I think the color match looks great! I think the pink is because of the acne/accutane. Good job Becca. And I love the Aveda girl story too - she sounded awesome.

Thanks, ladies. I think I'm going to stick with the Aveda for a week and test a couple of different shades of mineral powder. Thanks for your help! I'll be glad to find something that works for me, is healthier than what I've been using, and makes me feel comfortable!

Crazy about your iron levels. It's inspiring me to get mine checked again. I'm so unbelievably tired. I'm concerned about my adrenals and this medicine. I'm thinking of taking rhodiola this week because I feel completely flattened out.

Hooray for things flattening out on your face! I love to hear that. Soon, your skin will be baby soft.

I know how you feel about the Cerave not being the most natural, but I once read that it was okay to use a face wash with parabens since it just gets rinsed off right away. It's not like it's sitting on your skin all day long being absorbed into your bloodstream. Plus, I have yet to find a face wash other than Cerave that doesn't irritate the crap out of my skin. This has been the case for years even before Accutane. It's the only kind I trust.

Hope you're doing well!

I <3 CeraVe products. Seriously like a dream.. I always joke they should pay me because I'm a total spokesperson for them. I just think their products are great. Not natural but great.

Day 38

Week 6

I think I'm probably hooked on the CeraVe foaming cleanser...so much more gentle and soothing!!

I have some new breakouts going on in the last two days. A little one on my cheek, an inflamed whitehead above my lip, and a monster whitehead right on my damn forehead - front and center. I've also got a big one just starting to push through on my chin - I was hoping that one was just going to flatten out but it's decided to come out of hiding. I still have a lot of bumps that aren't really active but not flat yet - probably at least seven of them between my jaw line and my cheeks. Yuck.

I can't believe I've really had no additional side effects after a week on 60mg...I find that a little strange and I hope it doesn't mean that the meds aren't working, though I'm sure that's not what it means...

In other random news, I'm considering cutting my below shoulder length hair and getting a PIXIE cut...super short, I know, right.. I just love the idea of something so super simple since I'm getting extremely annoyed with dealing with my straw head of hair and keeping it in a boring ponytail all the time. Such a drastic change though and I'm worried that it won't look good...I feel like women who pull it off best have really good facial features...and we all know I'm not quite there yet. My boyfriend was super sweet when I said "I don't know if I can pull this haircut off because I don't look like all these girls (actresses) in the pictures"...he said "No...they don't look like YOU" <3

Thinking about everyone and sending good vibes to all of you for healing

Oh my god so sweet! Your boyfriend sounds like a real keeper! I say to for it, get the cut. Something new and fun and if your hair is dry and brittle you will be able to get rid of the bad hair! I've had my same hair cut for like 10 years. I have no balls to get anything done. I get a trim and I am like nooooo I miss my length! I have really thin hair and a small amount of thin hair it is stick straight no wave or anything so layers are out of question because my hair falls flat. I used to have a bowl cut when I was a kid like above my ears short. All my sisters had it. I don't know what my mom was thinking. But I hated it. So I avoid short hair now lol

Awwww that is so sweet of your boyfriend! I have had short hair for most of my life, and am just now growing it out. It's shoulder length which is a huge change for me! I think it's important to make big changes every once in a while, and I especially felt great having short hair and clear skin. It feels so liberating! Even more so is not having to do much to it.

I'm really, really happy you love the Cerave face wash. It's the BEST!

Day 38

Week 6

I can't believe I've really had no additional side effects after a week on 60mg...I find that a little strange and I hope it doesn't mean that the meds aren't working, though I'm sure that's not what it means...

 

Don't believe for a second that a daily dose of accutane is not affecting your body. Do a quick google search into some medical research on the affects of accutane on the body.

Be thankful you aren't feeling any side effects now. I started feeling lower back pain almost from the beginning. I still have it now. When I increased my dose, my nose started to bleed and get really dry.

Oh my god so sweet! Your boyfriend sounds like a real keeper! I say to for it, get the cut. Something new and fun and if your hair is dry and brittle you will be able to get rid of the bad hair! I've had my same hair cut for like 10 years. I have no balls to get anything done. I get a trim and I am like nooooo I miss my length! I have really thin hair and a small amount of thin hair it is stick straight no wave or anything so layers are out of question because my hair falls flat. I used to have a bowl cut when I was a kid like above my ears short. All my sisters had it. I don't know what my mom was thinking. But I hated it. So I avoid short hair now lol

 

I've had short hair plenty in my life, but never a pixie style (except when I was a kid when my mom was clearly not thinking straight, like yours!) My hair is weird and I just don't know what to do with it. I've had great cuts before but they just don't seem to last anytime.

