19 replies to this topic

[hannah34]

Hi all
I'm Hannah a 17 year old senior who will be graduating high school and will be going to college in the fall! (couldn't be happier!)
Unfortunately I have dealt with acne since I was 12. I tried proactiv in middle school, and of course that did not work. I went to a dermatologist freshman year and he had prescribed me everything under the sun and nothing worked to make me 100% clear and keep it under control for good. He had recently prescribed me Bactrim which had helped tremendously in getting rid of cysts and under the skin pimples. I am still left with whiteheads and little bumps and occasional pustules. My skin is extremely oily. I can cover up my pimples at the beginning but at the end of the school day I am so greasy and my skin looks even worse than it really is.

At first my parents were reluctant about Accutane, but after all the success my derm had with his patients we decided to take the plunge! He said the only way to get rid of my stubborn acne and oiliness would be to take Accutane... and well here I am!
My prom is at the end of April and I am really praying that I will have better skin by then and to be confident wearing a sleeveless dress and possibly do a hairstyle with my hair up! (can't remember the last time I went out in public with my hair up besides at my friend's house)
And I am hoping this will go well so I can start college confident and not always have to worry about putting on makeup and worrying what people think of my skin. Ready to start a new beginning!

Oh before I forget! The dosage my derm perscribed for me was is to take 40mg one day and the next day take two 40mg pills and then back to 40mg the day after....etc. It is a pattern of either taking one or two pills a day.


I started Jan 19th so this would already be day 3! I just woke up so I will post my progress when I get out of bed and start getting ready for the day

[overfl00d]

I'm sorry to tell you this, but Accutane is the worst thing you can do to your body!

"He said the only way to get rid of my stubborn acne and oiliness would be to take Accutane" Your derm. is either ignorant or a liar!

The best way to cure acne is the natural way. Try reading this post for a good start, and read my post at the end too. http://www.acne.org/...after-10-years/

[hannah34]

So today was Day 4!

There hasn't been that much different except I can feel my skin gradually start to get less oily and that I can feel my nose starting to get dry but I've been moisturizing. I have also gotten a couple of little white heads that have popped up on my cheeks and then my forehead. But then the next day they are gone.

And question, does anyone have any suggestion on a facial cleanser I can use at night and in the morning that works well on Accutane? I've heard cetaphil works well but I just wanted to hear some other opinions

[as5yk]

Hannah,

You sound just like me when I was 17. I'm 23 now. Accutane worked wonders for my skin. It really did. However my acne did come back when I wasn't on it. Cetaphil works great when youre on accutane so I recommend it. Just don't overapply otherwise itll start to make your face shiny. Because of all the side effects you hear about it I decided to try some other products. With accutane as a backup when nothing else seems to work. I've been seeing my derm again and I've been using erithromycin antiobiotics in combination with some topical sulfa and retinoid (ziana) products. They've significantly cleared up my skin, now I'm struggling to try to make my face appear less shiny (its not oily though which is weird...) Good luck with accutane. If you can, convince your doctor to do a low dose accutane (I'd recommend 20 or 10mg). I think less is always better. I went from 40 all the way up to 60 when I was your age. It completely got rid of all my pimples but I don't think it was good for my body. Just be aware of this.

[jhonyguy04]

Well she already started so just wish her good luck guys!

[blahdeeblah]

overfl00d, on 21 January 2012 - 12:59 PM, said:

I'm sorry to tell you this, but Accutane is the worst thing you can do to your body!

"He said the only way to get rid of my stubborn acne and oiliness would be to take Accutane" Your derm. is either ignorant or a liar!

The best way to cure acne is the natural way. Try reading this post for a good start, and read my post at the end too. http://www.acne.org/...after-10-years/

I'm sure she appreciates the opinion but everyone has different experiences and for some this is their only option.

Good luck with your course- I just started month 3 and couldn't be happier with the results so far!

[overfl00d]

PMalaska, on 23 January 2012 - 09:56 PM, said:

overfl00d, on 21 January 2012 - 12:59 PM, said:

I'm sorry to tell you this, but Accutane is the worst thing you can do to your body!

"He said the only way to get rid of my stubborn acne and oiliness would be to take Accutane" Your derm. is either ignorant or a liar!

The best way to cure acne is the natural way. Try reading this post for a good start, and read my post at the end too. http://www.acne.org/...after-10-years/

I'm sure she appreciates the opinion but everyone has different experiences and for some this is their only option.

Good luck with your course- I just started month 3 and couldn't be happier with the results so far!

I'm sorry you're ignorant. Are you really willing to HARM your body just to hide a few spots on your skin because you're self conscience of what OTHER people think? Accutane destroys your sebaceous glands and has the possibility of other major side effects. Their are countless numbers of horror stories online about the use of Accutane. Here's just one video of many warning of it.



