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Day 30
So I'm officially done with my second packet of 'Tane... at the moment, my skin is alright. My forehead is completely smooth, which is shocking, AND! I have no blackheads on my nose, which is incredible, because I'm used to looking in the mirror and seeing a multitude of black dots going from my nose up to my forehead, and across my cheeks. They've all just disappeared. I'm still getting occasional nodules which flatten out fairly quickly, and I have a couple of "proper" blackheads (the bigger kind that you don't usually get on your nose... unless that's just me) around my mouth, but nothing major. I'm amazed at the fact that I don't have to blot oil off my skin... at all. Nope. 3PM, I go to the ladies room at work, and my skin is still matte.
Still have the chapped lips and dry eyes, my skin tends to flush a fair bit, but that's generally the extent of it so far... knock on wood. I have my next dermatologist appointment in a week and a half.
So excited for you girl! I am only on day 5 but I can already start feeling a little bit of the side effects (or is it all in my head? who knows...)
I just feel a bit groggier then usual. But hell, I will take groggy for 5 months to have clear skin
Yay glad that your nose and forehead are getting nice and smooth! 
Isn't not having oily skin the best feeling ever? I used to buy those like oil blotting makeup pads from cvs, but hopefully I won't be needing them anymore!!! Congrats on one month down!! Good luck with your derm visit!
Yay glad that your nose and forehead are getting nice and smooth!
Isn't not having oily skin the best feeling ever? I used to buy those like oil blotting makeup pads from cvs, but hopefully I won't be needing them anymore!!! Congrats on one month down!!
Thanks Kasey! 
It seriously is amazing, almost bizarre. You won't be needing the oil sheets soon, seriously, once the oil stops, it seems to just stop dead instead of gradually.
Good to hear your progress is going well. Dry, matte skin is probably the best side effect ever.
Thank you! Yeah it is pretty awesome. My makeup looks the same when I get home from work as it does when I leave.
I'm actually not wearing foundation today... I finally felt brave enough. I did use powder, but only because my moisturizer makes my face look shiny and I don't have enough time before work to let it "sink in". 
So yeah, no foundation! First time in probably five years.
Hi Elle, wow time flies when youre having fun...kicking acne's arse!
I can imagine its quite a huge step ditching the foundation, it took me years to be able to do this. Im quite actually shocked at how well and fast this is progressing for you, and you deserve a break!
As for matte--hell yeah chica, you can keep your 'dewy" anyday lol
Hi Elle, wow time flies when youre having fun...kicking acne's arse!
I can imagine its quite a huge step ditching the foundation, it took me years to be able to do this. Im quite actually shocked at how well and fast this is progressing for you, and you deserve a break!
As for matte--hell yeah chica, you can keep your 'dewy" anyday lol
I like how relaxed it is, not having to put stuff on my face every day and worry about spending lots of money on stuff that doesn't work. It's just relieving. Like I don't have to try anymore... it gives me more time to worry about other insignificant things.
I will also probably save money on foundation, too. The mineral powder I use costs $40 a pop. 
I do need more regular powder though. It doesn't really cover anything, and it sounds weird, but it makes me feel more comfortable for now to feel like I'm wearing something on my face. Just until I can stop feeling overexposed without my foundation on. I think the best thing is that I could never really find a perfect match for my skin, even though the stuff I was using was pretty close, so once my red marks fade, well, there's no better match than just bare skin right?
I'm on my 33rd day today, only a bazillion more to go! I'm on 20mg until I can see my derm (in a week and a bit, something like 10 days) so he can put my dosage up, I am thinking 40mg sounds good because 20mg works, and the side effects are minimal but I don't want to be on 'Tane forever.
I'm really happy you've seen such quick progress with your skin, have lots of fun and do everything that you felt you couldn't do before because of it!
I'm happy too!
Looking good Elle (powder or not)! My skin is too dry to wear any kind of makeup (and I actually don't want to because I'm afraid it'll aggrivate my skin) I had orientation about two weeks ago and only wore a mineral powder, but after like two hours, I started to flake noticeably. I couldn't wait to get home to wash it off...ugh! And I love your kitty
Day 35
Not much has changed, still getting one or two random spots. The weird thing is, they seem to scale over and stay kind of solid beneath the surface... I have to try really hard to resist popping them because I know they will pop, but I'll likely end up scarring.
On that subject... now that my skin is a lot drier and clearer, I'm starting to notice that my skin is quite a lot more scarred than I thought. They're shallow, but still indented, and the situation I guess isn't fantastic. 
I'm hoping that once I'm done with my course and my skin isn't so dried out, some of the moisture returning to my skin will make it a bit less obvious.
My next derm appointment is next week on Monday, I'm sort of thinking I will ask for 60mg, just so I can get through my course a bit faster. If I have any really uncomfortable side effects, I'll just have to either stick it out or make an appointment to have it dropped again. I'm around 65kg or so, so 60mg I think should be okay for me.
