Unlisted Brand • Accutane (by prescription) • Skincare - Face
(115 reviews)
| Average Rating. | 4.3 |
| Would buy this product again. | 82% |
| Package Quality | 3.7 |
| Price | 3.4 |
| Ingredients | |
valerie633 on 3/13/2013 9:05:00 AM more reviews by valerie633
Age: 44-55 Skin: Acne-prone, Tan Hair: Brunette Eyes: Brown
I read your review on accutane. I also have had acne for a long time. I use spiralactone and it keeps my skin clear I haven't had a pimple in over 2 years. I used accutane also and it didn't work as well.
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courtann on 3/12/2013 11:12:00 PM more reviews by courtann
Age: 19-24 Skin: Acne-prone, Fair-Medium Hair: Brunette Eyes: Blue
Okay I have had acne since I was 11 years old. I inherited from my mother's side. So it was very difficult to control. I have tried every drugstore product at least twice. Nothing works, ever! My skin is beyond sensitive as well. I have also used the prescription drug minocycline when I was 14 (2004), which gave me major stomach pains. It worked momentarily. So I tried accutane (2005?), it worked wonders! Amazing, only thing that has ever worked, no doubt about it. Problem is, it comes back. 6 years later (2011) my acne came back with a vengeance. Sad thing is I cannot live on accutane, I cannot seem to find anything I can use on a daily basis to maintain healthy skin. Has anyone else had this problem? I am also wondering whether they had to deal with this. In 2011 I went back to my derm, and was once again prescribed to Accutane. It cleared my skin in only 2 weeks!! I was on it for 9 months, and it worked better this time around. My skin was so healthy, I didn't even have to wash my face (I did though). It was a pleasant feeling to not have to worry about my skin every minute of the day. So now I have been off it since September 2012 and my acne is slowly coming back :( I do not know what to do, I see this as an endless battle. It causes so much stress. I am going to wait a little longer and perhaps go back to my doctor. The thing that concerns me is how fast my acne came back this time around in comparison to the first round I was on. If anyone has dealt with a similar issue, please comment I would greatly appreciate it.
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beecky on 2/5/2013 10:52:00 PM more reviews by beecky
Age: 19-24 Skin: Combination, Medium, Warm Hair: Brunette, Wavy, Medium Eyes: Hazel
I know it's not the safest drug, and it is certainly not for the faint of heart, but Accutane is truly a miracle drug. I did one round of Accutane exactly a year ago, and my skin was perfectly clear for about 7 months afterward. Matte, smooth, clear, and gorgeous. I was on 40 mg daily for 5 months. However, within the past few months my cystic, very persistent, pain in the ass acne has returned with a vengeance. It has gotten especially bad within the past 2 moths, which is why I went back to my doctor today and got a prescription filled for more Accutane. So my second round of Accutane has officially started ! I've tried everything, and i mean everything to combat my acne. Clearasil, Clean & Clear, Neutrogena, Vichy, Kiehls, Minocycline, birth control, etc.I used to get it badly on my back as well, but the first round of Accutane handled that quite nicely. My skin has gotten progressively more oily, and I'm getting more cysts as time goes on. I finally had enough when yesterday I felt too terrible about myself and my skin to even go to school. Accutane truly is amazing, and if you suffer from acne that gives you serious insecurity, I'm of the opinion that you should absolutely try to get on it. Make sure you're in good health, get your bloodwork done regularly, and moisturize, moisturize, moisturize ! Aquaphor is great on lips, inside the nose, and on dry skin. Also don't shampoo your hair as often, as your scalp will produce much less oil as well. This drug is life-changing, and soooo worth it. I can't say enough good things about it !
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prettyfacades on 12/31/2012 2:27:00 AM more reviews by prettyfacades
Age: 19-24 Skin: Acne-prone, Fair-Medium, Warm Hair: Black, Straight, Fine Eyes: Brown
EDIT:
I'm now on round 2 month 4, and I remember why accutane is so great now. I'm getting that accutane glow and I'm 90% clear.
I have documented all my progress and products in my notepad.
I went on Accutane for 9 months, 20mg/day, so total dose would be 120mg/kg. It was amazing, I was completely clear after 2 months, and this was after months of various antibiotics and topicals.
The side effects I got were dryness. Dry skin, dry eyes, dry hair, and my periods would only be 3 days instead of the normal 5-6 days. Maybe this was because of the lack of fluids, so the blood can't flow? Idk.
Also, the nosebleeds. They are SCARY as fuck. But just put on vaseline inside the nostril every couple of days and it'll be fine. But if I get a cold and have to blow my nose alot, there's bound to be a nosebleed. And it's seriously flowy and heavy, like to the point of the blood flowing backwards into the throat (LIKE you're drinking your own blood, ewwwww).