Their are much HEALTHIER methods of curing your acne no matter how bad it is. Trust me, I know because I had pretty bad acne. I would NEVER use Accutane. I'm not willing to harm my body just because of pimples on my face. I know why acne forms, and to cure it naturally is so easy. I feel sorry for anyone who feels desperate enough to take Accutane. Good luck.

[blahdeeblah]

overfl00d, on 23 January 2012 - 11:27 PM, said:

PMalaska, on 23 January 2012 - 09:56 PM, said:

overfl00d, on 21 January 2012 - 12:59 PM, said:

I'm sorry to tell you this, but Accutane is the worst thing you can do to your body!

"He said the only way to get rid of my stubborn acne and oiliness would be to take Accutane" Your derm. is either ignorant or a liar!

The best way to cure acne is the natural way. Try reading this post for a good start, and read my post at the end too. http://www.acne.org/...after-10-years/

I'm sure she appreciates the opinion but everyone has different experiences and for some this is their only option.

Good luck with your course- I just started month 3 and couldn't be happier with the results so far!

I'm sorry you're ignorant. Are you really willing to HARM your body just to hide a few spots on your skin because you're self conscience of what OTHER people think? Accutane destroys your sebaceous glands and has the possibility of other major side effects. Their are countless numbers of horror stories online about the use of Accutane. Here's just one video of many warning of it.

Their are much HEALTHIER methods of curing your acne no matter how bad it is. Trust me, I know because I had pretty bad acne. I would NEVER use Accutane. I'm not willing to harm my body just because of pimples on my face. I know why acne forms, and to cure it naturally is so easy. I feel sorry for anyone who feels desperate enough to take Accutane. Good luck.

Its great that you feel strongly about advising people not to take this drug - regardless of the reasons we chose to do it. But trolling these boards that are here As a support system and bullying people into agreeing with you is unfortunate.

Freedom of speech is a brilliant thing my friend- but I think you could use some better judgement on the forum you chose to solicit your opinions in.

[overfl00d]

PMalaska, on 24 January 2012 - 12:05 AM, said:

overfl00d, on 23 January 2012 - 11:27 PM, said:

PMalaska, on 23 January 2012 - 09:56 PM, said:

overfl00d, on 21 January 2012 - 12:59 PM, said:

I'm sorry to tell you this, but Accutane is the worst thing you can do to your body!

"He said the only way to get rid of my stubborn acne and oiliness would be to take Accutane" Your derm. is either ignorant or a liar!

The best way to cure acne is the natural way. Try reading this post for a good start, and read my post at the end too. http://www.acne.org/...after-10-years/

I'm sure she appreciates the opinion but everyone has different experiences and for some this is their only option.

Good luck with your course- I just started month 3 and couldn't be happier with the results so far!

I'm sorry you're ignorant. Are you really willing to HARM your body just to hide a few spots on your skin because you're self conscience of what OTHER people think? Accutane destroys your sebaceous glands and has the possibility of other major side effects. Their are countless numbers of horror stories online about the use of Accutane. Here's just one video of many warning of it.

Their are much HEALTHIER methods of curing your acne no matter how bad it is. Trust me, I know because I had pretty bad acne. I would NEVER use Accutane. I'm not willing to harm my body just because of pimples on my face. I know why acne forms, and to cure it naturally is so easy. I feel sorry for anyone who feels desperate enough to take Accutane. Good luck.

Its great that you feel strongly about advising people not to take this drug - regardless of the reasons we chose to do it. But trolling these boards that are here As a support system and bullying people into agreeing with you is unfortunate.

Freedom of speech is a brilliant thing my friend- but I think you could use some better judgement on the forum you chose to solicit your opinions in.

I'm sorry you think I'm "trolling" you. Is it because I called you ignorant? Being called ignorant is not an insult - Go look up the definition. If anything you're insulting me by saying I'm trolling when I'm only warning of people against the use of a harmful pharmaceutical drug.

Edited by overfl00d, 24 January 2012 - 12:12 AM.

[blahdeeblah]

Sorry for hijacking your blog Hannah - good luck with your course stay positive - it will all be worth it in the end!

[lnymphl]

Hey, good luck!

Many people take accutane as a last resort and I'm sure they know the risks (if they don't then it is their fault for not researching and asking questions to their derm).

[hannah34]

Thank you all for all the support and the positive comments!

I realize that everyone has their own different opinions on Accutane, but I did a lot of research before going on it and I trust my derm 100% and I am not regretting starting it at all after hearing so many wonderful success stories.

