ACCUTANE GALLERY

The main objective of this pinned thread is so that all of the Accutane users have an opportunity to post their Accutane before and after pictures in order to enable easier viewing by other members. We are hoping that this thread will facilitate locating the before and after photos, as well as alleviate some of the difficulties associated with the screening process in the original gallery.

Guidelines:

Hey, I'm Phoenixbalm and have been suffering from the

disease for 2 years now.



First off, I'd just like to say, thank you, to all of acne.org's

members, for just being here - you guys are just incredible,

couldn't have got myself to this stage without you all. You've

helped me through a lot, and my appreciation is unending.



OK so here goes, another generic accutane log likely to play

part in convincing other acne sufferers out there to go a

knockin' on their dermatologist's door and asking for the stuff.



I'm posting pictures of my condition 1 week before starting

(02-07-09) This is the day after I went to see the

dermatologist. I'm waiting for blood test results next

wednesday, where I'll get the prescription, so should be

started by the end of next week - obviously there won't be

much posting before then, but just thought I'd lay out the log in

advance. I'm going to update this log pretty much daily once I

begin, but do forgive me if I miss a day every now and then!

[attachment=20242:IMG_2521__Large_.jpg]
[attachment=20241:IMG_2519__Large_.jpg]
[attachment=20243:IMG_2523__Large_.jpg]
[attachment=20244:IMG_2525__Large_.jpg]
[attachment=20245:IMG_2528__Large_.jpg]
[attachment=20246:IMG_2530__Large_.jpg]


Do you ever get that feeling where all your friends and the people you know around you complain about their problems, and you say nothing about your acne to them, because it's humiliating and it drives you mad, because you would trade their life with yours any day? I get this every bloody day I live - I get it with my friends, my girlfriend, the idiots at my school - They are all so fucking fortunate. Sometimes I really would like to tell them to go fuck off, because I'd be interested to see what they'd say if they saw these pictures.

Now before I go saying I'm unfortunate and WOE IS ME! I'd just like to say, I am very, very thankful to whatever higher power (if there is one) gave me the life I've got. My situation is a lot better than 99% of the rest of the world, I am presuming.

I do, however, believe people with acne should bloody well have the right to feel shit, because let's be honest people, acne can ruin your life. For two years now I've had the quiet pattern of going to school, hating every moment of it, trying to hide my face and trying to sit comfortably, whilst my back puts my through hell, coming home, some nights just pretty much breaking down and going to bed generally bunged up. I've spent absolutely ages using every moment of spare time researching ways to treat it - accutane looking like the only answer.

Long story short - CAN'T FUCKING WAIT TO START!

Side effects may be bad, but boy, I am so ready to say goodbye to this depressing, restraining existence.

HELLLOOOO ACNE.ORG!
I recently started Clarvis, at 40 mg just two days ago! So far nothing has happened, but hopefully I will start to experience some kind of side effects or else this log will be really boring.
History:
I've had acne ever since about 6th grade, but at that point stuff like Proactiv was able to keep it under control. Since then I've tried about every OTC product, Monocycline, Tetracycline, Doxycycline, Differin, Benzaclin, Retin-a, blah, blah, blah. My acne is not terrible, it could definitely be a lot worse. It's just moderate and really persistent. It also has a tendency to fluctuate, like one month I'll be almost clear and the next month it will be really terrible again.
BUT enough of that. I am hoping accutane will allow me to live my last two years of High School way less self-conscious than I currently am. Not having to base my day off of what my skin is looking like in the morning would be really, really nice.
Products I've got so far include cerave for moisturizing purposes, cetaphil facewash, and aquaphor (of course) for future lip cracking extravaganzas. Does anybody have any opinions on which is better, cetaphil or cerave as a moisturizer? I just got cerave because I heard it was less greasy.
I am also taking flaxseed oil (I'm a vegetarian/sometimes vegan so I can't take fish oil), zinc, vitamin e, and my multivitamin. I am not sure if these will help all that much, but I hope the vitamin e will at least help with dryness and everything.

So farrrrr the side effects I've had include:
-Headache on the first day
-Backache
-Tinnny bit of dryness on face and lips
-Tiredness and a lack of focus that may or may not be related for accutane (there is a good chance I am just searching for symptoms).

Also, I am on clarvis but I will probably just say accutane as it is habitual.
And the title of my log is from an All Girl Summer Fun Band song, yeeee!

Here are some photos, some are of my face and others are just of me so that I do not feel TOO gross. Keep in mind these were taken on a macbook, which greatly diminishes blemishes.

[attachment=19204:somesomesome.jpg]

Replies to this would be lovely, I'll try to keep up with updating. (:


ZOOOOOOOOM!

Hey all,

I'm a 24-yr-old female struggling with acne for 13 years. So just started my accutane treatment 2 weeks ago and my derm prescribed me 10mg accutane along with prednisolone 10mg to reduce the IB. Over just 4 days of prednisolone medication, my face has been swelling like I have been eating too much lately. My co-workers kept asking me why and that was so embarassing.

So would that be okay if i start tapering off the prednisolone and taking the OTC zyrtec to come by the IB or any kind of inflammation caused by taking accutane? Anyone please advise, really appreciate it!!

i found this tea tree oil blemish fader from body shop that uses natural ingredients. and i was wondering if it will cause me any harm will on accutane. since accutane doesnt heal red marks but leaves it to our body to take care of that, is it fine to enhance the recovery rate with a blemish fading cream?

got lots of red marks from initial breakout, thinking of applying the cream on those reddish marks but non-acne area. please advise me. thanks!

