3 replies to this topic

[moonie5o4]

Hi guys!!!! Just wanted to do my duty and post about my Accutane experience! I guess the downside to this all was that I had already completed it, but nonetheless, I wanted to share the results! I'm horrible at posting pictures, so I have the link to an Accutane album instead!

CLICK FOR PICTURES: CLICKITY CLICK CLICK HERE!

Early highschool on, I constantly went to the dermatologist for the many various forms of antibiotics and creams and washes. My acne then wasn't so severe, but enough to make me not notice and go! I must say, that Plexion wash calmed down the burning sensation and was less irritating. No thanks to ProActiv though...

Fast-foward age 23. I moved to Cape May, New Jersey about November 2005. My job in official capacity was in my uncle's property investments firm, but my office was unfortunately located in one of his nail salons. Poo, right?

The chemicals (acetone and primer and acrylic powders) in the nail salon just damaged my skin and agitated so much. It brought out the WORST and most painful cystic acne. I was constantly asked why don't I try to clean my face often etc etc. Ignorant people are just that: ignorant.

Started Accutane/40 mg in June 2006. My doctor warned me against use of Accutane during summer months, in case of sun exposure, but no worries, I was inside 99% of the time.

The first two weeks was fine, but I had developed an abnormally hungry appetite. This had abated about 6 weeks going in, but the dry skin, primarily chapped lips started about 5 days going in.

I was prone to much mood swings, but the results were fascinating and miraculous! Unfortunately, I stopped Accutane about 4 months and have been prescribed Tazorac cream for daily application, but I never had such SMOOTH and SOFT skin.

Needless to say that I do have awful scarring and still redness, but it was the best treatment.

During the course of Accutane I have only used a handful of products:

Daily wash: Johnson & Johnson's All Purpose liquid facial wash twice/day
Moisturiser: Cetaphil facial moisturiser (SPF-30). Yes this will make it look greasy, but it keeps face very moisturised!
Chapped lips: Vaseline.
Daily sunblock: Neutrogena's Cool-Touch SPF 45 spray.

My only gripe was the dry autumn air. For those who live up north, it gets undeniably cold and the dry air makes it twenty times worse for your skin. To that effect, the four months on Acc was the best as I never suffered from the sniffles and could breathe really well. Unfortunately, it dries you out so much from the inside that it hurts in the out, read: the nose. I had such dry nose and it was painful and burning that I had to use Vaseline. Icky and gross, but man does it work! Just swipe some on a Q-tip and then swab it in your nose. Instant relief!

And the sun was killer: I couldn't stand to be out in the sun more than 4 minutes before I got dizzy spells.

Oh yeah, they were not lying about no waxing or facials. I was dumb enough to get my eyebrows waxed twice and both times resulted in the most painful and horrific burns (but the eyebrows look SOOOO GOOD!). Even though the wax was applied on the brow hairs, somehow, on the lower part of the eyelid, did I get those burn marks. If you must do it, ask to have the wax cooled down (so cooled that it would be difficult to apply), and ask them to remove as soon as possible. The longer the wax stays (no matter how cooled it is) the worse your burn will be! And for the burns, always always apply Neosporin. It will sting and burn and you'd look stupid with the shiny gel on your eyes, but the redness will subside much faster than left alone. Neosporin and NOT vaseline!

If you can't tell from the pictures, make up does not help!!!!! At least in the pre-Acc pictures (that was MAC foundation etc). About three months into Accutane, I started to use makeup, Bare Escentials or bare minerals i.d....I absolutely recommend this: it is the best make up in terms of natural beauty but provides the lightest feeling w/ maximum coverage. It's so light that I forget its on, but it's easy to put on everyday. (3 minutes and boom, out the door).

I rave constantly about Acc (and Bare Minerals)...it's hell on your body, and just gives you cranky mood swings, but it worked for me. No more ladies constantly telling me that I eat bad things or that I don't wash my face (as if anyone with acne WANTED acne to begin with)....my outlook is really confident and I'm overall very content. I am very much so afraid that I may have a relapse, but only time can tell.

For those who are of Asian descent: we have the most unforgiving type of skin. Because of the yellow pigmentation, our skin allows scars to become much more visible. So try try TRY not to pick. The scars that already exist will eventually fade, should you opt to have more procedures done to your face. To that, I hear that a laser treatment called Cool Touch does wonders for Asian skin. This treatment is not cheap and you must go for multiple treatments.

To everyone seeking or currently on Accutane treatment: dont be discouraged! Always move foward and know that your true friends and family will stick by you!

Cheers!!!

[BKilla]

Thanks for sharing your experience...I'm up in Toronto and the weather is absolutley brutal to my skin!! I hope my results are as good as yours, I have mild acne but oily skin and huge pores :/

Best wishes for the future.

[spottedhusky]

you're so lucky...you look like you never had acne. im going to try and get accutane...but even if i clear, ill still have my scars

[spottystarlet]

thanks for sharing! its great to see the good side of accutane. and your skin looks amazing.