12 replies to this topic

[droidone]

Hi all,

I'm new to acne.org but have been lurking these boards for tips and user experiences for a couple of years now. I am a strong believer in self education, and I've been reading about acne and trying different things for years now. I'm beginning an Accutane log because I recently made the big decision of going on the drug. I am 1 month in, and I *believe* I am going through the infamous initial breakout, so feeling kind of down right now, but nevertheless hopeful.

About me:
I'm 22. Female. I've suffered from mild-moderate acne since I was 16. Since then, my skin has been developing into an oil field. Some mornings, it actually burns my eyes when I open them. My forehead and nose get oily 30 mins after washing. Because I'm super paranoid about getting pimples and subsequently scarring from them, I religiously take care of my skin. Maybe that's the reason I don't get many breakouts anymore, maybe I'm just lucky. When I DO get pimples, they are problematic and big, but it's not often. I do have acne on my back, upper arms, and shoulders.

Other drugs I've tried:
I'm not interested in temporary fixes because I've been a slave to my skin for the past few years. I tried topical antibiotics, benzoyl peroxide (which I developed an allergy to). I NEVER EVER allow anything to come in contact with my face except when washing of course, so that's as good as any topical treatment. But the problem I'm crusading against is the OIL. It's embarrassing. I went on birth control for acne skin types. It improved the overall quality of my skin but i started getting random crippling migraines. I tried Vitamin B5 too, but going off it...it's disappointing.

Why Accutane:
I've read many journals indicating isotretinoin shrinks the size of the oil glands significantly and in some cases permanently reduces sebum production. That is my aim. Before I decided to go on Accutane, I promised myself that if I experienced any serious side effects and there was any indication of intestinal problems, I would stop immediately. So far, thank God, I have not had any issues so I'm continuing. The go ahead for me was finding out 4 people I knew went on the drug and were thankful. When I mentioned accutane to people around me, chances were they knew someone who went on the drug. The nurse that does my blood tests also went on it. It's surprising how many people go on Accutane, and never look back. My older sister has similar skin type and it's just getting worse with each year. I'm taking action now.

My treatment:
I'm taking CLARUS, 40mg per day. My derm said she would only allow me to be on it for 3 months, but hopefully she will extend it to 5-6 months.

***Please no negativity about Accutane. I want some feedback on experiences similar to mine. I have heard all types of stories about the severity of side effects, I've read about Crohn's Disease and Accutane lawsuits, so thanks in advance for your concern. Everyone experiences it differently.

Edited by droidone, 23 May 2012 - 03:22 PM.

[droidone]

Since I just started my log on acne.org, here's my first month in hindsight:

-------FIRST MONTH OF ACCUTANE ------------

Week 1: By end of the week, I noticed the consistency of the oil was different. It felt thin (maybe just reduced) and I felt my skin was resilient to pimples. I actually put on powder foundation for the second time in my acne life. Except for a picked pimple on my forehead, my skin was fabulous. I didn't get shiny for 5 hours after putting on the foundation. It was awesome but still oily. Dry lips but not so that I needed to moisturize.

Week 2: I started getting bloated. Really bloated. For about a week every time I ate, my intestines were constantly rumbling. Not in a painful way, just really annoying. The bloating and gas. I actually bled once too but that was only because the skin down there was really dry. I never experienced that again, even with the mild constipation. My lips start feeling really chapped. My face flakes if I don't moisturize properly. Pores on my nose, chin, forehead and cheeks are plugged. It starts feeling really gross just washing my face in the morning.

Week 3: My sky is truly DRY. Morning to night, no oil at all. My hair feels like straw. Before accutane, I needed to wash my hair every morning otherwise it would look greasy. Now, I'm sure I can go daysss without a wash. Which I fully intended to do.