Since i was 12. i remembered having acne. half the time it is cystic acne. mostly affects the front of my face. dont have acne on the sides on my face. my greatest fear is mirrors. my second greatest fear is heights. my third greatest fear is talking to people when i have a breakout, and fearing to go to school(DAMN I REALLY HATE IT cause i know if my acne wasnt there, id be so much more confident around people). now im 17. in between , off and on life has been good and bad with regard to my skin. but 80% of the time, im afflicted with acne. Tried doxycycline for 5 months in 2009 from Jan- May it cleared me for 3 months and i started breaking out like mad, that was when i decided to give accutane a try.

Stuff:

-some stuff for my lips that the derm gave
- moisturizer that i will use like 5-6 times a day
-cetaphil
-antibacterial face wash
(any recommendations on anything that will enhance accutane effects or reduce side effects or increase healing or anything at all that will help please let me know!! thanks!!)

month 1 : 20 mg


June 9- Started(Day 1) 8PM. 20 mg a day.

June 10- 6 acne on right side of face(not my cheeks) my moustache area above my mouth, 3 red acne on chin, few acne on left side. clear forehead. i seriously look real bad. its freaking me out.

June 21-25 went to sabah for a holiday trip, had a super break out on my moustache area on the first day. in the middle of it,even my forehead which has been clear previously is breaking out around my eyebrow area. i know i should have avoided the sun. a big cyst on my right cheek in the middle of the trip(i seldom get outbreaks on my cheek so im really terrified)

June 26. the breakouts i had on my right moustache area and my chin has vanished. leaving red marks that are healing. the cyst on my right cheek is also decreasing in size, like its dying out, and its only been 2 days?? usually my cysts last like 3 weeks.

Bad news: break out on my left moustache area. 2 cysts. damn. my auntie flew over today from hongkong and i totally avoided her, pretending to sleep in my room.

O yeah, school is starting on 29th and my one month break is over. I guess i will go back toavoiding people in school again. My lips are dry and its hard to smile. i hate my life now.

Just went for a blood check today. avoiding the gaze of people around me, just keeping my eyes down. Having an appointment with the derm in 10 days. should i up my dose?? or continue at 20 mg? anyone can give me some advice on this?

Hey hey hey

Sooo, I made a blog a little while ago but I deleted it as I thought that a message board would be easier for people to reply and ask questions if they so desire.

As for my mini autobiography, I'm seventeen years old, a girl and an acne sufferer for abbbout 3ish years now, but only recently has it gotten completely unbearable, right now I have a group of cysts on my chin and I slightly resemble the elephant man. I've tried pretty much everything; every cream, cleanser, bar, lotion, blah blah blah, proactive (which I'm still using at the mo), doxycline, minomycin, my birth control bestie "Brenda" which I'm also still currently on.

So I've decided to jump into the Roaccutane pool. I've been referred to a dermo (who's a bit quirky) and he gave me the option of Roaccutane. I'm aware of the side effects and I've literally been stalking the Accutane blogs on this website for the last week, but if it means my acne is gone forever then I'm all for it. And I'd rather not be taking the pill or antibiotics for my entire life, when I can blast it for 6 months and then never have to take anything again. Anyways, I have to have been on the pill for a month which I'm close to, and then I can go get my blood test hopefully next Wednesday. Can't wait !!

What else...... So with the blood test they check cholesterol levels? My Mum has high colesterol levels. I hope I don't. I'm a vegetarian.. well a sometimes fishatarian so maybe that'll help coz I don't eat alot of crap. Well I best be off, feel free to say hellllo t'would be lovely.

Does anyone know if it is ok to use the vinegar method while on a low dose of isotane?

hey everybody!

my name's bella and i'm 16 years old, 5'8.5", and 120 pounds!
i've had normal acne from 11-14 years old but for the past two years my acne's gotten really angry and it has been sprouting everywhere! like even on my cheeks....where i've never gotten acne before. and it's not normal anymore...it's nasty and cystic and lumpy and painful!
i've tried proactiv, clean and clear, murad, and philosophy anti-acne products but those just don't work on me!
chicago weather is too pms-y and unconstant (it was 65 degrees 2 weeks ago...now there's a few inches of snow!) so i'll have like a huge zit and then it'll get cold and my skin will get so dry but yet i'll continue to break out?? and then the zit will crack in half or something and turn brown and sickk. and i live in the city so there's a lot of pollution and garbage and crap floating in the air...eww. i had to get my bangs cut kind of poofy because over break i had a huge dermatitis-like thing where a gazillion zits grew on top of each other all over my forehead and hurt so bad whenever i sneezed one would like pop...gross right??

i'm on the school swim team and since i swam the beginning of the year my acne wasn't AS bad, but now that swimming is over it's been totally erupting and gross and killing my self confidence. as if it wasn't already bad before, haha. i'm the type of girl who HAS to wear some sort of concealer or powder foundation over my scars and powdered sulfur on top of my pimples to cover them (no caking it on! unless i'm doing a photoshoot or something. models have to be pretty but no modeling this year, too many zits aghhh!) so in the mornings i have to get up pretty early so my face doesn't look so angry and red and lumpy! and so i don't scare away the kiddies at school lol.

