65 replies to this topic

[littleredpoppy]

Hi all!

First two days on Acnotin 20 mg. Dermatologist has also prescribed Danzen and two creams - hydrocortisone aceponate and flucticortisone to apply, morning and night. I also use a mineral face wash he has prescribed. I'm to take Acnotin once a day, before bedtime. I'm a Asian girl, living in Singapore, 25 years old and weighing 46 kg.

I've always had clear skin until October 2010 when I somehow had a lot of stress and was covering for my boss, so yes.. pimples came out! Late nights and fried food contributed to it as well. My forehead resembles the crater of the moon with a LOT of whiteheads and ultra-oily skin. I saw my dermatologist who said I have oily skin and put me on Acnotin and the above.

I'll try to post pictures, but just wanted to ask - does the skin normally become oilier than normal after the first few days of Acnotin (Accutane)?

My second day of Acnotin came out with new pimples / whiteheads on my forehead - that's good right, cos the skin is purging all the rubbish?

Thanks all! The journey for clear skin awaits!

Edited by littleredpoppy, 10 January 2011 - 09:39 PM.

[Katushkinz]

Hey there! I can totally relate to what you're saying about your forehead! Mine was always crystal clear until August.

What is the dosage that your doctor prescribed you with? How much do you weight? (I hope this isn't too much of asking)...

Anyways, good luck with your course! I'm sure you'll do great on this miracle drug!

[littleredpoppy]

Hey there! I can totally relate to what you're saying about your forehead! Mine was always crystal clear until August.

What is the dosage that your doctor prescribed you with? How much do you weight? (I hope this isn't too much of asking)...

Anyways, good luck with your course! I'm sure you'll do great on this miracle drug!

Thank you for the encouragement! I've decided to ignore the naysayers and go ahead with this!

The dosage was 20 mg / once a day, and I weigh 46 kg. Kinda heavy, cos I'm 150 cm tall!

[Katushkinz]

Great to see another low dose user on here! I will be following your progress!!!

We will be clear! I am sure of it!

[littleredpoppy]

decided to post pics for you all to see how "lovely" my skin is... this is day 3 of accutane and i do believe that it's working, cos all the zits that werent there before have started popping out.. so.. purge, skin, purge! faster faster! (or as we say in singapore, fai di fai di!)

well, i forgot to tell you guys that i have had oily skin since puberty.. had an extremely bad breakout when i was 18 and went for facials etc... that cleared it for 7 years... and now... it's back! so, here's hoping accutane will help.

by the way, just found out why i'm only on 20 mg - apparently my acne is considered mild, and its just really oily skin with lots of whiteheads, so there we go - if its 0.5 mg - 1 mg/kg of body weight, and since i'm 46 kg, i'm on a low dose. well, experiencing headaches and back aches - but as long as i get clear skin, just gotta drink lotsa water!

ps. is it true that accutane works by pushing up all the half formed zits in your skin layer?

Edited by littleredpoppy, 16 January 2011 - 11:23 PM.

[Hello_Kitty_89]

decided to post pics for you all to see how "lovely" my skin is... this is day 3 of accutane and i do believe that it's working, cos all the zits that werent there before have started popping out.. so.. purge, skin, purge! faster faster! (or as we say in singapore, fai di fai di!)

well, i forgot to tell you guys that i have had oily skin since puberty.. had an extremely bad breakout when i was 18 and went for facials etc... that cleared it for 7 years... and now... it's back! so, here's hoping accutane will help.

by the way, just found out why i'm only on 20 mg - apparently my acne is considered mild, and its just really oily skin with lots of blackheads, so there we go - if its 0.5 mg - 1 mg/kg of body weight, and since i'm 46 kg, i'm on a low dose. well, experiencing headaches and back aches - but as long as i get clear skin, just gotta drink lotsa water!

ps. is it true that accutane works by pushing up all the half formed zits in your skin layer?

yup, all the zits from under the surface will just appear.
I had blackheads appear on my cheeks!
My cheeks...I've never had them on my cheeks in my life...but then they just all came to the surface, even the one's on my nose and my nose is completely clear of blackheads too.
It's just the other cysts and zits i'm fighting on it now.
good luck
xx

[perpetually zitty chick]

Good luck with your course! Yup, 'tane pushes all the gunk in your pores to the surface (hence the dreaded initial breakout) but then it's clear skin after that!

