Accutane Q?

Question

I am going to be on accutane for 3 months and wonder what others' experience on this was like? I hope it works, and I wonder how long your skin stayed clear for after your cycle on accutane,a nd also, what did you use to wash with while on it; must it be something very gentle?Thanks!!

Answer 1

I was on Accutane when I was 18. I am now 28 just for reference. While I was on it and for a time after my skin was good (though dry). I don't want to make this a bashing session, but rather just give you the realistic view of my experience.

1) my cholesterol skyrocketed
2) I didn't have any breakouts for a couple years. but was back to full blown cystic acne by about 24 or 25 years old.
3) the rest of the skin on my body (not my face) has been extremely dry and itchy. i have to use a good moisturizer (not a cheap one) quite frequently now.
4) I have had ovarian problems ever since that medication...been to the hospital several times for it. Possibly a coincidence but timing wise they are likely related.
5) My skin cracked and blead, especially my lips while I was on it. You have to moisturize and have a VERY good chapstick that you use religiously. And absolutely use something gentle to wash your face. I'd recommend something similar to what I use (no chemicals, no fragrances, no animal bi-products, no oil or mineral oil). You can find a lot of natural products out there and they would likely be your best bet.
6) Take it faithfully or you will regret it

I think I've put enough horror here for you now. If you are a person who has tried everything and gotten no relief, this may be your only option left, but it certainly isn't one to make lightly. They don't know the long term effects of Accutane, and I expect thouroughly to hear that it causes more problems internally than it fixes externally.

Answer 2

I've done two courses of accutane. The first time my skin stayed clear for over 5 years. It worked beautifully. The second time was a little over a year ago, so far so good, but this time my skin is a bit more fragile afterwards. Sores/wounds are taking a bit longer to heal on my skin than they have in the past.

You definitely don't want to take anything that can damage your liver during this time, like alcohol or certain pain relievers. Make sure you get your blood work done every month. My cholesterol got extremely high each time I took accutane. Watch what you eat (less fat) too.

Your lips will probably get incredibly dry. I used aquaphor on them instead of chapstick.

Definitely use something extremely gentle to wash with, and moisturize afterwards.

Some people complain of hair loss while taking accutane. I didn't experience any, myself.

And of course the big warning: DO NOT GET PREGNANT, NO MATTER WHAT. Use at least 2 forms of contraception at all times.

Answer 3

Just remember two things while on accutane:

1) you cannot donate blood while taking accutane.
2) DO NOT GET PREGNANT. Accutane, and other retinoids are known teratogens, they cause birth defects. Make sure you have a reliable method of contraception while you are on it, and make sure that you use a condom every time you have sex as a back up.
Other than that, accutane is a very effective drug for cystic acne or acne that fails to respond to any other type of treatment. How long you stay clear after using it depends on many factors, like hormones, and how you care for your skin when you wash it, the normal bacteria count on your skin, etc. Your dermatologist will have a better idea of how most of his/her patients have responded to it.

Answer 4

Wash your face with something MILD, like Dove... Don't wax anything while on Accutane or for at least 6-9 months after. You'll rip layers of skin off if you do!
For some reason while I was on it I had numerous stye infections(never had them before until the Accutane) and one was so bad it had to be surgically removed.. just an FYI...
I loved Accutane and wished I had done it earlier. It did wonders for my self esteem. Im sad to hear how hard it is for people (women, mostly) to get a prescription nowadays because for some of us it really is/was a miracle cure..
I still get the occasional monthly breakout but not the huge cystic ones I got before the Accutane.
Remember to practice safe sex too!
Good luck!

Answer 5

I have been off Accutane for two years and haven't had a major zit since.During the first month, I experienced bone pain, nothing too bad. This was the only sideaffect i had during the six month period. I continue to wash my face daily with Cetaphil cleansing and moisturizing soap, it seems to have helped. Before using Accutane, I tired dozens of medicines and creams but nothing worked except Accutane.

Answer 6

I used it for about a year. It worked great untill I had a period where I was unable to use it for a week. Then it stopped working after that. Proactiv Solution works better. For the best solutions for permanent acne relief buy the book "Acne Prescription" by Perricone. It deals with proper diet for relief of Acne and it works. Diet greatly affects your skin.

Answer 7

my son used Accutane for six months, it cleared his skin beautifully, but damaged his liver. DO NOT DRINK ANY ALCHOHOL EVER, AND DO NOT TAKE TYLENOL EVER.
You only have one liver, you can't live without it.