77 replies to this topic

[peripatetic]

Hi everyone! I am set to start Accutane one month from now (at the end of February), and wanted to start a log. I've found the logs here so honest, supportive, helpful, and consistent (electronic shout-out to BorntoRun, Angela1985, Megan2010, clearskinplease, and many, many others). I have heard so many awful things about Accutane, and I truly thank everyone here for helping me come to a point where I am comfortable starting it! Hopeful and pumped

My acne history *queues dramatic music*:

I had what I call 'normal-person' acne as a teenager, starting around 15. I used topical benzoyl peroxide. Eventually I bought into the Proactiv fad, and used the Proactiv system very successfully for about seven years. My skin was absolute perfection during this time, almost no pimples (and even then only one at a time, maybe every other month), and only normal-person pimples around my period when they did occur. My skin was glowing, smooth, radiant, beautiful. Woohoo! Benzoyl peroxide to the rescue! Fastforward to two years ago (age 22)...

A friend of mine recommended the birth control pill Yasmin. I wanted to start taking birth control again, and thought it was worth a try (I had previously been very successful with Ortho Tricyclen-Lo). Oh noes, bad idea!

Now, I don't blame Yasmin exclusively for the onset of my moderate-severe acne, but I had NEVER had a cyst in my life before taking this terrible pill. About two months in, I developed a cyst at my temple. Literally had no idea what it was or what to do with it. I had never heard of cystic acne and my scientific curiosity was piqued! I kept with it, assuming this was an initial breakout, which many women experience when switching or starting pills.

Omg, wrong! Since then, the cysts never stopped. I started breaking out on my chin in huge, exciting cysts (a place I had never had a pimple before). After a while, this became terrifying and humiliating for me. I became more socially isolated, which was really sad, because I so enjoy the company of my friends.

I remember once going out with a cyst the size of a dime on my chin and noticing a friend of mine staring at it constantly. I mean, I donâ�‚��„�t blame him, it was enormous and he couldn't help it (I mean, I can't stop looking at them when I have them too, so can totally relate ), but it was still embarassing, and was kind of a breaking-point in my life with acne.

I stopped Proactiv, and my derm put me on (chronologically): Retin-A (which did little), Differen (which reduces some inflammation, but did nothing to clear me up), and Tetracycline (which gave me some pretty spectacular yeast infections and did little to clear meâ�‚�¦plus acne returned in full force almost immediately after stopping). I've also done (super-duper expensive) laser treatments and extraction, which treated the symptoms, but clearly not the underlying cause. Now I am ready to go for it, and am so excited by the prospect of (hopefully) finally being clear!

So, why Accutane now? I'm 23. I have a real job. I date the love of my life (who, by the way, is a bit hesitant about my taking Accutane. Does anyone have any experience with the boyfriend/hubby not being completely on-board? Any suggestions?). I feel like all my friends have 'normal-person' or perfect skin. I look back on photographs of myself from two years ago and cannot believe how much and how quickly my acne has exploded. I'll set up before/before-Accutane photos soon.

I know a lot of people can relate to how acne can change your life. How your skin looks can really affect the way you view yourself. We all want to look and feel pretty, and it's kind of hard when these ridiculous lesions/pimples/pustules/cysts are trying to monopolize our face-space. What the heck, I thought this was not something you start in your 20's?

I hope this log is eventually going to be of help to someone! Best of luck to anyone starting and continuing their treatment!

Edited by peripatetic, 27 January 2011 - 06:04 PM.

[cherington]

HEY there christine! I'm 23f too so I'm excited to see what the effects will be like in someone similar (though I think race is a bigger problem haha)


I agree about starting in our 20's! A lot of the stuff I've read seems to point to the possibility of having to do a second course of Tane if you took your first in your teens and there are definitely pros and cons both ways. For me it was a matter of seeing my previously beautifully clear back become ravaged by bacne =( So yea..


Good luck and I hope everything works out for you!

