r/Accutane

Hey guys,

I’ve been on accutane for 5 weeks.
Rn I don’t have any active acne at all!
But my dryness is gone? Like my cheeks and lips were so dry and now everything seems to be normal.
Does accutane still work and had anybody who finished accutane this experience?
I’m a little worried that it doesn’t work for my oily skin.
I’m on 10mg a day, 56kg, female. My acne wasn’t severe but stubborn which left pitted scars.

Btw had anyone success with Microneedling/ Green peel with their pitted scars? I know you shouldn’t do it while being on accutane btw but afterwards

Thanks!

I’m about 6.5 weeks into Accutane and feeling extremely down. I’m struggling to focus, don’t want to leave the house, cry almost every day, and honestly just want to sleep so I don’t have to think about my skin. Weight : 105 lb , mg: 40 mg (20 mg first month now 40)

Before Accutane, my skin had been fluctuating for ~7months but was actually looking randomly better right before I started. I didn’t have these big red inflamed bumps. I did have one area with a lot of under-the-skin closed comedones/microclogs, got a lot worse while I was on spironolactone (I stopped it - truly dont believe my acne was ever hormonal).

Around weeks 3.5-4 of accutane, those little bumps started rapidly coming up as red/inflamed spots. Some more superficial, some are painful and deeper (left cheek and chin only). My derm didn’t really warn me the purge could get this bad and she’s also very inaccessible, so I’ve gone to a few other clinics in the meantime. They’ve told me that for people with a lot of underlying congestion, weeks 3-6 can be the worst.

I’m almost done with month 2 and really don’t want to stop when I’ve made it this far, but I’m scared because I’ve also read people saying they purged for months so I’ve definitely considered as I cry when I look in the mirror. I’m seeing a new derm today and may try switch my care to her so I can actually contact my dr.

Would really love some encouragement from anyone who had a rough purge around this point and then turned a corner shortly after. If it lasted months please dont scare me more 🥲🥲 i had very mild acne before all of this, thank u all ❤️

Hi All,

I'm on month two of 10/20mg intermittent accutane dosing. 33M, 65kg. My skin has slowly been improving, but the dryness/redness is beginning to become more pronounced. I'm moisturizing with cerave daily moisturizing lotion and I layer cerave cream on my drier areas (like my cheeks) morning and evening. The layering has been more recent as the dryness has become more noticeable.

I'm wondering if I should start cleansing in the evenings only and just gently rinse my face in the mornings. I've seen others mention that they routinely do this.

Curious to hear from those of you who only do evening cleanses. When did you start doing that during your course? Did it help with dryness? Do you have any other dryness "tips and tricks" or product recommendations?

Edit: I am taking Omega 3 supplements and Zyrtec daily, and aim for 120oz of water everyday!

Thank you in advance!

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I'm getting 10mg/day to treat mild cystic acne. What am I even doing? My dermatologist told me that by having a low dose treatment the duration would be prolonged but I have recently found out about cumulative dose and I'm not even half-way there??? I want to be done already FFS.

I'm physically and mentally exhausted. I have stopped working out because I can't tolerate even mild exercises and certain isotretinoin has added to my feeling of overall tiredness throughout the day. All my labs are fine.

It's my second time getting Accutane. And the first time the treatment was around 40/50(? can't remember but it was a standard dosage) and lasted 6 months.

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I’m just starting accutane and almost done with my first week (18F, 40mg, 130lbs). My derm appointments are always quick in and out and I had no idea I am supposed to be taking to capsules with a high fat food! What do you guys normally take to meet the recommended 20g? I’m not a big fan of peanut butter and live in a dorm so cooking is very limited. Most of the meals I eat are pretty low in fat and calories as I’m more of a snack over meals person. Please let me know what works best for you! I’m open to all suggestions :)

About a month ago, a user posted a message saying they couldn’t stop crying because of how awful acne was making them feel and that they only wanted to hide at home. I thought I’d share part of what I replied trying to help this user, in case it can help someone else. We can do this! 💪🏻

“I hear you… I’ve spent the last half a year hiding at home, barely going out. I also felt uncomfortable wearing makeup, and I didn’t want people seeing me like this. And even alone, at home, I felt really uncomfortable in my own skin, just like you’re describing.

I started Accutane (10mg daily) 9 weeks ago, and things are a little bit better now (not great, but better). But I 100% get what you’re feeling, because I had the exact same feelings.

I also went through a phase where I didn’t even want to tell my friends about it. But little by little, I started opening up, and it felt so much better than continuing to hide it or making silly excuses not to go out. Now they know, and they’re there for me, understanding what I’m going through. Just imagine a friend in your situation - would you think it’s embarrassing? I don’t think so. You’d just want to support her. But we’re so much harder on ourselves.

As someone who’s gone through the exact same thing (and still is), I’ll share something: I live in a small town, and I don’t feel comfortable running into people I know in daylight, because I think they’ll just see my acne and scars. So I get around by bike everywhere - it makes it easier to avoid running into people 😂 I’d really recommend talking to a good friend or two about it, telling them how you feel. They’ll understand and support you, and most important, it will make you feel a little better.

Also, since you’re in this kind of “withdrawal” phase, I’d recommend trying to use this time for yourself - to make or learn things you probably wouldn’t have time for otherwise. Over the last few months I’ve read more books than ever, done 30 minutes of vinyasa yoga every day, and started learning piano - first months on my own, and I’ve been going to lessons every two weeks now. Tomorrow I’m starting French lessons too. This way, I force myself to go out, even if it’s just a five-minute bike ride to the teacher’s place. I’ve also started visiting a bookshop in town to browse books in person and ask the seller for recommendations - just enjoying the moment. I’m going today again and I’m actually looking forward to it. These people don’t know me, so I don’t feel as self-conscious around them.

I know how hard what you’re going through is. But things will get better, you’ll see. It’s a slow process - skin needs time to heal - but it will heal. We have to try to be kind to ourselves while going through something like this, instead of being our own worst judge. Talk to yourself the way you’d talk to your own daughter or little sister, with love and patience. And in the meantime, treat this “withdrawal” time as a retreat where you can nurture yourself.”

I’m scared I might purge. I’m scared of the mental health side effects since I’m already going through a lot. I’m scared of the vaginal dryness (lol). I’m just scared. Can someone help me feel not so scared of all these side effects. I’ve been struggling with acne since I was 12 and I’m 30 now. I just want clear skin for once. 😫

I have never had issues with under arm odor, I started accutane in February of this year, I have tried 12 different antiperspirants (with aluminum) Men's, women's, solids, gels, clinical and extra strengths, sprays etc. I start smelling after 4 hours.

I tried to switching to aluminum free and I notice I smell a little less, I've tried AHA/Serum based, sprays, solids, but the white mess on my clothes and constant sweating is awful. If I use an aluminum free base and use an antiperspirant spray to touch up I smell awful.

I feel so hopeless. I was using the Athena aluminum free deodorant for a month and thought I found the one, but it stopped working.
I exfoliate my underarms every shower to remove previous residue, I also use an antibacterial dial soap, I've tried glycolic acid as my first layer, I've also tried using an AHA deodorant and then spraying my second layer but nothing works.

Has anyone experienced this with accutane? Does anyone have any recommendations?
I'm also allergic to coconut and 90% of deodorants have coconut oil, which is another obstacle for me.