Acne

[Mattmartin1515]

Hey guys,

just wanted to share some of my experiences with acne to hopefully help some people out. Definitely try other methods first if you want before jumping on Accutane, but nothing personally worked for me except it.

I am currently finishing up a course of Accutane prescribed by my dermatologist. Started off at 40mg per day for 1 month, then 50mg, then 60mg, then 70mg, now at 80mg. She prescribed me to do another month on 80mg because my bloodwork looked fine (even on steroids/orals) and I did have a few small breakouts of a few pimples over the last few months.

I battled with acne as a teen, had it really bad on my face especially. Tried a few different OTC and prescription face washes but they did not work.

Got prescribed Accutane when I was 19/20 by my doctor, but she only had me on it for a few months. It cleared up my acne, but I relapsed several months later.

Also took Accutane a few years back prescribed by my dermatologist at the time, same thing it cleared me up but I relapsed several months later. But this time not as bad. It mostly was gone until I started taking steroids.

Over the years I tried a bunch of OTC face washes (salicylic acid, benzoyl peroxide, exfoliating cleansers etc), as well as prescription face washes with limited success.

Tried several supplements including Vitamin D, vitamin C, vitamin A, vitamin b5, fish oils, greens supplements, antioxidant/fruit supplements, zinc, green tea, turmeric, multivitamins, spearmint tea, probiotics. Also tried various diet changes that I had researched online.

Was prescribed antibiotics several times (minocycline, doxycycline, tetracycline) with minimal relief.

If you guys are suffering with acne, I highly recommend talking to your doctor to see about possibly being prescribed Accutane. Your bloodwork is monitored monthly (at least where I live), and it is the only effective treatment I have found for acne. I spent a lot of money, time and effort trying other methods, I wish years ago I had made more of an effort to be put on Accutane.

I definitely had issues each time with very dry lips, skin. But there is Vaselines, stronger lip balms etc you can buy to help combat this a bit.

Hopefully this post helps. I tried tons of different methods from researching online but none really helped my situation until I took Accutane. It can be a harsh drug, but all 3 times I took it my bloodwork was fine and I can't recall having any adverse effects outside of dry skin/lips.

 

[ludi_janez]

40 mg of accutane per day tottaly killed my energy, charm and ability to cope with stress. It can be hard. Especially if you are used to be a high performer, accutane can set you back a little bit.

Many people report it impairs their problem-solving ability.

But then when you look back, when your skin is clear and you stop taking it, it is all worth it.
The sides are not permanent, if you dont fuck yourself up and keep the dose reasonably low.

The sooner you take that shit, the better, because you will need less and your dkin will heal quicker.

So if you need it, dont wait, take it as soon as possible.

 

[OmL]

Personal experience;

When I miss or forget a HCG injection, as I’ve been relatively consistent for a year now, my upper chest and upper back break out in spots and lumps, I’m lucky enough on that a tea tree oil based body wash seems to keep mine relatively under control.

I’ve heard some people are able to control their backne with a heightened exposure to direct sunlight. Can’t verify this as I live in Ireland, so the sun is only a myth here.

 

[shackleford]

Hey guys,

just wanted to share some of my experiences with acne to hopefully help some people out. Definitely try other methods first if you want before jumping on Accutane, but nothing personally worked for me except it.

I am currently finishing up a course of Accutane prescribed by my dermatologist. Started off at 40mg per day for 1 month, then 50mg, then 60mg, then 70mg, now at 80mg. She prescribed me to do another month on 80mg because my bloodwork looked fine (even on steroids/orals) and I did have a few small breakouts of a few pimples over the last few months.

I battled with acne as a teen, had it really bad on my face especially. Tried a few different OTC and prescription face washes but they did not work.

Got prescribed Accutane when I was 19/20 by my doctor, but she only had me on it for a few months. It cleared up my acne, but I relapsed several months later.

Also took Accutane a few years back prescribed by my dermatologist at the time, same thing it cleared me up but I relapsed several months later. But this time not as bad. It mostly was gone until I started taking steroids.

Over the years I tried a bunch of OTC face washes (salicylic acid, benzoyl peroxide, exfoliating cleansers etc), as well as prescription face washes with limited success.

Tried several supplements including Vitamin D, vitamin C, vitamin A, vitamin b5, fish oils, greens supplements, antioxidant/fruit supplements, zinc, green tea, turmeric, multivitamins, spearmint tea, probiotics. Also tried various diet changes that I had researched online.

Was prescribed antibiotics several times (minocycline, doxycycline, tetracycline) with minimal relief.

If you guys are suffering with acne, I highly recommend talking to your doctor to see about possibly being prescribed Accutane. Your bloodwork is monitored monthly (at least where I live), and it is the only effective treatment I have found for acne. I spent a lot of money, time and effort trying other methods, I wish years ago I had made more of an effort to be put on Accutane.

