Acne.org Products
Michelle,
Oh yes, breathing so much better.
No, my scarring is not much worse than what my most recent pics are showing. You can see almost exactly how it looks in some of my previous updates on this thread.
And yes, being pale is a blessing in some ways.
All right, just checking to make sure your acne scars didn't somehow get worse. That can happen without proper sun protection and age.
Are you considering chemical peels or lasers to fix your scars? For some reason, chemical peels sound better to me than lasers--then again, I want a chemical peel or IPL. 😛
Michelle,
No, they're not getting any worse. I've heard the scars can look temporarily worse while on Accutane, due to the thinning of the skin. Is that right? I take quite a bit of care to make sure that that I protect my skin from the sun. Of course, there's not much I can do about age.
I eventually hope to get some lasering done for my acne scarring. I've already had two chemical peels, and you can read about my experiences with them in this thread I created here;
A year to 6 months after being off Accutane, I plan on getting more punch grafts and excisions. Later on, (like a couple of years down the line), I plan to have some laser work.
Why do you want IPL? That's a type of laser, correct? Why would you prefer getting that over any other kind of laser?
Michelle,
No, they're not getting any worse. I've heard the scars can look temporarily worse while on Accutane, due to the thinning of the skin. Is that right? I take quite a bit of care to make sure that that I protect my skin from the sun. Of course, there's not much I can do about age.
I eventually hope to get some lasering done for my acne scarring. I've already had two chemical peels, and you can read about my experiences with them in this thread I created here; http://www.acne.org/messageboard/topic/317164-in-need-of-wisdom-and-advice-for-my-scarring-with-pics/
A year to 6 months after being off Accutane, I plan on getting more punch grafts and excisions. Later on, (like a couple of years down the line), I plan to have some laser work.
Why do you want IPL? That's a type of laser, correct? Why would you prefer getting that over any other kind of laser?
Accutane doesn't thin the skin per se, though it can make red marks, wrinkles, and indents look worse due to the dryness.
Hmmm, the Obagi Blue Peel. That's a kind of TCA peel. 35%, IIRC.
IPL is intense pulsed light, which is very good for discoloration. The most bothersome is the brownish discoloration around my chin. Not quite sure if I'd qualify for Fraxel yet, though.
I'm likelier to qualify for a salicylic acid, glycolic acid, and/or TCA peel for my scarring and acne. I'd imagine getting excision in only 1-3 areas.
Michelle,
No, they're not getting any worse. I've heard the scars can look temporarily worse while on Accutane, due to the thinning of the skin. Is that right? I take quite a bit of care to make sure that that I protect my skin from the sun. Of course, there's not much I can do about age.
I eventually hope to get some lasering done for my acne scarring. I've already had two chemical peels, and you can read about my experiences with them in this thread I created here; http://www.acne.org/messageboard/topic/317164-in-need-of-wisdom-and-advice-for-my-scarring-with-pics/
A year to 6 months after being off Accutane, I plan on getting more punch grafts and excisions. Later on, (like a couple of years down the line), I plan to have some laser work.
Why do you want IPL? That's a type of laser, correct? Why would you prefer getting that over any other kind of laser?
Accutane doesn't thin the skin per se, though it can make red marks, wrinkles, and indents look worse due to the dryness.
Hmmm, the Obagi Blue Peel. That's a kind of TCA peel. 35%, IIRC.
IPL is intense pulsed light, which is very good for discoloration. The most bothersome is the brownish discoloration around my chin. Not quite sure if I'd qualify for Fraxel yet, though.
I'm likelier to qualify for a salicylic acid, glycolic acid, and/or TCA peel for my scarring and acne. I'd imagine getting excision in only 1-3 areas.
I definitely have noticed that some of my indents look worse since getting on Accutane. It may be because my skin has been more dry on the days I don't use Vaseline.
Come to think of it, I had some pulsed-dye lasering done just prior to my 2nd Blue Peel for discoloration. Here's a link for it on realself.com; http://www.realself.com/Pulsed-dye-laser/reviews
Is that laser similar to IPL?
You only want excision for yourself in 1-3 areas?
Michelle,
No, they're not getting any worse. I've heard the scars can look temporarily worse while on Accutane, due to the thinning of the skin. Is that right? I take quite a bit of care to make sure that that I protect my skin from the sun. Of course, there's not much I can do about age.