Week 4: No more bloating, intestinal grumbling. Contrary to my expectations (of diarrhea and IB), I am fine in those areas, except the dryness is leading to some constipation. I am also noticing a pimple a day. I don't feel bad because I'm optimistic about accutane purging my skin. But these clogged pores! How do I get rid of them? I used a biore pore strip on my forehead and almost everything came out. But there are stubborn clogged pores that I fear are budding into pimples. Especially on my cheeks. The plugs on my nose just come out when I stretch the skin. It's the most grossest fascinating thing I've ever seen. Also I've been noticing that I'm "flushing", or I think that's what this is. But on my chest and back. The feeling is like a rush of heat and some needle-like tingles that lasts a few seconds when I'm excited. I thought it was a new reaction to adrenaline, but I've ruled that out with experimentation. It's not bothersome though, just curious.

[r0bert0000]

I am also a month in with claravis. I am taking 40 mg a day. So far, I am going through the initial breakout which has been bad along my jaw line. The first two weeks were the worst as I have not experienced a breakout like that in a very long time. Coworkers were asking me about the breakouts and it was embarrassing since I work around pretty nurses all day. I began to feel down about it, but I immediately changed that by having a "who gives a crap" attitude. I know I'm only trying to better myself and that it will eventually get better.


It is getting better though. So far the only side effects I've had are the chapped lips and dry skin. I also seemed to have tanned because coworkers have asked me if I've been spending time in the sun which I have not. It seems even the slightest sun exposure is giving me a tan. The only problem I've had with the medication is that I can't drink anymore. I've always enjoyed a few beers after a long work week, but I'm almost 30 and I've been dealing with acne for almost 15 years and I'm hoping this will finally get rid of it.

[droidone]

r0bert0000, on 21 May 2012 - 11:15 PM, said:

I am also a month in with claravis. I am taking 40 mg a day. So far, I am going through the initial breakout which has been bad along my jaw line. The first two weeks were the worst as I have not experienced a breakout like that in a very long time. Coworkers were asking me about the breakouts and it was embarrassing since I work around pretty nurses all day. I began to feel down about it, but I immediately changed that by having a "who gives a crap" attitude. I know I'm only trying to better myself and that it will eventually get better.


It is getting better though. So far the only side effects I've had are the chapped lips and dry skin. I also seemed to have tanned because coworkers have asked me if I've been spending time in the sun which I have not. It seems even the slightest sun exposure is giving me a tan. The only problem I've had with the medication is that I can't drink anymore. I've always enjoyed a few beers after a long work week, but I'm almost 30 and I've been dealing with acne for almost 15 years and I'm hoping this will finally get rid of it.

That's the spirit. Glad to hear that you're seeing improvement in the initial breakout. I hardly got blemishes before accutane, and now I'm slightly breaking out on my cheeks. Feels like high school all over again. But, this is a small price to pay for clearer skin down the road.

Is your skin completely dry? Like no oil at all? Up until the end of the first month, I would wake up with a totally matte dry face. I'm into the second pack now. My derm was going to up my dosage to 60mg, but I guess I was being over cautious when I refused. I regret that now as it seems my skin is getting slightly oily again, but it could be due to my time of month

[droidone]

Before starting the second pack, I wanted to see just how drastically the oil reduction was. Before tane, I required a hair wash every morning, unless I was lazy or did not go out. Last week of my first month, I did not wash my hair until it actually looked like it needed a wash. I lasted 7 days. Could have gone on, but...that's kinda gross But 7 whole days! And my hair looked like it was freshly washed. It was a confidence booster. I could let out my hair, tie it up, it looked so squeaky clean. haha.


Day 36:
I have no back/upper arm acne. My back feels so smooth, it's shocking. It was always bumpy, not very acne prone, but always a couple problematic blemishes there and that awful rough bumpy texture. I feel I can wear a backless! My upper arms are clear too! God, I hope this keeps up.
My face though...seems like the oil is trying to make a reappearance. The problem with that is I will never get rid of the clogged Accutane pores if the oil keeps fluctuating. Hmm, I'll speak to my derm about upping the dosage.

