Hi everyone!
I'm a 24 year old female with very mild acne. I usually only get breakouts during my cycle. These breakouts appear near my chin, and are usually deep and painful (almost cystic). I live in Manhattan, so air pollution and dryness in the winter are definite acne contributors.

I originally went in to see my dermatologist thinking that I would ask him about diet, holistic medicines, and facials/dermabrasion. He told me that people spend thousands of dollars on vitamins and routine facials to try to cure acne, but the true cure lies within the skin glands. I always thought that Accutane was only for people with severe acne, but that is apparently only a myth. So, here we are. According to my doctor, my skin will be clear in 8 weeks (weeks 3 and 4 are only given to ensure a lasting effect), and then guaranteed to be clear for 2 years after the treatment. Then, there is a 1-in-6 chance that I will ever get acne again.

During WEEK 1 I encountered the following:

1. COMPLETE FACIAL PEELING. // I will say that if nothing else comes out of this, I will at least have learned how dry my face is. I usually moisturize after a shower, but that is not enough. Proper skin care involves SO much more, and I have been neglecting my skin for way too long. Hydration is key! Go to Sephora or Ulta and get yourself some hydrating serum and face masks. These will give you a dewy look and prevent further peeling from the Accutane. I would suggest doing this before you start the pills as a preventative measure. I had to take tweezers to work with me and continually pick off skin all day in front of a mirror. So, my advice is to load up on product now to avoid this.

Products I use most frequently:
-Vitamin E skin oil ($7 from drugstore). I use this 2-3 times per week before bed. It is a GAME CHANGER.
-Juara brand Java plum & avocado nourishing mask ($40). I use this 1-2 times per week before bed or after work.
-Vaseline brand intensive care aloe sooth (the green bottle, $5). I use this on my face and body daily. I originally bought this gross ultra-moisturizing face lotion, but it was way too heavy. This Vaseline lotion is lightweight but gets the job done. It also has a nice smell.
-Lush brand Magical Moringa moisturizer ($25). I use this daily under my makeup as a primer and lotion. It has a matte finish, so I don't look oily at all. I love this stuff, and the best part is that it's made with fresh, natural ingredients. Lush is an amazing brand in general. If you don't know them, I would highly recommend checking them out.

2. Eczema rash on my legs. // This one scared me a little. The rash I got consisted of small little red bumps , mostly on my thighs. My doctor recommended I go get Cortizone10 ($10 from Wallgreens), which ended up not being strong enough. He then prescribed me Triamcinolone ($2) which helped.

3. Bleeding. // I thought it was my period coming early, but turns out it wasn't. The bleeding only lasted a day, and was the type of blood you get at the end of your period (brown, light). My doctor said that he has never heard of this happening before. He's a male, so maybe female patients just didn't say anything? I know it was the Accutane because I just started my second round and the same thing just happened again.

4. Dry lips. // I would suggest buying Carmex for your lips. Burt's Bees (my favorite brand) just doesn't last long enough. The Carmex is very hydrating and is a lifesaver.

5. Bloodshot eyes. // I bought Wallgreens brand lubricant eye drops (I think it was on sale for $6) but my eyes still remain bloodshot. Not sure if this is the best one out there. But, definitely buy something. Your eyes will get red and you'll need relief.

6. Film in mouth. // My doctor also said that he has never heard of this happening before. But, I know my body and believe it was the Accutane. It's not a huge issue, so I'm trying to ignore it and hope it goes away.

My dermatologist said that the first month will be the worst, so hopefully these side effects will improve and my body will get used to the Accutane.