SKIP TO THE BOTTOM IF YOU DONT WANT THE STORY AND JUST WANT TO START THE LOG
Hello, my name is Jon and I'm a 16 year old teenager that is on Accutane (claravis) 60mg daily. I am going to use this forum to provide updates of the good and bad effects of the drug. I will list some important information about myself so anyone can see if they relate
- Have moderate acne only on cheeks (some white heads, more cysts)
- Senior in high school
- Run intense long distance workouts 5 days a week
- Currently on the Paleo diet (will explain below)
- Have used 3 different prescription regimens. My last regimen was Minocycline 100mg daily and Tretinoin
I took the minocycline antibiotic once a day for 3 months, then was increased to twice a day for another five weeks. During that period I also applied Tretinoin once at night each night. I had an initial breakout on Tretinoin that lasted for 2-3 weeks at its worst. The tretinoin and antibiotic combo only could do so much for my stubborn acne. I knew I was going to be prescribed accutane soon and I was afraid of the initial break out. In preparation, I started the Paleo diet (Caveman diet) in order to calm my acne down before I started the treatment. I am also taking one 400 IU Vitamin E pill to help keep my skin healthy. About a week and a half ago I got prescribed Accutane and am almost a week into it. I will post logs about once a week, maybe more depending on how many replies I get. I will answer all questions! Ok here we go
ACCUTANE DAY 6
PALEO DIET DAY 17
Well, there are barely any side effects so far of the medicine. Going on the paleo diet before has already significantly improved my acne. Right now I am the most clear I've been in a long time and I owe it to the diet. I am not experiencing an initial break out, however I did get a pretty big cyst on my chin where I usually dont get acne. I dont know if its from the medicine or not but its not a big deal because its already leaving and I am not getting any more active pimples. As for the dryness, my lips have not been chapped at all and my face is not dry at all either. I owe that to the lotion and chap stick preparation. a few days before I started accutane, I started applying "Aveeno active naturals skin relief 24hr moisturizing lotion" twice a day, as well as "Aquaphor Lip Repair" multiple times daily. I also am stocked up on Dr. Dans lip balm because I heard when your lips get chapped it is a miracle product. Preparing for all these side effects proved to be very useful. Also please ask if you have questions!
PALEO DIET DAY 32
ACCUTANE DAY 21
No initial break out at all, I owe it to the diet. No side effects other than my nostrils are dry. I continue to exercise and lotion my body every day. I only wash my face 1-3 times a day, once with water and once or twice with cetaphil face cleaner. Ill update later on again
PALEO DIET DAY 39
ACCUTANE DAY 28
Not much to update, a few pimples that seem like cysts but end up being white heads. Old scars healing, no crazy breakouts or anything. I think the cause of the few pimples relates to losing some of my good habits like washing my face immediately after working out. I think whenever I see improvement I let myself use that as an excuse to not try as hard. However I've stayed strong on my paleo diet, hadn't had gluten dairy or grains since I started. Still very happy I made the decision to do the diet prior to the treatment.