[r0bert0000]

droidone, on 22 May 2012 - 08:27 AM, said:

r0bert0000, on 21 May 2012 - 11:15 PM, said:

I am also a month in with claravis. I am taking 40 mg a day. So far, I am going through the initial breakout which has been bad along my jaw line. The first two weeks were the worst as I have not experienced a breakout like that in a very long time. Coworkers were asking me about the breakouts and it was embarrassing since I work around pretty nurses all day. I began to feel down about it, but I immediately changed that by having a "who gives a crap" attitude. I know I'm only trying to better myself and that it will eventually get better.


It is getting better though. So far the only side effects I've had are the chapped lips and dry skin. I also seemed to have tanned because coworkers have asked me if I've been spending time in the sun which I have not. It seems even the slightest sun exposure is giving me a tan. The only problem I've had with the medication is that I can't drink anymore. I've always enjoyed a few beers after a long work week, but I'm almost 30 and I've been dealing with acne for almost 15 years and I'm hoping this will finally get rid of it.

That's the spirit. Glad to hear that you're seeing improvement in the initial breakout. I hardly got blemishes before accutane, and now I'm slightly breaking out on my cheeks. Feels like high school all over again. But, this is a small price to pay for clearer skin down the road.

Is your skin completely dry? Like no oil at all? Up until the end of the first month, I would wake up with a totally matte dry face. I'm into the second pack now. My derm was going to up my dosage to 60mg, but I guess I was being over cautious when I refused. I regret that now as it seems my skin is getting slightly oily again, but it could be due to my time of month

It's the same for me. I never had breakouts on my cheeks. Blemishes would usually form on my chin. During the breakout, I would have one here and there on my cheeks but it wasn't that bad. I started my second pack a few days ago, and my face is dry with no shine at all and that has never happened with other medications. I have to use a moisturizer which Ive never used before and really dislike because I don't know if its helping or causing more problems. However, my nose is starting to get a little oily again. My dermatologist said he may or may not increase my dosage. So Ill have to wait and see.

[droidone]

r0bert0000, on 22 May 2012 - 02:02 PM, said:

droidone, on 22 May 2012 - 08:27 AM, said:

r0bert0000, on 21 May 2012 - 11:15 PM, said:

I am also a month in with claravis. I am taking 40 mg a day. So far, I am going through the initial breakout which has been bad along my jaw line. The first two weeks were the worst as I have not experienced a breakout like that in a very long time. Coworkers were asking me about the breakouts and it was embarrassing since I work around pretty nurses all day. I began to feel down about it, but I immediately changed that by having a "who gives a crap" attitude. I know I'm only trying to better myself and that it will eventually get better.


It is getting better though. So far the only side effects I've had are the chapped lips and dry skin. I also seemed to have tanned because coworkers have asked me if I've been spending time in the sun which I have not. It seems even the slightest sun exposure is giving me a tan. The only problem I've had with the medication is that I can't drink anymore. I've always enjoyed a few beers after a long work week, but I'm almost 30 and I've been dealing with acne for almost 15 years and I'm hoping this will finally get rid of it.

That's the spirit. Glad to hear that you're seeing improvement in the initial breakout. I hardly got blemishes before accutane, and now I'm slightly breaking out on my cheeks. Feels like high school all over again. But, this is a small price to pay for clearer skin down the road.

Is your skin completely dry? Like no oil at all? Up until the end of the first month, I would wake up with a totally matte dry face. I'm into the second pack now. My derm was going to up my dosage to 60mg, but I guess I was being over cautious when I refused. I regret that now as it seems my skin is getting slightly oily again, but it could be due to my time of month

It's the same for me. I never had breakouts on my cheeks. Blemishes would usually form on my chin. During the breakout, I would have one here and there on my cheeks but it wasn't that bad. I started my second pack a few days ago, and my face is dry with no shine at all and that has never happened with other medications. I have to use a moisturizer which Ive never used before and really dislike because I don't know if its helping or causing more problems. However, my nose is starting to get a little oily again. My dermatologist said he may or may not increase my dosage. So Ill have to wait and see.

