I am now 3 and a half months into my Accutane experience, and it's been a weird one. I started getting acne at about the age of 11; I am now 16 years old and in my junior year of high school. I should start by saying how strong this drug is, and how important it is to understand, discuss, and think about the drug before you start blindly. The drug was hard to obtain, but in the end my insurance ended up covering everything because my acne case was so severe, it was considered a medical issue. the monthly dermatology and blood work appointments honestly don't bother me. As far as my skin goes, it has been a very up-and-down-like process.Granted, my acne was horrible, and I had a very terrible habit of picking and squeezing my face, thinking that was the only way to get rid of the acne. DO NOT SQUEEZE OR PICK YOUR PIMPLES, BLACKHEADS, OR DRYING SKIN. IT WILL LEAVE SCARRING. My face only has about 3-5 pimples on it now (compared to the 30-50 pre-accutane). My face is so smooth, if I didn't have a mirror, I'd think it was perfect. HOWEVER, it is not perfect. I have an extremely red complexion, and my acne scars are so noticable that it's almost like I never got rid of my acne in the first place. My dermatologist told me that about a month after I finish the drug, the redness with go away and the scars will fade. As for the deepened scarring, I will have to wait a year to get them surgically removed. I must say, I am very nervous for my scarring. I have a hunch that using my salicylic acid facial scrub is not helping the dryness or scarring. My lips, skin, and hair has been very dry. Always moisturize, and keep a great chapstick with you at all times. My face and lips has also gotten very red, and swollen. I have NOT experienced any depression while on this medicine (I had terrible depression pre-accutane). My back pain has increased, I have nosebleeds often, and my immune system has been low. I don't see these side-effects impacting my decision on the drug. They don't bother me as much as they probably should. I'm hoping the next 2 and a half months go by quickly so I can finish my 6 month accutane experience, and see the final results. Overall, if you are looking for a basically permanent solution to your stubborn acne, accutaune will get rid of it. It is a miracle drug, and I am very happy I started it. I hope my story was helpful to anyone.

At the age of 30, after trying many over the counter and prescribed medicatio and after having moderate acne since 14 years old, I decided to ask my GP if I could see a dermotologist. I had to try one last cream (differin) and after 6 months and still not being happy with the results, they referred me. I knew I wanted roaccutane although I was very nervous after reading negative reviews. I explained to the dermotologist how long I'd had acne and all the medication I'd tried. As a female I had to agree to use proper contraception which I was used to doing as I have two daughters and have completed my family! The major concern was my post-natal depression which I am still on medication for. I stressed I had good support and was in control of it and my derm was happy. So I started! Despite my fears my side effects have been minimal, dry lips and dry skin being the only notable ones which have been easy to deal with. My derm prescribed me cetraben moisturiser which is good for really dry areas but I found not moisturising unless really needed helped roaccutane work better. Lots & lots of Vaseline has been essential for the lips. The main problems were avoiding the sun...not easy in the best British summer we've had for ages! I had to wear factor 50+ not to burn. If poss I would suggest taking it in the winter. The other problem was trying not to squeeze. After a month or so my skin was so delicate that squeezing (even gently) tore the skin and left a scar. Please try your best not to squeeze, you will get spots that look like they could do with a squeeze but don't do it. Even if it heals the spot up it will damage the skin long-term. It has taken 3 and a half months to notice a real difference but it is a difference I am happy with. I do get some little spots but if I leave them they're not noticeable. I can wake up each morning knowing my skin will look the same as it did the night before. It has forced me to stop touching/picking/squeezing my face which I now need to maintain. I have some red scars from old old spots and some from squeezing on roaccutane but they will fade. I have not had any other side effects and I have stayed in control of my depression. I have been paranoide about the risk of getting pregnant but this must be taken seriously. I wish I would have taken roaccutane sooner or when I was younger to stop my acne cycle but maybe now was the right time for me. My acne was only moderate and it has not worked miracles but it has been the catalyst I needed to stop my every day struggle with acne. Research, think about it, talk to those who love you but if acne is affecting your life then definatley consider it!

I took accutane 40mg for 6 months. It was the best thing I ever did for my skin! It cleared up perfectly. It's been 2 years since I took accutane and there are occasions where I breakout but it's really nothing compared to what I had before. The occasional pimple is very easy to conceal! Accutane is a strong medication though. It causes a lot of side effects which are very harmful to your body. I would recommend trying antibiotics first before going on a medication like this. Dry eyes, skin, and lips are common side effects with this medication as well as joint pain (especially if you're an athlete). I recommend accutane to those who have tried everything else and have had no luck. This will work for you.

