Thats awesome dero

no new actives and u are able to use retin-a nightly?

is it the cream

I have atralin

Im going t tyr to use it OVER moisturizer

Mary..how are u doing?

yup retin a cream nightly...good luck with the atralin - isn't that generic retin a?

I was using retin-a cream PRE tane

atralin is a form of retin-a but from what I understand its a gel form (not cream..supposedly better for acne prone) and also contain HA (hyal-blah blah acid) so it is supposed to be more gentle/moisturizing

Good luck Derp!

Hope everything continues to improve

kim

Omg its been so long!

I suppose you must be finishing tane by now. I still have 60 days to go. When Im done, I will have been on accutane for almost 10 months ! Haha crazy, but thats what happens with the low dos version.

Im doing fantastic, I wear no make up and feel great, it still has some faded marks, but omg I missed feeling my skin so smooth. I cant remember what having a cyst was like. Im so happy.

Hope youre doing well.

- Ana

Ana

that is AWEEEEEEESOME!

congrats!!!!

Glad to hear u are doing sooooo well!!!!!!

Kim

How's everyone doing? hopefully the quiet means good? I'm still pretty red marked - up but the retin-a is definitely helping fade it slowly - also i like how soft it makes my skin....Its been a long long mission but im definitely statting to see the light at the end of tunnel (i still need to work on redmarks and stubborn comedones but this is the best ive been since my initial acne relapse that happened right about a year ago from now.

Hey Derp

glad to hear all is going well!!!

Im doing 'OK"

My skin cant tolerate retin-a....my skin is VERY VERY sensitive

I get a lot of small blips that go away in 1-2 days

but lately I get a little red bump or flesh bump and it doesnt go away but doesnt get worse

My skin is VERY dry/dehydrated BUT not flaky or peeling

if i use anything too heavy I will break out

Ive been diligent with avoiding the sun but my freckles have come back full force (and no.they are not CUTE)

Im doing OK

Im grateful for not getting the big ones i did pre tane

BUT concerned I cant use anything to prevent breakouts or reduce red marks...and alos noticed my nose is VERY oily

I dont use anything on my nose at all....and in the am and during the day its getting the point i need to use bottling paper

I gave up seeing derms for the summer and was just enjoying the time off/away with kids

But in sept i may try to see someone to get a little more guidance on what I can/should use for my skin

I spot with sulfur now and it seems OK..but too harsh to use all over

Hope everyone is doing well!!!!

kim

Hi everyone!

I'm sorry for the silence, I was just so busy this summer! And to be honest, I was trying to think about something else than my skin for once in my life and I guess that's a good thing! I would say that I'm also doing pretty good. No new ''real'' acne for a couple of weeks now. Even my chin has been acne free for some time now (I used to get always 1 or 2 medium size pustules after I stopped Tane) and now.. nothing! Is it possible that it cleared 2-3 months AFTER Tane? I thought the medication was still effective for a month or 2 not more! But I guess my skin is just doing well now that Tane is ''out'' of my body. I'm quite happy with the result. My skin is not perfect, but it could not have been! The red marks faded dramatically. I spent some days without concealer lately and that's something I had not done in years!!! But I still have some red marks (even though they're pale) and some scars on my right cheek. Some bumps also but overall, I feel like I have found my face back (I'm not focusing on my acne when I look in the mirror). It really feels good. I use BP every night and it seems to be doing the trick.The key word is patience. During Tane but also after. Even if I get the occasional pimple, I really don't care!!!! Just not having breakouts every week is so good.

I was happy to have some news from you guys, thanks for posting! I was very excited to come here to read your progress. Just remember that it will still get better with time. See you soon!!

Mary

Thats awesome Mary!

Do u use 2.5 BP all over nightly preventative?

I

was told NOT TO but my skin cant tolerate retin-aev

en mixed with my moisturizer by day 2-3 i am RED and get little irritation bumps

dont know worth trying the cream or lower dose?

