Hey everyone! So I just joined thge sight, although I've been reading the public posts on here for years. I've heard about people beimg turned down for Accutane because of their skin not being "bad" enough for it, but I'd just like a little bit of clarification on the subject, if at all possible..? Here's my atory..its a novel. My apologies ahead of time(;
I've had acne for about 10 years now. (I'm 19) It started out as little pimples..nothing major. Until about 7th grade. That's when I began getting cystic acne, blackheads, white heads, you name it..I had it. I've been on every medication you can imagine. I'll list it for the sake of the post.
Doxycyline
Minocycline
Differin
Retin A/ Micro
Clindamycin
Erythromycin
Birth Control
Benzoyl Peroxide gels, creams, washes
Just about every face wash you can imagine
And every other product you can think of.
I'm finally seeing a dermo on the 7th, and I'm really hoping to get Accutane to finally rid myself of this acne. BUT, within the last year or so, my skin has really changed. I now usually only get blackheads (Which turn into giant swollen lumps on my face after a few days), nodules, and cysts. But within the last 2 weeks, my skin has cleared up completely. I've got like 2 tiny pimples on my chin, and thats it.
My question is, what can I do to convince my derm that I'm not just some girl with mild acne coming in and asking for Accutane? The scarring on my face isn't bad at all (Which is remarkable considering I've had a decade worth of severe acne plaginging it without mercy), and I'm so scared he won't give it to me. Everyone in my family has had to go on Accutane, but they waited forever and all have HUGE craters and pits in their faces from waiting too long. My skin has no craters or pits, but I know I have only a short time before I get another massive breakout again. I'd be devestated if I scarred.
And my skin does this thing where it'll break out horribly,and take months to heal, but in the last week of healing, dissapear completely as if the breakout never happened. I know this would sound like a joke to a derm 
So my question is, what do derms usually listen for when prescribing Accutane? If I'm only getting cysts, is it even possible for him to prescribe Accutane for me? I won't try any more creams, gels, washes, etc. Its either the tane or nothing. But I need to know what to tell him beforehand, as to not make a fool out of myself and leave empty handed. Any help would be GREATLY appreciated!!
You should take pictures of your skin when it is broken out and date them. For proof. How does your skin just clear up magically? I told a friend of mine that I wanted to go on Accutane and she was all like WHAT! You don't need to!!! even though i'm all like yeah, I do. haha I'm sure that since you DO get only cysts, you're a better candidate for accutane. It's for those deep down in the skin pimples that are hard to the touch and won't come out.
I'm going to visit the derm on Monday to discuss with her about getting put on Accutane and telling her that I've tried everything. I'm basically on the same boat as you, cept I've tried a little bit more. Hopefully your derm will understand your situation, but it might be a little hard since you are "completely clear" now.
That's the part that kind of kills me. I did have photos of my skin horribly broken out, but when my computer crashed I lost them all. This was about 4 months ago. And as odd as it seems, I can't stand the idea of being in front of a camera anymore because of my skin. I'd be willing to take photos just for the derm, but since my skin has cleared...I don't know..I'm just totally stressed about the whole thing.
I heard if you've tried any kind of tetrycycline, you're more likley to get Accutane as a last resort? Could be wrong tho. I have a massive list of products I've used to show the derm. The list is much longer than the one I posted, but I didn't want to bore anyone! Haha
As for my skin "magically" clearing up? It doesn't. Were talking 6 weeks of having multiple cysts on my face, but the last few days they just..*poof* go away with some red spots, but never deep scars or pits. I attribute that to my amazing self control and not picking(;