I finished Accutane about four months ago, and I'm elated to say that I am still acne free. I've had one small pimple on my back, but that's it. The hyperpigmentation on my face has healed, and I've been left with no sign that I've ever been an acne sufferer. I got a lot of negative feedback from friends and family about my decision to start Accutane (they had heard some of the horror stories). But I wish I had gone on it a lot sooner. I would have saved myself a lot of grief.

Aside from dry lips and some dry skin patches (and hair that never got oily), I didn't have any serious side effects. And after stopping the medication, my lips and hair have gone back to the way they were before. My skin isn't nearly as oily as it had been, and I no longer have to blot my face throughout the day. My BDD (body dysmorphia) which my doctor thinks may have begun with my severe acne in middle school is also gone. After 6 weeks of CBT and Viibryd (a new antidepressant) I'm feeling wonderful! My move to California didn't work out, I couldn't find employment in San Diego, so I drove myself back to Michigan in August. Now on November 1st I am packing up and heading to South Carolina to find employment. I never would have ventured these distances a year ago. I'm not perfect by any means, but I am proud of these small accomplishments, because I never thought I would get this far and feel content.

I haven't been on acne.org for a while now, simply because I haven't needed to. But I love being able to share my success story, and I'm sure Accutane will clear many others.