Awwww that is so sweet of your boyfriend! I have had short hair for most of my life, and am just now growing it out. It's shoulder length which is a huge change for me! I think it's important to make big changes every once in a while, and I especially felt great having short hair and clear skin. It feels so liberating! Even more so is not having to do much to it.

I'm really, really happy you love the Cerave face wash. It's the BEST!

 

Gina, how short is the shortest you've had your hair???

This is what I love:

I think she is GORGEOUS.

Day 38

Week 6

I can't believe I've really had no additional side effects after a week on 60mg...I find that a little strange and I hope it doesn't mean that the meds aren't working, though I'm sure that's not what it means...

 

Don't believe for a second that a daily dose of accutane is not affecting your body. Do a quick google search into some medical research on the affects of accutane on the body.

Be thankful you aren't feeling any side effects now. I started feeling lower back pain almost from the beginning. I still have it now. When I increased my dose, my nose started to bleed and get really dry.

 

Hi there. I don't actually think it's not affecting my body. Just commenting that it's a little surprising that my side effects have not changed or increased at all with my dosage increase. I definitely have several side effects - just nothing additional since going to 60mg.

Hope your course is going well!

OMG HER HAIR IS SOOO CUTE!

I have had it pretty much that short before. Also a bit longer, with long layers and long bangs, but very short on the sides and back. I think long side-swept bangs are so hot.

Crazy banana says do it!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

OMG HER HAIR IS SOOO CUTE!

I have had it pretty much that short before. Also a bit longer, with long layers and long bangs, but very short on the sides and back. I think long side-swept bangs are so hot.

Crazy banana says do it!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

I want something low maitenance. I'm worried if I keep it too long that I'll have to keep it styled to keep it out of my face. But also worried if I go too short, I'll look like a guy!

I worried about looking like a guy with a short haircut, but you won't, cause you're NOT a dude. Hah It really emphasizes your eyes and opens up your face. I think short haircuts are really wonderful.

Day 40

Month 2/Week 6

Still breaking out!! Ack! I have 8 active bumps on my face and a lot of stuff under the skin, just sitting there...either waiting to push out or hopefully just flatten out. My face is dry but not flaking.

I also have a lone zit on my back....and I've never had acne anywhere other than my face... probably not a big deal though.

The corner of my mouth is cracking which is a bit painful. My ears are dry and I actually had a spoton my earlobe get so dry that it started bleeding. Eyes are pretty dry by the end of the day, but still able to wear my contacts. I have a big patch of scaly skin on my ring finger, but I think it will heal as long as I don't have a ring on it and I keep it moisturized.

Tired today.

Awww Becca! Hang in there! It's a long road but you'll be okay. My ears are super dry too - I thought maybe that was just a "me" thing on this medicine. Sometimes they peel and get irritated so now I'm moisturizing them - blech. You'll feel a little better about the side effects once your skin starts clearing better and it will, don't worry!

Awww Becca! Hang in there! It's a long road but you'll be okay. My ears are super dry too - I thought maybe that was just a "me" thing on this medicine. Sometimes they peel and get irritated so now I'm moisturizing them - blech. You'll feel a little better about the side effects once your skin starts clearing better and it will, don't worry!

 

Thanks, Stacey! How are things going for you?

Well I woke up this morning to another nasty whitehead on my cheek, plus another zit on my neck (the second one this week!) The small under the skin stuff on my jawline just won't flatten out.

I guess all in all, my skin is better than before I started Accutane and better than weeks 3-4 when I had what I think could be classified as my IB. I'm only in Week 6 so I know I have a long way to go....will try harder to be patient!

Awww Becca! Hang in there! It's a long road but you'll be okay. My ears are super dry too - I thought maybe that was just a "me" thing on this medicine. Sometimes they peel and get irritated so now I'm moisturizing them - blech. You'll feel a little better about the side effects once your skin starts clearing better and it will, don't worry!

 

Thanks, Stacey! How are things going for you?

Well I woke up this morning to another nasty whitehead on my cheek, plus another zit on my neck (the second one this week!) The small under the skin stuff on my jawline just won't flatten out.

I guess all in all, my skin is better than before I started Accutane and better than weeks 3-4 when I had what I think could be classified as my IB. I'm only in Week 6 so I know I have a long way to go....will try harder to be patient!