[peripatetic]

Hi Cherington! Thank you so much for posting in my log. That's so exciting that you have already started, I am really looking forward to reading your log and keeping up with how you're improving Have you noticed any changes yet?

Ahh I agree about the race thing completely. I'm half-Irish and half-Korean, so I think that has made me a more difficult case? Totally non-scientific opinion Maybe someone else knows more about this?

I'm just anxious to get started now! My derm looked at my skin and listened to my story and pretty much immediately suggested accutane. Kind sad that my skin has reached that point, but I'm glad she and I are on the same wavelength!

[peripatetic]

Today I just wanted to post some photos of where I'm starting. I have 3 small cysts on my forehead, 3 big red spots on my left cheek, and an enormous monster on my chin. Gross, sorry.

The cyst on my chin has been hanging around for ages! In fact, I'm not sure it has EVER fully gone away. Has anyone had a similar experience? It's like the cyst will go down (after a couple weeks), and will no longer be inflamed, but will come back in exactly the same place a couple weeks later? A lot of times I can even feel a small bump when the cyst is dormant. So nasty.

This is the first picture I've taken without makeup in at least six months...and, after seeing these, I cannot wait to start Accutane!

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[cherington]

oooh you're part Asian! Yea I wonder if that might affect the results/process too! Good on you for taking picture before starting =D I forgot to do it and ended up having a hard time looking for pictures to post haha. Good to know you're like me - hardly any pictures without makeup haha.


well in terms of changes it's mostly the IB right now which sucks, but I'm holding out hope that it will clear up really soon (Chinese New Year is approaching so soon!)


I can't wait till you start too! Be strong, though! When the IB and the side effects hit, it's gonna be pretty tough going! I think it's best to take a lot of pre-emptive measures.. Starting from day 1 I'd suggest you drink lots of water, get lots of rest, and after a few days, it might be best to start washing your hair less and using moisturizer more regularly=D



PS: Half Irish half Korean? I'm 99.9% sure you're freaking gorgeous!

[ChemicalBoss]

Hey. I'm supposed to start in a week or two so I'll be going right around the same time as you.

[peripatetic]

Hi Cherington. Aww thank you! You are so nice. Recently my skin has really been making me feel gross, so compliments mean a lot

I am definitely curious about the effects of race on skin health. Everyone in my family seems to be totally clear, though, except for me, an aunt, and two cousins? It's very spotty, pun intended

Omg, I am so glad to hear there exist people who refuse to be in public without makeup, like me. I just avoid it at all costs, mostly because I'm so not used to worrying about my skin, and it's just so distracting now to meet new people when I'm not wearing makeup.

I really hope your IB starts clearing before the Chinese New Year. It's always a bummer to be broken out on a holiday. I remember going to the restroom to look at my face around 12:30am on New Year's and realizing that my chin was totally peeling (so gross, probably because I had put BP on it, which doesn't work well for me anymore). But it is so much more important that you are taking this exciting step to be totally clear soon. Definitely worth it!

Thank you for the advice. I'll try to hydrate pre-Accutane and will try to be prepared for the IB, since almost everyone seems to get it pretty bad!

[peripatetic]

Hey. I'm supposed to start in a week or two so I'll be going right around the same time as you.

@Chemical Boss, thanks for posting on my log! That is really exciting! Please keep us updated on how you are doing and how you're feeling going into your treatment. Are you looking forward to starting?

[xgirl]

good luck! I can see that you have gorgeous skin under there. I bet accutane will finally get you back to clarity

[littleredpoppy]

So, why Accutane now? I'm 23. I have a real job. I date the love of my life (who, by the way, is a bit hesitant about my taking Accutane. Does anyone have any experience with the boyfriend/hubby not being completely on-board? Any suggestions?). I feel like all my friends have 'normal-person' or perfect skin. I look back on photographs of myself from two years ago and cannot believe how much and how quickly my acne has exploded. I'll set up before/before-Accutane photos soon.

yup! the significant other is rather hesitant about the whole accutane thing. gahhhh!

will be here to support you! looking forward to more updates soon!

