Update:

Well, the random blemishes are going away quickly and have not done any damage. it's pretty awesome how it stays very small and goes away quickly. I believe it has to do with the fact that I was sleeping really really late this past month. I would wake up all groggy and I would even have cold sores inside my mouth. Get your beauty sleep people.

How long have you been lowdosing for now Yunchang?

241 days

Update:

This weather has been a big no no for my skin. It's either that or dosage has finally caught up to me?! My skin has been a lot more dry than it was a month before. The weather here is getting a lot colder and I run outside a lot. Also, it probably does not help that I always keep my room heated, so it is very dry. My oil levels are still the same though, so I think I will take even less isoretinoin until my skin is more balanced. I love having an oil free face, but I'd rather be a bit more oily than dry and flaky.

We will see, the random blemishes I am having are coming and going, and I thought it was going away until I see that more spots are appearing. Hopefully this breakout passes quickly.

Thank you for keeping up this blog. I and many others really appreciate it. Your skin looks freaking amazing. It looks like the flawless Korean skin that I have always admired. You said in the beginning that all the Korean celebrities are on low doses of Accutane and thats how they maintain their amazing complexions right? Where did you read this from?

I've always thought that the great complexions were results from lasers and photo therapies like IPL but Accutane seems like a feasible reason too.

My skin complexion is like yours. Very light and oily. I was on a heavy dose of 40mg of accutane for 6 months back in 2009. My acne is back now and its not severe but the complexion is really oily and the pores are big with many black heads. The ONLY thing that has ever worked for my skin was Accutane. When I was on it, my pores were non existent and I was amazed at how few blackheads I had.

Nowadays even though my complexion looks greasy with big pores and black heads, I don't get many pimples. However, when I do, I my hyperpigmentation goes insane. Seriously, one tiny pimple on my face will leave a red mark there that lasts over a month. I always get at least one or two pimples a week which wouldn't be that bad for someone who doesn't hyperpigment, but for someone like me with light yellow skin, its more frustrating because of the red mark.

I've tried many things. Jessners, salicylic peels, 2% salicylic acid solutions, benzoyl peroxide, tea tree oil, witch hazel, Retin A, hydroquinone, tazorac but my pores are still always large and filled with oil.

You said you don't use any other products on your face right? Not even sunscreen?

I think I might give this low dosage thing a go. I'm sick of having oily skin, huge pores, and pimples that leave red marks that last several months.

omg. I am sorry I missed your post. going back and reading some of my logs and I finally see it! I said that all Korean celebs are on low doses of tane? I hope I did not say that because that would be an unfounded claim.

Nope! No peels or cortisone. However, I do apply sunscreen every every day! It is a must, in my point of view, since accutane does cause the skin cells to turn over more. Yeah, haha I know what you mean about having light and oily skin. Yeah I got tired of getting clogged pores and the hyperpigmentation to our skin seems to be much more pronounced! I think it is because my skin has always been more pale than others. Good luck! Let me know how you have been.

Big update:

Alright guys the random blemishes from a week back are not stopping! I have never ever had a breakout like this before! it has been 240 some days since I started ultra low dosing, and things were very very good until this month. I am doing some research and rereading some of my logs to see if I changed anything or did something different these past few weeks.

Some things that have changed:

New moisturizer

Moved from very hot and humid climate to dry and cold climate

Skin is a lot more drier

Diet is...still great, maybe increase in rice?

Exercise is same.

I will keep you guys updated, but for some odd reason I am breaking out in tiny red marks all over my face. It is very very strange. It's almost like an allergic reaction lol. Oh well, I will do my best to get back on track. But I wanted to write this down because logging has helped me so much keep track of what works and what does not. I encourage everyone to do so!

Are you sure it's a breakout? I have noticed in the past that some products give me little red bumps. I used to think it was BHA that did it, as this always happened when I tried a product with this in it, but then it also happened once from using a makeup removing cloth with no BHA. Usually it would show up a week or two after I added the new product. Not acne, more like all my pores turned red and hard. Then it just stopped and disappeared when I stopped using whatever it was. But it was all over my face, not just in a few areas like acne tends to be. Also the spots were very small and did not hurt. So, my only thought is that maybe it is the moisturizer if it's more rash like? Could also just be your skin adjusting to the climate. Hope you figure it out!

Are you sure it's a breakout? I have noticed in the past that some products give me little red bumps. I used to think it was BHA that did it, as this always happened when I tried a product with this in it, but then it also happened once from using a makeup removing cloth with no BHA. Usually it would show up a week or two after I added the new product. Not acne, more like all my pores turned red and hard. Then it just stopped and disappeared when I stopped using whatever it was. But it was all over my face, not just in a few areas like acne tends to be. Also the spots were very small and did not hurt. So, my only thought is that maybe it is the moisturizer if it's more rash like? Could also just be your skin adjusting to the climate. Hope you figure it out!

