Dont be concerned! I broke out till the 6th month (not bad) but it was annoying. I thought the meds were doing a shit job- but then i thought it was something i was doing. Cut out makeup, the thick cerave cream i was using (swapped in cerave hydrating lotion in the pump which is much lighter) - cleansed my face super light each day and now i dont breakout at all. I know you dont wear makeup but its just something i did.

Remain on the meds- ( i usually dont tell people on forums what to do) drink a lot of water (like not three cups a day). I just finished my course 2 weeks ago and during it i drank like 3000 + ML per day- easily 1500ML just during breakfast. a CamelBak water bottle is great because it tells you how much you are drinking.

Also eat very fresh - and i found cutting out drinking lots of caffein helped. I only drink water.

Good luck!

No, thank you for telling me what to do - that's what I want. I'm glad to hear this. However, are you implying that cutting out makeup and other irritants in the 6th month was responsible for you clearing up or it was simply the accutane finally finishing the job? I will increase my hydration too, thanks.

Also, I love your username and profile pic Brought a smile to my face this morning.

thanks! well by the 6th month i was clear but still getting things and i was like clueless. I thought by cutting out the makeup would may be help (and it did!) Also the process of removing makeup irritates the skin as well. so i was in a way fighting the meds. I stopped makeup, plus switched my thick cerave moisturizer for a light one (because my skin is so clog prone) and now my face is great!

Also my brother took the medicine and was clear by month 5- but still got an occasional spot till the end of the treatment. He took it over a year and a half ago and let me tell you.... his face is amazing. He washes his face verrry lightly with cerave foaming cleanser and doesnt use any hydrating creams everyday.

Anyways- we live in a world revolved around products. After you are done the meds (and your derm should tell you) Go simple- get a simple cleanser (cerave foaming cleanser) and just lighty cleanse the face 2 times a day. If you dont need hydrating creams - dont use them. I know products with bright colors and promising labels make one very excited. But by just going simple- it will help you in the long run.

I've just finished month 4 and I'm still breaking out around the jawline and lower cheeks. I still have tons of PIH which makes it look at worse than it is. My forehead and chin is 100% clear and cheeks are a lot better than they were. Had my derm appt yesterday and she said to stick with it and if should clear. Think some people's acne is just more stubborn and takes longer. I never used to really break out along my jaw so maybe the medication is bringing the last of the acne that was buried deeper out??

it can take up to 3-5 months to see improvement and 6 for average course to see 90% of cleared skin. and then your Derm will tell you to give a 1-2 month break off the pill and your skin will slowly heal to the beauty you want it to or youll stay the same or breakout, then your derm may do another course or Rx topical for the now mild skin:)

Thanks for your replies, guys.

@lionheart88 - That's possible. I'm getting breakouts on my chin and then random cysts on my neck which I never got before. It's so, so frustrating and embarrassing but, in defense of my accutane treatment, my face is about 80% clear which is the most it's been in 3 years. It's good progress - I'm just afraid to be optimistic because it could all come back with a vengeance tomorrow :/