My Accutane Experience...

Hey! I am a 25 year old female who is about to start accutane! I went to my derm last week on Tuesday wearing no makeup (something I havent done in public for years). After asking some questions about accutane my derm and I decided to give it a try. I was unaware of what a painful proccess one must go through before getting there hands on the stuff! I got blood work and preg test done last weds and still havent heard back about the results. On Dec. 18th i go back to the derm to get the actual presciption as long as everything turns out ok. I must say that after reading the iplege packet and researching alot online I am alittle nervous about starting it. Seems like there are alot of serious side effects possible. My acne is not nodular , rather very persistant ( i have had it for 10 years). I have been using Taz for almost 1 year now and it works ok, but my concern is when i stop using taz and stop taking birth control pill my face blows up and breaks out horribly. I want an acne cure so that I wont be stuck on taz and BC my whole life. My acne is mild-moderate so I am hoping i will respond well to accutane and not suffer from breakouts when my treatment ends (see my pictures in the acne.org regimen gallery )I am not sure how long i will be on it or what dose my derm will perscribe, maybe since my acne isnt horrible i will be able to be on a lower dose with less side effects. For the next month i will just be waiting and thinking alot before i can get the tane. Ive been praying alot as I juggle whether or not its worth the side effects. I fell that God put this opportunity in my life for a reason. I prayed before my appointment with the derm alot asking God that it would be possible for me to go on accutane (alot of derms are very picky who they allow on the med) and when my derm said lets go for it i took it as God saying yes. I just need to keep praying about it and seeking His will in the situation. I know a number of people that have taking accutane and the results are incredible. To be rid of my acne would make things so much easier. I wouldnt have to spend an hour a day trying to cover it with makeup! I wont have to cancel plans with friends because i dont want them to see my skin! I may finally be cured of my picking disorder (aka self injurious skin picking) and wont spend so much time infront of the mirror examining my face. I will actually have confidence not to wear makeup even to bed (yes i wear makeup to bed). I will keep praying and looking forward to Dec. 18th!

Set to start accutane in December

Hey all,
I went to my derm this week to talk about the possiblity of starting accutane after failed attemps at many medications/ topical treatments. My acne would be classifed as moderate. I occasionally get cysts but mainly I have had persistant surface acne (blackheads, whiteheads) for the last 9 years that has not responded well to treatments. I went to my appointment this week without wearing any makeup (something i havent done in public for over 8 years). My derm seemed suprised at how bad my skin was because she has always seen me with makeup. I asked her if she thought accutane would be an idea since my skin hasnt really gotten any better after being on Taz for almost 2 years. my derm decided that i was a candidate for accutane and has started the screening process-i had my first preg test and blood work today and then i go back dec 18th for more blood work and preg test and then she will prescribe accutane to me. she also gave me a packet of information about accutanes side effects and the iplege program that i will use 2 forms of birth control while on the treatment. i have several friends that have used accutane with great results and that is one of the main reasons i have considered it. after 9 years of being an acne sufferer i am over it. i also suffer from self injurious skin picking that started when i got acne at age 16 and i would pick at my skin thinking it would get better. now i have a complusive picking disorder that i have been unable to keep under control. i want to be on accutane for several reasons, such as to get rid of my acne, to help me stop picking, and to regain my confidence back. but after reading the information i am scared of the side effects. they are serious! i am just not sure if its worth the possible risks. what do you guys think that have tried it? should i give it a try and if i start to have side effects just stop treatment? Please help!

Going off Yasmin/ stopping tazorac

Hey all,
I recently decided to stop taking birth control pills for several reasons such as decreased sex drive, decreased ability to build muscle, and preparing for when we want to start a family in the next year. I started taking Yasmin when i was 19 yrs old and I am now 25. I started the pill because my derm came to the conclusion that my acne was hormonal. I also have been using Tazorac for 2 yrs and has helped keep my acne under control. I am going to stop taz out of fear that if i get pregnant (even tho my husband and i will use protection) that there could be birth defects from the taz. I am very nervous that my skin is going to freak out from stopping these treatments. I have researched online and it seems that a lot of women have breakouts after stopping birth control. i am wondering if my acne will come back as bad as it was when i was 19. i have a derm appt in November (they are always booked so far out) to discuss possible treatments that are pregnancy safe. but i am just nervous about getting breakouts after stopping the pill. anyone have any comments about their experience stopping the pill? thanks =)

Tanning to get ready for Vaca and Weddings

Hey all! I have been doing the regimen and have completely cleared my forehead of pimples/ blackheads (used to have lots of clogged pores on my forehead) and have recently been applying BP on my entire face at night. Well anyways here is the deal- I am going on a beach vacation in 1 1/2 months and my best friend is getting married in 3 weeks. I would like to go tanning before these events to have some color/ prevent burning on vacation. I am nervous however because my skin is already dry and I am not sure what tanning will do to it in combination with the BP. I am also nervous that faded scars with appear again when I start tanning. So my other option would be to get a spray tan for the wedding and vacation ( and apply massive amounts of sunscreen while on vacation) but once again since my skin is dry and when I used the products on my face at night I am not sure that the spray tan will last / or if my skin will be blotchy where I am dry. UGH! i am just not sure what the best option is! if anyone has advice i would reaaaaaaaalllly appreciate it! thanks!=)

On Tazorac and going to the BEACH!

I am leaving for vacation to Florida in a couple of days for a week. I have been on Taz .05 cream for almost 2 months now. It has done an amazing job of clearing my skin! I am worried however about sun sensitivity. I purchased SPF 55 to put on my face every day along with some makeup when I go the beach to avoid getting sun burned. Will i be ok to be in the sun with SPF 55? I just dont wont to end up with a miserable burn! I am hoping to get a little bit of tan tho! Any advice would be appreciated! Thanks