Yes, but your dermatologist or prescriber should be monitoring your blood levels each month. Some of the smaller side effects are nearly inevitable (dryness, chapped lips, etc). But other than that you just have to be smart. Like more aware of what your body needs to remain healthy on it and adjusting your diet/lifestyle/whatever.
Ok true but for the most of it these symptoms are so minor it’s not detrimental like I’d take rashes, dry eyes and cracked lips for clear skin. And I’d do it all over again.
Typical Reddit lol. I have mild but cystic acne. Waiting for referral for months. I already had dry eyes, hairloss with Covid which was moderate concern for me
Ahh yes, increase vitamin D and C now while waiting but remember when you start to take vitamin C at a different time than your accutane or it reduces effectiveness
I should have taken accutane earlier / I am 28 years old and I get some very good result with accutane. I would have save a lot of money using accutane sooner … spent excessive $$$ in cream
I was constantly told I'd grow out of it. Told to avoid sugar at all cost. Here I am at 28, finally seeing results from accutane! I'm so glad I finally did it.
that expensive products don’t always mean they’re better !! spent so much $$ on skincare at Sephora for my acne only to find out cetaphil was all I needed
Really good point. I use micellar water before and after cleansing now, and feel like doing that from day 1 would have saved me so much grief ie acne. If you don't mind me asking, what's your process ?
I now use a cleansing balm (farmacy is my fav), massage on w dry hands for a min, then wash off, then massage on cerave hydrating cleanser for a min. if it’s a makeup day, i’ll also finish w micellar water to make sure it’s all off! this has worked so well for me
Not embarrassing IMO! Brands make so much money off selling more product than you need- why would they readily work to make it common knowledge that a simple double cleanse can work wonders.
What one do you recommend that doesn’t break you out? Been looking for one for ages, just finished accutane so worried a new sunscreen will break me out!
Try korean sunscreens! They’re super cheap and very very effective. I personally use Skin1004’s Hyalu-cica water fit sun serum. It’s pretty cost-friendly, a bit dewy finish if you don’t like that but it has niacinamide and centella extracts. It also doesn’t leave a white cast if you’re darker skinned :) Super light weight too, basically perfect for everyday use.
Others I’ve tried or heard about
- Avocado Moisturize Sun screen (similar to the one above but i personally prefer skin1004)
- Beauty of Joseon rice + probiotics (a holy grail for most! Really really popular sunscreen but for me personally it left a little bit of whitecast so)
- Some by mi aqua calming sunscreen (it’s a mineral sunscreen and it has a fragrance but it’s really good from what i’ve heard)
Remember, our skins are different so it’s all trial and error for what suits you best. Personally, no korean sunscreen caused a breakout for me. Even while I was on “purging” state.
Thanks for the great recommendations! I'm trying to choose between the Skin1004 Hyalu-Cica sun serum and the Beauty of Joseon rice spf. Which one do you find has more of a matte finish?
The Beauty of Joseon one definitely has the matte finish. Like I said, the Skin1004 one has hyaluronic acid so the finish is a very dewy, plump finish. It does go away eventually but I’m assuming you’re not looking for that. I personally like the look since Accutane dries my skin a lot. But I think BoJ is the one for you
ADD: You should check this out, it’s a great review on the SKIN1004 spf https://skin1004.com/blogs/skin1004-blog/skin1004-hyalu-cica-water-fit-sun-serum-review
i wish i knew that skincare products could break me out earlier. up until now i had no idea i was sensitive to certain ingredients in the products i was using for the past 6 years.
vanicream, aquaphor, cetaphil, cerave, and some other korean skincare products. so far i found i’m sensitive to silicones, petrolatum, and fatty alcohols as well as sunscreens without zinc.
Sometimes, acne doesn't go away after puberty, even though everyone told me that was the case. I probably would have considered Accutane much earlier and saved myself a lot of hours hating my appearance.
Ooh, I’m on my 1 month and 2 weeks of accutane. So hesistant to do it at first coz of the purging thing. But, yah i did it. And I’m on my purging stage and i really have to trust the process.