Not sure, I hope it is just because of the new moisturizer. I switched to a new one for now though, just to be safe. Not sure if it is acne or something else. it doesn't hurt or anything and it's not deep. just on the surface of my skin. pores turning red is definitely true for me lol. I'm thinking it is either the new moisturizer like you said, or my skin is getting too dry??? I'll keep u guys updated. Still taking the accutane.

thanks Kim! love it when people help out~

Hey yunchang,

Sorry to hear you are breaking out - your log gives me hope too so it's a double bummer. Acne is a funny thing - can't see why you'd all of a sudden get a breakout after 240 days. Like you say could be dryness - dry skin is irritated skin and never good I find. Maybe diet, lack of sleep, stress?

I know you found 30mg/week too much, maybe you could try 20mg/week and then 30mg/week alternating. Average of 25mg week.

Good luck

yeah it is very strange but i feel like a solution and reason can be confirmed since I can trace when it started and what I did back then. It sucks though cuz I have never broken out like this in years! Right now my skin is dry and flaky, so I am going to lower my dosage of the accutane to more like 3x a month while I am in this freezing climate. I really feel like my skin is not used to this kind of dry and freezing weather and that is why my skin is much drier than before. things look like they are calming down a bit, last night was like I was breaking out in hives. Not even sure that this is acne, an allergic reaction? I do have an allergy to cold too, but never on my face.

the red spots on my face dont hurt at all. Has anyone had this problem before?

edit:

I'm going to start using a heavier moisturizer and decrease my dosage a bit (maybe one 10 mg every 10 days or 2 weeks). I really think I have to adjust like this because the weather here is below freezing!

Just an update.

I do not have acne. I just have a lot of oil (a lot) and blackheads. I took 1 20mg capsules for one week, just to get the substance into my system.

Then I just took 1 20mg last Monday. Just one. I'm going to start taking 1 20mg capsule every 5 days and see how it goes.

I did notice some breakouts, specially on my jawline and one big pimple on my cheek. They are gone now. I do not have dry eyes anymore, but the lips were a problem. They are fine now.

As for my oil levels, I have seen a little bit of an improvement, but I do not want to rush things. I will have to wait and see.

Just a question: What kind of moisturizer do I need to use?

Thanks.

Just an update.

I do not have acne. I just have a lot of oil (a lot) and blackheads. I took 1 20mg capsules for one week, just to get the substance into my system.

Then I just took 1 20mg last Monday. Just one. I'm going to start taking 1 20mg capsule every 5 days and see how it goes.

I did notice some breakouts, specially on my jawline and one big pimple on my cheek. They are gone now. I do not have dry eyes anymore, but the lips were a problem. They are fine now.

As for my oil levels, I have seen a little bit of an improvement, but I do not want to rush things. I will have to wait and see.

Just a question: What kind of moisturizer do I need to use?

Thanks.

one with spf is best. oh and the heaviness of the moisturizer all depends on how dry your skin is. find one that is hydrating enough for you. Right now I have to use a heavy cream because the weather here is very drying. If your skin is fine and supple, then I would suggest using something lighter but please use spf and stay away from sunlight.

Update:

I went to see two derms yesterday and talked to them about this sudden breakout. they wanted to give me doxy to clear it up but I'm not taking it. I told them im just going to wait and sit this dry spell out by reducing accutane dosage per week and using a heavier moisturizer. For the sake of this experiment, I am only going to use accutane. Even though it kinda sucks that I broke out, i believe this is a good learning phase for me. I am understanding that even though I have little oil and the tane is doing it's job, im eating right, i exercise, i sleep well, etc...i can still breakout due to flaky skin and dryness from cold climates. So next time, at the first sign of dryness, i will lower my dosage and switch to a heavier moisturizer. once my skin is supple, i will slowly ease back to my normal dosage and moisturizer. later folks!

Update:

Holy crap. Breaking out like crazy still! it's like an allergic reaction. it's funny cuz this morning it wasn't that bad and nothing new was up. but a couple hours later...bam! my skin sucks in the winter lol i guess i just gotta hang tough. laters!

Are you peeling at all? Propionibacterium acnes feed on skin debris (along with sebum).

Are you more stressed out for any reason?

Are you peeling at all? Propionibacterium acnes feed on skin debris (along with sebum).

Are you more stressed out for any reason?

not peeling now, flaky a bit around the nose. I'm fighting the cold with a heavier cream. Not stressed, maybe a little due to being in a completely new time zone. but i am sure this has to do with the cold weather. I broke out in hives about 12 hours ago, but now those spots have calmed down to almost nothing. it's weird.

well, forehead spots are all gone now. I had a ton a couple days ago in tiny bumpy spots.