I definitely had issues each time with very dry lips, skin. But there is Vaselines, stronger lip balms etc you can buy to help combat this a bit.

Hopefully this post helps. I tried tons of different methods from researching online but none really helped my situation until I took Accutane. It can be a harsh drug, but all 3 times I took it my bloodwork was fine and I can't recall having any adverse effects outside of dry skin/lips.

What kind of changes is your doctor lookong for in your bloodwork?

 

[lilhawk]

What kind of changes is your doctor lookong for in your bloodwork?

Liver enzymes and lipids

 

[shackleford]

Liver enzymes and lipids

Thank you. Glad you're seeing improvement!

 

[Ophydian]

40 mg of accutane per day tottaly killed my energy, charm and ability to cope with stress. It can be hard. Especially if you are used to be a high performer, accutane can set you back a little bit.

Many people report it impairs their problem-solving ability.

But then when you look back, when your skin is clear and you stop taking it, it is all worth it.
The sides are not permanent, if you dont fuck yourself up and keep the dose reasonably low.

The sooner you take that shit, the better, because you will need less and your dkin will heal quicker.

So if you need it, dont wait, take it as soon as possible.

The only permenant side I have from
Accutane are 1 or 2 tendons that never fully healed because I was lifting moderate while doing 4 months worth.

 

[Streetfighter V4]

How do u battle lip dryness, im only on 20mg and its helping but man my lips look so dry its hurting, vaseline and what do u use?

 

[Mattmartin1515]

Vaseline lip balms are decent. Also Eucerin Aquaphor is pretty good. Doesn't work for everyone though.

I definitely have to apply them several times a day at the higher doses of Accutane. But they both help vs just regular lip balms.

I'll take a look at the ones my doctor recommended. I didn't get a chance to try them out yet, I only used the Vaseline lip balms and Eucerin Aquaphor.

 

[Mattmartin1515]

Personal experience;

When I miss or forget a HCG injection, as I’ve been relatively consistent for a year now, my upper chest and upper back break out in spots and lumps, I’m lucky enough on that a tea tree oil based body wash seems to keep mine relatively under control.

I’ve heard some people are able to control their backne with a heightened exposure to direct sunlight. Can’t verify this as I live in Ireland, so the sun is only a myth here.

Sun exposure definitely does help with my acne, but it was a short term fix and then it comes back.

Then just making sure you properly apply sun protection so you are not damaging your skin etc and don't get too much sun exposure.

I found if I got burnt, the dead skin would clog my pores and cause acne.

 

[Ecto]

Aquaphor when your away from home and Bag Balm when you at home. Works like a charm when on accutane. Lumify eyes drops are a lifesaver as well.

 

[Abt]

On blast I take 20mg accutane three times a week. Besides some dry lips no other side effects

Cant look like a Greek god when you skin is full of acne.

 

[Cashton]

I use dawn dish soap and a little bit of this waxy stuff with teatree oil and neem oil and Shea butter and stuff from healthy planet after my shower, but in the shower I wash my shoulders and face with dawn dish soap, then my face I use a little bit of a Sephora brand AMA cleanser/toner, but the dish soap is the real star here.

 

[ludi_janez]

What is dawn dish soap? What does it contain? We dont have this here.

 

[Cashton]

What is dawn dish soap? What does it contain? We dont have this here.

Just regular dish soap, dawn they use to clean the wildlife animals after oil spills, I figure if it’s good enough to clean the oil off a penguin or duck, it’s good enough for me, lol.

 

[Mattmartin1515]

How do u battle lip dryness, im only on 20mg and its helping but man my lips look so dry its hurting, vaseline and what do u use?

These are the products my doctor recommended!

I never tried them out, but give them a shot if you want:

CeraVe healing ointment
Avene cicalfate cream for lips

 

[Mattmartin1515]

Anyone taking accutane during the summer, just remember....you should take particular care of your skin with regards to the sun. Accutane does increase burn risk quite a bit.

 

[Regular Joe]

Tanning always helped me a lot. Always had to walk a fine line, if I didn't go long enough it didn't do much five minutes to long and it's a burn.

 

[Mattmartin1515]

A trick also to do which I'm going to do for the next little bit because my acne is starting to come back after I finished my course of Accutane. Take accutane EOD or a few times a week instead of ED. Hoping I will get less side effects this way while also still getting some benefits.

I have read others do this online.

My doctor told me it's the total cumulative lifetime dose of Accutane that is important for getting rid of and prevention of acne.

So I'm hoping to slowly increase my total lifetime dose as she had prescribed me from before another month of 80mg daily. I'll probably take 40mg 1-2x per week. Then cut it to 0-1x per week once it's cleared up.

 

[ludi_janez]

That a good tactics. But i wouldnt take any accutane in summer if possible, because then you cant go on the sun..

I did a half assed course this spring, and it mostly cleared me up, however i would need more to really come clean, but im taking off in the summer.

Then september, october, november i will do another 3 months of 20mg ED.