Looking good Elle (powder or not)! My skin is too dry to wear any kind of makeup (and I actually don't want to because I'm afraid it'll aggrivate my skin) I had orientation about two weeks ago and only wore a mineral powder, but after like two hours, I started to flake noticeably. I couldn't wait to get home to wash it off...ugh! And I love your kitty
Glad to hear things are still going well.
I'd guess the visible scarring is due to the skin drying out. Plus if the Accutane thins the skin, they will look more obvious. That will fade when the Accutane's done and the skin thickens out again. It will plump up again as well so the indents will even out. That is, as long as can manage to live pimples alone because you'd probably end up doing more damage than you would have pre-Accutane when the skin wasn't as fragile.
That would be my biggest problem, not popping pimples and so on. Well, it actually is my biggest problem. Maybe I need to start walking around with my hands tied behind my back or something... 
Just looking at the day count, reckon that's gone pretty quick. I'm a day behind on the Doxy and it doesn't feel like it's been more than a month. I remember when we started actually, I was enjoying the sunshine at the time. It's well and truly vanished here, suppose that's it for about six months. I guess it's paying you a visit down under now. Can you send it back please? 
Glad to hear things are still going well.
I'd guess the visible scarring is due to the skin drying out. Plus if the Accutane thins the skin, they will look more obvious. That will fade when the Accutane's done and the skin thickens out again. It will plump up again as well so the indents will even out. That is, as long as can manage to live pimples alone because you'd probably end up doing more damage than you would have pre-Accutane when the skin wasn't as fragile.
That would be my biggest problem, not popping pimples and so on. Well, it actually is my biggest problem. Maybe I need to start walking around with my hands tied behind my back or something...
Just looking at the day count, reckon that's gone pretty quick. I'm a day behind on the Doxy and it doesn't feel like it's been more than a month. I remember when we started actually, I was enjoying the sunshine at the time. It's well and truly vanished here, suppose that's it for about six months. I guess it's paying you a visit down under now. Can you send it back please?
I think you are probably right. I just hate how it looks at the moment. I guess patience is key! It does feel like the past month has flown by, I think because I have one less thing to genuinely worry about now, and for that I am thankful. I do need to learn not to pop the suckers. I'm not doing myself any favours. But it's something I'm so accustomed to doing, especially when I get one that really hurts that I know will feel better if it's squeezed, but then I never feel good about it afterwards.
I can't enjoy the sunshine now. I feel like my skin is burning, I'm like a freaking vampire!
Your new profile picture is very nice, by the way!
I can't enjoy the sunshine now.
I feel like my skin is burning, I'm like a freaking vampire!
Your new profile picture is very nice, by the way!
See! All those rays are wasted on you right now! Send it back here, damn it! 
Actually, my doc did say I was supposed to avoid excessive amounts of sun on this higher dose. And alcohol. I got all excited when he said those things because he was being all majorly srs bznis about it, made me think it must be good stuff. Yeah, my life is that eventful that I can get excited about acne meds...
Thank you for you kind words on the picture. Seems to have caused quite a fuss. There were reports across the Facebook world of a couple of hundred people going into a state of shock all at the same time at the sight of me smiling. Even managed to upset someone here who said I should leave because there are no signs that I've ever even had acne. Pissed me off at the time, but I guess I should take it as a compliment. 
I can't enjoy the sunshine now.
Your new profile picture is very nice, by the way!
See! All those rays are wasted on you right now! Send it back here, damn it!
Actually, my doc did say I was supposed to avoid excessive amounts of sun on this higher dose. And alcohol. I got all excited when he said those things because he was being all majorly srs bznis about it, made me think it must be good stuff. Yeah, my life is that eventful that I can get excited about acne meds...
Thank you for you kind words on the picture. Seems to have caused quite a fuss. There were reports across the Facebook world of a couple of hundred people going into a state of shock all at the same time at the sight of me smiling.
They are completely wasted on me, indeed. Sigh. Summer is not going to be fun for me.
Well, obviously you were always physically capable! People have done that to me too, by the way, but I'm pretty sure if neither of us had acne, we wouldn't have even looked for the site in the first place... yes, we just like to cruise an acne site because it makes us way cool and all that.
Elle, I missed the fact your one of those crazy southern hemisphere folks
I guess at least it explains this, i assumed you just had quirky tastes;
We also get our prescriptions dropped off to our shacks... by kangaroos.FYI we don't just think it's all about kangaroos and shacks, there's a little thing called 'Neighbours' don't ya know!?
It's a bit off topic but I've got to ask about something thats puzzled me, whats an Australian Xmas card like? We have pictures of Santa in the snow, robins freezing in the ice and that sort of thing, but it doesn't seem appropriate for you in Summer.
PaulH85, i can believe what you're saying about about not drinking- I always enjoy a good binge in Sheffield, I'm Doncaster scum. Small world [if you ignore the top half of this post].
