Kimmy, did you order the hydrolloid bandages? I know this time around you said you were just using a normal bandaid right? Were you using any neo or polysporn on the cyst as well? I hope the darn thing shrivels up and dies already! 
Sounds like you may be going through an IB -- hopefully it all get out and be done with itself. I use the hydrating gel as my moisturizer right now. I use a tiny bit (about a pea size amount) in my hand and add a couple drops of water and mix and apply to my skin -- i lightly blot any extra off after its rubbed in. Stone crop helps with hyper pigmentation too. Just an overall good thing to put on your skin -- but my God, Eminence products are pricey -- but if they work, I'll be a customer for life! So to answer your question, I wear the gel at night and under my makeup during the day.
I hit my Day 14 yesterday! But it's been two weeks since the Tuesday I started; I counted my first day as Day 1 and not Day 0. LOL. Still major back aches and body aches today; a slightly drier throat and my skin is no longer oily like it was in the beginning of treatment. The zit on the side of my nose/cheek is almost gone and the other clogged pore on my cheek keeps inflaming and de-flaming lol. It has a heart beat of it's own I guess! 
ALSO. I am getting such a dry scalp/dandruff... its bad! I just ordered some special shampoo for this. Any nautral remedies you guys know of or products?
Oh also, Kimmy did you get the VaniPly?? I hope so! (Something I also recommend for lips and dry patches on the skin Abby!)
Abby, so glad you love the Bite Beauty Lip Agave Masque! That stuff is absolutely hydrating and fantastic. I only use it for nighttime treatment right now since its pretty thick, but it's awesome and keeps my lips hydrated all night long! Also, I hear you on the picking... it is a hard thing to resist, but now I know how sensitive our skin can get on accutane and the last thing I want to do is scar even more. I already have two major divits in my chin 
which will probably only heal from either last treatments down the road or derm fillers. Also, I don't really have trouble with blackheads -- i get very few on my nose and virtually none anywhere else. It's always been that way, except one time when I tried a new makeup and it clogged my pores like crazy! It took a lot of AHA to unclog those pores. Finally though they did. The accutane will eventually push those out though! Patience 
I haven't been using any charcoal or clay masques since I started, I do have the Stone Crop masque for when things eventually become very dry -- but I plan to let the accutane work its magic on the acne and i'll focus on the moisturizing.
Brianna, welcome back! Seriously, no apologies needed! It's okay to be busy 
Looking forward to your updates! 
Abby, Brianna, or Megan: Are any of you on instagram sharing your accutane journey?
xx. cristine
Hi everyone! My name is Bree and I just started accutane yesterday! My derm started me off strong on 60 mg and I'm a little nervous because my acne isn't severe. In fact, it's very mild right now - the clearest it's been in probably 6 months! I've had mild-moderate acne on and off for 6 years and am ready to just nip it in the bud. I have very oily skin, so hoping that goes away! I know I've only been taking accutane for a day, but I am experiencing a headache and neck stiffness today and am worried that maybe my dose is too strong or something... Patiently waiting to see what happens next! Hope you don't mind my butting in, but it's been nice to read what all of you are going through and to see what I might have in store for me!
Hi Ladies! So glad we have each other for support! Hi Bree! Im sorry your side effects have already begun=( 60mg is a little high to start off with, but I am sure your dermatologist has a plan for you on this treatment. Is your acne persistent? My dermatologist said it's not necessarily the severity of your acne, however, if it's persistent and you tend to scar easily that can justify accutane. I even used tazorac prior to accutane and that was not helping with my acne, so here I am on accutane. Like you Bree, I have oily skin as well...like by 10am Im shiny. Tomorrow will be 2 weeks for me, and I am still oily. Trust me the day I am not oily anymore I will announce it here!=)
Crisitine! Yes I sure did order the hydrolloid bandages=) I used my very first one last night and I was quite impressed=) I have two of them on right now. I also picked up some Vaniply at Walgreens ( I did have to order it, but it only took a few days=) I do like it!=) I 'll have to try the Bite Beauty lip masque, Im not too dry yet..maybe its because I always have lip balm on them. The cyst on my forehead has gone down significantly, but because I picked at it its still red and kind of formed a scab (because I had the regular bandage on it) and that still has not healed. It looks like when you scrape your knee and there's a mixture of pink fresh skin, scab, and redness all around....note to self...getting those suckers injected next time. I haven't experienced the dry skin on my scalp yet...but the joints were def. sore today. Still using Ricola for my throat. Anyday now, accutane can work its magic=) I am patiently (who am I kidding?!?!) waiting=)
Abby, yes unfortunately I do get blackheads....especially on my nose. I also have them on my forehead, chin, and upper cheek area. Im really hoping the accutane gets rid of all them! Hope you're doing well today. Any new side effects? I used to live on the panhandle..I went to highschool in PCB. I love Florida (not the humidity) but I do miss the beaches.
