POSTED UNDER Accutane REVIEWS
30yr Old on Accutane for Comedonal Acne - Melbourne, AU
ORIGINAL POST
Hey all, ...
lisg31June 24, 2015
$400
Hey all, I have been struggling with tiny blocked pores for the last 7 months. I have tried microdermabrasion, chemical peels, facials, antibiotics and topicals. My derm decided to put me on accutane 10mg a day for at least 9 months. I was obviously very hesitant due to the side effects. I've been on accutane for 6 weeks now. So far my skin is drying up, I have dandruff and some minor back pain. I have noticed no changes in the closed comodones, I'm not really expecting much to happen for at least another couple of months. I'm trying to stay hopeful that accutane will get rid of this and I'll update every few weeks. If anyone has this type of acne I would appreciate any advice or what to expect.
Replies (12)
June 25, 2015
You did not mention which topical therapy you have tried for your blocked pores. Blackheads respond best to benzoyl peroxide and topical retinoids. Typically a patient is started on the lower strengths of benzoyl peroxide and topical retinoids and then increased in strength based on tolerability. Any treatment for acne takes about 12 weeks before a change is noticed. Thus, you have to be consistent with each regimen to see any benefits. If you have not tried these topicals, talk to your doctor. If you have tried these at lower strengths, I would suggest trying Tazorac if that hasn't been used.
June 25, 2015
Some ladies with acne have improvement on hormone therapy (birth control pills) or a medication called spironolactone which has anti-androgen properties. This approach may help if nothing else is working. If you have irregular menstrual periods, excess body hair, or problems with fertility a hormone work-up might be required to see if there are any underlying hormone concerns contributing to the acne. Diet does have a roll in acne. If you are eating a high glycemic diet full of carbs you might try a lower glycemic diet. Additionally, skim milk has been found to promote acne more than whole milk. Lastly, some medications contribute to acne. If you are regularly taking prescription medications, check the package insert to see if acne is listed as a side effect.
June 26, 2015
Hi i too have been given oratane to combat little itchy acne rash and sebaceous hyperplasia and oily skin. 10 mg for a year with Diane 35. I haven't started it yet as I'm a little scared of the side effects and getting used to not waxing or enjoying the sun this summer. Did you suffer a initial breakout?
June 26, 2015
I've had more comedones appear since I've started so I suppose this could be my initial breakout as it's definitely gotten worse. I saw my derm yesterday and she said that I should be noticing some improvement in the next few weeks. I'm actually now on 20mgs a day. You won't notice any side effects besides drier skin and lips. My skin is only flaky around my nose.
June 26, 2015
Please keep us updated. My skin isn't horrible and I'm petrified of making it worse. How do you not wax? That's another problem for me.
Can you drink any alcohol on it?
Can you drink any alcohol on it?
June 28, 2015
RE waxing, if it's for your face, you can do threading. I was on 20mg a day for 8 months. Have just finished my course 3 weeks ago. I waxed all the wax through. Bikini line and underarms. I'm not saying it's a good idea, but it hasnt done any damage to my skin. I did try waxing my upper lip a couple of times, but i could only go over it once with wax as if i went over it a second time, it would rip skin off. But bikini and underarms i could go over a few times and no skin would rip off. I tried sugaring for a while on my bikini line which is another form of hair removal where it apparently doesnt rip off the top layer of skin like waxing, i did it for 3 months in a row, but it gave me horrendous ingrown hairs! (TMI sorry)
UPDATED FROM lisg31
2 months post
7 weeks
lisg31July 2, 2015
I'm now on 20mg a day. My skin is slowly starting to get a little bit better. A few comedones have disappeared but a lot more to go. I'm hoping by the 3 month mark I'll start seeing a lot more improvement. The dryness has really kicked in and I'm feeling very depressed most of the time. Can anyone recommend a good night time oil free moisturizer?
Replies (7)
July 3, 2015
The only thing i found that would moisturise my skin allllll day long was Redwin sorbolene moisturiser. You can get it at woolies or coles for about $6 for a litre. It isnt oil free, but you dont need oil free, you need moisture to stop your skin from feeling tight and drying out. I have used blistex (the little silver tub) through my entire course. I played around with a few other lip balms (even got Dr Dans cortibalm from USA sent over) and blistex has been the only one that has worked for me. When i first started roaccutane, i was using Uriage CU-ZN+ cream. It's non comedogenic, so doesnt block your pores. You can pick it up from Priceline for about $20 a tube. It's hypoallergenic too. It feels quite oily when you put it on, but it was good too.