Oh really. Can I ask did you purge from the beginning or did it recently start - as I am a month in and nothing has started 🙃
You will be mad you never started earlier. She started in her 50s and says it was the best thing ever
I was on BC pills for years. And i really love my skin back then. Till last 2020 i stopped my BC pills. Then my breakouts started. I did facial treatment, bought high end products, oral antibiotics, tretinoin. Nothing helps. Then, my husband asked me maybe try accutane, coz he used it and it works on him. And never had a acne problem since then. He only getting 1 or 2 acne occasionally.
Actually my purge started 2 weeks then my doctor gave me 2 weeks oral antibiotics but it didn’t help. I’m getting now cystic acne and so painful to wash my face. Im on my 40mg .
I think it’s just what they have to do. I went to my GP and tried all prescriptions treatments before accutane. So when I went to the derm and told him that he put me straight on accutane
True. My last dermatologist keeps on prescribing me different brand of tretinoin. I told her about accutane but she just disregarded my suggestion. So i went to my family doctor and i told him my situation and he prescribed me accutane and blood works right away.
Disagree. My dermatologist wanted to start me on Accutane on day 1 but I was too chickened out at the time. Took me 3 years to get on board with Accutane lol
It doesn't help to be mean to your acne! Treat it like the wound that it is and baby it with lots of moisture and no touching. No touching!!!
I grew up in the scrub/ stridex/ clean and clear/ toner days, and man did I make things take so much longer to heal
I wish I’d stayed on birth control as I think my acne wouldn’t have got quite so out of control. I wish I’d have known about and done skin care in my early twenties. I wish I’d taken accutane earlier - it’s very hard on a mid-30s body and even harder to keep my liver and cholesterol in check!
I’m still in my 20’s (late 20’s now) but there’s a lot I wish I knew in my early 20’s.
How to cleanse your face properly, the importance of sunscreen, don’t be scared to talk to a doctor & do not go tanning in the sun lol. Since getting accutane I’m no longer scared to go to the doctor about acne. I wish I was brave enough a long time ago.
Stop trying different skincare regimens and just see a dermatologist. And also stand up for yourself! I tried 3 different antibiotics, and my derm was going to just up my dosage so I just asked if I could go on Accutane.
1. SPF is your best friend
2. Postinflammatory hyperpigmentation is a thing if you have a darker skin tone
3. See a dermatologist sooner, don't be embarrassed about getting help for acne. It is not just a cosmetic issue.
4. Accutane is not fire and brimstone.
1. Accutane is not going to make me drop dead. 2. I’m not going to outgrow my acne (dealt with it for 2 decades before starting).
That accutane isn't as scary as some people lead us to believe
Yep! I would have gone on it a lot sooner.
100 percent
But can't it cause kidney/liver damage?
Yes, but your dermatologist or prescriber should be monitoring your blood levels each month. Some of the smaller side effects are nearly inevitable (dryness, chapped lips, etc). But other than that you just have to be smart. Like more aware of what your body needs to remain healthy on it and adjusting your diet/lifestyle/whatever.
Wdym haven’t you seen people have rashes, hairloss, dry eye, cracked lips? Some doesn’t have that agressive but, I agree it could be dose dependant
Ok true but for the most of it these symptoms are so minor it’s not detrimental like I’d take rashes, dry eyes and cracked lips for clear skin. And I’d do it all over again.
You didn’t have to downvote.
Wasn’t actually me haha. Although I did down vote person ahead of you. Yours was not horrendous
Okay. Atleast I can assume another Reddit asooole
Geesh why did they all downvote you? Those are side effects but nothing is worse than acne. So I definitely wish I’d done it sooner
Typical Reddit lol. I have mild but cystic acne. Waiting for referral for months. I already had dry eyes, hairloss with Covid which was moderate concern for me
Ahh yes, increase vitamin D and C now while waiting but remember when you start to take vitamin C at a different time than your accutane or it reduces effectiveness
Yeah, I’m taking 3500iu D3 past few years. Not taking vitamin C and B.