[littleredpoppy]

I'm just wondering, any of you have had bad dreams within three days (three!) of taking accutane?

I work as a lawyer and I am stressed out at work, so I'm wondering if its related.

[Katushkinz]

I have the exact same problem on my forehead! Like I can't stress enough about how similar ur forehead looks to mine right now.

My doctor started me out with 10, I'll be bumped up to 20 in a little less than 4 weeks! So i'll be closely monitoring your progress. Please update your log to let me (and everyone else) know whats going on!!!

Thanks so much!

Katherine!

[perpetually zitty chick]

I'm just wondering, any of you have had bad dreams within three days (three!) of taking accutane?

I work as a lawyer and I am stressed out at work, so I'm wondering if its related.

Yes! Started day one in fact! I barely ever dream anymore, yet for the past eleven days, I have had a vivid dream every night.

[littleredpoppy]

I have the exact same problem on my forehead! Like I can't stress enough about how similar ur forehead looks to mine right now.

ah! and i read that you weigh about the same as i do! so our doses are similar! how old are you, if i may ask? let's support each other! and don't pick your scars, i went for a facial a month before accutane and the scars are still there....

Yes! Started day one in fact! I barely ever dream anymore, yet for the past eleven days, I have had a vivid dream every night.

thank you for the info! appreciate it and i'm really looking forward to having clear happy skin. i've asked my friends to look out for odd symptoms and signs like being withdrawn etc, seeing that i burst into tears this morning!

[littleredpoppy]

UPDATE
Had to stop acnotin. Had really really bad headache and fainted.

SIGH

[Katushkinz]

I'm 22...

Oh, no... When are you starting back on? Btw, what did your doctor say? Why did all this happen to your forehead, did they specify? I mean say anything concrete? did you ask if your doctor had any other patients like you who did well on accutane and the problem for them has resolved?

[littleredpoppy]

back on, fainted due to stress and over exertion.

i know it's only day 4 but man, i seem to be breaking out really badly across my forehead!

[abcDonna]

Hi littleredpoppy! In-case you didnt read my reply back to your post on my thread....here it is!

Congrats on taking up the courage and confidence to go on Accutane! First and foremost I wish you all the best of luck and patience on your journey. Second (also I guess first... whatever this is all important so read lol...), be patient patient patient! This is absolutely necessary, especially during hard times, like when you see those angry whiteheads! Hehe. Keep in mind that everyone's skin and body is different, so don't feel discouraged if you read someone's progress and they notice improvement sooner than you. It works differently for just about everyone since we all have various types of acne!! But it WILL work - just believe it will!

I wouldn't say to not look in the mirror actually. I enjoy looking at my progress, but because I've had such bad acne since I was young, when it gets bad on Accutane, I don't get TOO worked up over it... but if you do, then sure take yourself off the mirror and just do what makes oyu most comfortable. Remember that people are loving you for you and not your looks! YOU are in control of acne don't let it take control of you!

Physical Tips:
- Stay hydrated!! This is something I've had a problem with but I regret because I'm always thirsty!!
- Get lots of chapstick! I recommend either blistex medicated/moisturizing balm or nivea kiss of moisture. Both are wonderful!!
- TONS of moisturizer as your skin will be dry and might be flakey (mine was flakey for a little bit then just got nice and dry but still needs moisture!) Try to find one that is light (water-based is great), oil-free and fragrance free. I'm currently using Boots Expert Sensitive Light Moisturizing Lotion - it's amazing! I also love everything by Cerave.
- As far as washing your face, you also want something very basic (nothing medicated unless your doctor permits you).
- Eat well (: May seem obvious in general but since I'm getting more tired I'm forgetting to eat so don't let that happen!
- Don't pick at your skin! I know you may be tempted but you will regret it later when you see a scar sad.gif

All in all just be confident even when it gets to its worst its ever been (if it gets there)! It will be over before you know it. I saw a lot of improvement within 2-3 weeks. I'm just a few days over 2 months and I haven't noticed much since a week or so again but I know month 2 is usually slow. I'm trying to be as patient as I can be so I recommend doing that as well!!