I prefer using retin-a for anti agin benefits but I was thinking trying BP....it was the best thing for me pre tane

Im doing OK

little red, sensitive and get new bumps often but small

and with makeup I look good from a far

well hope everyone else is doing well!

Hey guys! I wish I would have found this post sooner. I am on Week 10 of Accutane (Absorica 60mg) and am STILL going through my Initial Breakout. Sucks... I woke up with 3 Volcanoes on my forehead Friday and literally cancelled my plans for the weekend. Acne is so life-controlling. My DINGBAT derm decided to just tell me about the "eating with fatty foods" LAST WEEK, I just thought you were supposed to eat it with food because of indigestion. -__- AND she told me to switch from 2 pills a day to taking the whole 60mg at night with a bigg "fatty" dinner.... I literally went out and bought all the fatty foods I could think of

(Extra Virgin Olive Oil, Salmon, Peanut Butter, Eggs, Avocadoes....)

I have been bad about drinking and decided to stop because it's probably not helping, so yeah. RIP Wine....

I just want to start seeing results.... Like NOW.

Hey guys! I wish I would have found this post sooner. I am on Week 10 of Accutane (Absorica 60mg) and am STILL going through my Initial Breakout. Sucks... I woke up with 3 Volcanoes on my forehead Friday and literally cancelled my plans for the weekend. Acne is so life-controlling. My DINGBAT derm decided to just tell me about the "eating with fatty foods" LAST WEEK, I just thought you were supposed to eat it with food because of indigestion. -__- AND she told me to switch from 2 pills a day to taking the whole 60mg at night with a bigg "fatty" dinner.... I literally went out and bought all the fatty foods I could think of

(Extra Virgin Olive Oil, Salmon, Peanut Butter, Eggs, Avocadoes....)

 

I have been bad about drinking and decided to stop because it's probably not helping, so yeah. RIP Wine....

 

I just want to start seeing results.... Like NOW.

 

Does your doctor think taking it once a day vs. twice a day will be just as effective? I'd prefer once a day and one big fatty meal, but my doctor initially said twice a day. Wondering if I can change it up to once a day.

 

Hey guys! I wish I would have found this post sooner. I am on Week 10 of Accutane (Absorica 60mg) and am STILL going through my Initial Breakout. Sucks... I woke up with 3 Volcanoes on my forehead Friday and literally cancelled my plans for the weekend. Acne is so life-controlling. My DINGBAT derm decided to just tell me about the "eating with fatty foods" LAST WEEK, I just thought you were supposed to eat it with food because of indigestion. -__- AND she told me to switch from 2 pills a day to taking the whole 60mg at night with a bigg "fatty" dinner.... I literally went out and bought all the fatty foods I could think of

(Extra Virgin Olive Oil, Salmon, Peanut Butter, Eggs, Avocadoes....)

 

I have been bad about drinking and decided to stop because it's probably not helping, so yeah. RIP Wine....

 

I just want to start seeing results.... Like NOW.

 

 

Does your doctor think taking it once a day vs. twice a day will be just as effective? I'd prefer once a day and one big fatty meal, but my doctor initially said twice a day. Wondering if I can change it up to once a day.

I asked her. She said "It's personal preference really".. She wanted me to try taking both 30mg's with one big dinner so it can all be absorbed properly. I eat so much fat with my dinner.. She said I should have been extremely dry at my appointment and I wasn't so the medicine was probably going right through me instead of being absorbed. So I have been taking both with a super HIGH fat dinner and my face seems a lot more dry now, so I'm assuming it's working more properly now. But no, it doesn't matter how you take them during the day, as long as it's with a high fat meal... I prefer to take mine both as well.

Hi jumping in

BUT thought high fat meal wasnt an issue anymore?

does it depend on the brand u take?