good thing my aunt owns a sephora store bareminerals makeup = the BEST! and she teaches me how to put it on the "right" way so i don't look like a cake face lol. but by the end of the day it usually wears off so i get really self conscious around the kids in my last few classes because when they look at me i always think they're staring at all my little brown spots and pimples and zits and my blackhead-infested nose (well not really infested. i just think it is and maybe i think i have more acne than i really do but i don't know how to change that! it's like a psychological thing right?)

but acne really has ruined my life...high school is supposed to be fun! but i can't really be myself if i look like a pizza face...hopefully this journey will bolster my confidence too
i've heard that people are usually mostly clear in a month or two...just in time for prom!
there's this guy that i really really really like (let's just call him Cute Boy so i can refer to him in later posts lol) but i've kind of been scared to talk to him a lot...sometimes i can't look him in the eye because then i just get so self conscious and think he's staring at my acne and then i get really nervous and screw up the conversation because of my newfound acne-awkwardness
BUT we're sort of good friends now and maybe if my skin clears up i can change that! haha. frickin acne! i was going to ask him to our school's sadie hawkins-type dance that was on saturday, valentine's day but i was sooo worried that i'd look weird and gross-faced and he'd be disgusted and compared to all the other girls at my school (note: chicago city semi-private school = rich kids who have coach prada chanel gucci purses and really nice cars and perfect perfect skin and hair and bodies) i'd be the ugliest so i didn't ask him i mean, i can handle it but sometimes i'm just not that strong...and i really want this to work out!

so anyways my blood test is at 5:30 AM tomorrow! it had to be scheduled really early because my parents don't approve of me missing out on school...ehh. junior year = waste of time! too many AP classes and not enough time for parties that means i'll have to get up at like...4:30 which is nasty, even worse than when i had morning practices at 5:00 for swimming haha. it'll be a pain doing makeup when i'm half asleep...

i'm really nervous to go...they said i have to fast for 12 hours and i hate fasting....
me + food = <3
seriously. i'll be doing my homework and suddenly a costco size bag of cheerios will appear on my desk and it'll be gone within a few hours!
i've been trying to cut back on potential acne-causing foods (milk, chocolate, spring rolls, pizza, tacos, ice cream...all the stuff that gives my mom acne basically) but it's sooo hard.
especially chocolate.
and milk.
and how they have freaking towers of chocolate milk in the school lunch line! two of my worst enemies combined into one! and soooo good! just like fried snickers. ohmigod. those are amazing! anyways.

so knowing that, i'll probably pass out because i'll be sooo hungry! and because the whole needles part. i mean, it isn't really scary until they baby you and are like..."honey do you need your parent to be here? are you all right?" because then that just makes me scared even if i wasn't scared before!
any tips to get through blood testing easily? haha.

i'll be taking my first pill this thursday! the dosage depends on my blood test but my derma said i'd be taking it for sure (she took it when it first came out and she is like 60 and her skin is sooo smooth and beautiful kind of like a little doll and she pities me so much haha)

so my current routine is as follows (yes everything is from a sephora store! <3 well except proactiv. that crap is killer. i just like their sulfur mask haha)
AM:
philosophy purity facial wash
philosophy when hope is not enough serum
clinique moisture surge gel
philosophy hope in a jar
philosophy the present (makeup primer)
bare escentuals concealer/foundation/veil
spray whole face with evian mist to set makeup

AFTER SCHOOL:
cold cream face wash
clinique moisture surge gel (as a mask until shower)
proactiv refining mask (as spot treatment mask until shower)

PM:
philosophy purity facial wash
estee lauder advance night repair serum
l'occitane immortelle precious creme
philosophy high density eye/lip cream

OTHER:
rosebud salve for lips and elbows

pretty hardcore list right? it's gonna change a little if i start getting really dry...i've heard aquaphor is a blessing

so yeah! that's me! if anyone has any tips i will love you forever!

xoxo bella
wow i really didn't realize this was so long. haha.

Tomorrow is the day I pop that first pill! I am more excited than I should be, but sitting here knocking back 100 calorie Oreo packs isn't doing me any good. So I'll tell you my acne history:

I have had acne since I was about 12 or so and it didn't become mild/moderate/cystic/whatever until junior or senior year in high school. I was always able to manage it or hide it, but the past few years has been really difficult. I have tried Retin-A, Retin-A Micro, Differin, Tazorac, Minocycline, Doxycycline, Tertracycline, Brevoxl, Benzaclin, Benzamycin, and everything OTC imaginable.

Finally a few months ago I found this website and read all about Accutane, which my brother took years back but I never knew much about it. After reading several logs (sophiena's in particular) and speaking with my brother, I decided to go on Accutane. My derm at the time said that he would have to try me on a new combo before prescribing me Tane and said to come back in after 2 months. I called to make an appointment and was told to wait for the derm to call me back, and a week later he said he was moving and I was SOL. What a jerk! So my new derm is so sweet and put me on Tane the same visit.

So all I know about my regimen is that it will be 40mg to begin with and then will be bumped up to 80 mg down the road. She predicts about 6 months for the regimen. I don't care how long this takes as long as I have clear skin!

My fiance is pretty opposed to the treatment because he is a worrier. He reminds me of Edward from Twilight, where his main hobby is worrying about me! Lol. My only reservation about Tane is the monthly blood test as I haaaate getting my blood drawn. Ew.

