I haven't started it yet... Mainly because my dermatologist had a "family emergency" she had to deal with. I was scheduled for a final consultation with her to review the bloodwork from last week, and to get the prescription TODAY - but she called me this morning. Sigh. Anyhoo, I started a journal a week ago, and I just uploaded pictures today.

Next week is the starting date now! Wooo!

My journal

Hey katie,

I know this is going to be the last thing you are going to want to hear, but looking at your pics your acne isn't that bad.

To be honest I don't know why you are on tane, have you weighed the side effects against the benefits?

Yes, and actually that was my biggest concern - only having mild acne, and having to go on accutane.

The reason I am going on accutane is because, although my acne is mild, it is persistant. I have been on antibiotics and prescription meds from my dermatologist since I was 14. Tetracyclin, minocyclin, keflex, septra... And then there are the topicals like retina, differin, benzyclin, klaron, tazorac, etc.

I'm really hoping that accutane will do the trick - and my derm is very confident which makes me feel better about going on it. The horror stories and "initial breakouts" have been scaring me half to death (especially because i'm going off to college in a month! i dont want pimples!), but I think the end results will be worth it.

Plus - I read that Jessica Simpson went on accutane as a girl (her acne was mild), and now look at her skin... It's absolutely beautiful.

My acne is v.persitant and the same severity of yours. I had the N-lite treatment 3 weeks ago and it carries on working for 3 months and I'm hoping to be clear for uni (6 weeks ahead). I'll give that till x-mas but if that doesn't clear me up, (ro)accutane is the only thing left. I'm bookmarking your journal and see how it changes you becuase it'll prob affect me in the same way.

All the best

Hey how much was your n-lite treatment, and does insurance cover it?

The N-lite treatment was £300 for full face and I had to go private becuase its not on the NHS yet. You'll have to look into the insurance thing in your country.

It carries on working for 3 months after a single treatment also. 2 weeks after treatment reduces the acne by 40%, and I don't wanna jinx myself but yeah I think this laser is working (been told 50% improvement already). It also boots collagen production so it gets rid of scars, lines/wrinkles to.

DAY ONE : Well... took my first accutane pill today! After waiting nearly A MONTH for this prescription, I actually got to the derm this morning and they gave me the little slip of paper. HOORAY! Anyhoo, I went to Rite Aid and Walmart in search of all the products i'll need for the next 5 months... So here is what i'm gonna use:

-Cetaphil Liquid Cleanser
-Aquaphor and Burts Bees lip balm... along with a billion of my lip glosses
-Apricot gentle scrub for sensitive skin (if my skin starts to flake)
-Neutrogena Acne Wash (just until my skin starts to dry, then i'll use the cetaphil)
-L'OREAL Sublime Bronze self-tanner & Neutrogena Self-tanner for the face... I can't go out in the sun!
-Many moisturizers: Neutrogena Sensitive Skin, Clinique, or Cetaphil.

The makeup I use is Neutrogena Healthy Skin liquid, along w/clinique blush (cream or powder) and Neutrogena Loose powder... Oh, and for makeup-free (sorta) days, I use Almay Bronze Tint Moisture SPF 15.

WOO WOO! So far so good. Clear skin, HERE I COME BABY!!!

My Journal *new pics from today*

What's your dosage?

I'm so desperate to get rid acne. Currently mine is like yours 2, and now it looks like this N-lite is just another thing that want to take my money becuase its not helping anymore things are getting worse, so I'm gonna ask for accutane.

Good luck

OH YEAH! Forgot to mention that - i'm on 40 mg a day right now.

Hi
I am in the middle of my 5th week on roaccutane...only just starting to feel that it is helping. I had a bit of a mad flare up in the first few weeks..and only now..touch wood..does it seem to be calming down. Just be prepared in case this happens..but I have been trying hard to see beyond this to the final result. I CANNOT WAIT!!

Other side effects I have include very dry hands and my arms are a little dry too. Dry lips and my hair feels a little dry too...but I think this is all proof that the pills are doing something.

My skin was worse than yours Katie - wavered between mild and mod..but no matter how mild it is, if it makes you feel down I think it is best to get it sorted.

Good luck!

Thanks so much Cleo! It's great to here about people who are going through the same thing I will be going through - thank you for all the encouragement, it really means a lot

Good luck in your accutane treatment too, and be sure to keep me posted on how things turn out! WOO WOO!

You got enough supplies to supply an army. I'd stick to one cleanser and one moisturizer... the more gentle you are to your skin the more gentle it will be to you

just to ask, what does roaccutane mean? whats the difference from accutane

Katie you are a hands down bona fida case of NOT having acne in ANY WAY SHAPE OR FORM serious enough to take accutane.

I would struggle to even classify you as having acne. I mean we are talking around three tiny red dots here and there.

Do you know the risks? For skin so nice looking already how can all that accutane possibly be worth it? Why stress out your system, scar easier, go red, peel all over, FOR HALF A YEAR, when your body has done you proud and dealt with it?

Sorry for whining but I'm very jealous, and a tad angry that your risking it.

the regimen would probably work well.

I think it's great that you're on accutane - I know I would've given anything to get put on it (my derm rejected me for it, so I know first-hand how bad it feels NOT to get it).

Best of luck Katie.

Katie, my acne is much worse than yours and I got rejected for accutane. Good luck

Barkbat... Your entire argument is based solely on 4 pictures you saw of me. I've lived with my skin for 18 years, and I know how it feels to have terrible acne - granted, my face is clearer than it has been in months, hence the "three tiny dots" (most likely to the fact that it is the end of SUMMER... no stress, no sweating), but going to college in the fall will most likely revert everything back to the way it was.

I'm a little offended that you feel qualified enough to say that I am not a canidate for Accutane, when my very own DERMATOLOGIST, a doctor who has PHD focusing on SKIN, is incredibly confident that taking accutane will be the best course of action.

If you read the 'tane website carefully, you'll see that Accutane is not only for severe acne sufferers, but those who have tried antibiotics and prescrip. topicals with no success.

Having that said, I appreciate the concern... I really do. Just please don't make me feel like an idiot for going on this drug - i'm fully aware of the consequences.

Good luck Katie on the accutane. Acne is hell

I didn't want to make you feel like an idiot. And I am not a dermatoligist. I'm just forcing you to hear my honest, obviously slightly annoying opinion which is what the messageboard is all about.

I will, just to rub salt in the wound, add that if you are confident the acne will get alot worse, then you should at least wait for the first bad breakout before starting just incase this current lull is the start of a wonderful recovery.... but its up to you.