Megan, how are things going for you? Are you experiencing any side effects? I think I am going through an IB right now because I've just got a bunch of stuff underneath my skin that is tender and it just feels uneven.
Brianna, I hope you're doing well...it sounds like you've got your plate full=) Update when you can=)
I was in Sephora yesterday and actually sampled the Bite lip mask. I'm NOT a fan of super viscous and sticky lip products, this was like MAC lip glass..or glue! Haha. My favorite product to use while on Accutane has beenHomeoplasmine. It's a French cult product that was actually made for sore nipples on nursing mothers but it's basically an all purpose balm and I looooove it. Stocked up on a bunch while I was in Paris. A large tube is much cheaper than the Bite one!
Thanks for the tip on the Homeoplasmine Leciagirl! I only wear the bite beauty masque at night time; right before bed because I too, can't handle the sticky, thick lip products LOL! But it really does stay on all night long. I have used it once under lipstick (a small amount) and it set beautifully. But if I find I don't like it later on during my treatment I'll definitely give Homeoplasmine a try! Thanks again hun!
20 hours ago, Bree17 said:Hi everyone! My name is Bree and I just started accutane yesterday! My derm started me off strong on 60 mg and I'm a little nervous because my acne isn't severe. In fact, it's very mild right now - the clearest it's been in probably 6 months! I've had mild-moderate acne on and off for 6 years and am ready to just nip it in the bud. I have very oily skin, so hoping that goes away! I know I've only been taking accutane for a day, but I am experiencing a headache and neck stiffness today and am worried that maybe my dose is too strong or something... Patiently waiting to see what happens next! Hope you don't mind my butting in, but it's been nice to read what all of you are going through and to see what I might have in store for me!
Hey Bree welcome to our lil page we got going here! 
I think I commented on a diff. page you posted on. I do think 60mg is quite a large dose to start off on. Have you mentioned your concerns to your derm? Are you taking 2 30mg pills a day or 1 60mg?
Bree, did your derm say you would be on it for 6 months? Maybe he or she is putting you on a higher dose for a shorter period of treatment?? Next month as long as my levels are good, I think I will be in either 60 or 80mg. Yeah for no side effects:) I thought I was going to experience them immediately, but nope....I get stuff here and there. Still no dry skin.
Kimmy & Crisitine, how are you guys doing today? I've been reading your posts daily to keep updated although I have not been on to reply. Just remember-in a few months you will have beautiful skin and you will be so much happier with yourselves! To everyone- it may seem like it's a lot to go through right now and it's not fun in the moment, but the results will be worth it. 
Crisitine- I do have an instagram account that you can folllow if you want- however nobody really knows that i'm going on accutane so none of the posts will be related to my progress!
Bree- Welcome! I also have really oily skin! I'm hoping that it goes away pretty soon. After i was on it for about three days, I had the worst headache ever. I normally don't get headaches, but it was bad. I took 3 advil and drank two bottles of water within 10 minutes.. I think that i was already dehydrated for a normal person never the less someone on accutane. With the higher dosage i'm wondering if the side effects will be stronger at first but i'm sure you'll get used to them.
Abby- How are you doing?! The confidence thing literally kills me. I can't wait for the day where i can go to the beach without having to check my skin every 15 minutes, go underwater without the excuse of not wanting to get water in my contacts, walk out of my room without foundation and not feel terrible about myself, look in the mirror when i wake up in the morning and feel good.
