their nose.
A TikToker posted a video with before-and-after pictures of her nose, claiming that Accutane gave her a free nose job in her sleep.
Some people are even saying not to take the rhinoplasty anymore, as an Accutane nose job is all they need to get a more refined, shorter, and sharper nose.
So, can Accutane really give you a nose job? The answer is no, it can’t give you a nose job. This medication does affect your nose and its shape slightly by removing the oily glands on your nose, but it doesn’t make any structural changes to it.
What’s Accutane?
Accutane is a brand name of a prescription acne medication, isotretinoin, that is used for severe and stubborn acne. It’s the last resort for acne that hasn’t responded well to other treatments such as antibiotics and topical solutions like salicylic acid or peroxide.
How Does It Work?
Accutane reduces the amount of sebum, the oil your skin produces, which reduces breakouts, bacteria, and inflammation, prevents clogged pores, and also treats acne.
It also shrinks the oil glands on your nose, which makes them produce less oil, helping prevent acne on your face. It’s a great medication for people with stubborn acne that isn’t responding to any other treatments.
To get the best results, people take this medication for over 6 months. They’re also monitored throughout the time to check if they’re having any side effects, as it’s a strong medication that could have severe side effects as well.
See Also: Wide Nasal Bone Reduction

Does Accutane Really Make Your Nose Smaller?
It actually depends on your nose and how many oil glands it has. If your skin is acne-prone and produces too much oil, then yes, Accutane can make your nose look smaller.
It can’t make any changes to the cartilage or the shape of the nose. It only removes the oil, which leads to less puffiness, reduced inflammation, and also the shrunk oil glands that create an illusion of a bigger and changed nose.
These effects will be more visible for people who have severe acne that has made their nose swollen or inflamed. Not everybody can see this effect on their nose by taking this medication.
How Do You Know If Accutane Will Make Your Nose Smaller?
If you want to get your nose smaller with Accutane, then these are the signs that you need to look for in your nose.

- You keep getting spots and gunk in and around your nose that just won’t go away.
- Whenever your acne acts up, your nose starts looking kind of puffy or bloated.
- Your face gets shiny fast, and your nose is usually the oiliest part.
- The pores on your nose are clearly visible and look stretched or enlarged.
- You’ve been told you might have overactive oil glands, or you’ve noticed small bumps that never go away (a sign of sebaceous hyperplasia).
See Also: Bump Inside of Nose After Rhinoplasty
Signs You Won’t See Much Effect
These are the signs when you won’t see so much effect of Accutane on your nose:

- Your skin’s already pretty dry, or doesn’t get oily much at all.
- You barely get pimples or blackheads around your nose.
- The skin on your nose looks smooth and tight, with barely any visible pores to begin with.
Debunking The TikTok Rumours About Accutane Nose Job
It was actually TikTok that glorified the effects of Accutane on the nose. Many TikTok accounts posted their Accutane before and after pictures that clearly showed a difference in their nose. It interested many viewers who were also dissatisfied with their noses.
But the reality is, many just exaggerated the effects of Accutane on the nose. Most creators were found to use pictures of their teenage years when their nose looked different, alongside their current nose. Also, many of those people actually had acne-prone skin with severe inflammation and swelling.
When they used Accutane, it reduced the oil, removed the swelling, and the inflammation that had made their nose look smaller and defined. So, all the free Accutane nose job claims that you see online are actually fake and exaggerated.
See Also: Teen Rhinoplasty in Turkey
Accutane Risks
Accutane isn’t something that you start taking out of curiosity or being inspired by some TikTok influencers glorifying its effects. These are the following risks of it that you must know about.

- Your skin can get painfully dry and flaky, even if you’re loading up on moisturizer
- Lips can crack and peel so badly that lip balm barely helps
- Some people start to notice their hair thinning or falling out during treatment
- If you’re pregnant or might become pregnant, it’s dangerous because it can cause serious birth defects
- Dry mouth is another common side effect that gets annoying fast

Asli Tarcan Clinic-Let Us Help You Get Your Nose Job Right
The Accutane nose job buzz that you’re seeing around the internet is insanely glorified and exaggerated. Accutane is a prescription medication that actually reduces the amount of sebum your skin produces to remove breakouts, prevent clogged pores, and also reduce the inflammation and swelling caused by acne.
It does not affect the cartilage or the nasal bone to make your nose smaller. However, if your nose has a thick oil gland on it, then this medicine shrinks it so that it produces less oil, which makes your nose look smaller.
Furthermore, when there’s less oil on the nose, it looks brighter, which creates an illusion of it being changed and transformed.
You should take it only when it’s prescribed by your doctor, as it can have severe side effects. If you want to reshape your nose, fix its deformities, and improve breathing, consider getting rhinoplasty surgery from Asli Tarcan Clinic.
This is the best and proven surgery that gives you a nose that complements your facial harmony and gives you confidence.

This article is medically reviewed by Prof. Dr. Umit Taskin (E.N.T. Surgeon)
See Our Doctors & Surgeons
Does Accutane make your nose smaller?
Not really, but if your nose looks big from oil or acne, it might look smaller after.
Does Accutane shrink your nose?
It won’t shrink the actual nose, just makes it look less puffy and greasy.
How long does the Accutane nose last?
It could last a long time, but if your skin gets oily again, it might fade a bit.