HELLOOO ALL OF YOU LOVELY PEOPLE AT ACNE.ORG! (:

I'm Sarah, an 18 year-old college sophomore at University of Colorado. I'm 5 foot 3, weight about 100 pounds, and I'm a vegetarian and healthy eater. I'm have acne since I was about 13, but in the last two years my acne has become unbearable.

Like most accutane stories start, I've tried everything. Retin-A, tazorac, doryx, antobiotics, differin, cleocin-t, changing my diet, changing my birth control, duac, pretty much everything in the drgstore ... yada yada yada. I have moderate acne, but I also have the gift of very sensitive skin that doesn't heal very quickly. My derm finally said, "I'm out of options", and a month later my claravis is sitting next to me.

I kind of feel like accutane is my last hope. I've gone through hell for some time and I'm ready to stop letting acne get in the way of my life! And having to jump through a million hurdles to get on the pills makes me want it to work that much more.

But to be honest, I'm a little freaked out about taking it. I've been lurking on acne.org for ages and ages now and I seem to find 'tane horror stories everywhere. People losing hair, their night vision, their sanity... it's some scary stuff.

I think that keeping a log on a place that's so supportive can only mean good things. I'll post some pictures tomorrow to give everyone an idea of what I'm dealing with, and in the meantime I'm chugging water like crazy before I take my first pill.

Here's to hoping I can toss out my concealer eventually... (:

replies are always welcome!

So, the story:

Keeping it short, an Irish boy, 23 years of age, having dealt with acne for close to 10 years, has hit the bottom of the acne based barrel, stunted confidence, lacking in a social life, finally wants out.

My acne is moderate, but persistent, so while it may not be aggressive, there are constant waves of attacks, multiples of active and red-marked acne, and it's very much pustule based acne, which makes it visually disgusting - to me. It's strange, what repulses you in yourself you find completely fine in others. Your own mind playing tricks.

Anyway...

Today I met with my dermatologist. Notes on the appointment:

• He read like a spokesman for Roaccutane, but that didn't eradicate the message.
• We spoke frankly about the drawbacks and he was considerate and quite honest.
• He took my weight and said that the best course of action would be 70 mg a day.
• The 70 mg being based on a weight of 11 stone.
• This 70 mg would be split into 30mg in the morning and 40 mg in the evening.
• It will be 70 mg per day for four months.
• I ask whether starting with a lower dose would be best, but he stated that it's only used to ease people into the drug, so they won't be deterred by the strong symptoms within the first couple of weeks.
• There won't be any blood tests, unless there is colouring in my eyes after the first month.
• He has studied, prescribed, and dealt with this drug for just under 30 years.
• He has prescribed it to his own children, as well as some relatives.
• He sold it quite well, even if I had a level of paranoia attached to the idea prior to the visit.

Now, I'm waiting for my medical card to kick in over the next couple of days before I begin the course, but I'm hoping maybe someone could tell me about their course, especially if it entailed an immediate high dosage. This, while only an opening post, will become a log. No fear of a lack of updates either as an addiction to the Internet will help in this case.

So, starting with a little bit of apprehension, but good vibes. I'll post some imagery later, some horrible stuff for you all to enjoy. Also, I hope you don't mind, but just to quirk up the posts, I'm going to do an image-song-filmscene of the day type thing, too, to accompany the logs and complaints and eventual euphoria (believe!). I guess I might aswell start now.

Day -2/3.

Song: Mazzy Star, Happy Image: Morrissey Scene: The Monday Tape, High Fidelity

Hello everyone, I hope you will enjoy taking this journey with me as I begin what I hope to be the final chapter in my battle with skin issues for the rest of my life. I decided to finally sign up here after coming as an observer many times. I would come onto this site to read other people's logs, to get some reviews and noticed how supportive everyone here was. Let's face it (no pun intended) we've all been through the heartbreak of acne and bad skin together. We all have dealt with the ups and downs and what it has done to our self esteem. So I decided that I wanted to join today, the same day I filled out my first prescription for Accutane/Claravis.

A little about me I suppose would help, right? Well I am 28 years old and have battled with acne my whole life. Since about 14, through high school, through college and now into my adult life. There were definetly times it would get better, and life seemed amazing. I was only everything from Retin A, to Differin, to topicals, to antibiotics, everything. I ventured into modeling in my early 20s and nothing is more srutinizing of your skin than the modelign industry. I stressed out over it all the time, cancelling shoots or jobs bc id have a bad break out. I tried home remedies, over the counters, you name it...and still the best I could do was to "maintain" but never CURE! sigh....as for a before photo, Im not that comfortable posting one however that IS ME in my avatar, i just cropped it only to show my eye lol. I want this to be a private thing and not have people who may know me from life and the internet know this much personal stuff about me and my accutane journey.

My acne is mild...and if you saw photos of me you would probably say "why is she doing accutane?" because to the everyday folk I seem to have normal skin. Sure it's normal, a percentage of the month. But when I break out, its bad. SO bad I cancel plans with friends, refuse to go out in public, back out of dates, etc. My life revolves aroudn my break outs. My vacations, my social engagements, etc.

So I hope to check in and tell you all how its going xo

Hello and/or Welcome!