As for general updates- Well i've officially been on accutane for over a week! Now i'm majorly knocking on wood right now. I am fully prepared for the dryness and it hasn't hit me yet. I've been chapsticking like 5 times a day so maybe that's why I haven't noticed. Also, i'm actually happier! I think it's because with every pill I take I know that it's working towards something I've been wanting for so long. I can see the future and it looks so bright, I can't WAIT to have clear skin and be happy. I think just knowing that I have control and i'm taking action is putting me in such a good mood. That and I live in Wisconsin- the weather is finally getting warmer! 40 degrees is like a heat wave here haha, and i love the warm weather. As for breakouts, well they've been different. I almost feel like the kind of acne i've been getting has changed. My skin feels smoother. I have about the same amount of acne, but maybe less. Generally, mine varies week by week. Some weeks it™s better, some weeks it™s worse. I don™t want to say that it™s definitely the medicine because it might just be a good week but it has been better than it™s been all month. It also seems to be a bit smoother and softer. The acne is manageable, I can cover it up with makeup and I look how I normally do with makeup. The only thing I™ve really noticed is that I did have a bad headache one night which I normally don™t get. I assume this is because I didn™t hydrate properly that day. Again, waiting for the dryness to hit but I have nothing yet although I might be slightly less oily than usual. I™m chapsticking like a mad-woman so when it hits, I™m ready. I guess that™s all I have for now! It™s going really well, I can™t even tell there™s side effects. So I™m knocking on wood!
That's all for now! I hope you guys are all doing well.
Also, if I spell any names wrong, please correct me! I'm just trying to remember the spellings off the top of my head. But names are important, I don't want to get them wrong! Thank you!
Hey Brianna! So good to hear you're doing well on the medication (besides that horrible headache:( Hopefully you don't experience that too much during your treatment. I agree with you about being happy and taking control. I never would have thought I would be on accutane as I've heard all of the horrible side effects, but now that I'm on it, I'm anxiously waiting for the day when I can see a dramatic difference in my skin. Oh by the way we're neighbors, kinda ( I live in Nebraska:) I'm loving the warmer weather were having too:) That vitamin D is so good for our mood too. I'll just be so happy when acne is the Last thing on my mind.
Christine,
I don™t really have any new side effects.. Just increased joint and back pain. How is your process going? Anything productive to report? I am praying and believing the same thing for you - and all of us! Brianna, so happy to hear your updates and that the weather is also getting better for you in Wisconsin! The weather is finally making it's shift to Spring here in the Pacific Northwest; I live just outside Seattle! Finally some sunshine and low 60's (but usually in the 50's this time of year). I have an accutane instagram account; I seriously recommend you guys get on there, so many wonderful people sharing their journey -- you don't even have to post pics if you don't want to. I just figured if I can help anyone at all, it's worth it! I don't have severe acne -- I have moderate, but persistent cystic acne, but I figure with all my knowledge (12+ years) of studying the skin (as a hobby I suppose lol) and also figuring out what products are good/bad for acne, I want to help anyone I can! My accutane instagram is [Removed personal information] if you want to follow!
Kimmy, how is your cyst doing today? I hope it's calming down by now! 
Nebraska....! You must have some seriously cold winters like Brianna. Is Nebraska a big meat state? Everyone freaks out here when there's a Nebraska steak on the menu! LOL.
Abby, I am currently using the Stone Crop Collection from Eminence Organics; I used these in the past when my skin was clear but once I started breaking out again I switched back to their acne line - but now that I am on accutane I wanted to use stuff that was super gentle on my skin and something that I plan on using post accutane as well. I got this collection tube to try out the products on a smaller scale to make sure my skin would respond okay to them while on accutane...these come in full sizes too, which I plan to buy here shortly. Its a good way to test out the products before investing money into them . Everyone's skin responds differently but I think many accutane users could benefit from how natural and hydrating this line is. I posted a pic yesterday on my IG showing my results using this stuff for 1 month; my hyper pigmentation is far less! I think you'll like the Vaniply, its great and can be used on lips and skin! 
Stone Crop Gel Wash
Stone Crop Hydrating Gel ** my favorite product been using this has my moisturizer, morning and night
Stone Crop Whip Moisturizer
Stone Crop Masque ** totally safe masque to use while on accutane
All this said, two disclaimers: stone crop is a plant and it doesnt smell very beautiful (but not terrible either) also the wash, the gel, and the masque are interesting textures, but if they work, I don't really mind! LOL. Second, Eminence products are expensive but they last SO long. You're suppose to use a small amount of product and mix with a couple drops of water because a little goes a long way. Very concentrated products.
You can buy everything from the http://www.dermstore.com/profile_Eminence_500221.htm
Hope this helps! 