After 1 year of finishing the course, I seemed to be breaking out a little. Not sure whether the effects have worn off or it's the products I was using, but now it's 18 months after I've finished my first course, and I have mild-moderate acne, some clogs, some cystic spots and some pustules.
18 months after finishing, my skin isn't super oily like before, it's more normal/combination. It's not really sensitive anymore,, but I have some breakouts.
I am now going on a 2nd round of accutane a 10mg/day, a very low dose and I hope it'll get better.
Bottom line: It isn't a miracle once-off cure for acne, but it does help alot. Acne might come back, but it won't be as bad as before. The side effects aren't that big of a problem, in my opinion.
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bascoeur on 12/29/2012 7:29:00 PM more reviews by bascoeur
Age: 19-24 Skin: Normal, Olive, Warm Hair: Brunette, Straight, Medium Eyes: Brown
I had dealt with acne since I was eleven, up until nineteen. My doctor tried to shoo me off with topical prescriptions for years on end, telling me it'll go away after puberty, letting me try antibiotics when I was persistent enough.
After years of such nonsense, finally insisting on a dermatologist, and pressing the dermatologist to just give me accutane already is the best thing I could have done.
If you're starting an accutane treatment, keep in mind that it will take a while to kick in, it might get worse in the beginning, and it's hard to predict the severity of the side effects for you. I found it perfectly manageable. It dried me out a little, and the effect it had on my lips turned me into a lip balm addict to this very day. (blistex daily lip conditioner=HG) But that's nothing if you've had your self confidence wrecked for so many years. This works.
So weigh the pros and cons, consider what you're willing to deal with. This stuff is meant to absolutely nuke your acne. On the other hand, don't be scared of accutane either. In my experience, it's not the scary last resort boogeyman it's made out to be.
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*TOP REVIEWER* besidetheocean on 12/23/2012 8:48:00 AM more reviews by besidetheocean
Age: 25-29 Skin: Acne-prone, Fair-Medium Hair: Brown Eyes: Brown
I've had problems with acne since I was 14. I tried everything but Accutane, honestly because it scared me and I went for a while without insurance. Just this year I got insurance, went to a dermatologist to get a prescription for more Tazorac, and he suggested Accutane. He had taken it himself and was able to be very clear about all the possible side effects. I went on it for 5 months and it is the BEST decision I've made when it comes to my skin.
There are side effects. I have to carry chapstick everywhere, and feel desperate if I forget it because my lips get so dry. I have to use moisturizer daily, where before it was rarely necessary. I got cracks at the corner of my lips that were very painful and took a while to go away (just the one time). My eyes are dry and I have to carry eye drops with me also. Due to this, I get styes very easily. I had a couple pretty bad headaches at first until my body got used to the medication. To me though, the most stressful thing was figuring out how to schedule two Dr. appointments per month: one for a pregnancy test and one for bloodwork to make sure it want raising my cholesterol. But after all of that, everything was worth it and I would take it again in a heartbeat.
My skin is so clear I don't know what to do with myself. Before it was so easily agitated and I couldn't wear most makeup including eyeshadow and blush because it would break me out. Now I can wear whatever I want without having to worry. Before I hated for anyone to see me without makeup. If I had people over I would wake up early to put on some foundation before they saw my skin. It pretty much controlled my life. I decided whether or not I wanted to go out based on how my skin looked that day. Accutane saved me. Yes, it can have very scary and dangerous consequences, but it also WORKS and has the power to change lives. I would recommend it to anyone who has tried everything else without improvement. I would recommend it to anyone who wants to stop acne in it's tracks before it gets out if control, like I wish I had done 15 years ago.
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nisesuarez on 12/7/2012 12:07:00 AM more reviews by nisesuarez
Age: 19-24 Skin: Acne-prone, Medium Hair: Brunette Eyes: Brown
My acne had gotten out of control to the point that i couldn't hide it with any makeup. I took accutane for 9 months and this did work for me. After 2 years it came back but it is a lot easier to control now. The worst thing about it is that it can cause depression, but acne also can make you depressed, so it is up to you to choose what you want to do. I would recommend this product to people who have tried everything and nothing had worked for them.
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kloops on 12/6/2012 11:45:00 PM more reviews by kloops
Age: 25-29 Skin: Normal, Fair Hair: Brunette Eyes: Green
Miracle drug for my brother and myself. We each took Accutane, about 4 years apart, at the age of 15/16. My acne was quite bad, although I've blocked out memories of just how bad, I think. Few photos remain from that time, thanks to my parents not owning a digital camera in 2005. I don't remember having cystic acne, just very intense regular acne. I took Accutane for 8 months and it completely cleared my skin up. Yes, the side effects were unpleasant, but not unmanageable. I kept chapstick with me constantly and used a prescription moisturizer for my hands. My bloodwork never came back abnormal that I know of (hey, I was 15. I would definitely get every result now.) One weird thing is that it kinda turned my teeth yellowish, but I would rather have clear skin and yellow teeth than horrible acne and a bright white smile. I didn't get any of the really bad side effects, luckily.
