POSTED UNDER Accutane Reviews
35 Year Old Nursing Student with Mild to Moderate Acne, Moving Forward with Isotretinoin (Accutane) - Vancouver, WA
UPDATED FROM jeniverson1980
1 year post
Many months later...
I realized it's been forever since I've updated.
I really couldn't be any happier with my skin. It's 'normal' now. Well, better than normal. I haven't taken any isotretinoin since September of 2016. I just couldn't be bothered to fill it again. For about 2-3 months I could barely use any Retin-A because I'd get really dry, and I just used Cerave moisturizer in the morning and AHA Soufflé in the evening. I then started using the Retin-A about every three days, then moved up to daily about a month ago. My skin looks and feels great. I've had two tiny pimples at my hairline, but they were in my hair and not visible. My skin is healthy and moisturized and clear! I'm hoping that the Retin-A will also help with aging over time. Anyway, still going strong! Yay! Btw, I'm using 0.25% cream, and I'll probably move up to 0.5% after this tube. My skin isn't dry at all, nor is it oily. These photos are after washing my face tonight (with Cetaphil Gentle).
I really couldn't be any happier with my skin. It's 'normal' now. Well, better than normal. I haven't taken any isotretinoin since September of 2016. I just couldn't be bothered to fill it again. For about 2-3 months I could barely use any Retin-A because I'd get really dry, and I just used Cerave moisturizer in the morning and AHA Soufflé in the evening. I then started using the Retin-A about every three days, then moved up to daily about a month ago. My skin looks and feels great. I've had two tiny pimples at my hairline, but they were in my hair and not visible. My skin is healthy and moisturized and clear! I'm hoping that the Retin-A will also help with aging over time. Anyway, still going strong! Yay! Btw, I'm using 0.25% cream, and I'll probably move up to 0.5% after this tube. My skin isn't dry at all, nor is it oily. These photos are after washing my face tonight (with Cetaphil Gentle).
Replies (1)
July 14, 2017
I did two rounds of Accutane and a few years later started to get breakouts again, nothing like they were before Accutane, but still pimples. I started using Rodan + Fields Unblemish regimen, a 3-step process every night before bed and it has been the answer to my problems. Email me at kibens97@gmail.com if you want to know more about it.
UPDATED FROM jeniverson1980
9 months post
Still in love with my results
It's been too long since I've posted a photo update. I began my Accutane (isotretinoin) Journey on Dec. 8, 2015, and it's now late September 2016. I ended my standard dosing months ago, but because of the wonderful state of my skin (and the zero negative side effects), I choose (with my dermatologists approval) to take 30 mg/week (I take a 10 mg Mon, Wed, and Fri). The dose is minimal, and doesn't negatively impact my liver. I'll likely stop soon-I just prefer it to the drying effects of topicals. I am wearing liquid blush in these photos, but no skin coverage makeup. I've not had a zit in forever. I can't reminder my last outbreak. I look back at photos and want to cry...I wish I'd done Accutane years and years ago. I wasted so much of my life having acne. My son is now battling teenage acne, and Epiduo and the thousand other topicals just don't do it. I'm taking him in October to see my dermatologist. I will never allow him to go through the years of embarrassment that I did, and I HIGHLY recommend that you also allow your teenager to try Accutane earlier rather than later. Nobody knows what acne is like unless you've been there. My experience has been 100% positive, and monthly labs and insulting ipledge questions are a small price to pay for this miracle drug. Will update periodically. JUST DO IT.
Replies (5)
September 25, 2016
How are the results with low dose isotretinoin ?
September 27, 2016
I've been very, very pleased! The research shows that long term, low dose iso is very safe, but there's a slightly increased risk of bone density loss over time. I couldn't be more happy. I have no side effects, and my skin is being maintained.
September 25, 2016
Gorgeous! Your skin looks amazing!!! So happy for you! :)
September 27, 2016
Thank you! Have you gone back??? I need to hop over to your page and check for updates!
October 6, 2016
I can't thank you enough for posting this. I'm 35 and about to go back on accutane (did it last when I was 17). This was helpful. Thank you, I mean it.
November 9, 2016
Love your updates, thank you! I am very nervous about starting but your experience seemed great. I am 36 and nothing has seemed to work so far. I was told I shouldn't drink though, was this a problem for you? I like my wine so i just don't know!
November 11, 2016
Hi, there! I've also read about not drinking, but I did drink a handful of times with no ill effect. I asked about it, and the reason for not drinking is because accurate is hard on the liver, so the two together can be pretty harsh. My enzymes were good, and I didn't drink on a regular basis, so I was ok. I wouldn't drink even weekly, though-I'd keep it to special occasions.
November 9, 2016
Hey girl. How's your skin doing? Are you still taking 30mg a week? Hope you're doing well and your skin is still clear!
November 11, 2016
Hello, beautiful! I actually had a crazy week and missed a fern appointment, so I didn't refill my prescription. Right after posting this I started taking only 10 mg/week-one tiny pill on Mondays. I'm still doing that, and so far, so good! I need to reschedule my appointment so that I can ask to continue the 10 mg/week. It's just enough to seemingly keep relapse at bay, but I have no more set lips, hair, etc. I wonder if your deem would entertain the idea of long term low dose?
November 12, 2016
That's awesome! How cool that your derm let you do that! I'm not sure mine would. The nurse practitioner that I was seeing during my course left the practice, so I started seeing the new NP and she wants to go through all the topicals again and then consider a second course if none of those work. I'm using Clindamycin lotion and Adapalene gel right now, so we'll see how that goes. Lots of questions for you... Do you have any side effects on 10 mg a week? Do you still have to do blood work every month? Is there still the risk of liver damage at 10 mg a week? Do you still have to go through the ipledge process every month? Is your cholesterol affected on such a low dose? I think my actual derm, not the NP, seems to be very traditional. I doubt he'd let me do long term low dose Accutane. You never know though! Maybe I could be his first patient lol. I'm so happy for you! You're gorgeous and your skin looks awesome.
Replies (2)