I had started a log a while back, but then things blew up and I had to wait even longer to start. That log turned angry and bitter, so it should stay abandoned. I wasn't going to start a new one at all, just in case, but I think I'm better prepared for all the problems my insurance and health care center will throw at me now. I must admit, though, that I'm still sad that I will have to postpone my tropical vacation now that I'm starting late.

I started my brand name Accutane nearly 2 weeks ago on May 22. The following week, we started rehearsals for the musical Man of La Mancha, based on the novel Don Quixote, hence the topic title. I also study voice, so in addition to the obvious side effects, I think I'll also chronicle the perceived effects that it has on my singing voice in case another singer happens upon this.

Week 1

Accutane, 40 mg/day
Female, 5'6" 143lbs (and losing, finally)
Mezzo-Soprano

Preexisting conditions: Kidney transplant, moderate hearing loss, mild astigmatism, various headaches, and, of course, moderate, stubborn acne for nearly 20 years.

Supplements: Vitamins for the Hair (B-complex plus minerals), Vitamin E 400IU, Vitamin D 400IU, Omega 3-6-9

For the first week, the only real side effect was increased oiliness. I have the usual arsenal of Cetaphils, Ceraves, and Aquaphors at my disposal, as well as a delightful mask by Alba Hawaiian, so I can continue to dream of sand in my bikini and umbrella drinks.


Days8-12

Serious increase in thirst. I've gone from drinking 10 glasses of water a day to at least 15. I'm making sure to eat extra potatoes with lots of salt to prevent over-hydration. This was a bit troublesome at my voice lesson. I may have to eat something extra greasy before singing to keep things supple.

The skin dryness is starting, too. I am no longer distracted by the shininess of my nose, and, therefore, I am no longer spending half my days planning on when I can surreptitiously blot myself.

Luckily, it's been rainy, so I haven't had to deal with photosensitivity yet. That should change. Painfully. Is it going to be worse than it was with doxycycline?

The IB has begun. On my nose. I don't usually break out on my nose unless I have an especially important event, so this is really fun. I picked (the blemishes--not my nose), but they're already healing. I have also sprouted a few on my chin, forehead, jawline, chest, and back. I daresay this is not the end of it, but except for my nose and chest, this isn't much different than my regular skin so far. We'll see how that changes.


I probably won't always ramble like this. confess that I took Percocet this evening for some nasty stomach pain.

And a picture from a recent photoshoot (I'm the worst model ever). I don't have any make-up free pictures on this computer, but you can see some spots through my make-up, anyway.

[attachment=19575:badmodel2.jpg]

This log is intended to chronicle my experience through a 5 month round of Accutane (Claravis)

First perhaps, what lead me here. I first started noticing my acne around the age of 14. Anytime I would see a pimple I'd just about freak out over it. Some irony here is that before my acne started getting out of hand I was probably a semi-hefty kid. Not obese or anything, but I was always aware of my size relative to my peers and my family, siblings and such would make stupid comments about it. When I was about 12 I discovered the joys of a little game called Dance Dance Revolution, you've seen it, in mall arcade, that gaudy machine with flashing lights and 4 colored arrows that people are made to "dance" on. Well this about became my obsession for a couple of years (I have chilled out since my glory days but I can still hold my own on Heavy...Maniac for those of you who remember). I'm digressing quite bit here, yet either as a result of this game or maybe just the fact that I was starting to hit those pubescent growth spurts I stretched out in those couple a years and slimmed down considerably. Now at the ripe old age of 21 at just about 6ft even and weighing in at 150 pounds I'm probably something akin to slim. Unfortunately with puberty came the ravages of acne. So my point with all of that was just to say it's been one body image issue after another for me over the years. As a result I don't have great self-confidence, but I manage.

In my late teens I tried all of the over-the-counter remedies. Clerasil, Proactiv, AcneFree, Neutrogena. Nothing really seemed to make a dent, Benzoyle Peroxide 10% and Sailylic Acid 2% just wearn't cutting it. Around the age of 17 when my acne was at it's absolute worst I finally went to see a Dermatologist. Honestly Accutane was discussed then as something I might be a candidate for, at the time I had only heard about how effective it was, not all the potentially horrible side effects. My derm at that time said he wanted to try antibiotoics and retinoids first. I was perhaps a littler disappointed, but willing to try anything at that point. After all 'he's a doctor he should know what he's doing', I thought. For about 2 years I was on tetracycline and went through a parade of topical treatments. Retin-A Micro, Duac, Tazorac gel etc. I wasn't happy with the results. I'd say the treatments provided maybe 15-20% improvement on what the over the counter crap could deliver, and thats being generous. Not to mention my skin became really really dry and sensitive while using them (Accutane is going to succccckkkk).

I got off the antibiotics, and stopped using the prescription topical stuff about a year ago. And surprisingly, my face has gotten a little better on it's own but its only slightly improved. I've had severe acne in the past (got the scars to prove it), right now I'd say its moderate. But I still notice it and it still bothers me.

So I went to a new derm about a week ago determined to try and tackle this problem once and for all. At the time I was thinking something like Fraxel or Photodynamic Therepy or something...I told him my story, and was still somehow surprised when he suggested accutane. Was it still that bad I thought? I had since heard about people having bad reactions to taking Accutane and once he had suggested it I started doing some research (found this site in fact). And Holy Hell if I was a little apprehensive about starting accutane before I was terrified after i explored this site and some of the links I found on it. But then there are the before and after shots of people who've been on Accutane, and that was enough to make me reconsider backing away from this option.

