86 replies to this topic

[George's Sister]

Hi there! I just looked at your current photos and your "before treatment" photos, and you seem to have made a HUGE improvement. I'm so happy for you! I know what you mean about acne making you feel horrible and like no one can understand. Hopefully those days are over for you now!

Definitely ask your derm about the chest pains.

Keep it up!

[homersimpson]

Damn your log is amazing! My acne is not as bad as your was but i really hope I get the results you have!

[PhoenixBalm]

Day 37


Thanks for the comments people, always nice to hear them : )
Oh and George's Sister - That some goddamn awesome improvement you've got in your month 1 pictures, loving it! :D:D

- - -

Not much in the way of improvement to note at the moment people, I've been trying aspirin masks and I'm almost positive that they've made a positive impact on my red marks, particularly on my forehead, but anyway!

Side effectswise, I'm still getting the eyes doing their own wierd close shut thing, and my nose is bloody as always, although never actually pouring out of the nostril, if you know what i mean. Chest pains still kind of there, will talk to my derm about that. Skin is getting slightly red, I must say, and it feels sort of, sunburnt to the touch, but awesome, to have no tender spots on my face now! AND, to have complete matte skin is just, heaven.

Got this one mother of a cyst under my chin that I mentioned in the previous post..

It's that type that starts off, and after about a day or two your think, aaah, that's the end of that, because it looks all small and insignificant. Next day, you find it as a volcano of whiteness lol and there's a great big lump of redness *sigh*

Well, I've been aloe vera-ing it, because I dont want to use any BP, to avoid long term red marks (like those on my forehead).

Finished my work at a vet practice this week - it's been fantastic, and sad

Fantastic, because you see so much go on, surgery in all kinds of places and for all kinds of things, and it's awesome to see these problems solved for these animals.

Sad, because there are, of course, those animals that need to be put down, and you can't help but build an attachment to them - something I'm gonna need to get used to, i guess.

Right well it's friday evening, and I'm gonna go do fuck all because I'm knackered and my feet are saying 'DUDE WTF HAVE YOU BEEN DOING TO ME ALL WEEK?!'

Until next time... : )

[kissed_a_frog]

Aaaah! I feel your pain! At least for girls it's possible to use cover-up (only reason I can go out in public!) but girls are often judged so much more harshly on their appearance. Either way, I totally feel the same way, I'm sure everyone else does too. Good luck!

[PhoenixBalm]

Day 46 



Hey everyone, SORRY for not updating much in the last week, been performing in a play and other things.

Tonight I will be uploading pictures, marking 6 1/2 weeks.

My skin feels slightly burnt all the time, and red, and dry, but awesome
My chest isn't producing nearly as many spots these days, there are a few, but they seem much less severe, with a smaller radius, and aren't as deep into the skin, if you get my drift.
My back is much the same, although yesterday I had a bit of a widespread breakout across it, with papuley looking things.
Still not a single thing come up on my forehead : D BEST FEELING, EVER.
Neck has settled down again, seems I'm adjusted to the new dose now.

Side effects-wise, I've got back pain again, and the top of my spine tends to ache if i bend or straighten or lie down - same with my chest.
Bought some eyedrops, because my eyes get REALLY REALLY itchy somedays, to the point where they swell from rubbing so much.
Got bloody nostrils as usual, good thing is it doesnt bleed out, bad thing is it dries out up there, so many q-tips are needed...
Carmex is now my best friend, vaseline is out, just because its so messy on your fingers

Anyway other stuff to talk about later, along with the pictures, so check back later and you should see whats been happening to mah skiiiin : )

Thanks, and sorry about there being no updates,

Phoenix

[PhoenixBalm]

PICS !



















I feel really happy : )

Got my AS level results on Thursday - A A A B!

2 marks off an A in physics, which annoyed me : P

Girlfriend and I broke up - 9 months over - FINALLY OVER. I was sick of her not taking any interest in me and always sulking all the time, talking only about stuff to do with herself.

SORRY FOR GOING ON.

I hope everyone's doing fantastically awesomely amazing!

Bye

PS - I'd just like to add that that isn't a white moustache in the last pic - it's dry skin : P

Edited by PhoenixBalm, 20 September 2009 - 03:11 AM.

[PhoenixBalm]

Just sticking a picture I found of my back in April



I love accutane : P

[PhoenixBalm]

Day 59

Hey everyone - been away at my grans house where there has been no internet, so haven't been able to update with anything - I'll post pictures tomorrow I think - Back is the main area of improvement, but marks are fading evermore

Hope it's all awesome for everyone else on the stuff!