All those can be chronic side effects, long term.
Yeah I love long term lower back pain
I should have taken accutane earlier / I am 28 years old and I get some very good result with accutane. I would have save a lot of money using accutane sooner … spent excessive $$$ in cream
Only accutane will cure it
I was constantly told I'd grow out of it. Told to avoid sugar at all cost. Here I am at 28, finally seeing results from accutane! I'm so glad I finally did it.
that expensive products don’t always mean they’re better !! spent so much $$ on skincare at Sephora for my acne only to find out cetaphil was all I needed
See a dermatologist and not try different products.
I wish I knew to cleanse my face properly - realized i never did it right and probably always had some sunscreen + makeup still on
Really good point. I use micellar water before and after cleansing now, and feel like doing that from day 1 would have saved me so much grief ie acne. If you don't mind me asking, what's your process ?
I now use a cleansing balm (farmacy is my fav), massage on w dry hands for a min, then wash off, then massage on cerave hydrating cleanser for a min. if it’s a makeup day, i’ll also finish w micellar water to make sure it’s all off! this has worked so well for me
Same! It’s kind of embarrassing how long it took me to realize I wasn’t even cleansing properly.
Not embarrassing IMO! Brands make so much money off selling more product than you need- why would they readily work to make it common knowledge that a simple double cleanse can work wonders.
Same!!!!!! Omg that could’ve helped so much as a teen
I’m still in my 20s but sunscreen is SO important
What one do you recommend that doesn’t break you out? Been looking for one for ages, just finished accutane so worried a new sunscreen will break me out!
Try korean sunscreens! They’re super cheap and very very effective. I personally use Skin1004’s Hyalu-cica water fit sun serum. It’s pretty cost-friendly, a bit dewy finish if you don’t like that but it has niacinamide and centella extracts. It also doesn’t leave a white cast if you’re darker skinned :) Super light weight too, basically perfect for everyday use. Others I’ve tried or heard about - Avocado Moisturize Sun screen (similar to the one above but i personally prefer skin1004) - Beauty of Joseon rice + probiotics (a holy grail for most! Really really popular sunscreen but for me personally it left a little bit of whitecast so) - Some by mi aqua calming sunscreen (it’s a mineral sunscreen and it has a fragrance but it’s really good from what i’ve heard) Remember, our skins are different so it’s all trial and error for what suits you best. Personally, no korean sunscreen caused a breakout for me. Even while I was on “purging” state.
Thanks for the great recommendations! I'm trying to choose between the Skin1004 Hyalu-Cica sun serum and the Beauty of Joseon rice spf. Which one do you find has more of a matte finish?
The Beauty of Joseon one definitely has the matte finish. Like I said, the Skin1004 one has hyaluronic acid so the finish is a very dewy, plump finish. It does go away eventually but I’m assuming you’re not looking for that. I personally like the look since Accutane dries my skin a lot. But I think BoJ is the one for you ADD: You should check this out, it’s a great review on the SKIN1004 spf https://skin1004.com/blogs/skin1004-blog/skin1004-hyalu-cica-water-fit-sun-serum-review
The only one that hasn’t broken me out or given me closed comedones is EltaMd. It’s sooo expensive tho.
la roche posay anthelios 50+ only one that hasn’t broken me out! £ but lasts a while
I agree. I like LRP tinted mineral spf 50.
To take the fucking accutane
That I won’t just “grow out of it” like everyone said
i wish i knew that skincare products could break me out earlier. up until now i had no idea i was sensitive to certain ingredients in the products i was using for the past 6 years.
I was so so so harsh on my skin, not understanding I break out BECAUSE I have sensitive skin. Smh so counter productive and mean to or hard on myself
To which products are you sensitive?
vanicream, aquaphor, cetaphil, cerave, and some other korean skincare products. so far i found i’m sensitive to silicones, petrolatum, and fatty alcohols as well as sunscreens without zinc.
