Accutane experiences?

[Anonymous]

I’ve been on accutane about 4 months now. It’s working in the sense that for the last 2 months or so I have had no “new” pimples. But the ones that were already there 4 months ago have not healed? Like it seems like the accutane dried them out and made them peel but they are still there. My next appointment is next week so obviously I’m going to ask my derm but I’m just curious if others have experienced this? It’s very annoying as I started accutane with a lot of breakouts so although I’m thankful that it’s been preventing new ones I guess I was expecting more of a clearing of what was already there as well. I’d love to hear how it was for others.

[Anonymous]

How long of a course did your derm recommend? I experienced something similar and after month 4 my face really turned the corner.

My understanding is the new thinking with Accutane is slow and steady to reduce side effects. That you’re not experiencing new breakouts is great. If you still have existing cysts (versus marks) maybe they could inject them individually?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:How long of a course did your derm recommend? I experienced something similar and after month 4 my face really turned the corner.

My understanding is the new thinking with Accutane is slow and steady to reduce side effects. That you’re not experiencing new breakouts is great. If you still have existing cysts (versus marks) maybe they could inject them individually?

That's what I was thinking too.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:How long of a course did your derm recommend? I experienced something similar and after month 4 my face really turned the corner.

My understanding is the new thinking with Accutane is slow and steady to reduce side effects. That you’re not experiencing new breakouts is great. If you still have existing cysts (versus marks) maybe they could inject them individually?

7-9 months is what was recommended with the understanding that I would know I was done when I had a full 2 months of clear skin before stopping. I wouldn’t say they are cysts. More like scabs? I dunno but I hate them. I would get cysts on my jawline and that is completely gone now thankfully.

[Anonymous]

I did an 8-month course of Accutane about 30 years ago. It totally cleared up my skin and I never had any serious breakouts since. But for the first 10 or 12 years afterwards, my lip skin would peel off in huge chunks.

[Anonymous]

my teenager did it for 7 months. It was really at month 5 that her skin was totally clear. She has been off it for 6 months and never had a pimple. Her skin is amazing.

[Anonymous]

My DD did it three times. Amazing results at first each time and then failure. Turns out she had high testosterone. Spironalactone since and she is clear. Lesson: do adequate tests first before using.

[Anonymous]

All four of my kids were on it for cystic acne as teenagers. It worked wonderfully. they still have great skin, years later.
Odd taking my 14 year old daughters in for pregnancy tests monthly but...

[Anonymous]

I’m 45, been on three courses plus continuous low or micro dose for many years. It has changed my life. I have had side effects like hair falling out and night vision decreases, and even skin lesions on my arms that looked like eczema—I believe this was due to the daily dose being too strong for me. Once I decreased the dose or paused altogether, all effects reversed. I would recommend Accutane specifically for cystic acne but do be patient and watch for side effects and adjust the dosage if needed.

[Anonymous]

Any adults with kp? I never tried accutane because I read it can make kp on body much worse.

[Anonymous]

My teen with cystic acne is afraid to try Accutane because of the side effects. It sounds like they were minimal for most posters here?

[Anonymous]

I took it for 6 months about 15 years ago, when I was 30. I stopped before the ideal time because of side effects - full body eczema and blepharitis is what I can remember now, and they were the most troublesome. Very occasionally I’ll get a cystic pimple, usually around my period. But it is nothing like what I used to have on my face or back. I also really appreciated the pore tightening and scar reduction. Sometimes I wonder about going back on it just for that.

The brother of a colleague of mine died by suicide shortly after he started taking accurate. The family believed it was related to the medication since depression is a side effect. That was frightening to me. I didn’t have any mood alteration on it.

I don’t remember what point my skin really started to clear, but I am very glad I took it and I wish I’d done it sooner.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My teen with cystic acne is afraid to try Accutane because of the side effects. It sounds like they were minimal for most posters here?

If they show up, lower the dose. The only inevitable one is chapped lips. Make sure your teen is supervised by a dermatologist.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My teen with cystic acne is afraid to try Accutane because of the side effects. It sounds like they were minimal for most posters here?

I was too (parent) and am so sorry that I waited so long. Nothing else worked and DC had no side effects.

As pp's mentioned it really takes 4-5 months for most people and DC's skin still had marks for over a year. It takes a while but it's great in the end.