[volcom3453]

Things are going great for me too mate, glad you're happy! I hope my success continues at the rate you have had by the time I am done with my second month

[keepsgettingbetter]

Wow!!! Awesome improvements! Good for you, you are looking great!!!!

[PhoenixBalm]

MONTH 2 and a week!- COMPLETE

I just woke up... hence the stoned look...
Go back to school tomorrow

Hope everyone's doing awesome

Btw, if anyone here has been on accutane and is now using something to maintain their skin afterwards, can you let me know what you're using, because I'm starting to worry everything'll just come back after finishing...

THANK YOU













Anyone got a clue as to how to get rid of that SPAN SPAN SPAN thing at the bottom?</SPAN></SPAN></SPAN>

[butterflyblue]

Wow, you've made so much progress. That is awesome. I hope Accutane works for me like it's obviously working for you I hope it's not embarrassing, but I think you're really cute. Your eyes are huge and and a gorgeous color, and you've got a captivating face structure (snub nose and piquant mouth aw ). I also like your hair haha, it's kind of medieval-ish and cool.

Your acne reminds me of mine in that it appears more heavily on your forehead. I am dealing with a very similar pattern of redmarks which are most heavily concentrated on my forehead. They are such a bitch haha. Out of all the stuff I've tried, what's helped them fade the most so far has been a sea salt mask at night. You take about 1/2 teaspoon of salt, put two tablespoons of hot water and shake that up until it dissolves and then apply it with a cotton round. Some people only leave theirs on for 20 minutes or so but I leave mine on all night with no problems. I am not sure if it would irritate your skin since you're on Accutane. It's something I'm planning to keep doing as long as I can get away with it on Accutane and probably start it up again after I finish. I got it from this other message board and the lady said it helped her cystic acne and redness a lot. I love it because it's really cheap! I got a 1 lb shaker of sea salt from the grocery for a couple of dollars and it's going to last a long time. I keep the excess mixture I don't use in a little bottle for the next night. So if you ever try it out tell me how it goes (:

[RipTheJacker]

Amazing progress, and you are only just starting your 3rd month! My face was about 95% clear after month 1, took until month 4 to see improvements on my back. After 5 months I was 100% clear and still am over 1 month off 'tane. Best of luck to you!

[nappyjim]

Great progress!! I did not look that good till month 3 or 4.

[PhoenixBalm]

Butterflyblue, I will give that sea salt idea a go - sounds like a good plan - sea water is renowned, after all, for it's skin benefits! And thanks for your comments lol, just the confidence booster needed
Thanks ripthejacker and nappyjim!

Good luck with your treatment butterflyblue

[morethanthis]

I am picking up my initial script on Wednesday and scared out of my mind. I have a guy I've been chatting with for three months coming into town October 3, and feeling mighty insecure since it will be the first time we've seen each other since meeting. Thoughts from people, Phoenix, anyone, as to how bad it gets when you first start? My derms response of "that can happen to some people," is a little worrisome...

[PhoenixBalm]

I am picking up my initial script on Wednesday and scared out of my mind. I have a guy I've been chatting with for three months coming into town October 3, and feeling mighty insecure since it will be the first time we've seen each other since meeting. Thoughts from people, Phoenix, anyone, as to how bad it gets when you first start? My derms response of "that can happen to some people," is a little worrisome...

The long and the short of it is, morethanthis, that it depends on what the situation is with your acne at the beginning of treatment.

The chances of things getting worse depend on how much active acne there is on your skin, and how prone you are to serious outbreaks (+10 spots a day)

If you have only a few going across your body at once, I'd say you'll be alright.

Normally, with people that are more likely to experience bad effects to start out, they prescribe things like erythromycin, to help reduce inflammation. Therefore, if you haven't been prescribed it, there's probably a smaller chance that things will get worse.

Also, it depends on what dosage you start on - what have you been prescribed? Normally, you will get prescribed a lower dosage for the first month, just to let your body adjust, and to prevent these bad initial breakouts. I would say, do not worry, and the 3 of October is 3 weeks away and by that point, things should have settled nicely down if anything has happened at all.

: ) hope it goes well for you

[JulyBaby86]

Hello! I've been reading your log for a while now, and just wanted to say that it looks like your skin has had great improvement since you started! I hope things continue to get better! (Which I'm sure they will)

[Icyfox]

Wow man..Gotta say: you made HUGE progress over past 2 month.. Looking at the pictures i am truly shocked man..Keep it up.. ! I am on my 8th day and really hope to progress as greatly as you are

[PhoenixBalm]

Day 71

Red marks are fading - now it's a matter of coming to terms with scars - I've got some hefty indentations on my temples and forhead, I'll post some pictures soon, just to let you guys know what's happening.

Hope everythings great with everyone