Accutane Effects

WARNING: Accutane is a serious drug that can have long term effects on your liver, skin, joints and more. Try the Acne Products out there first. We recommend Murad Acne Complex.

Guesss WHAT?! 4 months and 3 weeks have gone by and, if my doc is feeling like being a nice guy, I only have 1 more splendid week to go! Hard to believe but I have been on this shiznizzle for nearly 5 months, wow. Trooper? I think so.

Breakouts: Breakouts are minimal. I have really been putting a lot of effort into washing my grill. It’s all psychological. If I get too lazy at night to do it, I tell myself that I am only going to brush my teeth and then I can go to sleep. However, being in the bathroom is enough to make you feel guilty for not washing your face as well. Oh the mind games I play with myself… Whatevs, it works!Dry Skin: I went to the dentist and they had my mouth open for a while…this caused considerable dryness on my lips and around my mouth. Fortunately, it was merely temporary… nothing to fret over. Besides the obvious cons to have chronic dry skin, there are the pros. For instance, that’s how this medicine works! It dries out your skin and thereby makes your face less oily and acne-filled = ). When I moisturize (which is a must), my face is smooth smooth smooth… It is smooth sailing from here (wow, what a clown comment to make…)Lips: My lips are phenomenal (in retrospect). I have almost completely stopped picking at them and they are bothering me less and less accordingly. A little self-control and will power is all that is needed! It is kinda neat that I haveta chapstick and moisturize my lips constantly cuz it sorta forces me to be girly, lol. I NEVER useda wear that shit and now I do practically every 5-10 mins… Although I do hate the times when your hair lands right on a juicy mouth full of lip gloss, I kinda like the fact that I have a soft and supple mouth all the time (wow, yet another clown comment right there…)Body: So remember when I went to the beach and fried like a chicken last week? Wellll, that finally started to peel! What glory! This isn’t sarcasm… I loooooooove peeling burnt skin off (like you don’t!) Peeling my skin provided me with countless hours of entertainment (literally). It hurt for the entire week but now I am feeling alright. Alright enough, in fact, to try out the beach for a second time! Ballsy, I know. Feeling brave and lathered with 45 and 30 spf sunscreen all over, I made sure to lay on my back for almost the entire 3 hour excursion to la playa. Not surprisingly, I barrrrely got any color lol. I’m gonna try the beach again later this week and, this time, I’ll stick to just 30 spf and see if that makes a difference (hey, I kinda gotta get some color…it’s the summer!) Other than that, I have been having HORRIBLE back problems. I thought it was due to the fact that I have had back problems for a few years now but it has gotten significantly worse and has really begun to worry me (I am seeing a chiropractor). I don’t know if this has anything at all to due with the medicine but I have heard of people who get joint and muscle pains from accutane… I guess I just haveta wait til I get off of it to find out? I don’t know… we shall see. My back is really tense and tight. I always useda crack it for a little relief and now it doesn’t even crack anymore. As for now, I am gonna try to work out and ease some of the pain I have been having. Has anyone else experienced these symptoms? I only just linked my new-found pain to a potential accutane side effect. Hopefully that IS the reason this pain has come about cuz I really want it to go away = ( . Don’t let that scare you, though! I have had problems for years so this isn’t completely out of the blue! On a more positive note, no more headaches for me! Baaaalllllleeerrr!

Hey Rogue, thanks a lot! It’s not really a rash, it’s scars and superficial acne but it does kinda look like a rash in my awkward pictures… But thanks for the advice! I really appreciate it.

 

Spanky, thanks for the good luck! I have a question for you… In between your two courses of Accutane, were you experiencing the same type of acne that made you start the first course? Or was it dormant until years later? I am kinda nervous that I am going to flare up immediately after my treatment ends = /

 

