Yolanda C. Holmes, MD

Hi All -

Since I found this blog and having been reading a lot, I thought I would share my story and soon some photos.

I started getting acne in the sixth grade (I remember getting my first pimple). After that it got worse in high school where acne would leave black marks all over my face and my Mom would not let me wear makeup, so I was self conscious and embarrassed throughout high school. I am now 34, and while the acne is not as bad on my face (I still get pimples and the occasional cysts that leave marks), I have more back acne and it has spread to my upper arms. I won't wear anything backless (which has stopped me from purchasing many dresses I like and not wanting to wear a swimsuit) and if I am wearing something sleeveless I put makeup on my arms or throw on a cardigan or shawl. When I talked to my Dermatologist she said we should try Accutane (I am on Claravis) and now I am on my journey.

I am about 3 weeks in so far and I am excited. For the first month I am doing 40MG once a day. My skin did start to get dry by day 5. The second week I had very dry skin, chapped lips, and my skin started to peel. Week 3 was the worst when the acne in my nose and chin came to ahead when I was at a conference and had to speak a lot. I grabbed some of the Biori nose and face strips and that got them right off. My nose has the worst peeling, so I use Vaseline on it and that helps A LOT! For my dry skin I am using a moisturizer from my Dermatologist and Carol's Daughter Acai Shea Butter. Other side effects include cuts on the corners of my mouth, joint pain, dry eyes, and I get SOOOO tired.

Yesterday I picked up my second month prescription which will take me to 80MG a day (40MG in the AM and 40 MG in the PM). I will give another update soon.

Updated on 21 Nov 2015:
So I just finished the second month and wow!!! I already see the difference in my skin. I'm taking the 80 mg (40 in the AM and 40 in the PM) and it has actually worked out well. We are keeping me on the 80 MG for month three.

I've had less fatigue which is great because it was starting to interfere with work (between that and the joint pain I could not get out of bed). I still have achy joints in my back, legs, and feet. I've been doing Pilates to stretch myself out and mild exercise on the elliptical and treadmill. I have gotten headaches which turn into migraines (I have a history with migraines) so I take an Excedrin migraine and feel better. My eyes are starting to get really dry and I have blurry vision. Lots of "eye boogers" especially in my left eye. My lips are still chapped so I'm trying Dr. Dan's Cortibalm which I read about on another patient's post - that should arrive by Monday. I woke up this AM with the cuts on the sides of my lips back, so I will use cortisone again. My skin is not as dry as it was, but is still dry. I'm using my Carol's Daughter Acai Butter at night which helps and a light moisturizer that my derm prescribed in the AM. I was also constipated for 3 days, but I seem to be back to normal. My nose is dry but no nose bleeds.

For my skin, I got about four white heads mainly along my lower left jawline. They came to a head, popped, and went away with minimal scarring. All of the pores in my T Zone open upped and became blackheads. I thought everything had come out of my nose but it hadn't, so I had to break out the Biore pore strips again. The pore strips do make the peeling on my nose worse, but it is better than walking around with blackheads visible on your nose. I'm also beginning to have dark spots fade away and peel, especially on my jaw and chin area. The acne on my chin hasn't come back yet. I have little bumps on my forehead but they haven't turned into acne or blackheads.

All in all, this journey is worth it. I feel confident and I actually look forward to going to work with good skin. I don't need to wear as much makeup and very little concealer. I love not having oily skin and having to constantly blot my face (I hope this stays after the Accutane). I truly hope to only see improvements.

Updated on 22 Nov 2015:
A few photos of my skin.

Also, last night I realized my night vision has become awful! Not sure if it is the darker winter nights, but I had trouble seeing out of my side mirrors. So I plan to limit night driving if possible.

Updated on 20 Dec 2015:
Had my checkup with my doctor on Wednesday and she said I am doing well. My labs were normal so all is good.

For awhile my vision got very bad and I had to stop wearing my contacts and put on my glasses. I still lots of "eye boogers" which is a bother. The very dry lips remain and now I have dry skin. I have switched to Aquaphor for my lips and the doc gave me some sample creams for my dry skin. I still get very achy now and then especially in my feet and it hurts to walk.

This month I only had two very small whiteheads - one on the tip of my nose and one under my lip. They left little scabs but no scarring. I still have whiteheads/blackheads coming up on my nose, but not a lot, but my chin area which used to be very bad has remained clear since the first month.

I have started drinking 24oz homemade green smoothies everyday to give me extra energy and boost my skin. The best comment came from my best friend who saw me and said "your skin looks amazing!". It was the best feeling in the world. :)

Updated on 24 Jan 2016:
So I am late writing this because I was traveling for work, but I am starting month 5.

For awhile after the holidays I was having chest pains. I told my doctor and they told me this is a side effect when people travel in planes, especially long distances. After about two weeks it subsided. My skin is also very sensitive to scratching. I scratched my leg in my sleep and it hurt as if I was cut by knife. With winter my skin, especially lips, have become uber dry again. I use vaseline on my skin and Aquaphor for my lips. My face has also started peeling again.

Overall, I have not one pimple all month which is AMAZING. I see more dark spots starting to fade. I feel as if my body is adjusting to the medication as my energy is up (which I think has to do with the daily green smoothies) and my body doesn't ache as much.