Hey all

I was hoping I wouldn't have to be in this position again, but here I am

I recently came off Accutane 40mg/day for 7 months.

During the treatment I was clear around 3 or 4 months in, however 4 months post treatment I am staring to break out again and it appears to be getting worse.

To be honest I think my dosage wasn't high enough, hence the early relapse.

I understand that your skin may respond differently do topicals after a course of accutane.

My options are:

1.) Begin dan's regimen twice a day

2. ) Use prescription epiduo cream once a day at night

3.) When I go back to my derm in 3 months ask for a second and higher dose of accutane.

If I had an appointment next week I would probably ask to go straight back onto the tane but in the mean time I am willing to experiment.

I also believe there is a 6 month wait until you can take a second dose?

I am currently only using a face wash and spot treating with tea tree oil.

Does anyone have any recommendations? or has used either of these products?

I have heard good things about dans regimen, but epiduo seem's like it would be more effective as it contains a retinoid? My skin is pretty used to topicals so irritation isn't much of an issue. The retinoid may also help with pigmentation and is obviously an easier regimen than applying twice a day like dans.

With dans regimen however, I do like the idea of using a moisturizer. (I would probably use one with epiduo aswell)

Just for the record, feel free to ask me anything about my experience on accutane, if you are considering it or just curious.

A few points:

- I did get an initial breakout (2-3 weeks in)

- no major side effects

- lower back and joint pain occasionally

- dry skin

- dry lips (most noticeable side effect)

- Pigment on pre existing scars are more obvious

- Contact dermatitis on forearms at one point but easily resolved with moisturizer

- skin inside your nose peels off (only 2 or 3 nose bleeds throughout the entire course)

- Defiantly use sun screen.

This is probably because I was on a low dose for my weight (80kg), however It really isn't as bad as you imagine it to be, I have had far worse otc, topical treatments such as chemical peels.. which IMO do not help acne in the long run.

Any help is appreciated

Cheers

Mike