Overall, I feel its a great medicine with annoying but tolerable side effects. I think if you listen to your dermatologist, and avoid the scary horror stories online (it tends to psych you out) If you can deal with the dryness, chapped lips, etc.. You're golden.. And honestly, if you can't tell your derm if your side effects are too much, you may need another doctor.. They should listen to how you're dealing with the medicine. Good luck!!

I've had Cystic Acne for 3 years till taking this drug. While i was on this drug i experinced joint/ back pain, dry everything, and easily tearable skin with slow healing time. 40 mgs twice a day everyday did clear my skin i can proudly say i have clear skin (i really do) but i have bad scarring and ugly pigmintation, which can not be covered with makeup. I have to wait a whole year till i can have surgery to remove my scars. The doctor said they will tone down and possibly go away after a month of this product (i got off this yeserday) and i hope so because having this tore up skin sucks

I'm a 17 year old female with moderate to severe acne. I have oily skin (it's in my genes). I have always had acne; I believe it started in middle school around 7th grade. I never really did anything about my acne until high school. My mother and I finally went to the derm and he gave me Doxycycline and I stayed on that for quite some time, but it never really seemed to work. Eventually my acne got to the point where it made me depressed and I never wanted to do anything except sleep. So my mother and I went back to the Derm and he then told us about Accutane along with the effects and so on. I went on it and the first month there was a flare up and possibly the second, but eventually it dies down. I was on it for about 5 or so months and afterwards my face was so clear and smooth I couldn't believe it. Well, a few months down the road, (I play soccer and we condition in the summer) I started breaking out again. At first it was just a few bumps here and a few bumps there, then it seemed to just continue and it never stopped. My derm told me that I would get pimples from time to time, but this was a full fledged break out that never went away. Eventually I couldn't stand it anymore so we went back to the derm and he put me on it for 3 months and the same thing happened the first time I was on Accutane; my skin was clear. Well I got off my last dosage 3 weeks into March and it's June and I'm training for soccer and exercising and my face is breaking out again. It's not horrible;it's mostly on my cheeks and forehead, but it still bothers me. I just want to know that I'm not alone.. Has anyone else experienced this problem? I recommend Accutane. Though I'm still breaking out, my face isn't as bad as it use to be, and for that I am thankful. If ANYONE can help me or give me some words of advice .. it would much greatly appreciated!

My acne was very severe from an early age and when i was 16 i was referred by my doctor to a dermatologist. My derm was very keen to get me on accutane, but after reading the side affects i was quite reserved on the idea at first. But after a while i decided that i had no other option and i had a corse of accutane for 6 months. Now heres the point that everyone wants to know, Does it work? Obviously people react in different ways to medication so theres always going to be some variation in its results. However my conclusion is that accutane does work. It may not feel like it in the first place after having the initial breakouts but i can honestly say that it cleared my skin of acne. I still get the odd one now an again but no more than any one else. The major issue i had after finishing accutane was the hyperpigmentaion, which i still have today 2 years after finishing my accutane course. Granted it has faded massively since then but still it is there. To round up, if you have severe acne and have tried everything and you want to get rid of your acne for good, get on accutane. its a long long process but its worth it!!!!

I was on Accutane for a 7 month course back in 2012. I started at 40 mg for my first and second month and then 60mg for the remaining months. I experienced all the usual side effects. Extremely dry lips, dry eyes, blood noses and sore joints and lower back. I didn't clear until the start of my 5th month. I went from having moderately presistant acne to being clear. I wish the results stuck around though. I was only clear for 3 months after finishing up my course.

I used accutane back in 2010 for five months. Completely got rid of my cystic acne and oily skin. I was clear until January of this year (2013). However, the acne I have now is mild and hormonal. Accutane is meant for cystic acne and oily skin, and it cured me of that, so although I have hormonal zits now, it did its job, and I'm happy everyday that I took the plunge. The only major side effects I had were dry EVERYTHING and achy joints. Oh, and some weird dreams.

I was on this drug for 6 months, 10mg per day. I only saw results at the 4th month! The first months were hard to get through.. At the 2nd month my skin was at it worst point ever.. Now i only have scaring.. I am already doing treatments to get rid of the scaring and hopefully at the end of the year my skin is going to be perfect! Forgot to tell you, my acne wasnt that bad..It was moderate but while on the drug, at the 2nd month it was moderately severe.. You have to be patient if you want to see results