Accutane has saved me.
I (F24 62KG), didn’t see many results on PoC when I was considering accutane - so thought this might be helpful for those considering.
I was on accutane for 5 months, 20mg for 1 month and 40 mg for the others. In the photos the 1st was pre-accutane, 2nd is during (with makeup as I had a job interview), and the last two is within the past week.
I had acne for 10 painful years of my life. From the age of 14, I lost all confidence, never dated, barely spoke to new people. Pre-accutane I was unemployed, lonely and genuinely tied my self worth to my skin. Even writing that sounds silly, but truly I could not understand the concept of self-kindness. I put myself in a box before even putting myself out there, and it seeped into every part of my life.
Since then, it’s been a night and day difference. I finally can look in the mirror without distaste, I’ve built confidence in myself, I have a job that I truly love and I have a wonderful group of friends. I truly feel like I can speak to just about anybody without averting eye contact or feeling like I’m less than.
As I have dark skin, and have had severe acne for so long - I’m at high risk for scarring. I have not addressed this yet, but my derm recommends specific lasers. I have used a 3-step skincare routine that is genuinely £30.
Cetaphil hydrating face cleanser, The Ordinary Niacinimide serum, and an oil controlling moisturiser. This is as opposed to the £££s I have sent on skincare over the decade and the cheapest my routine has ever been.
I am happy to answer any questions about my experience, and hope this could help at least one person :)