Kristina, I don’t really use any spf on my lips (though I really should). Aquaphor is really good for healing, I think, but it’s not really all that great at protecting. I think Burt’s Bees has come out with a chapstick for lifeguards that HAS to have some spf in it, it only makes sense. I know that it is super strong but I haven’t seen it in stores yet. I had medicated Burt’s Bees before (4 of them actually) and I lost them all. Sooo, I have been stickin to Aquaphor nowadays haha. My face lotion is called DML and I get samples of it from my dermatologist. He told me that I can get it over the counter at a drug store but I am pretty content with getting it free from him, lol. Next time, ask your dermatologist for a few samples and see if it helps. I like it a lot and it doesn’t take a lot to moisturize you up ha. I like Aveeno a lot too. I haven’t used the ultra-calming but I do use their face scrub religiously so, whatever works for you = ). I actually don’t know what to tell ya about your black/white heads. My black/white heads are only a little better and I don’t know if they will ever fully go away. I wonder what you mean about your face itching though? Do you mean you are itching to pick or that it literally itches? Also, I have an appointment with my dermatologist soon and I am going to ask about my black/white heads. If I do have a little breakout spot though, I just put on the same stuff my doctor gave me a while back (before Accutane) … At night, it is Duac Topical Gel (clindamycin, 1% benzoyl peroxide, 5%) and during the day, it is Evoclin (clindamycin phosphate foam, 1%). I put on a very limited amount only on the areas I am having trouble with on the days that I see a problem. Hope that helps! Thanks for cheering me on and good luck with your treatment! Keep me updated!

 

Amanda, oohhh nooo! Blisters, ouch… I got blisters once, a whiiiiiile ago, and I absolutely never want to experience them again. Feel better! Also, I remember being super frustrated in the first couple of months of treatment. I don’t know if it is because you are supposed to flare in the beginning (which I have heard from people) or if it was because my doctor didn’t put me on a high enough dosage. Just because your doctor puts you on a certain amount doesn’t mean that you have to comply with him/her! They aren’t experiencing what you are experiencing so if you have given it ample time and haven’t seen results, speak up! You know best how and what you feel and they WILL listen to you (because you will make them, lol). Just keep in mind that the doctor doesn’t always know what’s best! (Even though they do most of the time…)

 

Dave, wow! I can’t believe you are seeing results so quickly! That’s awesome… My old dermatologist told me that food has absolutely nothing to do with your skin and all that talk was just a huge myth. As enticing as that idea sounds, there is a reason why she is my OLD dermatologist lol. If beer clears you up, then keep up the good work! Thanks for the apology and keep in touch.

p.s. I don’t know if I will fully reveal my face at the end… I’m thinking about it…

 

Chelsea, thanks for the comment and I look forward to talking to you soon!

  

Hey, sometimes my comments page is pretty messed up so, if I haven’t responded to you- please let me know! I am not doing it on purpose, I swear! And keep them up, they bring me much joy = )

 

1. Spanky Says:
   June 5th, 2008 at 2:21 pm

   My skin before Accutane was pretty bad, including big cysts on forehead on occasion; and lots of stuff on my chest and back. During the 10 years in between I really got nothing in those areas.

   What made me ask for Accutane again were breakouts mostly on my cheeks, close to my nose. Nothing was helping. But that didn’t develop until after 8 or 9 years after my first course.

2. jj Says:
   June 5th, 2008 at 4:53 pm

   Hey, JJ in the UK again.

   I’ve also noticed joint pain recently (have been on the pills for about 3 months now). Like you, I really don’t know if it’s related to the medication, or if I’m just using it as an excuse. I’m also 35 so it could just be an age thing! I’m really hoping that it is the medication though, so it’ll improve when I finish the course (sometimes I feel about 90 years old when I get out of bed at the moment!).

   It’d be good to know if you find this improves once you’ve finished your course and have had a few weeks to get rid of the side effects (although I hope by then you’ll be off sunning yourself and won’t have the time to write on the blog!)

   Great to hear that you’re surviving it and seeing light at the end of the tunnel. I have hardly any acne now, which is really quite something after suffering from it for around 20 years! I have a few red patches on my face where I’ve stupidly picked at dry skin, but am trying to stop doing this and put vaseline on these areas when I go to bed (the very idea of putting vaseline on my face is so alien, but it really does work).