I eventually hope to get some lasering done for my acne scarring. I've already had two chemical peels, and you can read about my experiences with them in this thread I created here; http://www.acne.org/messageboard/topic/317164-in-need-of-wisdom-and-advice-for-my-scarring-with-pics/
A year to 6 months after being off Accutane, I plan on getting more punch grafts and excisions. Later on, (like a couple of years down the line), I plan to have some laser work.
Why do you want IPL? That's a type of laser, correct? Why would you prefer getting that over any other kind of laser?
Accutane doesn't thin the skin per se, though it can make red marks, wrinkles, and indents look worse due to the dryness.
Hmmm, the Obagi Blue Peel. That's a kind of TCA peel. 35%, IIRC.
IPL is intense pulsed light, which is very good for discoloration. The most bothersome is the brownish discoloration around my chin. Not quite sure if I'd qualify for Fraxel yet, though.
I'm likelier to qualify for a salicylic acid, glycolic acid, and/or TCA peel for my scarring and acne. I'd imagine getting excision in only 1-3 areas.
I definitely have noticed that some of my indents look worse since getting on Accutane. It may be because my skin has been more dry on the days I don't use Vaseline.
Come to think of it, I had some pulsed-dye lasering done just prior to my 2nd Blue Peel for discoloration. Here's a link for it on realself.com; http://www.realself.com/Pulsed-dye-laser/reviews
Is that laser similar to IPL?
You only want excision for yourself in 1-3 areas?
Blasphemy! How dare you not apply moisturizer every single second of every single day!
IPL and lasers are different because IPL delivers many different wavelengths, whereas lasers are just one.
Both IPL and pulsed dye lasers destroy the pigment in blood (haemoglobin), but pulsed dye lasers are a more effective and come with (sometimes) more tolerable side effects.
Michelle,
Haha. I actually do use moisturizer every day. On the days I go out of the house, I use Cetaphil's Oil Control SPF 30 moisturizer ( http://www.target.com/p/cetaphil-oil-control-moisturizer-spf-30-4-oz/-/A-14043848?ref=tgt_adv_XSG10001&AFID=Google_PLA_df&LNM=%7C14043848&CPNG=Health+Beauty&kpid=14043848&LID=PA&ci_src=17588969&ci_sku=14043848&gclid=CLrymMLI-rwCFRQV7AodhXsALw ). I have to use 3 times as much moisturizer as I used to, and it still doesn't quite give me all the moisture I need. That's why I slather on the Vaseline at home. I think that's why I feel like I can see my acne scarring more on days I use the Cetaphil moisturizer. My face is drier, thus showing my scarring in more detail. Yuck.
Michelle,
Haha. I actually do use moisturizer every day. On the days I go out of the house, I use Cetaphil's Oil Control SPF 30 moisturizer ( http://www.target.com/p/cetaphil-oil-control-moisturizer-spf-30-4-oz/-/A-14043848?ref=tgt_adv_XSG10001&AFID=Google_PLA_df&LNM=%7C14043848&CPNG=Health+Beauty&kpid=14043848&LID=PA&ci_src=17588969&ci_sku=14043848&gclid=CLrymMLI-rwCFRQV7AodhXsALw ). I have to use 3 times as much moisturizer as I used to, and it still doesn't quite give me all the moisture I need. That's why I slather on the Vaseline at home. I think that's why I feel like I can see my acne scarring more on days I use the Cetaphil moisturizer. My face is drier, thus showing my scarring in more detail. Yuck.
Argh, I forgot to answer why I thought I'd want 1-3 excisions. Yes, I do have a few icepick scars, but 3 of them are deep and in odd places in and by my ears. The rest of them aren't as deep, and could probably be improved with TCA CROSS or with lighter chemical peels. It's a little difficult to gauge whether I need more excisions, considering I have a patch of blackheads on my right cheek I've been combating for a while. I don't think those will become scars yet.
3x more moisturizer, so past the typical dime-sized amount? Good idea to buy the 16 oz containers!
Oh, I do hope you don't have to deal with the dryness for more than a year! That would be horrible, and I'd argue it's worse than greasy skin.