Day 17 Update:
Very achy body, everything hurts. My skin is starting to dry out -- which is more noticeable when I am wearing my mineral makeup. But I'll take that over acne any day! Skin is smoother. Hoping every day gets better. I am going to Palm Springs next week and worried about the dry heat! Lots of moisturizing will be needed and sadly no tanning 
Hello all, thank you so much for the thread. I'm 34, female, six weeks in.
I have found the only thing that help my crazy stingy swollen lips to be pure medical grade Lanolin. Heaps of it. Applied Constantly. I've gone through a 20g tube each week. Initially, I even set an alarm during the night so I'd wake up and re-apply. My derm prescribed some hydro - cortisone to use on the cracks only and another thing for moisture but the Lanolin is better.
Anyone experiencing bad breath?
Hi Everyone! My name is Taylor. I'm 22 and I think (fingers crossed) starting accutane March 23rd. That's when my next term appointment it. After my first I immediately went and took my pee test and yesterday I got blood work done. I have my iPledge login all set up, but I guess I have to go over something with my derm next week and then fill out the questions before I can fill the prescription? Does anyone know how long that takes or am I correct in assuming I can fill that prescription that day? Just want to hurry and start already haha
Hi Taylor I can definitely understand your readiness to begin the process. I played the accutane waiting game with my previous dermatologist for months, and the day she was scheduled to prescribe it to me, she changed her mind and decided not to put me on the medication. I was livid and heartbroken all at the same time. Needless to say, I quickly found a new derm lol. I had to do the one month wait period again, but when she prescribed it to me I was good to go. The pharmacy was set to fill it the same day - so to answer your initial question, yes you should be able to receive your medication quickly after it is prescribed. In order for the pharmacy to fill the prescription, you have to go to your iPledge account and answer some comprehension questions, since accutane is a drug that requires risk management. You'll have to do that every month before picking up your prescription. So make sure you do that prior to making a trip to the pharmacy! My derm didn't tell me about that, so I ran into some trouble with the pharmacy accepting my iPledge authentication so I was put off for a couple of days. If nothing else, I have learned patience through my process so far! Best of luck to you. Can't wait to hear about your journey 
Cristine....I can't seem to get this thing to heal?! I keep applying moisturizer to it, but its not really improving. Im just going to stop doing anything to it. The area is all red and pink. Frustrated with it:( Are Nebraska steaks a good thing there? Lol...we've got Omaha Steaks...they're pretty big. I may give the eminence products a try...but I've got stubborn tough skin, and all the natural stuff doesn't do a thing for my skin. BP hardly makes my skin dry, if at all. It sounds like your treatment is going well:) I just want to get through the next few months as people usually begin to see progress about that time.
SkinnyToad, Ive think ive used lanolin before..I believe I used it when I nursed my babies. Its a great product! Thanks for the suggestion:) How are you feeling about your skin at your 6 week mark?
Hi Taylor, Those 5 weeks I had to wait to start the treatment seemed like forever...I understand how youre feeling. I was able to get my prescription same day....I called my pharmacy too ahead of time to make sure they had the med in stock. It was not bad at all.
Hey Cristine , Thats what I am afraid of (theres feels like there is still a small bump)....but theres nothing I can do about it now because I just want it to heal. I just need to leave it alone. Tomorrow will be 2 weeks that it's been there....they usually have healed by now. Bandaide and accutane might be slowing down the process. On another note, I'm beginning to notice certain parts of my face drying up a bit..sides of my nose, chin area.....forehead is still oily...I guess this would be considered combination skin type.
Hi All,
I officially started accutane 4 days ago and reading your posts is helping me to prepare for what is about to happen.
Ive been dealing with mild but persistent acne that scars a lot for 7 years now. Ive tried 4 different oral and 3 topical antibiotics. Only Tetralysal which was the first antibiotic that I had tried, worked for almost a year. It was the best year of my life!
I really didnt want to go on roaccutane due to the side effects and the famous initial breakout it comes with but enough is enough. Dont want to be depressed because of my skin anymore, dont want to cancel on my friends, hide from my boyfriend, call in sick when my zit bursts and Im left with a bleeding scar. Im done.I will be done in 6 months.
Im 172 and weight 50 kg so my dermatologist prescribed me 20 mg of accutane for the first month and I will be taking 40 mg from next month. Im terrified of the initial breakoutL. Ive been also put on amoxicillin to hopefully decrease the initial flare ups. We will see how it goes.
Day 4not much to report except the fact that Im thirsty all the time and Ive got weird pulling sensation on my lips.
