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I promised myself I'd keep this log as I know how helpful these can be, its the reason I was brave enough to try Accutane to begin with.
Ive been struggling with cystic acne for years, though not as a teenager which would have been preferred. When I was 24 I started breaking out with cystic acne though it wasn't severe, but I thought so at the time (little did I know what severe would turn out to be). So after trying topical treatments I was put on an antibiotic for around 3 months and luckily it worked. I went back to life after that, thankful to be rid of it and have my self confidence back, for years.
Skip forward to almost my 30th birthday and it acne came back but more like a rash around my nose and lips, the dermatologist I saw gave me cream to use and I assumed it would work. Months after using the cream to no avail (which I later found out from another Dr was the compleletly wrong thing to use)I went back and started yet antoher antibiotic thinking that it would work as before. I also decided to try birth control thinking maybe it was hormonal. Six months of using both and my face was worse than it had ever been. I stopped the antibiotic, and decided I'd try a different approach. I cut out dairy, then I cut out gluten, then I tried strickly organic fruits and veggies. Each time I would think it was working but it never cleared up completely. I then tried apple cider vingar, drinking it three times a day and applying it to my skin. I did acutally see a difference but the cysts didn't stop for long, they always popped back up. At this point it had been over a year and I was at my wits end, my self confidence had diminished completely. I started avoiding social gatherings, friends, def wasn't dating, even when I finally met someone I wanted to date. I knew I'd never be able to wake up in the morning with no makeup on and face someone, even if they said they "didn't care". I went on a vaction with a group of people and woke up every day to attempt covering up my face, didn't go swimming, it ruined it for me but I didn't talk about it.
Finally I decided to try beYaz birth control as I heard that despite the side effects it was very effective in treating acne. Needless to say, it aggravated my acne instead of helped.
Fast forward to a month ago, I finally went back to the dermatologist and he walked in with my chart, looked at my face from across the room (with makeup on) and said you've tried everything else, I can only recommend Accutane. Now just like anyone with severe acne, I knew all about accutane, the horrible side effects, the depression, the body pain, headaches, I swore I'd never go there. So as he started to explain that "its not as bad as he's sure I've heard". He explained that I had to start the iPledge program and that I'd have to wait a month, get a blood test and then take another pregnancy test in his office. I left the office with my book and the scary promises of having a deformed baby if I got pregnant and a whole lot of crappy side effects. I got in my car and cried my eyes out that it had come to this. I got home and decided I had to try, I had to get my life back, I didn't think I could get more depressed then the acne has already caused me to become. The Dr also reccommened starting vitamin A, three pills a day for the month I had to wait. I would strongly recommend doing this, after a breakout my cysts calmed down from it and started to dry me out for the month I used it but just like Accutane it did cause joint discomfort and headaches.
So after finding out that one single month was going to cost me $480 I struggled with the decision but needless to say I started Accutane.
Currently I'm on day 8 of 40 mg and i'm still terrified, still not sure what i'm going to wake up and see in the mirror. So far the side effects were headaches every morning for a few hours (like a hangover) and the tinnitus in my ear was worse for a few days. Right now my face is in a weird stage, its dry as can be when I get out of the shower but after a day of makeup its greasy and I never had greasy skin before this. I also had to wear my glasses for the first couple days, the dry eyes started right away,but I also noticed it on the vitamin A alone. I'm still waiting on the initial breakout that everyone talks about. I am getting small pimples on my chin which I don't usually get. My problem area is mostly my cheeks, the poor skin on my cheeks has been so scarred and just generally burned out from topical treatments. I was supposed to start doubling up to 80mg after a week but I've been going through a lot at work and didn't want to feel worse so I put it off, I'm thinking about starting tomorrow, I'm just worried that its too high of a dose (I'm 5'6 and around 150lbs). If anyone could give me words of advice, I'd appreciate it. So far I'm happy with my choice to start Accutane, at least I have hope now.