Michelle,
Haha. I actually do use moisturizer every day. On the days I go out of the house, I use Cetaphil's Oil Control SPF 30 moisturizer ( http://www.target.com/p/cetaphil-oil-control-moisturizer-spf-30-4-oz/-/A-14043848?ref=tgt_adv_XSG10001&AFID=Google_PLA_df&LNM=%7C14043848&CPNG=Health+Beauty&kpid=14043848&LID=PA&ci_src=17588969&ci_sku=14043848&gclid=CLrymMLI-rwCFRQV7AodhXsALw ). I have to use 3 times as much moisturizer as I used to, and it still doesn't quite give me all the moisture I need. That's why I slather on the Vaseline at home. I think that's why I feel like I can see my acne scarring more on days I use the Cetaphil moisturizer. My face is drier, thus showing my scarring in more detail. Yuck.
Argh, I forgot to answer why I thought I'd want 1-3 excisions. Yes, I do have a few icepick scars, but 3 of them are deep and in odd places in and by my ears. The rest of them aren't as deep, and could probably be improved with TCA CROSS or with lighter chemical peels. It's a little difficult to gauge whether I need more excisions, considering I have a patch of blackheads on my right cheek I've been combating for a while. I don't think those will become scars yet.
3x more moisturizer, so past the typical dime-sized amount? Good idea to buy the 16 oz containers!
Oh, I do hope you don't have to deal with the dryness for more than a year! That would be horrible, and I'd argue it's worse than greasy skin.
What kinds of treatment have you had for your scarring so far?
I shouldn't have to deal with the dryness for more than a year after a 6 month course, right?
Michelle,
Haha. I actually do use moisturizer every day. On the days I go out of the house, I use Cetaphil's Oil Control SPF 30 moisturizer ( http://www.target.com/p/cetaphil-oil-control-moisturizer-spf-30-4-oz/-/A-14043848?ref=tgt_adv_XSG10001&AFID=Google_PLA_df&LNM=%7C14043848&CPNG=Health+Beauty&kpid=14043848&LID=PA&ci_src=17588969&ci_sku=14043848&gclid=CLrymMLI-rwCFRQV7AodhXsALw ). I have to use 3 times as much moisturizer as I used to, and it still doesn't quite give me all the moisture I need. That's why I slather on the Vaseline at home. I think that's why I feel like I can see my acne scarring more on days I use the Cetaphil moisturizer. My face is drier, thus showing my scarring in more detail. Yuck.
Argh, I forgot to answer why I thought I'd want 1-3 excisions. Yes, I do have a few icepick scars, but 3 of them are deep and in odd places in and by my ears. The rest of them aren't as deep, and could probably be improved with TCA CROSS or with lighter chemical peels. It's a little difficult to gauge whether I need more excisions, considering I have a patch of blackheads on my right cheek I've been combating for a while. I don't think those will become scars yet.
3x more moisturizer, so past the typical dime-sized amount? Good idea to buy the 16 oz containers!
Oh, I do hope you don't have to deal with the dryness for more than a year! That would be horrible, and I'd argue it's worse than greasy skin.
What kinds of treatment have you had for your scarring so far?
I shouldn't have to deal with the dryness for more than a year after a 6 month course, right?
None in particular so far. I did go on topical adapalene and sodium sulfacetamide for my acne a year ago, but insurance went through some changes, and dropped it. Now, I think I can actually go back to a derm. I'm saving up, just in case it's pricier than what I think.
Typically, most people deal with dryness during and a few months after a course. It can be permanent, but it's seen with higher doses, like 80+ mg.
Michelle,
Yikes. I'm going to start an 80 mg/day treatment this month. I should ask my derm if I have anything to worry about.
Best of luck in your future treatments, chica!
How long will you be on this dose? Of course, higher doses for a long time tend to produce more side effects.
BTW, according to Wikipedia and from other sources I've read, the permanent side effects of dry skin is rare. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Isotretinoin#Rare.2C_permanent_effects
You absolutely need to use sunscreen! Sun damage can cause or aggravate dryness, and you don't want more redness or it to last longer!
Michelle,
Yikes. I'm going to start an 80 mg/day treatment this month. I should ask my derm if I have anything to worry about.
Best of luck in your future treatments, chica!