Kimmy, so happy to hear parts of your face are drying out -- I am in the same boat as you... and my upper lip on the underside area is starting to dry out too.... NOOOOOOO 
Lol. Ointment, ointment, ointment! 
How many days are you on accutane now?
Hi Maggie! Thanks for stopping by I think accutane is everything we all have been needing but we've been too afraid to try it!... I am happy we are all in this together! 
20mg is considered a very, very low dose and I would be shocked if you got a huge IB... I wouldn't stress too much about it since it is such a low dose. Accutane doesn't work like other prescription medications, its about slowly building up a level of isotretinioin in the body; meaning that the therapeutic effects of it won't start until you reach a certain level (and that level is different for everyone), but usually thats when your 2-3 months in... Isotretinoin was first used as a chemotherapy, and the are prescribing it that same way today for acne. So once your body gets enough of the medication, you can have an IB because it's "pushing" whatever is left in your pores out. The antibiotic should help with keeping bacteria levels down on your skin. I took doxy up until a few days before accutane to help with this too. But my gut would be destroyed if I were on both accutane and amox right now (but I have a weak gut to begin with!)
I too got that pulling sensation on my lips, just keep hydrating, internally and externally, 24/7! This will all be worth it in 6 months time. I know it...! 
16 hours ago, Fairlie said:Hi Everyone! My name is Taylor. I'm 22 and I think (fingers crossed) starting accutane March 23rd. That's when my next term appointment it. After my first I immediately went and took my pee test and yesterday I got blood work done. I have my iPledge login all set up, but I guess I have to go over something with my derm next week and then fill out the questions before I can fill the prescription? Does anyone know how long that takes or am I correct in assuming I can fill that prescription that day? Just want to hurry and start already haha
Hi Taylor! Welcome You'll be starting accutane on my birthday! (March 23rd) You have to go over a few paperwork things with your derm and sign a waiver (at least I had to)... After the pee test and blood test come back okay, your derm will enter you in iPledge as passing the physical tests (and they will fill your rx with your pharmacy), but then you have to go online and answer your questions in iPledge, & once you do that your pharmacy will get notified that you completed the online questions. Btw, make sure you pharmacy carries accutane! iPledge has a search area to show you were in your area you can get it and bring your ipledge card with you to the pharmacy. Hope this helps! I took my physical tests Feb 29 and got the pills March 1st, but since you already took the tests I would assume March 23rd you'd get to start!
Cristine¦my birthday is on the 27th of March. I™ll be 27 years old on the 27th of March. Happy Birthday to us 
Don™t know about you but I haven™t even made any plans cause I don™t know how I™m going to look like. It™s Easter weekend as well, I will be off work for 4 days and I™ve got no plans. It doesn™t sound like me at all.
Thanks a lot for your reply. I really hope not to get a horrible IB. Just like you I was on doxy before starting roaccutane. Had to beg the derm for amox. My gut is so used to taking antibiotics that one more will not make a difference.
Welcome Taylor :). Let us know what dosage you™ll be starting on. It™s day 5 for me on 20 mg and I™m only experiencing pulling sensation and a bit of dryness on my lips. My skin is still oily but I get stinging sensation on my face when I put Effaclar Duo.
Happy Birthday to you too Maggie! You will be celebrating your "Golden Birthday!" 27 on the 27th I don't have any plans either; most likely just dinner with my husband! Then the following day we leave for Palm Springs (California)... My parents have a home down there and we'll be staying for a week... It's kinda unfortunate though because I won't be able to suntan like I normally love to do! I'll have to be careful not to burn! Hope I can get away with a little tan... Lol. I'm glad you aren't experiencing any side effects YET... I say yet because I was also not experiencing anything really up until Day 16, which is when the body aches started setting in. My back is so achy I can't sleep on my left side and when I sneeze it hurts! Currently using a heating pad on it right now. I don't want to take any anti inflammatory or pain reliever because I don't want to put too much pressure on my liver (since accutane is processed there) and I want my levels to be good so I can start month 2 soon...! I also had maybe 3 drinks this week (shame on me!) and I really got to cut down on it. I love wine so it's hard to give it up...! And especially will be hard when I'm in the California heat next week. My derm advised against drinking but said 1-3 drinks a week shouldn't affect your liver as long as your 1. Not getting drunk and 2. Staying very hydrated, all the time. Anywho, enough of my rambling! lol