 

It's so hard to be patient isn't it?? And sometimes it's a few steps forward and then a big step back. But I keep thinking of Katie (kaydon) and her skin looks amazing now and she was breaking out a lot during her course.

My 80mg has really kicked in. My chin is a lot drier, lots of flaking which is a pain but it's good cuz that's my problem area. The new one I got under my chin when I bumped up has popped and is healing in that lovely scabbing, peeling, bleeding way but it is healing and with no oil on my face it's a lot easier to cover. I have an old hard bump on my forhead that's finally come to the surface and it just peels and peels but it is getting flatter very slowly - just super red but I have bangs so it's covered most of the time. Still have two or three small old bumps to the right of my chin towards my jaw that aren't visible but I know they are there and I really want them gone. Some days I think they're smaller and some days I feel like they haven't changed at all. I see my derm in two weeks so I'll be asking her about that. Overall though things are much better than when I wasn't on accutane just not where I want to be yet. But I've got about 71 days to go so hopefully that will be enough. Trying to stay positive and patient just like you!

I've kind of given up on my hair too. I hardly EVER used to wear it tied up but now it's tied back every day.

If you think you'd suit the shorter hair then go for it. But if you are unsure, I wouldn't do it. You wouldn't really want the added insecurity of your hair along with the skin stuff, I know I wouldn't anyway. Just keep putting it back, it saves so much time in the morning

I know it's hard, but stay strong! It'll all be worth it in the end when you have clear skin!

My face is very angry tonight maybe this is due to my dose increase (started 11 days ago)

On 8/15/2012 at 10:35 PM, Tiger 1 said:

It's so hard to be patient isn't it?? And sometimes it's a few steps forward and then a big step back. But I keep thinking of Katie (kaydon) and her skin looks amazing now and she was breaking out a lot during her course.

My 80mg has really kicked in. My chin is a lot drier, lots of flaking which is a pain but it's good cuz that's my problem area. The new one I got under my chin when I bumped up has popped and is healing in that lovely scabbing, peeling, bleeding way but it is healing and with no oil on my face it's a lot easier to cover. I have an old hard bump on my forhead that's finally come to the surface and it just peels and peels but it is getting flatter very slowly - just super red but I have bangs so it's covered most of the time. Still have two or three small old bumps to the right of my chin towards my jaw that aren't visible but I know they are there and I really want them gone. Some days I think they're smaller and some days I feel like they haven't changed at all. I see my derm in two weeks so I'll be asking her about that. Overall though things are much better than when I wasn't on accutane just not where I want to be yet. But I've got about 71 days to go so hopefully that will be enough. Trying to stay positive and patient just like you!

I'm really not seeing much change with my bump to 60mg except that I'm breaking out more. Things aren't really any more dry than they were. My forehead had been really clear (and never has been one of my bigger problem areas), but now I have three bumps on it. I'm really red too!

On 8/15/2012 at 11:22 PM, heather135 said:

I've kind of given up on my hair too. I hardly EVER used to wear it tied up but now it's tied back every day.

If you think you'd suit the shorter hair then go for it. But if you are unsure, I wouldn't do it. You wouldn't really want the added insecurity of your hair along with the skin stuff, I know I wouldn't anyway. Just keep putting it back, it saves so much time in the morning

Hi Heather. I thought a lot about the hair and I've decided to do it! I actually think it may boost my confidence to make this change. I've been trying to take better care of my appearance lately....trying to stop biting my nails, purchasing a few new clothes, paying more attention to my makeup....I'm 30 and look very young (especially with acne) and trying to boost my confidence by showing my age a little better.

On 8/15/2012 at 11:58 PM, redhead rachel said:

I know it's hard, but stay strong! It'll all be worth it in the end when you have clear skin!

Thanks, Rachel! So glad to see your lovely skin shining through

[Removed]

OMG I hope you love the hair!! Post photos please!

Hi Becca-

I haven't posted in a while but I've still been keeping up with you. I do see improvement¦ I know it's hard to be patient but I know this will kick in and work!

Good job with the light foundation picture! I know most of you are into natural products¦ but I have had great success with a concealer palette from Target.

/> http://www.target.com/p/sonia-kashuk-hidden-agenda-concealer-palette/-/A-733031?ref=tgt_adv_XSG10001&AFID=Google_PLA_df&LNM=%7C733031&CPNG=health%20beauty&ci_sku=733031&ci_gpa=pla&ci_kw=

This has 3 concealers (1 light, 1 darker, and 1 greenish to neutralize with first) and 1 powder. For the price, this works wonders on acne and redmarks. I put on my usual foundation and then use a small brush to cover each spot, and finish off with a dab of the poweder. It has been amazing and hasn't caused anything to get worse for me.

