POSTED UNDER Accutane REVIEWS
Mom in Her 40's Starting Accutane.
ORIGINAL POST
I'm a 42 year old mom who developed what I have...
ccpdxApril 3, 2016
I'm a 42 year old mom who developed what I have learned to be hormonal acne. I never had a problem with acne growing up. However, around age 35, I started getting acne. Once I figured out that it wasn't going away, I thought I must be allergic to something. I tried changing skin care products, make up, laundry detergent & eliminating various foods from my diet. All with no success in getting rid of the acne. I went to my dermatologist who prescribed oral antibiotics, Retin-A & topical antibiotics. All with no success. My face is very oily. The acne has been cystic, mostly around my chin and jaw line and has left some scars. I have red marks that don't go away where pimples have come and gone. I have had enough. I started researching Spironilactone and Accutane. After lots of reading, talking to my doctor and talking to several people who have used Accutane, I decided that Spironilactone might help but I would have to be on it for a long time and I would just be putting off the inevitable. I decided to go for the Accutane. I'm nervous because it's spring and the sun sensitivity can be severe but I want to get it over with. I'm also nervous about the dryness, moodiness and fatigue but hopefully it will be short lived and worth it. My first day was April Fools Day... :-)
UPDATED FROM ccpdx
6 days post
Day 7 of Accutane
ccpdxApril 8, 2016
I've been on Accutane for 7 days now. Physically, I feel completely normal. My lips and the area around my mouth started to dry out on day 4. I started noticing a little flakiness around my chin about day 5. Today, I have flakiness around my eyebrows, nose and chin. My face also appears a little pink. The flaky areas are also a little itchy like when you peel after a sunburn. I've been using Aquafor for my lips and moisturizing with Cetaphil and jojoba oil. I've read that jojoba oil can do wonders for the skin. I've been trying to be mindful not to touch, scratch or rub my face. I also purchased Cereve face and body lotion with sunscreen and will be using that religiously.
Replies (5)
April 10, 2016
Hi again! Hope your treatment is going well :) When you initially saw your Derm did he suggest or did you ask about any type of laser treatment as an option? I know it's so much more expensive but was just wondering if it might be a option for this type of problem we both seem to have. Btw I was able to reschedule my appt for the end of this month!
Cheers
Cheers
April 12, 2016
After all the the reading I have done, I decided that I would see how my skin looks after the Accutane and go from there. I have red and brown spots (some of the brown is due to melasma- so annoying). I have heard that sometimes, some of the discoloration will fade throughout the course of Accutane. Cost is an issue so I'm hoping the "need" for laser treatments won't be as much after I'm done with the Accuatne.
June 23, 2016
Hi! Been a couple of months, my appointment came & went. Turns out my breakouts are all hormonal and doc says I would never get approved for Accutane because when my hormones are in check my skin is good :/. However..during this visit they found early stages of melanoma on my body. How serendipitous that my hormonal breakouts would take me to a doctor for help only to be saved from something much worse. I had 2 procedures on three different areas of my body, right hip, by my belly button of all places and by my left knee and am now in good shape. I still break out but with this derm's advice I have put away everything I was using before the visit and now combine witch hazel and pure alcohol to keep my skin clean. Strangely it's done wonders and has not dried me out at all. I hope your treatment is going well! :)
April 11, 2016
Thanks for initiating this discussion! I'm a 40 y/ woman in the same boat. My skin was always fine ( not perfect, but very minimal acne). It actually went completely haywire during my first pregnancy at 33, and ever since then has never been the same. I have some scarring from that first pregnancy, and continue to break out. Two kids and three years of nursing later, my body is all mine again so my derm and I decided Accutane is the best option. I began 14 days ago (40 mg 2x per day). Skin is dry and flakey, lips are very dry, but I've also been very cold and exhausted! Have you experienced this? I had to go on bc pill as part of Ipledge so hormones might be responsible as well. I'm breaking out a bit but I do feel like my skin is getting a bit smoother. Good luck to you and I look forward to reading your updates!
April 12, 2016
Thank you for your comment. It's reassuring to know you aren't the only one dealing with whatever problem you may have. I also developed melasma on the sides of my face. Weird brown patterns appeared on each side of my face that aren't just sun spots. It's hormonal and from what I've been told, the only thing I can do is use sunscreen to keep it from getting darker and use prescription strength hydroquinone to possibly lighten the spots. Laser treatments might help but no guarantee. I had a tubal ligation so I do not need to be on birth control. I haven't experienced feeling cold and I'm no more tired than I normally am :-). I have heard that fatigue can be a side effect of Accutane though. Best of luck to you.
UPDATED FROM ccpdx
10 days post
Adult hormonal acne and melasma. Ugh!
ccpdxApril 12, 2016
Along with the hormonal acne came melasma. Good times...
Replies (3)
October 14, 2016
Did your Melasma get better by chance with the accutane? I'm 42 as well doing accutane with Melasma. I have early onset menopause from a complete hysterectomy in 07 and they've had me on HRT ever since; Mines all hormonal too. Never actually seen anyone with my exact situation. Thanks!
October 14, 2016
Hi. Unfortunately, my melasma did not get better :-(. It lightened a little because I wear sunscreen constantly and I stayed out of the sun all summer because of the Accutane. My derm gave me a prescription for hydroquinone to see if that would lighten some of the brown spots. I didn't use it while taking Accutane so I'm just starting it now. Well, at least the acne is gone. Have you started Accutane? I don't know anyone else with our situation either. Thanks for reaching out.
Replies (7)