Its been about 7 years since I stopped Accutane, and my skin is so different. I actually use moisturizer now! Its still wild to me. Some people on here comment that their acne has come back, which is a shock to me. I'll get the occaisional zit, mostly from hormones I think. I even get comments about how clear my skin is (the first time that happened I almost fainted haha).
I only have positive things to say about Accutane, but keep in mind that it is an intense drug. There are some nasty side effects that have been associated with this drug. Way out the pros and cons of taking it with your dermatologist, and make sure you trust your derm. You might even want to get consultations with multiple derms before you decide to take it!
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xclusive on 12/6/2012 10:23:00 PM more reviews by xclusive
Age: 19-24 Skin: Combination, Olive, Warm Hair: Black, Straight, Fine Eyes: Brown
Accutane saved my skin. I had the worst acne when I was 15. I had cystic acne all over my forehead and cheeks and no matter what I tried, (drug store, antibiotics, doctor prescriptions) nothing worked for me. My skin was so horrible I couldn't look in the mirror without crying, at any given time I would honestly have about 80 pus filled bumps on my face.
My dad finally decided to take me to a dermatologist, within 5 minutes he said my only hope was Accutane and warned me about all the dangers, risks and everything associated with it. I got it that day and did two 8 month courses. I remember my skin being very dry and getting dandruff for the first time. My lips were always cracked at the corners and my hands felt like a trade workers. My skin also got worse before it got better.
All this was worth it though, because after a year my skin was clear, free of acne and scars. I was finally confident in myself and my skin stayed acne free for about 4 years until I hit my 20's, now I get breakouts every now and then but nothing compared to how I did as a teenager. I wouldn't recommend this to anybody though because some of my friends tried it and got depressed or it worsened their acne. I recommend acne.org and have been using the regimen since May with great results.
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*TOP REVIEWER* Amie on 11/14/2012 1:10:00 PM more reviews by Amie
Age: 36-43 Skin: Combination, Medium, Neutral Hair: Blond, Straight, Fine Eyes: Hazel
I feel this medicine is always going to get a bad rap, partially because of Dr's who do not sit down with their clients and go over the good and bad aspects of this, side effects and long terms pros and cons.
I had a great derm who walked me through everything, didn’t lie to me and we discussed (after I also did my own research) if this was going to be the right option for me. I have had cystic acne since I was 12, I had it so bad at one stage my face was completely swollen with infection and I couldn’t wash with anything as it felt that my skin was being seared off. I did the antibiotics, change in diet, topical drugs, I've pretty much been on every available drug and acne program on the market, so I felt confident that I wasn’t being forced to take something where there may have been something else out there, for me this was the last option, and frankly having acne at 37, with the job that I have is not acceptable.
The first two months were tough, and yes my skin did dry out, the lips were the worst part but I just kept carmex on me at all times. For my body I did crème washes and moisturised with coconut oil, and shea butter, I also used olive oil which was really soothing and nice.
For my face I invested in some heavier skin crème, and also used Kheils midnight recovery which really made a difference. I did panic that too much oil would exacerbate the problem I was trying to get rid of, but the derm assured me that I needed to add moisture back in, and she was right.
The second 2 months my skin really started to even out and if I got a blemish it was tiny and went away quickly, by the end of the two months I had none to speak of, and the dryness was still there but not enough of an issue to make me stop the treatment.
I had a further 2 months to complete my programme (this will depend on your acne severity) and at the end of the two months I was pleased with the results.
I still had some scarring which I knew would take awhile to disappear, and your skin does become quite fragile so you cant do too much to deal with that until after your skin starts to normalise. I did get body aches, but I do a lot of walking so I just kept it up but slowed the pace, that way I wasn’t inactive, and I drink a ton of water normally as well so I personally had no issues with my kidneys. I drank no alcohol the entire 6 months I was on it, and ate food with as little cholesterol as possible. I had my blood tests which all came back at the same levels over the entire 6 months, so due to my taking extra care with my body the cholesterol levels did not get any higher that the initial spike that I had when I went on it.
I understand that not everything works for everyone, and you have to weigh up what you can deal with and what your derm feels is the right approach, but for me this was the only option left and I have no regrets about going on it, I am happy with the results and don’t feel that the side effects were too much to deal with. I know depression has been noted as one, but I personally didn’t have an issue with that and I do have a history of suffering from depression so I was hyper aware that I needed to make sure I was ok at all times. The big contribution to me sticking this out was that I could see the results; I knew it would get worse before it got better but I committed to seeing it though and I had a great derm that supported me and didn’t make false promises. I also didn’t have a lifestyle before that meant I was giving up food or alcohol that made me feel like it was a "chore" to take this course, I just gave up a few things and it was really no big deal, six months is no time at all really.