Why are you feeling depressed? Purely due to your skin not clearing up as quickly as you hoped or something more? Because it made me feel that way too, and i spoke to the doctor about it, it was really beneficial. Dont try and do it alone, there is support out there :) and in here :)
Why are you feeling depressed? Purely due to your skin not clearing up as quickly as you hoped or something more? Because it made me feel that way too, and i spoke to the doctor about it, it was really beneficial. Dont try and do it alone, there is support out there :) and in here :)
July 3, 2015
Thank you for your kind words and advice. I feel depressed because of my skin. I literally went to bed with 1 pimple on my chin and woke up with scattered comedones on my cheek that began spreading at a rapid rate. It has caused me a lot of anxiety. Over the past 10 years I reckon I would of spent $20000 on skin treatments and products. That's two overseas trips! I overdid it too much and I ruined my face. I'll check out the products that you suggested. I can't wait to have amazing skin like you. When did you start noticing improvements?
July 5, 2015
Don't be so hard on yourself. I'm sure it looks bad to you. But others will not see it that way.
In my opinion the cetaphil moisturisers are the best. I use the purple cetaphil sunscreen moisturiser during the day and in the evening the normal moisturiser. And for really dry spots urederm is Fantastic!
In my opinion the cetaphil moisturisers are the best. I use the purple cetaphil sunscreen moisturiser during the day and in the evening the normal moisturiser. And for really dry spots urederm is Fantastic!
July 6, 2015
I started noticing improvements after about 8 weeks. That being said, i was still getting new pimples etc and my milia was turning into pimples. I would wake everyday not knowing was my skin was going to look like. You havnt ruined your skin! Not at all! Honestly, in a few months, you will look back and not remember what your skin was like. I cannot remember my skin being as bad as my pictures reflect. My goodness i never thought id see the day when someone said 'i want to have amazing skin like yours' - you have no idea what a compliment that is! In a few months, people will be saying the same thing to you!
July 6, 2015
I hope so, I'm just really scared about all these comedones turning into pimples because there are so so many :(
July 4, 2015
I use an all natural shea butter and coconut oil on my face, both are wonderful and have some healing properties as well -- of course check with your doctor to make sure it's ok if you decide to use it.
UPDATED FROM lisg31
2 months post
accutane causing facial hair?
lisg31July 5, 2015
Hey all, two weeks into my course I noticed a lot of peach fuzz on my cheeks and the side of my face. Has anyone experienced this?
Replies (5)
July 13, 2015
Some one above mentioned taking spirolactone.
This is what I would recommend also.
My skin use to look exactly like yours.
If you're having clogged small bumps on the lower portion of your face this is usually a hormone issue. I also had a lot of hair and peach fuzz growing.
My dermatologist put me on 50mg per day of spirolactone. Best drug I have ever taken.
Excessive hair went away and all the bumps on my face are gone.
Only issue is it's killed my sex drive a tad but it's not so bad since before I was feeling like a teenage boy (joke). Now I just feel normal.
This is what I would recommend also.
My skin use to look exactly like yours.
If you're having clogged small bumps on the lower portion of your face this is usually a hormone issue. I also had a lot of hair and peach fuzz growing.
My dermatologist put me on 50mg per day of spirolactone. Best drug I have ever taken.
Excessive hair went away and all the bumps on my face are gone.
Only issue is it's killed my sex drive a tad but it's not so bad since before I was feeling like a teenage boy (joke). Now I just feel normal.
July 13, 2015
Haha! Yes I know it's hormonal as my dhes results were high. So I've now been on a bcp to balance it out for the past month. How long did it take you to clear up on spiro?
September 10, 2015
Hi!! Just seeing this now. It took about 1 -2 weeks for the clear up to happen.
Hope this info helps someone out there. :)
Hope this info helps someone out there. :)
February 10, 2016
i have not personally but i heard that excessive hair growth is a possible side effect on accutane.
Welcome to the community, thank you for including us on your journey. I wish you well as you progress through your treatment and look forward to your updates.