[ChemicalBoss]

Hey. I'm supposed to start in a week or two so I'll be going right around the same time as you.

@Chemical Boss, thanks for posting on my log! That is really exciting! Please keep us updated on how you are doing and how you're feeling going into your treatment. Are you looking forward to starting?

Well one thing I am feeling is tired of acne. I am very excited to start the treatment. I'm starting February 5th, just got the date today. Does anyone know how big the 20mg pills are? I just don't want to get them and have them be a huge mega pill like nyquil. Idk. AAAHHHHHH! I can't wait for the day when myacne clears up!!!!!!

[peripatetic]

@ xgirl Thank you! That is really reassuring I really hope so, because nothing else has worked. Have you taken Accutane, too?

@ littleredpoppy: Thanks for empathizing! I've been talking to him about it, telling him about this site, and just encouraging him to do research on it. Little does he know that 2 of our friends were on it in their early 20's He's coming around recently, especially when I recounted my derm's almost screaming "ACCUTANE" when she saw how terrible my skin looks right now. So, that's all I can suggest; if something really works to reassure him, I'll be sure to update you. Really enjoying your log, too!

@ chemicalboss: Right?! I am so tired of it, too! That is the perfect word. Soo exciting that you are starting next week! I've seen pictures of pills and they look kinda big, but I'm curious, too, so it would be great to hear from someone who's taking it. I take fish-oil supplements, and they're pretty big (about the size of Nyquil), so I'm hoping it's not larger than that.


I just got word from my derm that I'm starting the 28th of February. Horray! It seems like a long time from now, so I'm going to try to chill out until then. As far as routine right now, I'm mostly just trying to give my skin a break. Has anyone else tried this? I figure just letting my skin balance out (using my gentle Cetaphil wash, a weekly exfoliating scrub from Clarins, and a light daily moisturizer) might be helpful?

I've been reading in a lot of logs that you should take Accutane with fatty foods? Can anyone recommend some good, healthy fatty foods that we should all be eating? Just curious, because I want to do everything I can to help Accutane get its job done!

Edited by peripatetic, 28 January 2011 - 05:20 PM.

[ChemicalBoss]

I hate taking nyquil. They're huge and got that sticky texture which seems to make the pill stick in my throat (or maybe it's all in my head). Hopefully Accutane won't be like that.

That's a good idea, giving the skin a break. I've been using Retin-A and I can't use it during Accutane. I was thinking about just stopping it now.

And dang! February 28th!? I'm here thinking that February 5th is far away. I can't imagine for you! Stay strong! As soon as I start I'll let you know what the pills are like and I'll even start my own log...Maybe I should just start it now?

[peripatetic]

Agreed! Trying my best to wait patiently
Excited to keep up with your log!

[ChemicalBoss]

I can't keep my mind off of how my skin will clear up, off of Accutane. The only way I can keep my mind off of it is to be on here but then again, that doesn't really count I guess.

[BorntoRun]

hey girl! Sorry it's taken me so long to get back to your log I work 14 hour days Monday-Friday (and sometimes weekends) so getting on here is hard!

I read your story and I think you'll have some amazing result with accutane. I was SO hesitant about it I waited YEARS. Your time has come! If you have crazy side effects just stop the pill, you probably won't be any worse than when you started.

I have tinnitus from accutane and it's probably permanent but you know what? I'd rather have ringing in my ears and slight hearing loss forever than live with the social effects of acne... I'm sure you understand. I think at some point it becomes about what you'd rather live with.

As far as the boyfriend goes, just accept that he's going to be hesitant. After all, accutane is a powerful drug and you will probably be a bit crazy the first coupel months. It's good to have a guy at least understand what a big deal it is rather than someone telling you it's "just a drug for acne... whatever" At least this way he'll understand if you're going through mood swings or whatever Just thank him for his support and for caring. Tell him how important it's going to be for you to have a caring, supportive person in your life for the next few months. Guys like to feel like they are needed.