So I took some more time to weigh the potential risks with the potential benefits and eventually came to the decision that the chance of living acne free was worth the risk of a chance of living bad side effects ridden. From my reading,I take it the chances are stacked more toward the former then the latter. At this point I can only hope. Acne has already taken it's toll on me. I have close to no self-confidence about my appearance. I hate looking at people directly, can't even make eye contact half the time because I'm so self conscious about my appearance. I edit out the acne on just about every picture I take of myself with Photoshop because I really can't stand to look at pictures of my face with acne. It sounds pretty messed up but I don't really give myself the chance to date because somehow I feel like the acne makes me somehow less worthy of being with someone. I know thats an unhealthy...hell I'll give it to you...dramatic way of looking at it. But the point is THAT is what acne has done to my thought processes and shows to what degree it's effected my life.

I think I'm ready for this...

I'm going to stay alert and really watch out for signs of serious side effects. I'm going to try and log daily about how it's going to...if anyone follows this you will be SICK of me after 5 months. But the log is more for me, just so I can have a record of exactly when things happen in terms of side effects and (hopefully good) results.


SO here I am at the beginning of a very long road at the end of which I hope is a face free of acne and a shot at a happier life/greatly improved self-esteem.


Everyone wish me a safe 5 months!

I'll try and post weekly pictures. If that doesn't sounds too tedious.

pre-treatment (un-photoshopped, as all pictures will be)

Hey all. My name's Zul. I'm a 24 year old Singaporean Asian dude who has suffered from acne since age 13. My first course of Accutane was in 2006. I remember it worked wonders (dramatically clearer skin, very little oil on my face), but my acne came back like before after a year I stopped Accutane. The reason why only now I decided to try Accutane again was because as soon as my acne made a comeback, the idea of taking Accutane again didn't come across my mind. I lost faith in it. I thought it was just like the other oral medications I took - worked wonders, but my acne came back after some time once I stopped. Anyway, only recently I learned that some individuals did had multiple courses of Accutane, so I thought I'd give it a go once more. I'm 5'9" (1.76 m) and I weigh 158 lbs (72 kg). Today is my third week on Accutane and I'm currently on 30mg/day. I'm already experiencing some peeling skin and very dry lips, which I can easily soothe myself with some facial moisturiser and lip balm. Also, I find that my face flushes more easily than before. Apart from that, I think I'm more susceptible to body aches and cramps (which lasts longer than before I was on Accutane) if I were to do vigorous exercise. I'll be seeing my dermatologist again next week for blood test and blood test results and skin review. I pray that this acne menace will be gone for real this time round, man. Anyway, I'm still pretty much confident of myself, despite my skin issue. I'm very sociable and can be extremely chatty with anyone, even on first meet ups, though I occasionally feel low about my acne.

Here we go....

To be honest my acne is mild with the use of topical agents and antibiotics (duac and doxycycline). In the last 6 months these agents have not been working as well with primarily break outs of cysts/nodules that only come out sporadically but when they do they last weeks and leave scars. I tried the topical retinoids but I couldn't handle the side effects (peeling, tightness, super oily skin, and no effect on controlling the occasional big cyst). Otherwise I think most people would say my skin is not that bad, but the big cyst once of month is worse to me than having a few whiteheads that goes away in a few days.

Now if this was acne that was going to get better with age, I would just stick through with the duac, but I've got adult acne and I don't want to rely on topical products anymore. I've been on duac, benzaclin, or benzamycin for over 7 years! My dermatologist understood and here we go with accutane.

Day 1:
Right now I have a few red papules that are small on my cheeks but for the most part are not that noticeable. I do have two more nodular like lesions along my left jaw that I'm hoping will fade away and not develop into the nasty-need to drain pus filled cysts.

Aside from all the possible side effects (skin sensitivity, dry lips, joint pains, hair loss) what I'm most worried about is what will happen to my skin now that I have to stop using duac. Will I have a terrible breakout? I hope not. Would it be so bad to continue to use duac for the first few weeks? My doctor told me to stop cold turkey. He also told me to stop the doxy a week before starting the accutane. I wish he had prescribed me something to overlap like plain old topical erythro or clindamycin, or oral bactrim. I don't blame him though cause when he saw me two weeks ago when my skin was not that bad. Plus he says that not everyone gets a horrible initial breakout. Ha...we will see...I'm expecting the worst.

Hi everyone, my names Jarrod and im currently on day 33 of Amnesteem ( isotretinoin)40mg per day. Yes i know im a bit late with the log, but hell, better now then never and its still early. So i guess ill tell you a bit about myself.

I started getting acne around 13 i think? Cant remember exactly but ive had it now for about 3-4 years. Ive pretty much tried everything over-the-counter and prescription wise.

-Proactiv
-Clearasil pads
-Oxy
-Solodyn (minocycline)
-Atralin (tretinoin)
-Tazorac
-Doryx(doxycycline)
-Benzaclin
-Diets and soo much other crap



Bottom Line: Nothing has worked for a good while. The best so far had been the combination of benzaclin,tazorac and doryx which only cleared me up for about 2 months and then my body i guess got immune to all of it and i started breaking out again badly. who knows.