How long will you be on this dose? Of course, higher doses for a long time tend to produce more side effects.
BTW, according to Wikipedia and from other sources I've read, the permanent side effects of dry skin is rare. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Isotretinoin#Rare.2C_permanent_effects
You absolutely need to use sunscreen! Sun damage can cause or aggravate dryness, and you don't want more redness or it to last longer!
I will be on the 80 mg/day dosage for 2 months.
Oh yes. Sunscreen every day. 🙂
Don't let the scarring deceive you, you're not done healing yet. You still have non-inflammatory acne and infection in your skin which is making your scarring appear more "raised" than it actually is. Mine looked like that at first and then a year later I was left with considerably less scarring than I originally assumed.
Don't let the scarring deceive you, you're not done healing yet. You still have non-inflammatory acne and infection in your skin which is making your scarring appear more "raised" than it actually is. Mine looked like that at first and then a year later I was left with considerably less scarring than I originally assumed.
Thank you, bubbles! That's really encouraging for me to hear.
Week 17 Update-
Dosage: 60 mg (30 mg/2 x daily)
Not much to update on this week, since I just wrote my last update a few days ago. Thankfully, my anxiety has subsided quite a bit. I do believe that much of it had to do with what was taking place (hormonally) in my body. I had just finished my menstrual cycle, and I think that the anxiety was intensified for that reason. I was still anxious this week, but not as much. It's surprising, considering that I have an exam on Monday. Things like tests always make me extremely nervous and worried.
Sadly, I cannot take better pictures this week, since I have too much to to this weekend. I will try my very best to publish some next week.
Week 17 Update-
Dosage: 60 mg (30 mg/2 x daily)
Not much to update on this week, since I just wrote my last update a few days ago. Thankfully, my anxiety has subsided quite a bit. I do believe that much of it had to do with what was taking place (hormonally) in my body. I had just finished my menstrual cycle, and I think that the anxiety was intensified for that reason. I was still anxious this week, but not as much. It's surprising, considering that I have an exam on Monday. Things like tests always make me extremely nervous and worried.
Sadly, I cannot take better pictures this week, since I have too much to to this weekend. I will try my very best to publish some next week.
Good luck on your exam! 🙂
Week 17 Update-
Dosage: 60 mg (30 mg/2 x daily)
Not much to update on this week, since I just wrote my last update a few days ago. Thankfully, my anxiety has subsided quite a bit. I do believe that much of it had to do with what was taking place (hormonally) in my body. I had just finished my menstrual cycle, and I think that the anxiety was intensified for that reason. I was still anxious this week, but not as much. It's surprising, considering that I have an exam on Monday. Things like tests always make me extremely nervous and worried.
Sadly, I cannot take better pictures this week, since I have too much to to this weekend. I will try my very best to publish some next week.
Good luck on your exam!
Thanks so much, Michelle. I am so ready for this weekend to be overwith, and for this exam to be done!
Week 17 Update-
Dosage: 60 mg (30 mg/2 x daily)
Not much to update on this week, since I just wrote my last update a few days ago. Thankfully, my anxiety has subsided quite a bit. I do believe that much of it had to do with what was taking place (hormonally) in my body. I had just finished my menstrual cycle, and I think that the anxiety was intensified for that reason. I was still anxious this week, but not as much. It's surprising, considering that I have an exam on Monday. Things like tests always make me extremely nervous and worried.
Sadly, I cannot take better pictures this week, since I have too much to to this weekend. I will try my very best to publish some next week.
Good luck on your exam! 🙂
Thanks so much, Michelle. I am so ready for this weekend to be overwith, and for this exam to be done!
The exam will be over in no time, as long as you focus on doing a good job. I hope you ace it! 🙂
Week 17 Update-
Dosage: 60 mg (30 mg/2 x daily)
Not much to update on this week, since I just wrote my last update a few days ago. Thankfully, my anxiety has subsided quite a bit. I do believe that much of it had to do with what was taking place (hormonally) in my body. I had just finished my menstrual cycle, and I think that the anxiety was intensified for that reason. I was still anxious this week, but not as much. It's surprising, considering that I have an exam on Monday. Things like tests always make me extremely nervous and worried.
Sadly, I cannot take better pictures this week, since I have too much to to this weekend. I will try my very best to publish some next week.