If you have any more questions feel free to ask. Everyone on here is here for support, motivation, and of course comfort on those hard days.

Keep your head up!! Good luck (:

[littleredpoppy]

I'm 22...

Oh, no... When are you starting back on? Btw, what did your doctor say? Why did all this happen to your forehead, did they specify? I mean say anything concrete? did you ask if your doctor had any other patients like you who did well on accutane and the problem for them has resolved?

well, as i stated earlier, it's cos i have oily skin and i was using foundation that was too thick. hence i got clogged pores. good things take time, so i'm not worried about effect. generally i don't ask my doctor this kinda things as each person is different.

I wouldn't say to not look in the mirror actually. I enjoy looking at my progress, but because I've had such bad acne since I was young, when it gets bad on Accutane, I don't get TOO worked up over it... but if you do, then sure take yourself off the mirror and just do what makes oyu most comfortable. Remember that people are loving you for you and not your looks! YOU are in control of acne don't let it take control of you!

thank you very much! *hugs* i'm comforting myself by saying that for those who laugh at me because of my forehead (like my sister, for instance, but its funny cos SHE had bad acne and had to take diane 35), they will eat dirt when they see my clear skin. heh.

[littleredpoppy]

wow, my forehead is really less bumpy and less oily... after 5 days of taking acnotin!

okay, BUT! i've got two pimples... not too bothered about it, cos its just acnotin doing its thing...

i go to sleep applying 10% benzoyl peroxide for the past two days, also known as oxy 10 for those of you in asia and wherever else its sold... but well, i can see my skin is angry, so i'm going to use jojoba oil for moisturiser.

and i went for a full face threading, the description is:

A complete threading option which covers Brow-Shaping, Forehead, Upper and Lower Lip, Cheek, Chin and Sideburn!

I decided to do so, cos I read that hair follicles get clogged up, so removed all the hair on my forehead... hurt like mad!

so my face is a bit more clear than yesterday and i'm hoping it stays that way, but i ain't getting my hopes up...

Edited by littleredpoppy, 13 January 2011 - 10:21 PM.

[Katushkinz]

I'm really really glad you are back on accutane!

I am definitely in on supporting each other, since we have such a similar problem area! I had two of my long-sitting whiteheads right above my left eyebrow decide to be pushed out by accutane, so they developed into this mini cyst (as my doctor called it), she injected it this morning, but i didn't like that little red bump, so I popped it. I have heard alot of "don't pick your skin while on accutane", but this one came really easily (I can't imagine how much junk is under the surface of my skin) and now I'm guessing it just needs to heal a bit, so it should be fine in a couple of days.

On a side note, I've also noticed that i've become less bumpy on my forehead, but maybe we are just imagining it, since we want this to end so badly

Anyways, I'm here for you and hopefully, you're here for me. I am increasing my dosage to 20 next month for sure. The doctor has again stated that the ideal dose for me would be 40 mg. I have read about 50 more logs today and mostly the people were on 40 mgs, which worked wonders for the majority of the people (from what i've read)....

So I'm staying strong! Gosh, how I wish I could sleep for 150 days with someone feeding me my pills!

[littleredpoppy]

So I'm staying strong! Gosh, how I wish I could sleep for 150 days with someone feeding me my pills!

ME TOO! hehehe. can someone just like wake me up and see my glowing skin on accutane and go HEY! YOUR SKIN IS GLOWING, I HAVE TO PUT SHADES ON!

(then again i'd be an alien)

DAY 8
Hey! This stuff really works! I have less oil on my forehead, my lips are starting to become very dry, and some of my whiteheads are coming to the surface. HOWEVER. There are some bumps that are still there, stuck there.... URGHS

Anyone knows if one can wear BB cream while on acnotin?

BTW, lesser headaches and muscle aches nowdays... guess my body is getting used to it?

[perpetually zitty chick]

Glad to hear accutane is working for you! My muscle aches and fatigue are beginning to subside too, so I'm thinking that maybe our bodies are adjusting to accutane... either that or we're just getting used to feeling achy all the time so now it feels "normal."