Good luck, and if you ever need to chat, message me!

[cherington]

Hi Cherington. Aww thank you! You are so nice. Recently my skin has really been making me feel gross, so compliments mean a lot

I am definitely curious about the effects of race on skin health. Everyone in my family seems to be totally clear, though, except for me, an aunt, and two cousins? It's very spotty, pun intended

Omg, I am so glad to hear there exist people who refuse to be in public without makeup, like me. I just avoid it at all costs, mostly because I'm so not used to worrying about my skin, and it's just so distracting now to meet new people when I'm not wearing makeup.

I really hope your IB starts clearing before the Chinese New Year. It's always a bummer to be broken out on a holiday. I remember going to the restroom to look at my face around 12:30am on New Year's and realizing that my chin was totally peeling (so gross, probably because I had put BP on it, which doesn't work well for me anymore). But it is so much more important that you are taking this exciting step to be totally clear soon. Definitely worth it!

Thank you for the advice. I'll try to hydrate pre-Accutane and will try to be prepared for the IB, since almost everyone seems to get it pretty bad!

gah! my skin feels gross too and I've been refusing to take pictures! =( really really hope i'll look at least normal come Chinese New Year!

I agree about makeup! I'd much prefer not to wear it but I feel like I have to? I dunno.. haha

Keep updating this log! I'll be following your progress=))

[peripatetic]

I have no idea why, but I feel like my acne is really going nuts this week. Maybe the hormonal birth control is to blame? It has never really been very nice to me. And I totally started it initially to improve my skin?

Right now, I have five active cysts on my chin. Gross. They are deep under the skin so what on earth do you do about them?! Generally, I just let them hang out. Since I'm trying to give my skin a break from topicals, I just pray they won't erupt into anything ridiculous. I was at a friend's house for yoga and a movie, and should have gone to meet a bunch of friends at the bar, but was really having a bad skin day today, so I begged out of it.

I was so happy to come back to these reassuring messages. It really cheered me up!

@Chemical boss, it definitely makes me feel better to chat with people on here, too. I adore my boyfriend, and it has actually been really liberating to talk to him about my skin recently (for the first time in our two-year relationship), but God knows he can't really understand.

@BorntoRun, thank you! I really appreciate the encouragement, and yes, I can totally relate to being willing to tolerate some pretty serious things if it means that we will no longer suffer with acne. Thank you for the boy-advice, too. He is really coming around, since seeing that I am so excited about accutane. I think it kind of hit him out of the blue, since I have NEVER felt comfortable openly talking about my skin before (he's gotten a wave of it in the past couple weeks, which I'm sure is awesome for him ). I'll definitely try the things you suggested, hopefully that will make him feel better about it.

@Cherington, I can totally relate! I was supposed to have my picture in a brochure for the institute I work for and I procrastinated so long, they had to leave me out! Sad, but that was so not going to happen! I've also started kind of hating makeup. Used to be fun to experiment and play with colors, now it feels like a chore, because I'm just trying to hide things. Can't wait to have fun with makeup again.

[peripatetic]

Just got back from a really nice, long hike! Love Sundays.

I have a question for people who have finished their treatment. I'm really curious about how you treat your skin now that you're off accutane. Do you still use any topicals? Or is it just a cetaphil wash-and-go? Water rinse? Has anyone tried the oil cleansing method? (This is something I've always wanted to try, since it seems to keep a lot of people's skin really balanced and happy). Just curious!

[cherington]

@Cherington, I can totally relate! I was supposed to have my picture in a brochure for the institute I work for and I procrastinated so long, they had to leave me out! Sad, but that was so not going to happen! I've also started kind of hating makeup. Used to be fun to experiment and play with colors, now it feels like a chore, because I'm just trying to hide things. Can't wait to have fun with makeup again.

hehe yea! I'm just keeping my face free of makeup for the next couple of days and hopefully it'll get better and i can use just some light makeup soon!

i hope you're doing good with your course!