So now ever since those 3 medications stopped working ^ ive brokeout the worst ive ever been in my life. For the whole last semester of my sophomore year that is, its been unbelievably bad.I dont have any cysts or nodules though so thats good.

So here i am now on Accutane day 33 and so far a little bit good results. Alot of whiteheads and zits have gone away but they did leave behind the pesky red marks. But i still have alot more active whiteheads and papules/pustules to go.


Heres me before my horrible breakouts first semester.
[attachment=20258:me_mod_modified.jpg]
Man i miss that.

I dont have any pictures before accutane, but i do have pictures of me on day 7 of accutane. Which is about the same, since no changes had happpened yet i dont think.


Day 7


Left -[attachment=20260:left_week_1.jpg]

Right -[attachment=20261:right_week_1.jpg]

Forehead - [attachment=20262:forehead_week_1.jpg]


Now heres me currently at Day 33 Not sure why my skin looks so red,must be my camera.



Left - [attachment=20264:left_day_34_new.jpg]

Right - [attachment=20265:right_ch...y_34_new.jpg]

Forehead - [attachment=20266:new_chin_day_33.jpg]

Front - [attachment=20267:left_week_1_new.jpg]





I cant wait for this accutane to clear me up soon....im so exicited as my acne has held me back from alot of things.

Thanks in advance

Ok well I guess ill start out with my history, I had acne for years in high school, but sometime it wasn't a problem. End of junior year it began to get really bad, and I started trying different antibiotics but it never got better. After my derm had me try a few things he finally gave me accutane, I had an IB but I can't even remember if it was that bad. I loved the medicine, aside from dry skin/lips I had no negative side effects and it made my skin way less oily and 100% clear. I wanted to stay on it forever but after 6-7 month my derm took me off, I was worried it would just come right back but it didn't. After a few month I started to get oily again but I wasn't breaking out so it didn't bother me. About 9 month after getting off I broke out a bit but nothing serious, I started taking doxycyline for a few month, then tried minocycline. My skin wasn't bad, but it was persistant enough I started a second cycle of accutane. I am about 8 days into it and i'm breaking out with so many whiteheads(more than i've ever had since the first accutane cycle). It's weird too cuz they are all over my nose which isn't a spot I usually break out..anyways i'm going to keep a log this time hopefully because last time I got so clear I never even thought about acne. hope it goes as well this time cuz right now it really sucks

EDIT--- I am on 80mg a day, I weight 155. Last time I started with 40mg a day and then increased to 80mg a day. I thought it was strange that I started with a high dose considering my acne wasn't as bad this time but I trust my derm, I guess the high dose could be the cause for the bad IB.

week 1- skin was clear at the time, got much drier like expected
week 2- IB hitting hard
week 3- n/a

Week 1
I took my first pill on June 23, 2009 . I am excited about the possible outcome that this medicine might bring! My derm prescibed me a low dose of 20mg to start because she said she wanted to start slow so I can adjust to the medicine. The week was uneventful, I did notice I am starting to break out on one side of my face. My lips are already chapped and it sucks! I am using vasoline and carmex constantly and using Cetaphil to prevent drying out.
Week 2
So, I dont know if it is the medicine that is making me sick to my stomach or what but I have been feeling pretty sick. My lips have definetly gotten nasty and dry. Not much drying of the skin though. My eyes are feeling kinda dry too.... I noticed that I have a cyst coming in on my chin and I got a huge painful one on my chest.

Aight so I've been taking 40mg of Amnesteem for the past 8 days now and I finally gave into the urge to make a log. Partly because I think it could be interesting to look back on this all one day, I mean like when I'm a ripe old man, and hopefully have a high enough mindset that i wont have to worry or care what others think of my appearance, even if this doesn't work. So basically I just think this is an interesting part of my life and I might as well have something, if not an accutane log to look at later on down the road.
Well basically this is the part where I tell you my name and boring stuff like that
I'm a dude guy. My name is Seth,"Fitzy" is what the homies call me, and I live in an urban forest in Oregon.
I'm studying art and whatever else I feel like. Maybe some spanish and music classes.
Well I don't have to write out everything today, I've got hundreds to go.
[/size]Day 8[size="2"]
Well I've got some dry lips but nothing to cry about, my skin is still oily but I think a little less than normal. I never really count how many active i have but i have a lot haha, thats all i need to know. I'd say i might be a little more tired than usual but really nothing too noticeable.

Hopefully I keep this posted with current photos, I have a fairly good cam. so things might appear to come out at you.... don't be scared though ...
this is me at first glance haha
[attachment=19329:DSCN4846.JPG]

this is me flying by on my bicycle/board through campus
[img]http://i728.photobucket.com/albums/ww290/youaintmypops_album/DSCN4849.jpg[/img]
[attachment=19330:DSCN4849.JPG]
[attachment=19331:DSCN4850.JPG]
[img]http://i728.photobucket.com/albums/ww290/youaintmypops_album/DSCN4850.jpg[/img]
sorry they are sideways but thats how i ride my bike


no but really i was just too lazy to re upload, plus i have to get some hw done before my drawing class. Peace

Hi! My name is Steph, I'm 19 years old, female, 120 lbs, 5'2"

I've had acne since I was 9 that has progressively gotten worse, especially in the past year and a half.