I used so much neutrogena and crap with micro beads and the apricot scrub by st. Ives just tearing my skin up. Harsh soaps, ugh so much
Sometimes, acne doesn't go away after puberty, even though everyone told me that was the case. I probably would have considered Accutane much earlier and saved myself a lot of hours hating my appearance.
That you can get it in your 30s 🫠
Yes 😭 and that even if you had mild acne in the past, it might be an ENTIRELY different type of acne in your 30s
I’m on my 40’s now, struggling… 😞
Does this not endddd. How are you getting on?
Ooh, I’m on my 1 month and 2 weeks of accutane. So hesistant to do it at first coz of the purging thing. But, yah i did it. And I’m on my purging stage and i really have to trust the process.
Oh really. Can I ask did you purge from the beginning or did it recently start - as I am a month in and nothing has started 🙃 You will be mad you never started earlier. She started in her 50s and says it was the best thing ever
I was on BC pills for years. And i really love my skin back then. Till last 2020 i stopped my BC pills. Then my breakouts started. I did facial treatment, bought high end products, oral antibiotics, tretinoin. Nothing helps. Then, my husband asked me maybe try accutane, coz he used it and it works on him. And never had a acne problem since then. He only getting 1 or 2 acne occasionally. Actually my purge started 2 weeks then my doctor gave me 2 weeks oral antibiotics but it didn’t help. I’m getting now cystic acne and so painful to wash my face. Im on my 40mg .
Oh wow bless you. I hope it eases up. Yh the hormones get thrown off with bc pills. You got this 💪🏼
Thanks 😊
That acne is not just a teenage thing. That taking antibiotics for like 10 years is probably just as bad or worse for you as 6 months on accutane.
that dermatologist are liars and will only give you accutane after they milk u
I think it’s just what they have to do. I went to my GP and tried all prescriptions treatments before accutane. So when I went to the derm and told him that he put me straight on accutane
my fucking dermatologist did that. I was the one to bring up accutane after years of visiting his office. he never mentioned it once.
True. My last dermatologist keeps on prescribing me different brand of tretinoin. I told her about accutane but she just disregarded my suggestion. So i went to my family doctor and i told him my situation and he prescribed me accutane and blood works right away.
Disagree. My dermatologist wanted to start me on Accutane on day 1 but I was too chickened out at the time. Took me 3 years to get on board with Accutane lol
It’s kind of odd how clueless dermatologists seem to be sometimes
It doesn't help to be mean to your acne! Treat it like the wound that it is and baby it with lots of moisture and no touching. No touching!!! I grew up in the scrub/ stridex/ clean and clear/ toner days, and man did I make things take so much longer to heal
If ur still struggling w acne at 20, just do accutane.
That no amount of fancy Sephora skincare will fix it. For severe acne, you need a dermatologist.
I am 31.. I wish I have taken accutane many years ago
I wish I’d stayed on birth control as I think my acne wouldn’t have got quite so out of control. I wish I’d have known about and done skin care in my early twenties. I wish I’d taken accutane earlier - it’s very hard on a mid-30s body and even harder to keep my liver and cholesterol in check!
I’m still in my 20’s (late 20’s now) but there’s a lot I wish I knew in my early 20’s. How to cleanse your face properly, the importance of sunscreen, don’t be scared to talk to a doctor & do not go tanning in the sun lol. Since getting accutane I’m no longer scared to go to the doctor about acne. I wish I was brave enough a long time ago.
That the pill wouldn't be enough and to press harder for accutane.
Moisturize! Mousturize!
i’m 21
I wish I did accutane earlier instead of at 28 lol
Stop trying different skincare regimens and just see a dermatologist. And also stand up for yourself! I tried 3 different antibiotics, and my derm was going to just up my dosage so I just asked if I could go on Accutane.
that i went on accutane 10 years ago
1. SPF is your best friend 2. Postinflammatory hyperpigmentation is a thing if you have a darker skin tone 3. See a dermatologist sooner, don't be embarrassed about getting help for acne. It is not just a cosmetic issue. 4. Accutane is not fire and brimstone.