As for your hair- you can always go shorter so I would play around with gradually making it short. I love the short cut but for me¦ I know there is a chance I would regret it and theres no going back! But- you need to follow your own heart on that one

Oh- and I use coconut oil all the time in my hair. It is pretty amazing stuff. I live in Florida and have a job that keeps me in the water all the time- so this is a great product to soften hair up a bit (and it smells wonderful). I've also used many many leave-in conditioners and have found one that I adore. It is heavy- and I don't use this if I plan on fixing my hair that night (it can weigh it down) but it is very moisturizing. It is technically for ethnic hair- and my hair is blonde- but it has worked great for me (and it's CHEAP!)

/> http://www.target.com/p/cantu-leave-in-conditioning-repair-cream-16-oz/-/A-13044151

Hope this helps! Hang in there!!!

OMG I hope you love the hair!! Post photos please!

 

I LOOOOVE it. I'm not keen on posting my whole face publicly, but I'll be glad to PM you a pic!

It's like all of a sudden I have a FACE - you can see my face shape/bone structure, my blue eyes... it actually takes away from my acne (I was afraid the short style would accentuate the imperfections but it doesn't!)

Hi Becca-

I haven't posted in a while but I've still been keeping up with you. I do see improvement¦ I know it's hard to be patient but I know this will kick in and work!

Good job with the light foundation picture! I know most of you are into natural products¦ but I have had great success with a concealer palette from Target.

http://www.target.co..._gpa=pla&ci_kw=

This has 3 concealers (1 light, 1 darker, and 1 greenish to neutralize with first) and 1 powder. For the price, this works wonders on acne and redmarks. I put on my usual foundation and then use a small brush to cover each spot, and finish off with a dab of the poweder. It has been amazing and hasn't caused anything to get worse for me.

As for your hair- you can always go shorter so I would play around with gradually making it short. I love the short cut but for me¦ I know there is a chance I would regret it and theres no going back! But- you need to follow your own heart on that one

Oh- and I use coconut oil all the time in my hair. It is pretty amazing stuff. I live in Florida and have a job that keeps me in the water all the time- so this is a great product to soften hair up a bit (and it smells wonderful). I've also used many many leave-in conditioners and have found one that I adore. It is heavy- and I don't use this if I plan on fixing my hair that night (it can weigh it down) but it is very moisturizing. It is technically for ethnic hair- and my hair is blonde- but it has worked great for me (and it's CHEAP!)

http://www.target.co...oz/-/A-13044151

Hope this helps! Hang in there!!!

 

Hi there! I couldn't be happier with my short hair! So glad I followed my heart as you said

I love the coconut oil too and I have another shea butter hair treatment (from Target) that I mix with it. It's very nice but you're right, it's weighs it down.

Thanks for the tips on the makeup! I *think I have found a good match for me in my Aveda tinted moisturizer and Alima Pure mineral powder. It took me a while to figure it out. I don't put on concealer but I'm sure it would help my appearance if I did!

How are things going for you??

Day 45

Month 2

Week 7

I was improving in week 5-6 but the end of week 6 into week 7 has brought on some more breakouts. They are mostly concentrated on my cheeks. My jawline is still in pretty good shape, which is where I normally had the most problems. Still have a few bumps there under the skin that are taking a long time to flatten out, but they aren't inflamed/active. The active bumps I do have are scabbing over, bleeding, scabbing over...fun.

Side effects... Still suffering from random fatigue, which is annoying. My nostrils are extremely dried out and have been bleeding a tiny bit. Saline spray helps. Some random skin peeling below my nose and on my toes but otherwise my skin is in pretty good shape. I always wake up dehydrated, and lately I've had some very slight joint pain in my ankles and toes when I wake up. My lips are in pretty good shape with the exception of a small crack in one corner.

I chopped off my below shoulder length hair to a pixie-style cut. I was losing a lot of strands, it felt like straw, and it looked like a stringy mess. I kept it up in a ponytail which was boring and unflattering. I was a little hesitant that such a short cut would accentuate the imperfections (to put it mildly!) in my skin but it's really just the opposite...you can see my oval face shape and my blue eyes and it's like it takes away from the acne. I love it!