About to start accutane

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Fuck. My. Skin.

I went to the dermo this morning and she isn't happy with the way my skin is responding to the minocycline that she put me on a couple weeks ago. She is starting to think that whatever acne i've got is becoming resistant to it since i've taken it for a long period before hand.

She suggested accutane at my last appointment and i practically bit her head off saying ABSOLUTELY not. I am already opposed to antibiotics, and try to stay as natural as I can. My dad is in the same boat as i am about avoiding drugs when you can. But today he told me "There is a time and a place for medicine, and I think you've found it." I can't really disagree. To deny help any further from a hard-hitting medication like accutane would really only prolong my acne/depression from acne/self-loathing attitude.
I also wasn't really excited when my dermo said that my acne is now cystic and not just pustules... fantastic.

Well folks, it seems my time has come to jump on the bandwagon. I'm really scared. I've been reading about side effects for the past few hours in between sobbing fits of frustration that I've resorted to the one thing that I said i'd never do. I think the one that scares me the most is calcified joints/ligaments. I'm an avid runner and biker, so it really scares the shit out of me to think that one day i'd be putting a stop to all that by a choice that I made for my skin.

I really need some advice here, my acne is the worst it has ever been and seriously, I haven't seen ANYONE - whether looking for pictures online or passersby on the streets with worse skin than me. its so embarassing. Load me up with suggestions/support/whatever.

Thanks.

FRUSTRATED.

First of Many Facials

I just got my first facial today! Initially I was really freaked out about someone touching my skin WITHOUT gloves. To make matters worse, it was a childhood friend that I hadn't seen in years who had become an esthetician while I was busy living my life, doing my thing... you know.
Anyway, I learned SO much about what to do to keep my skin healthy and I thought I'd share with you all!

1. Benzoyl Peroxide and Salycilic Acid don't do anything but dry up the skin, they don't actually treat the cause of your acne. As soon as you stop using them, its likely that your acne will come back full force. The derm also told me that it can cause premature aging.

2. I am really into natural stuff, so if you have inflammation Kristen (my facialist) advised me to make a cup of peppermint tea and soak gaws in it and them and then put the gaws in the freezer overnight. In the morning, let them thaw out a bit then place on your face to reduce redness and inflammation.

3. I asked Kristen about accutane. I was considering it for a while but she told me that the risks really outweigh the benefits. A lot of people experience WORSE acne after stopping treatment... that doesn't sound fun. It basically stops your body's natural detox process (i.e. sweating, producing oils) so you end up with a bunch of stored up junk in your system.

4. Drink water. I know, I know, You hear it all the time. But seriously. How much do you drink per day? Try drinking 8-12 glasses a day for a week and I guarantee your skin will start to glow by the end of the week. (the first few days are hard just cause you pee every 20 minutes!)

5. Omegas. The essential Omega's are FABULOUS for your skin, and necessary for maintaining beautiful skin if you are a lucky person who has reached the end of the long dark tunnel of acne.
You can find these in flax seed oil, almonds... basically a hand full of nuts a day will do it.

Hope this is helpful for at least one person Add this to your regular skin regime and see what happens.

Have a beautiful day!

Franchesca


P.S. Its about 6 hours since the facial and about 75% of the redness that I had pre-facial this morning is gone. I'm hooked! Going back next week for another acne treatment.

To bandwagon...? that is the quesiton.

GAH! I need some advice.
I have a dermatologist appointment in one week, and I am afraid that she is going to recommend accutane. I don't believe that the side effects and long term joint problems are worth it. Does everyone's acne get worse before it gets better? I swear to god I couldn't stand this getting any worse.
I personally don't know if i'm emotionally stable enough to start this... since we're being completely honest. Do you have to have a psychological evaluation? I could use as much advice or information as anyone can give me.

Merci!!

Franchesca.

Bonjour!

Bonjour!

I'm franchesca. new to acne.org. I'm really enjoying all of the emotional support everyone is providing! its just a wonderful community. I wish i had found you earlier. Have a wonderful day!

Franchesca.