Good luck on your exam!
Thanks so much, Michelle. I am so ready for this weekend to be overwith, and for this exam to be done!
The exam will be over in no time, as long as you focus on doing a good job. I hope you ace it!
I made a 91% on my algebra exam on Monday. Woohoo!
I could not be happier about it. It's the first A I've made on a math test since I was in 9th grade. A LONG time ago!
Week 17 Update-
Dosage: 60 mg (30 mg/2 x daily)
Not much to update on this week, since I just wrote my last update a few days ago. Thankfully, my anxiety has subsided quite a bit. I do believe that much of it had to do with what was taking place (hormonally) in my body. I had just finished my menstrual cycle, and I think that the anxiety was intensified for that reason. I was still anxious this week, but not as much. It's surprising, considering that I have an exam on Monday. Things like tests always make me extremely nervous and worried.
Sadly, I cannot take better pictures this week, since I have too much to to this weekend. I will try my very best to publish some next week.
Good luck on your exam!
Thanks so much, Michelle. I am so ready for this weekend to be overwith, and for this exam to be done!
The exam will be over in no time, as long as you focus on doing a good job. I hope you ace it!
I made a 91% on my algebra exam on Monday. Woohoo!
I could not be happier about it. It's the first A I've made on a math test since I was in 9th grade. A LONG time ago!
Excellent! 😀
Time to dance!
Week 18 Update-
Dosage: 60 mg (30 mg/2 x daily)
As promised, I've taken new pics to post this week to make up for the sub-par photos I took 2 weeks ago. They turned out much better since I used my 10 megapixel digital camera instead of my iPad. The photos should give you guys a much clearer idea of what's been going on with my skin during the 4th month I've been on Accutane. Personally, I think that my acne looks like it's finally clearing up. Obviously, I still have scarring that will need to be worked on in the future, but I am happy with the way my acne seems to be disappearing at last.
Also, I was checking my settings here on Acne.org just a few minutes ago, and it looks like I've used about 95% of my attachment space for my thread posts. Which means that I most likely will no longer be posting photos directly onto my threads. If anybody reading this thread knows the answer to this, I have a question about continuing to upload photos; is it possible to continue creating albums on Acne.org? I know that my settings say my attachment space is almost used up, but I don't think that includes the space I can use in the galleries. Am I right in this assumption? If anyone reading has the answers to these questions, I would greatly appreciate it.
I guess this means that I will make more photo albums of my skin on the 'Org galleries, and then post the links in the threads from this point going forward. Definitely not as convenient as attaching photos directly to my posts, but I am willing to do what I have to in order to provide y'all with new pics.
Changing subjects; I went to my derm on Wednesday, the 12th for my monthly appointment. She said that my labs have been coming back great (yay!), and that for my last 2 months on isotretinoin, she wants to change me to a different brand. My derm is recommending Absorica ( http://www.absorica.com/ ), 80 mg, per day. That'll be 40 mg, twice a day. My derm told me that this brand of isotretinoin is fairly new to the market, and she loves the results she's seeing in her patients so far. I should take the time to read the literature that she gave me a little more carefully, but I'm not totally sure I'll even be able to get the medication.
My insurance covers Absorica, but I don't know yet if it'll be more expensive than the Claravis brand I've been taking so far. If that ends up being the case, then I will just continue to take 40 mg of Claravis twice a day.
No terrible anxiety this past week, and no panic attacks. The soreness, aches and pains I've experienced so far still continue, however.
That's all the news I have for now. If I can think of anything else later on, I will continue to update. Thanks so much for reading!
Mini-Update (Week 19)- I picked up my Accutane 'script for month 5 today, and the Absorica that my P.A. recommended I take ended up being twice as much as the Claravis isotretinoin capsules I've been taking the past 4 months. There was no way I could afford it. Furthermore, my pharmacy is not selling the Claravis brand right now. So, I ended up having to purchase 40 mg Myorisan capsules ( https://www.ipledgeprogram.com/Documents/Myorisan%20Med%20Guide.pdf ).
I called my derm after purchasing them, and she said that she likes this brand of isotretinoin, and finds it effective. If anybody reading this has any feedback in regard to the new brand I'm taking, I'd greatly appreciate it.