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This is my first post. 
so hello everyone! I am 23 years old and have been dealing with acne since high school, i have tried almost every topical, pill, otc, prescription, diet, and home remedy you can think of. I am 5'4" and weigh 110lbs. I am just looking for support, advice, and comments as I go through this accutane journey. I am 19 days in and will be on accutane for a total of 5 months. During the first week of 40mg my skin was doing well, it seemed to clear up a little bit and the oil was definitely lessening. When the second week hit I had an initial breakout and am still going through a purge. Attached are pictures of what it looks like currently. I never really experienced whiteheads before accutane, but with this breakout I have gotten whiteheads like crazy. Has anyone else experienced this? I will try to post weekly pictures and hopefully my skin will start to clear up soon! Please let me know your own experiences with accutane. I am in dire need of support. Thank you! ¤ï¸
Sorry about your struggles so far but I'm glad to hear that you're starting accutane. Yes, it's very common to have a whitehead breakout in the first few weeks and months. I stopped getting new whiteheads about 5 or six weeks in. I used benzoyl peroxide wash to help out early into my first few months. You might try that if it doesn't bother you.
Are you taking 40mg twice daily?
Are you using generic isotretinoin or absorbica?
Have you started getting dry lips or skin yet?
good luck and keep us informed
I am taking 30mg twice a day, so 60mg a day and yes, dry lips and skin! I don't want to use benzoyl because I feel like it is too drying and will irritate my skin more, but you think maybe I should use it just for a little to help until it's all gone? I just don't want my skin to have to rely on any washes, I just want accutane to clear it once and for all. And it is a generic brand.
If your skin is already drying up then bp wash is not worth the trouble.
If you want to drive the acne into complete remission then you have to take a cumulative amount of 120-150mg per kilogram of body weight. For a 110 pound woman it's going to be 5000mg or higher. The point is that the more accutane that you take and absorb in those five months the less likely you are to need a second course. The generics work best when they are the taken with a high fat meal. I think the easiest way is to eat your regular diet and add some peanut butter. I'm not making this crap up. Nih published a study on it
As far as managing the side effects goes. I used neutrogena ultra sheer dry-touch sunscreen in the morning and cerave renewing sa lotion in evening. They didn't aggravate my existing acne.
The dry lips bothered me the entire time I took it. Using Aquaphor lip balm about 15 times a day made it tolerable. Whatever you do keep your dermatologist informed of it.
I really think that you have a good chance to get cleared up permanently.