Day 6!
I can't believe it has already almost been a week already. You know how earlier I said my face felt like it was decreasing in oil? Well, false alarm :/ At the end of the school day it felt just as oily as it did when I wasn't on Accutane. I'm hoping this will change. But anyways my skin looks fine. My chin is still the same as before I started and there are just a couple of active whiteheads on my cheeks that disappear overnight. All concealable with makeup! Until my face gets oily and then it just looks worse

[sd85]

hannah34, on 24 January 2012 - 05:15 PM, said:

Thank you all for all the support and the positive comments!

I realize that everyone has their own different opinions on Accutane, but I did a lot of research before going on it and I trust my derm 100% and I am not regretting starting it at all after hearing so many wonderful success stories.

Day 6!
I can't believe it has already almost been a week already. You know how earlier I said my face felt like it was decreasing in oil? Well, false alarm :/ At the end of the school day it felt just as oily as it did when I wasn't on Accutane. I'm hoping this will change. But anyways my skin looks fine. My chin is still the same as before I started and there are just a couple of active whiteheads on my cheeks that disappear overnight. All concealable with makeup! Until my face gets oily and then it just looks worse

What dose are you on?

I would give the oiliness about 3 weeks, and it should be substantially decreased.

[hannah34]

sd85, on 24 January 2012 - 07:39 PM, said:

hannah34, on 24 January 2012 - 05:15 PM, said:

Thank you all for all the support and the positive comments!

I realize that everyone has their own different opinions on Accutane, but I did a lot of research before going on it and I trust my derm 100% and I am not regretting starting it at all after hearing so many wonderful success stories.

Day 6!
I can't believe it has already almost been a week already. You know how earlier I said my face felt like it was decreasing in oil? Well, false alarm :/ At the end of the school day it felt just as oily as it did when I wasn't on Accutane. I'm hoping this will change. But anyways my skin looks fine. My chin is still the same as before I started and there are just a couple of active whiteheads on my cheeks that disappear overnight. All concealable with makeup! Until my face gets oily and then it just looks worse

What dose are you on?

I would give the oiliness about 3 weeks, and it should be substantially decreased.

My derm has me taking 40mg one day and then 80mg the next (taking two pills) continuing in that pattern

[hannah34]

Day 8!
Today has been a really good day for my skin besides a big whitehead on my lower jaw. I was soo tempted to pop it this morning but I resisted myself. At the end of the day my skin was noticeably less oilier than it usually is! I couldn't be happier. It is still oily but just the fact that it has already reduced has me soo thrilled. I'm just dreading the IB that should be coming up relatively soon...

[thisoneisreallyfast]

hello just wanted to say that i'm in the same boat as you! 17 year old girl who's a senior in high school who just started accutane. i'm on 20 mg and i just started today. hope everything works out for the both of us!

[hannah34]

thisoneisreallyfast, on 29 January 2012 - 05:10 AM, said:

hello just wanted to say that i'm in the same boat as you! 17 year old girl who's a senior in high school who just started accutane. i'm on 20 mg and i just started today. hope everything works out for the both of us!

ahhh good luck! (: i will be reading up on your log too to see your progress!

Day 11!
Currently have a couple of active bumps under my right cheek, but everything I have had in the past couple of days has gone away. My skin has gotten so much noticeably less oily I am beyond thrilled!!! My skin already looks better even with blemishes because my oil has significantly decreased. It is the best feeling to go hours without your face feeling like a greaseball. Its still a little oily but nothing compared to what it was before! So far I have been moisturizing like crazy so there has been no problems with my skin drying up. My lips are starting to feel a little drier but I keep putting on aquaphor. My eyes got dry the other day so I had to put in drops, but thats about it!

[hannah34]

Day 13
Nothing really different except my pores on my cheeks feel huge and disgusting. On my cheeks and my nose I can literally see the gunk starting to be pushed out. It looks pretty gross up close. My scalp was also itchy today too, does that normally happen?

[HereComesTheSun:)]

Hey Hannah! Best of luck with your course Accutane worked wonders for me, and I'm starting my second course today! An itchy scalp is definitely normal - Leave in conditioners or dandruff shampoos/conditioners are really helpful

[hannah34]

Day 16
I can't believe its already been over two weeks now! Well now I can go a whole school day without worrying that my face is a greasy mess. It even feels pretty fresh at the end of the day. And another perk I'm super excited about is the fact that my hair hasn't been getting oily anymore! My nose has the worst texture ever and all of my blackheads are clearly visible. My chin and around my nose was drier than normal today. But so far nothing that I couldn't handle!

HereComesTheSun:), on 01 February 2012 - 12:19 AM, said:

Hey Hannah! Best of luck with your course Accutane worked wonders for me, and I'm starting my second course today! An itchy scalp is definitely normal - Leave in conditioners or dandruff shampoos/conditioners are really helpful

thank you and good luck to you too I'm excited for our end results!