Just for me I did better splitting the dose

if i took it all at once my nose got BRGHT red like rudolph..no idea why

but i was told it really doesnt matter as long as u et the dose in within 24hr period

kim

bumping to check on my post tane peeps!

Kim

How is everyone doing? I guess that no news is good news! As for me, I'm getting acne weekly but it is so small I feel like I'm cheating just to call it acne. They are not painful and I can't hardly feel them with my finger. They are pretty pale but... They are still there!! One of my chin has 4-5 new ones, but as I said they are hardly noticeable. I'm just worrying and wondering if it is the beginning of the come back or if it's just normal. Maybe it is caused by something else... Make up, hormones, my BP. I don't like this doubtful state! Anyway, there is no way I would be prescribed Accutane again due to the mildness of my acne right now but maybe I will try to get Retin A. BP seems to work on "real" zits but not not on these small "empty" ones I get. Any thoughts?
I would like to hear from you guys! I hope you are enjoying clear skin!!

WOOOOW didn't think I'd end up back here! Mary, I'm so glad to hear things are looking good for you! I too still get some small stuff here and there but nothing even close to what i've had pre-tane. I wouldn't worry that it's the start of something, I think we're just like normal people now, a zit here and there. I've been on retin a for about 4 months now and I really have no idea if that's been helping. My skin is definitely smoother from it that's forsure! In terms of acne I'm happy but in terms of red marks and scaring I think I'm screwed..I posted on the redmarks forum if you want to take a look, I have some weird situation going on that don't seem to be fading much.

Kim, A. sorry for missing your bump
B. I just saw your profile pic...jesus your face looks amazing!

Heyyyyyyy!!!
Just thought i would see how everyone is doing and who may be lurking around to give an update

Yes thanks for noticing that I dissed paper brown bag lady profile pic, for a pic of myself..that was good 2mnths ago?
BUT i feel like a bit of a fibber since my skin doesnt look nearly that nice in person....but from the right distance, w/ makeup, in specific lighting, it appears not so bad
Thank u baby jesus for concealer and foundation

I saw a new derm recently who rec zianna than differen (im sorry did I mention she suggested possible going back on tane)
Problem is even 3x a week and buffered my skin cant tolerate retin-a
I also get red and blotchy from the slightest bit of 2.5% BP

I get probably 3-5 spots a week but they are tiny whiteheads or mostly small red bumps that go away in about 1-3 days
My skin texture is DRY/dehydrated and anything I try to use for hydration usually causes spots or an oily service
still feel my hands are tied

So here I am with red dehydrated skin and small bumps
My skin is also pretty sensitive and burns a lot of the time

well thats about it for me
lookign forward to some other chimming in
Kim

Hi!! 

Thank you both for your updates. Thanks Derp for the reassuring words. I tend to panick everytime I see a little something on my face. I would say I still have a couple spots (almost invisble and I can't barely feel them with my fingers) every week but that's no big deal. I had a pretty inflamed one on the side of my nose last Friday and oh my god, I was sooooooooooooooooooo pissed off!! It's the first ugly one I get since Tane and to me it meant I was going back to square one. Now we are on Monday and it has completely dried out. I am pretty surprised by how fast it died. I thought it would be the type that stays forever. Thank you it's not the case. On a positive note, it has given me the opportunity to remember how I liked my skin right now. I was focusing on all the small imperfections and getting sometimes sad about it. Now I am more realistic and grateful for the progress I made on Tane even if my skin is not totally acnefree. I am still using BP (5%), I think I'll try to get 2,5%.

Derp: Your skin looks so smooth!!! The redness will go away, that's just a matter of time. It really improved from your picture in June!! Don't give up!!

Kim: You really are gorgeous!!!! And I am sure you are without make up!

It was good to read from you. Keep us posted from time to time!! xxxxx

Hey guys!

i finished my accutane course in september after being clear for around two months.

