Retin-A : Post-Accutane Treatment

Hey!

I got off my Accutane course a few days ago and new pimples haven't formed in ages! Yay!

I would like to go a maintenance regime which consists of Retin-A.

Should I get the gel version or the cream version?
What %?
Scars and pores look deeper after how much time and when do they get noticeably better?

Also, I'm having this red mark problem. I have had the same red marks (circled in the picture attached) on my face for MONTHS (3!!!), they haven't budged. AT ALL.

What are your thoughts? =)



P.S. WOW! The picture I posted is *WAY* more flattering than reality, the red marks are much darker.

Nearing End of My Course (+ Questions for Post Accutane)

OMG! I'm on 30mg/day and I have two weeks left on my course. All I have are red marks and I get around 1 pimple once a week. It's been a LONG run; a total roller coaster. I can feel my self-esteem rising. I've missed it so much!

At the same time, I'm worried about acne coming back. I've been on the drug for around 7 months, and the doctor said that it's been a stubborn acne to treat. I feel like my skin has purged SO much, and it's so smooth now, I can't possibly imagine it coming back, but I know better than that.

Currently, my skin is dull, dry and I am mildly scarred (light rolling, light ice picks). My skin also feels thin and very sensitive. I have loads of red marks that haven't budged for well over a month. Will it take 2 weeks for everything to go back to normal? 1 month for the red marks to heal?

My doctor said we will discuss scar treatments as soon as the course is over. Should I suggest Retin-A? Will it cause redness, dryness all over again if I use it like once every three days and work my way up?

I am so used to my lips and face on Accutane. What did it feel like for you guys once you got off the drug? Did you realize you had forgotten how awesome it was to have natural moisture and glow? Anything like that?

Can't wait to read replies

What kind of scars are these? Will they go away?

Attached is a picture of my current skin situation, nearing the end of Accutane. I hardly get pimples now, but I have many redmarks. But there are some redmarks that seems to be slightly shallow. Like a rolling scar effect. Is the redness giving an illusion of the marks being shallow? Are these mild rolling scars (look near the ear where it's redder)? Will the go away on their own?

Can I use Retin-A in the future to get rid of them? What should I do in general?

Thanks bunches =)

Digestion Problem?

Hey y'all =)

I'm on 30mg/day and I've been having ongoing stomach/bowel noises all day. This happens everyday. It's not loud, but I can hear bubbling and little movements in my bowels or something, and they are more active before going to sleep and as soon as I wake up. On occasion, before meals, I hear louder noises.

I realize that if I skip a dose on accident, the noises and movements quiet down. I don't have any cramps, any type of pain, diarrhea, and all that. Just noises and odd movements. It's actually quite annoying because I can feel it sorta, and it's ongoing for a few hours. As I type this I can feel it going on.

Is it because I'm having a hard time digesting the drug? Could I be taking it wrong? I'm really skinny and I should be drinking more water, I don't know if that helps...

P.S. I'm having seasonal flu, cold, sore throat and slight fever right now and this problem is much more present =S

Facial Definition Change and Tummy Noises

I haven't posted here in a while! I'm on 30mg/day right now and I finally finish my course at the end of October. For the first time in what feels like forever, friends and family have noticed actual improvement and smoother texture.

One thing has been worrying me, though. I feel like I have lost facial definition and people have noticed. Six months ago (when I started my treatment) I had a plump, full face. Now I feel like it's more bony, and I think I've lost fat/skin or something. One cheek is looking particularly hollow (photo attached: please note that this is a very flattering angle, so it's actual more hollow than it looks).

Will my face return to its original state?

This thread seems to be talking about the same thing, however no one really said whether their face returns to the original state on its own. http://www.acne.org/messageboard/Post-Tane...ef-t219682.html

I've also been having a bubbly, slightly noisy stomach throughout the day, everyday. The noises occur especially before going to sleep, when I wake up and before meals. Weird! Should I be worried? I don't feel any pain...

Anyone out there that can answer, please do! =)