Mark
Hi Mark!
Yeah we are a bit crazy. Oh, Neighbours... I can't believe that show is still running, honestly, and it's the same with Home & Away (which is basically a similar program on a rival network which is based in a beach-side town instead of on a street). Still, the kangaroos offer fast efficient postal service and I don't have to deal with the ornery old women at the Australia Post.
The cards? Mostly Christmas trees and stuff. Basically an odd helter-skelter mix of bastardized trees, snow scenes, summer scenes, Santa on a roof, reindeer, Santa in board shorts and sunnies... Christmas for us, really, is about barbeques and chilling on the porch with the family. I can't even imagine it any other way. I love the feel of it. Everything is so balmy and lazy. Except when it gets above 40 degrees, then it just pisses me off.
Neighbours is full of lies! Liiiiiiies! The world would be a better place if Elle's prescription-delivering Kangaroo friends did the rounds. I'd happily swap my grumpy mail man for a Kangaroo. I'll write to Royal Mail about it and see if they want to take a look at restructuring their workforce. Then again, I don't suppose our bouncy friends would appreciate our climate and we'd just end up with loads of dead marsupials and a backlog of mail....
I received a Christmas card from Australia once and it was a cartoon of a guy on a beach, wearing a cork hat, drinking a beer and hugging and Kangaroo dressed as Santa. Not an especially festive scene, stereotypes-abound, but it did look like fun.
PaulH85, i can believe what you're saying about about not drinking- I always enjoy a good binge in Sheffield, I'm Doncaster scum. Small world [if you ignore the top half of this post].
Hi Mark!
Yeah we are a bit crazy. Oh, Neighbours... I can't believe that show is still running, honestly, and it's the same with Home & Away (which is basically a similar program on a rival network which is based in a beach-side town instead of on a street). Still, the kangaroos offer fast efficient postal service and I don't have to deal with the ornery old women at the Australia Post.
The cards? Mostly Christmas trees and stuff. Basically an odd helter-skelter mix of bastardized trees, snow scenes, summer scenes, Santa on a roof, reindeer, Santa in board shorts and sunnies... Christmas for us, really, is about barbeques and chilling on the porch with the family.
Haha thats quite a mix of cards, everyone else ponders the wonders of the universe and existentialism and that kinda thing but the card issue been bothering me for years. I've finally finished my quest for knowledge thanks to your info 
I suspect your Christmas is better than ours anyway - unless been stuck in a house with dozens of relatives who are long past their sell by date saying 'it's sure cold and/or dark out' floats your boat.
I always think of Home and Away as Neighbours' dirty cousin, funnily enough rather than rivals they're aired straight after each other on the same channel here.
we'd just end up with loads of dead marsupials and a backlog of mail....
Not much change from normal then! ..And it is is very glamorous to us by the way,we're still all wowed with the amazing fact that the actor who played Jeffery ala Fresh Prince of Bel Air comes from Sheffield, as do some of my spoons.
Hi Mark!
Yeah we are a bit crazy. Oh, Neighbours... I can't believe that show is still running, honestly, and it's the same with Home & Away (which is basically a similar program on a rival network which is based in a beach-side town instead of on a street). Still, the kangaroos offer fast efficient postal service and I don't have to deal with the ornery old women at the Australia Post.
The cards? Mostly Christmas trees and stuff. Basically an odd helter-skelter mix of bastardized trees, snow scenes, summer scenes, Santa on a roof, reindeer, Santa in board shorts and sunnies... Christmas for us, really, is about barbeques and chilling on the porch with the family.
Haha thats quite a mix of cards, everyone else ponders the wonders of the universe and existentialism and that kinda thing but the card issue been bothering me for years. I've finally finished my quest for knowledge thanks to your info
I suspect your Christmas is better than ours anyway - unless been stuck in a house with dozens of relatives who are long past their sell by date saying 'it's sure cold and/or dark out' floats your boat.
I always think of Home and Away as Neighbours' dirty cousin, funnily enough rather than rivals they're aired straight after each other on the same channel here.
I thought it was always cold and dark over there? My dad visited this year, says that people wear shorts when we would consider it cold because it's practically a heat wave. My corner of Australia is the hottest and brightest. There has to be a happy medium, seriously.
Hahahaha I don't watch either of the soaps, I think they're godawful, whenever it gets boring they just throw in a "Great Storm" or a bomb threat or kill somebody off. Home & Away just added a throng of buff half-naked surfers and I think the ratings have gone up some.
I thought it was always cold and dark over there? My dad visited this year, says that people wear shorts when we would consider it cold because it's practically a heat wave.
Ha, it's not got the best weather in the world that's for sure. I'm hoping some nice foreign lady (hint hint) will adopt/import me, if it works for those Russian brides it could work for me too!
What dates your next appointment with the wonderful Dr Ooi?