I've tried a whole mess of things including many OTC products, proactive, retin-a micro, duac, doxycycline, tetracycline, ortho tri-cyclin lo, clinique, as well as many natural remedies like zinc supplements and stinky tea tree oil (which I'm sad to say worked better than ALL the rest)

I've even tried to not use any fabric softener at ALL (to help with bacne), using organic facial cleansers/toners/lotions and makeup, yoga and other relaxation techniques to combat stress, exercise, nothing does it.

so now I'm here to say I've finally gave up, I'm starting accutane in a month, my appointment is on April 21st, I've already did my first preg. test and did the initial paperwork for ipledge... and my psych gave me the green-light where I have borderline personality disorder, depression, anxiety, as well as a few other head-problems that I'm currently being treated for.

here are pics of my experience from the last few months. I have my photobucket organized in a way that if you click the folders on the left hand side of the screen, the pictures are divided into folders of the day of which they were taken on. here's the link:

http://photobucket.com/stephie6116

here are the medicines I'm currently taking:

fish oil
multivitamin

orthotricyclin lo
allegra
nexium
prozac 20 mg
ferrous sulfate (iron supplement for iron-deficiency anemia)

xanax 0.5 mg (as needed)

so that is my initial post! If only the days would fly by until the 21st!!!

thanks,
steph

Hi! I'm Angela, I'm from Dominican Republic (so, sorry for my bad english sometimes) I'm 27 years old and I have mild acne, mostly comedonal, but I also get occasionally some painful cysts.
I have tried so many topicals and antibiotics with temporary success, but it always comes back...
My dermatologist consireded that my acne was slowly scarring my face, (and my soul too, my self-esteem is so low right now) so she decided to prescribe me Isoface (isotretinoin). She prescribed me a 20 mg a day dose for 6 months (I'm 114 lbs, 5'3). Is the dose too low? My derm said is perfect for the severity of my acne and for my weight, and I trust her, let's see...I'm very optimistic, only a bit scared about the side effects and IB, but I trust in God, my best doctor..

DAY 1

Well, I just took my first pill! I felt a mixture of emotions... fear, happiness,
By now, feeling very good!!
My derm recommended me the lipstick BABE, and Hydraphase XL lotion by La Roche -Posay. She also recommended the sunbloch Anthelios XL by La Roche -Posay. I"m using Dan's Cleanser right now, hope is gentle enough..I'll be updating soon!! Thanks for reading! I'll appreciate your advices and tips to make this journey easier!!

It's freezing cold. A typical winter night in Melbourne. I upped my Accutane dose today, and tomorrow is the Monash Uni after exams party. My ex-boyfriend is staying with me for a few days while he finishes off his Honours assignments. I need a job.

Hi. My name is Stacey, and I used to have flawless skin. Last year I went off my BCP because I thought that I had out grown my acne. Turns out I was wrong, and it's come back in full force. ProActiv made it worse. The pill no longer worked. Accutane it is.

I've been on it three weeks so far, and honestly, I was really excited about starting it. I had wanted to go on it back in Year 12, but the derm said that I would probably get quite fatigued, so didn't recommend it. But I need a fix. I want to find the person I used to be. I hate the person I am now. I hope at the end of this course I find what I'm looking for. And fingers crossed the IB has passed me by.

My lips aren't even dry. The Lucas' paw paw ointment is amazing. The corner of my lips are cracked and hurt sometimes. My back was sore while I was studying for exams. My eyes feel a tad sore, maybe they're dry. I love having hot showers and having tight, dry skin. I haven't needed to moisturise. My scalp has been a bit dry, but I've been using Neutrogena T-Gel, so hopefully that clears it up.

Tomorrow I'm dying my hair, so I look fresh when I go out tomorrow night. My skin is quite bumpy and red, but make-up should cover it up okay. I feel frumpy. My housemates are watching American Dad. They never mention my skin. I think it helps that I live with 3 guy friends. I can't really hide away from the world. My girl friends on the other hand don't stop themselves from bringing it up, or giving me advice. It's embarrassing, and makes me incredibly emotional.

Over and out.


Peace.

P.s- I tried to attach a pic, and it didn't let me. Said that I wasn't permitted to upload it. Advice?)

I started Isotretinoin (Claravis) 40mg (once a day) about 7 days ago. I haven't experienced any of the serious side-effects, except for some mild dry skin, a headache, a little nausea, and some sensitivity to light (nothing that I am able to correlate to the treatment I am taking). Since I am a little behind (by 7 days), I'll just catch up a little bit.



Day 1: No side-effects
Day 2: No side-effects
Day 3: Broke out a little bit more than I had, but not too unbearable.
Day 4: Mild acne on my chest just magically disappeared. I was utterly shocked
Day 5: Acne on back worsened a little bit, but that's par for the course.
Day 6: Some moderately dry skin; headache; and a little bit of nausea.
Day 7: Same side-effects as experienced the previous 3 days -- nothing too serious.


I'll keep my progress updated periodically.

My History (which you can glance over)
Nothing worked for me in the past, so thats why i am taking tane.
I was on tane last year roughly this time. I am a male and I was 16 about 150 lbs and was on 40 mg/day. I got cleared up in 3 months, but was taken off because my mom thought i was getting too angry.
The course was supposed to be 5 months.
I am now taking 30 mg. I am now 17 years old and 160 lbs.



I am currently taking Clavaris (isotretinoin capsules, USP) 30 mg.

If you have any comments, questions, and most especially tips and advice, feel free to post your thoughts.