I do still get breakouts though. They may be much smaller than before but it is still quite upsetting! My face is currently clear, minus some closed comedones around my nose, due to the use of epiduo which my derm prescribed after finishing for maintenance. However, the past week I've noticed by back/neck becomming a bit bumpy with closed comedones and a couple of red blips :/

i was wondering what you guys do now to control your breakouts?  like someone said above I get scared every new breakout is the start of it all again! Haha! My skin is 100 times better than before accutane, but it still controls my emotional state to an extent :S

We are in the exact same situation! I'm also scared all the time. For the moment, BP seems to work on me but it doesn't stop new acne to come. It just helps getting rid of it quickly. I am thinking of trying Retin a but I am very afraid of starting something new and that it would cause a bad initial breakout. I am not sure I would stand it. So imwaiting to see how things go. Maybe I'll try to change my BC pill also.

Good luck to you and I really understand how you feel!!

Thanks Mary!

like you said, I'm scared to try anything new as well! I've been considering sunbeds as I've heard theyre good for body acne - but I'm just too scared. I used them lastyear and my skin was flawless - but then I had the worst breakout come december. I dont know what caused it.. Possibly stress, but I cant help but think sunbeds are a factor too

so far this week my face has been great! No breakouts at all.. But my neck breakouts still persist and yesterday I got the biggest red lump on my upper stomach. I put epiduo on it and its gone down slightly, but is still there and now surrounded by about ten pin-prick purple dots (just irritation from epiduo I hope)

man... I just want to go on about my normal life without all of this! Maybe I'm being too hard on myself .. I mean there isn't a person in the world who goes their whole life without something on their skin here and there, so maybe I'm just trying to reach perfection.. I don't know :S still.. I shouldn't be breaking out after accutane.

Hello, I have very mild acne but very persistent. I am currently on solodyn and birth control but I will be starting accutane next month. I do not suffer from cystic acne except very rarely. Im very excited to start accutane but am also very nervous about the dryness and IB. Does anyone have any advice or tips to deal with the dryness. What are people's experiences from switching to accutane from solodyn. Is the IB worse or not as bad?

4 hours ago, DearBerry said:

Hello, I have very mild acne but very persistent. I am currently on solodyn and birth control but I will be starting accutane next month. I do not suffer from cystic acne except very rarely. Im very excited to start accutane but am also very nervous about the dryness and IB. Does anyone have any advice or tips to deal with the dryness. What are people's experiences from switching to accutane from solodyn. Is the IB worse or not as bad?

This whole forum is literally filled with thousands of posts about tips and tricks with accutane, also, youtube has a bunch on great videos. Happy reading.

Bumpin for an update..been some time. Really hope all is well by you guys! (if any of you even come on here anymore).

I'm acne- free but still combating hyper-pigmentation and scarring. Right now I'm using retin-A nightly and my derm said wait about another year to see what fills in/clears up before considering any treatments like IPL's etc.

Would love to hear from the old crew!

Hey Derp!!!!!

SO happy to hear you are acne free!
I remember u were on a super high dose...
*happppppy dance*
what retin-a are u using?

I'm doing OK
I get 3-5 spots a week but they are generally small and go away in 1-3 days
The spots I get though, are in odd places..places I never broke out pre tane (temple/mustache area/bridge nose)
and places I broke out pre tane, I never ever get spots (evil twist!)

My skin is super sensitive...texture is rough
I still struggle finding products
Heavy products make me oily and cause more breakouts and light lotions etc arent hydrating enough

Ive seen my derm a few times and and have tried some OTC stuff and rx but my skin gets irritated and red
My newest rx is differen which I havent tried yet
I was also put on 50mg of spiro...for hormonal acne
Its a very low dose....the derm thinks because my issues are minimal...it may do the trick
Im on day#4 and no neg side effects..yet....yeahhhhh

My derm also suggested waiting until the Fall to try any type or peels or IPL for freckles/spots etc

Hope to hear from everyone else
Kim