Sounds like you're turning a corner. I think it could well be your body adjusting to a new time zone!

Another update:

Getting acne all over my face still! This is really getting out of hand. Face is still dry and lips are getting hammered by this cold and dry weather. Ugh. I've been taking 10 mg per week but imma have to put that on hold until my skin cools down. It is highly unusual that I am breaking out this much. I only recall having this kind of acne when I was in high school! I wish I did not have to go outside so much at work. However, I am still hopeful that something good will happen and my skin will be better than ever soon. Thanks folks.

If it is true acne, don't you think increasing the dose toward 20-40mg per week would be more logical than decreasing it?

I don't think so. Because 10 mg a week was perfect for me when my skin was not dry and hydrated. I had oily skin but not too much. Right now...I have never had such low levels of oil on my face. the accutane did it's job, too much. Now, I want my oil back to protect my face and to hydrate my dry skin. Dry skin increases the chance of dead skin cells clogging pores and the oil is a natural barrier that keeps skin irritant free. Also, dry skin can cause our sebaceous glands to try and produce more oil, and that could be upsetting my face.

cant believe I am saying that i want my oil back. But i do!

If I took more accutane, my skin would just shrivel up! Maybe I do not need accutane any more in my life. I hope this is the case and that my oil levels will stay down like this. After all I have been ultra dosing and the tane has still kept my skin very less oily.

Hey yunchang, was just wondering, with such a low dose accutane regime, do you still need to get blood tests every couple of months?

Hey yunchang, was just wondering, with such a low dose accutane regime, do you still need to get blood tests every couple of months?

 

Yes, you should get blood work done. It's okay if u miss the first few months but once u are on the tane for as long as I have and the tane starts to really take effect (it will even on a low dose!), u should test to be safe.

update:

so my battle against dry skin has turned a corner. I think my moisture is slowly coming back and my skin is healing. humidifier and cetpahil in the tub has really saved me. I think i can slowly get back on tane. I might take it once every 2 weeks from now on. hope my skin heals quickly! I want to look my best for my gf.

I love how you want to look good for your gf! So cute!

Meanwhile, my husband is the only person I feel comfortable around with BAD skin. With everyone else I'm all made up, but with him, I'm just 'fuck it!'. That's what 14 years of togetherness and a kid will do. Lol.

Glad to hear you are doing better.

I love how you want to look good for your gf! So cute!

Meanwhile, my husband is the only person I feel comfortable around with BAD skin. With everyone else I'm all made up, but with him, I'm just 'fuck it!'. That's what 14 years of togetherness and a kid will do. Lol.

Glad to hear you are doing better.

LOL! yeah my gf doesn't give a hoot if I get acne and never makes a big deal of it. So I am much more non-caring about it with her around, but still...I feel at my best when I have clear skin, and I want to be my best for her. Wow, 14 years...that is so beautiful =DDDD

update:

Skin is healing! It was most definitely because of the dryness and flakiness due to the onset of cold cold weather! Been sleeping in a humidified room for the past 3 nights and been slathering on cetaphil heavy petrolatum cream 3x a day, and the irritation and redness is going away! My face feels a lot less tighter too! This was a great learning experience for me. I believe I will take even less accutane per week and see how my oil levels are. My oil levels are currently still low.

So I have started on my low dose accutane regime. I have started on 10mg/day but hope to reduce this after a couple of months to 10mg every second day and then possibly even reduced further till I am at a stage where you are at Yunchang. I have had THREE courses of high dose accutane and even though they work wonders every time, the acne always returns (although not as severe) and so low dosing accutane for a longer period of time may be the way to go for me. I wish there was more research on low dose accutane programs but I suppose there is more important diseases and illnesses that scientific researchers are interested in.

UPDATE:

Well... a little bit of background. I really do not have acne... just the occasional pimple. By real problem is the oil on my face. My oil production is extreme. I have tried every product known to man to control the excessive oil, but nothing has worked.

So, I decided to try Accutane and just by chance (and Google) I ended up in this forum and in this thread.

I bought 30 capsules (20mg each) at a local pharmacy. I live in Mexico. It was kinda tricky to get the prescription (they do not sell Accutane without one). The box with 30 capsules is the equivalent of $60 dollars here.

Well this was my routine: I started taking 1 20mg capsule daily for 7 days (the first week). I didn't notice any reduction of oil during that week. But I did notice the secondary effects: dry lips, dry eyes. My lips were really bad.

After the first week. I decided to start taking 1 20mg capsule every 5 days. I still have dry lips, but they are under control now (thanks, Aquaphor!), but just this week I notice a significant reduction in oil. Finally!

After too many years of trying a lot of facial products, I finally found the solution. So far, so good.

Now I need to find a product to repair my damaged skin.

I will keep posting updates.

Thanks.