   Look forward to the next post, take care
   JJ

3. dave Says:
   June 6th, 2008 at 12:00 pm

   My face….nuts hahaha. I never thout this stuff would work cuz i had tried everything but im getting comments from everyone! My moms always sayin my face looks like shit and now shes amazed. My dad said im lookin more like a man? My best friend told me my face is clearing really well. Ladys r lovin it hahah. Best of all (i dont tell anyone this) but my confidence if sky high. Dont worry im not one of those guido bitches, fuckin hate those kids. but forreal u cant go wrong with Accutane. Its funny cuz ill do the same when i get lazy @ night and dont wana wash my face. but ill tell u what i do…..

   Wash: I wash with those Neutrogena Towelettes things mornings and nights. There pretty good. i try not to touch my face @ all (now my face is pretty and i wana touch it all over cuz its so smooth no bumps, nice and sexy lol?)even when i wash so i get these things to avoid my germy fingers. One of my secrets is…..TOOTHPASTE! Crest Whitning with Scope. i put this on my problem pimples, really weird but it works! leave it on 4 a min then wash it off. ur face will get really cold in a fresh air kinda way (kinda feels good?) cuz of the scope but scope kills germs so maybe thats y it works so good. anyway by the next morning ull see ur pimples have gone down a good bit. TRY IT!

   Dry Skin: The New Cetaphil® DailyAdvance Ultra Hydrating Lotion.(Y did i put the r next to Cetaphil?) Thats all i have to say about moisturizers. This shit is Sooooooooo GOOD! I never worry about dry skin anymore and it lasts 4ever. its a bit thick and if u put on 2 much it looks like ur sweaty but its non greasy and amazing. if ur still drying at all u gotta use this.

   Lips: I know me and u have both gone over this but maybe 4 others? Burt’s Bee! The one. The Only. The Best. Carry one with u everywhere. Have one next 2 ur bed and make sure u put a bunch on b4 bed. Have one in ur car. Alil warm out but jacket pocket? poolhouse? w/e make sure u can get 2 one lol.

   Eating Health/ Working out: People say eating has nothing 2 do with skin care but i does, at least for my skin. Sugar used 2 be our best friend when we were young but u gotta break it off some! Watch what u eat. chicken cesar salads r amazing. Try not to eat fried food everyday like i used 2 b4 accutane. Eat some veggies with ur meal. fruits for snacks. Whole wheat bread. I sound like a mom right now but look @ my skin lol. It really works. As for working out. sweating is good. i lift weights and try 2 run at least 1 mile after my workouts. makes me feel great and also i herd when u work out a chemical in ur brain is released that gives u confidence!? works for me haha. serious though u gotta stay sexy.

   anyways i hope u read this all and take some of my advice. and i hope it works for u like it has 4 me. Almost onto month 3! keep in touch. later babe

4. dave Says:
   June 6th, 2008 at 12:00 pm

   ps that was the biggest comment ever hahah

5. DJ Says:
   June 7th, 2008 at 5:22 pm

   Hey I notice that your on accutane in the summer! What state are you taking it in? Hows the side effects for the sun?

6. Spanky Says:
   June 9th, 2008 at 11:37 am

   One more thing. I know you’re excited about stopping the Accutane. But enjoy it (again, hopefully it’s permanent). On this second course I’ve had essentially flawless skin since the start of month 3. I just slather on lots of Cetaphil (the wash or the moisturizer), and my skin is clear and even creamy (as gay as that sounds). It’s better than “normal” skin. Personally, I wish I could stay on Accutane forever.

7. baby Says:
   June 17th, 2008 at 12:23 pm

   Nice website!!

8. Chelsea Says:
   June 18th, 2008 at 12:10 pm

   Hey girl!

   Actually I do not have AIM. =(. Is there any other way to get in contact?

   Thanks!

   Chelsea

9. Acne Acne Information How To Reduce And Treat Acne Says:
   June 19th, 2008 at 11:19 pm

   Acne Acne Information How To Reduce And Treat Acne…

   I didn’t agree with you first, but last paragraph makes sense for me…

10. Pro Active Acne Treatment Says:
    July 14th, 2008 at 11:20 pm

    Pro Active Acne Treatment…

    comment2…

11. aqua phor Says:
    July 31st, 2008 at 5:37 am

    […] believe but I have been on this shiznizzle for nearly 5 months, wow. Trooper? I think so. (more??

Name (required)

Mail (will not be published) (required)

Website