So I™m from the UK and can™t afford to see a private dermatologist. I went through the NHS waiting list to see a dermatologist that way. Yet, all I™ve been met with are nurses who constantly push accutane on me. The meetings were online so that adds to my frustration. The first nurse suggested accutane and I told her I don™t feel comfortable with taking accutane. It™s more of a last resort. She then suggested antibiotics and I told her they unfortunately don™t work on me. I then suggested that I™d like to try spironolactone after doing my own research and she said ok come to the hospital so we can get your blood pressure and prescription.
I went there and I was met with a different nurse who was lovely but by the end of the appointment she made me do a pregnancy test and made me sign a form for accutane. I was so confused because it felt so mismanaged as I was led to believe I was going there to get my blood pressure checked and get a prescription for spironolactone. My general practitioner put me on birth control and it™s managing my acne quite nicely. I still get the occasional cyst which leaves a scar and that™s my main concern- I have pitted scarring on my cheeks and have been working on improving them for two years. I can™t do that for one whole year AFTER accutane because my skin could literally peel off since accutane makes the skin extremely sensitive not to mention is dries out every molecule in the body - doesn™t sound good long term. Im so torn. Im 23 and I want to utilise my youth to help regenerate that lost tissue. I know that accutane can potentially eliminate cystic breakouts forever. I just care more about the scars I currently have I want to get lasers, peels and micro needling so that my skin texture improves. I feel like these nurses are just throwing prescriptions my way when I™d like to see a dermatologist. I might save up and go private at this point. I feel so heartbroken. I don™t know what to do 
I have a blood test form and another online appointment next month with a nurse about my progress with accutane - I haven™t taken it because I™ve been using peels and retinoids to improve my skin texture.
4 hours ago, can i get a new life please said:If i was a woman i would never took birth control. You taking that pill regularly and dont wanna take accutane because side effects?
Nice point. Its that I want to continue my treatments (microneedling, lasers etc) but I cannot do that whilst Im on accutane and 12months after. Im torn because I care more about the scars
But what you have to remember is one new scar a week from active acne is 52 scars a year and also scar treatments work by damaging the skin and the immune system works best at healing the wound when the body is subject to the most minimal amount of Wounds. Also a lot of practitioners will not treat you with active acne and with regards to treatment you should be able to microneedling on accutane and tca cross just no full face peels. But this all depends on dosage and amount of sideffects you have
I took two courses of 40mg Accutane and had zero side effects or problems. I think maybe I just had some fat/metabolism changes that were minor to be honest like my metabolism slowed or something but it might have just been me aging as well. Other than that it was a perfect medication for me.
The doctors take blood tests and obviously Accutane can cause birth defects so that's the reason why.
If you are getting acne still and it's causing scarring I personally don't see the hesitation on taking Accutane. As for not doing surgical procedures until 12 months after, that's typical. I had to wait also. I ended Accutane then 18 months later or so I got a Dermabrasion.
Truth is, a lot of surgical solutions for acne scars are hit or miss or just take lots of time anyway, so it's not like there's any reason you can't wait 12 months after a course. Getting rid of acne is really a priority to start to even solve the scar portion.
10 hours ago, Scarsmakemewanttodie said:But what you have to remember is one new scar a week from active acne is 52 scars a year and also scar treatments work by damaging the skin and the immune system works best at healing the wound when the body is subject to the most minimal amount of Wounds. Also a lot of practitioners will not treat you with active acne and with regards to treatment you should be able to microneedling on accutane and tca cross just no full face peels. But this all depends on dosage and amount of sideffects you have
Youre right. If I start accutane now the earlier the better. It could reset everything and I wont have to worry about new scars
1 hour ago, Girlwithscars said:Youre right. If I start accutane now the earlier the better. It could reset everything and I wont have to worry about new scars
I put off taking Accutane 3 years ago & now have the scars to show for it. I'm now starting a low dose (20mg daily) & will attempt to fix the scars after. Don't make the same mistake I made.
On 2/12/2022 at 12:02 AM, Girlwithscars said:Nice point. Its that I want to continue my treatments (microneedling, lasers etc) but I cannot do that whilst Im on accutane and 12months after. Im torn because I care more about the scars
You dont have to wait 12 months after accutane for some treatments. I was 6 months post roaccutane and had Subcision, rfm and TCA cross done, probably depends on the derm.
The side effects can be bad with accutane but for me anyway it was worth it to stop the acne. I was on various antibiotics before it and they did nothing.
accutane is currently the only thing that actually 'cures' acne if its origin is hormonal and/or genetic in origin. which is the case for people whos acne was bad enough to cause scarring. It works on 100% of people, and has a low chnce of causing serious side effects. For me it's a no brainer. It is a risk, but the alternative is dealing with cystic acne for the rest of my life.