I'm wondering if it's because our bodies are getting used to the drug. But I've read countless times that the effectiveness is in the cumulative dosage, so I shall remain hopeful. Only thing I'm stressing about is the intense clogged pores I got when my skin was super dry. If the oil comes back, and reduces again, I may have to tackle clogged pore problems again:( And this is not helping my breakouts heal.

I'd say a week ago, there was 100% reduction in oil on my face. It was astonishing. Today, it's more like 80% reduction. This 20% is a party pooper.

[r0bert0000]

droidone, on 22 May 2012 - 09:07 PM, said:

r0bert0000, on 22 May 2012 - 02:02 PM, said:

droidone, on 22 May 2012 - 08:27 AM, said:

r0bert0000, on 21 May 2012 - 11:15 PM, said:

I am also a month in with claravis. I am taking 40 mg a day. So far, I am going through the initial breakout which has been bad along my jaw line. The first two weeks were the worst as I have not experienced a breakout like that in a very long time. Coworkers were asking me about the breakouts and it was embarrassing since I work around pretty nurses all day. I began to feel down about it, but I immediately changed that by having a "who gives a crap" attitude. I know I'm only trying to better myself and that it will eventually get better.


It is getting better though. So far the only side effects I've had are the chapped lips and dry skin. I also seemed to have tanned because coworkers have asked me if I've been spending time in the sun which I have not. It seems even the slightest sun exposure is giving me a tan. The only problem I've had with the medication is that I can't drink anymore. I've always enjoyed a few beers after a long work week, but I'm almost 30 and I've been dealing with acne for almost 15 years and I'm hoping this will finally get rid of it.

That's the spirit. Glad to hear that you're seeing improvement in the initial breakout. I hardly got blemishes before accutane, and now I'm slightly breaking out on my cheeks. Feels like high school all over again. But, this is a small price to pay for clearer skin down the road.

Is your skin completely dry? Like no oil at all? Up until the end of the first month, I would wake up with a totally matte dry face. I'm into the second pack now. My derm was going to up my dosage to 60mg, but I guess I was being over cautious when I refused. I regret that now as it seems my skin is getting slightly oily again, but it could be due to my time of month

It's the same for me. I never had breakouts on my cheeks. Blemishes would usually form on my chin. During the breakout, I would have one here and there on my cheeks but it wasn't that bad. I started my second pack a few days ago, and my face is dry with no shine at all and that has never happened with other medications. I have to use a moisturizer which Ive never used before and really dislike because I don't know if its helping or causing more problems. However, my nose is starting to get a little oily again. My dermatologist said he may or may not increase my dosage. So Ill have to wait and see.

I'm wondering if it's because our bodies are getting used to the drug. But I've read countless times that the effectiveness is in the cumulative dosage, so I shall remain hopeful. Only thing I'm stressing about is the intense clogged pores I got when my skin was super dry. If the oil comes back, and reduces again, I may have to tackle clogged pore problems again:( And this is not helping my breakouts heal.

I'd say a week ago, there was 100% reduction in oil on my face. It was astonishing. Today, it's more like 80% reduction. This 20% is a party pooper.

I don't know whats going with the little oil reappearing. I haven't read enough about it. If it continues I will ask my dermatologist about it at my next appointment. I just hope that my face continues to improve. Ill let you know how things are going as the days go by.

[droidone]

Day 37: The acne is healing. The pimples on my right cheek, which were freaking me out, weren't so bad after all, haven't surfaced, and are now fading away. My skin is a bit oily, but still 80% less than before. My hair is more oily, which means more frequent washes, which sucks because the rest of the hair besides the roots are dry as straw and pretty damaged from coloring and ironing pre-accutane. Lips not nearly as dry as in Month 1. Going to buy some skincare products today, to help purge pores and moisturize.

I used biore pore strips on my nose and forehead to lift away the plugs from the suddenly drying accutane skin, but they're expensive and little.
I found this DIY video for pore strips made out of flavourless gelatin and milk.