Sorry for the long log, I just hope that I'll be able to help someone struggling realize that they aren't alone in the hopelessness that comes along with acne.
hi!! i just got done my course a few days over a month ago! i will be honest- the first two months are going to be rough (you may even question why you ever started it)- when i got the I.B from the meds i was a big concerned (being my acne was very moderate). But after about month three to four you will start seeing less and less and from there it will get much better. My skin improved very nicely but i still found to be beaking out- and found out makeup to be causing it- even on accutane! its a powerful drug but personal error can still surpass its power. During the treatment use the bare minimum to get the great results. Like i found that even though my skin was horribly dry i could not use a thick hydrating cream like cerave hydrating cream in the tub because it was just way to thick for my skin- so instead i used cerave hydrating lotion which is in the pump- its very watery, but doesnt feel *cloggy* if that makes sense.
Erhmm. with skin care- just use a basic cleanser ( again) cerave hydrating cleanser (i just love cerave, better than cetaphil.) even though the package isnt as pretty as neutrogena its ingredients are way dominent. Also dont use any exfolient, rag, clerisonic, yadi yadi yada you get the point.
And dont wear foundation ( it was hard for me at first) i felt very nakied and almost like everyone was staring at me. I just used like a concealer on only the really bad spots and delt with that.
The reason i say no foundation is because on the meds not only is your face dry, is that you have to take it off whilst having dry skin- which involves scrubbing, special water cleansers with cotton rounds. And that will create the friction to your already super sensitive skin.
This is getting long sorry- also listen to your body- if you dont feel good because of it or something concerns you dont be afraid to pick up the phone or stop taking it for a while. You are the deciding factor.
Lastly- water... water is your best bud. I know everyone keeps saying this but its true. I drank ( and still do) up to 5000-6000ML per day of water. I had a camel bak waterbottle that helped me with that math hah.
Anyways this was just an *all over the place* post
-Also i never regretted taking the meds 
best of luck! -e
Like most things related to acne, I think the 'don't wear foundation' rule is true for some, but not for others. So it's not really a rule or an absolute like it is being phrased.
If it helps you, don't fear it. For sure some people's skin doesn't like it, and if you think your makeup might be bothering you, it is worth a try to give it up. However, personally I don't break out from foundation and would be lost right now without it. In fact, it wasn't until I started wearing foundation during my first course of Accutane that I cleared up. I think because it helped me to not think about it as much, go out and be happy, etc, etc.
So while it may be not great for some, it is a saviour for others like me.
Thank you for your posts. Personally I'd never leave the house without concealer and foundation. I don't even let my family see me without makeup, I'm borderline crazy about it. I don't think its causing any breakouts because I've switched brands a few times and it never made a difference. I just cant wait to go without it. The day I leave the house with no makeup I might just throw a huge party!
I started taking 80mg today, and though I'm worried about the dosage I just want to get it over with sooner than later. I'll see how my body tolerates it and decide from there. Thanks for the helpful tips!
I'm with you - I'm not skipping foundation, or makeup at all, to be frank. If your skin can tolerate it, you're good. You know your skin better than anyone else.
What products are you using? I can't use the Cetaphil or CeraVe that everyone on here (and seemingly every other accutane board on the Intarwebs) raves about, so I'm always on the lookout for products that do the job but aren't necessarily the "gold standard" when it comes to accutane.
So Im currently on month 5, taking 80mg a day. Im pretty disappointed so far. I mean I'm not getting the huge cysts anymore but overall I feel like I broke out way more than before Accutane. Im also pretty worried about the scaring. I can only afford to do one more month, I go for my final bloodwork tomorrow then to the derm on Thursday. He hasn't said much in regards to my skin, doesn't even get a close look, just tells me it will continue to get better. Has anyone had drastic improvement from month 5 to month 6. I just want normal skin again.
As far as side effects, I think the depression thing let up, at first I felt pretty thrown off and was crying for no reason but Ive had depression problems way before Accutane. It could just be depression from hiding like a recluse from acne in general.
If anyone has finished Accutane and wants to give me any input i'd appreciate it! And good luck to everyone currently on it.