Edited by droidone, 23 May 2012 - 01:51 PM.

[Vanessa2002]

Hi droidone!

I follow your log with interest, because you seem like me. I am 23 years old and have had acne since I was 12. It's not as bad anymore as during my teenage years, but I still have incredibly oily skin and a high sebum production. My pores do not clog that easily anymore, it seems, so I rarely have really big pimples. However, my skin is still bad enough to prevent me from enjoying my life . I also have mild acne on my back and oily skin on my chest and neck. I am thinking whether or not I should go on accutane. Many people here post positive accutane logs, but most have really bad cystic acne. I am afraid that it might actually make my skin too dry in the longterm. That's why I am really interested in how this will turn out for you
It would be great if you could post pictures of your skin, before, during and after.

[droidone]

Vanessa2002, on 24 May 2012 - 08:20 AM, said:

Hi droidone!

I follow your log with interest, because you seem like me. I am 23 years old and have had acne since I was 12. It's not as bad anymore as during my teenage years, but I still have incredibly oily skin and a high sebum production. My pores do not clog that easily anymore, it seems, so I rarely have really big pimples. However, my skin is still bad enough to prevent me from enjoying my life . I also have mild acne on my back and oily skin on my chest and neck. I am thinking whether or not I should go on accutane. Many people here post positive accutane logs, but most have really bad cystic acne. I am afraid that it might actually make my skin too dry in the longterm. That's why I am really interested in how this will turn out for you
It would be great if you could post pictures of your skin, before, during and after.

Hi Vanessa! It seems our skin is incredibly alike. Oh if only accutane could give me permanently dry skin! Trust me, having dry skin (no sebum) is no problem. I would rather moisturize everyday than wash oil twice a day:P

Currently, my skin is producing oil again, but probably around 20% of what it used to, which is great. I will speak to my dermatologist next appointment to talk about why this is happening. She wanted to increase my dosage but if the oil is returning, I would expect the same to happen a month after increasing the dosage.

If you want to consider an alternative to accutane for now, I would recommend you seek an endocrinologist. Ask your doctor to refer you. I believe our abnormally oily skin is due to hormone imbalances (specifically testosterone). My dermatologist even wrote me a blood test request, but I made up my mind. I wanted to try accutane because studies suggest it shrinks the oil glands, and some people claim to have dry skin after accutane.

I will post pictures soon as I have access to my laptop.

[Vanessa2002]

I would not worry about your skin getting oily again right now. The first three months of accutance the skin always goes crazy. Usually the real and lasting improvement does not show until the fourth month. But it may be a good idea to up the dosage. And with the higher dosage your skin may not get oily again, but stay dry. Just try it.
Thank you for your recommendation with the endocrinologist. But I don't think I'll seek treatment at the moment. I am a college student, and right now I am abroad and next semester I will do an internship in London. So right now I am away from "my" doctors and I don't want to start a treatment in one country and continue it in another. I will wait until I am back home (which won't be until next year ) and continue treatment at my dermatologist, who has known my skin for years.

I do think that my acne is due to hormonal imbalances. Mine is genetically caused, I've got it from my mother (who has it from her mother ). I am just fed up with trying tons of different treatments, nothing helps. I think the only thing that really works is accutane. I just want accutane to reduce oil and sebum production and be done with acne FOREVER. I don't have the patience anymore to try out other stuff.

Edited by Vanessa2002, Today, 10:44 AM.

[B552299G]

I totally hear what you guys are saying about oily skin. Oily skin is such a pain! Even when you try to dry it out with washes and topicals, it still looks oily an hour later and feels tight and irritated. One of the things that made me and my derm decide on accutane was that it is clinically proven to reduce oil and the size of the oil glands. This is what was contributing to my cysts we belive because I only get them where my skin is most oil (chin). Hopefully after accutane we will have a more balanced complexion with regular healthy sebum production. But you know what they say, people with slightly oilier skin don't wrinkle as much so at least we'll all stay youthfull at least