For me I would do it all again, no regrets.
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lylaura on 11/14/2012 12:03:00 PM more reviews by lylaura
Age: 25-29 Skin: Acne-prone, Fair-Medium Hair: Brunette Eyes: Brown
I really do not reccomend Accutane. Those that say it cleared up their skin haven't hit the 2-4 year mark after when the acne comes back worse! it always does I know a few more people that were on this horrible drug and their acne deffinately came back some had worse side effects than I did like depression :(. I have been going to different top dermatologists since I was 14 in San Francisco. My acne wasn't that bad it could be covered up with makeup, but it was just persistent and left red marks and scarring on my pale skin, I did get tiny cysts maybe once a month, only on my jawline that bugged me as well. By time I was 20 decided to go on accutane DR made it seem like the cure,I read about side effects and thought I would be ok because I am healthy. Once a month you have to get your bloodwork done, I started developing lower back pain and told my doctor she said it was unrelated. It was because accutane was adversely affecting my kidneys; till this day I sometimes still get the pain. The worst about being on the accutane was that my face did not clear up right away, it actually got worse! I started getting bigger cysts in the first 2 months my lips got super dry so did the rest of my skin. I had to be on Accutane for 6 months which I thought was worth it if it would work. by moth 3 or 4 my skin cleared up I was so happy that I didn't care about side effects. then 2 years later the acne came back but this time it was all cystic and worse than before. I went back to dermatologist she suggested a second round, but warned me that sometimes a second round causes acne to come back worse a few years later. I went to another dermatologist for a second opinion I did not want to get back on accutane and go through side effects. Also i didn;'t want to deal with the purging process of accutane again, she said that last time my doc had me on a too high dose and that is why I flared up my first month on accutane this time she would sart me at lowest dose, and inject any cystes with cortisone to have them dissapear immediately for free (those injections are so bad and just mask dont cure prob btw) after 2 doctors told me best treatment for me was accutane I decided to go through it again, 2nd Time: worse back pain than first time, headaches, nose bleeds etc, I started taking and even lower dose than my doc suggested. Side effects were so bad even painful dry eye and dry lips not cute. But my skin cleared up even faster, but side effects were so bad I stopped a few weeks into month 4. Second Round Clear skin lasted 4 years , but you still have to be meticulous about skin care routine but no cycts. Last year large cysts started appearing so I went to Dermatologist for cortisole injections and was geting about 10 in one sitting, she suggested accutane again and other medication, and 200 facials!!! FYI she said facials I would not see results until after the 8th one....Crazy doctors I really suggest you don't go on Accutane not worth it,
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MakeMeUp14326 on 10/8/2012 12:23:00 AM more reviews by MakeMeUp14326
Age: 19-24 Skin: Acne-prone, Fair, Cool Hair: Blond, Straight, Coarse Eyes: Blue
I was afraid of jumping on the Accutane train for a long time because of all the horror stories I'd heard about it. On top of that, I didn't feel like my acne was THAAAT bad...it was annoying, but not cystic. I didn't think Accutane would be the right thing for me. But when prescription after prescription, tons of topical treatments, all-natural skin care products, etc. didn't work, I got frustrated, said "SCREW THIS, I'm going on Accutane." And I haven't looked back. In fact, I wish I had taken it sooner. Sure, I get redness, dry lips, dry skin, and my hair falls out (cute, right?) but GOLLY, I can go sans makeup without wanting to cry. People make a big deal about their side effects, and maybe some people really do have terrible side effects, but mine have been no problem at all. And while I am excited for the course to be over, I do love the fact that my skin is not oily at all and I can probably go a week without washing my hair.
All in all, try this is if you've tried everything else without success. Even if you don't have cystic acne, it's still worth it.
update: I've been off of Accutane for a month and I just want to reiterate how thankful I am for it. I used to be so embarrassed of my skin that I didn't even want to look people in the eye, and I would stay at home instead of going out with friends just so I could hide my skin. I would wear makeup all the time, even if I was just hanging out at home with my family. In contrast, I go without makeup all the time now.I assume some oiliness will come back, but right now my skin is neither dry nor oily, and I love it. Also, the side effects have subsided almost completely. Accutane has given me so much confidence and I hope I never take it for granted.
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*TOP REVIEWER* LaceyH on 10/3/2012 12:16:00 AM more reviews by LaceyH
Age: 25-29 Skin: Acne-prone, Fair, Neutral Hair: Red, Wavy, Fine Eyes: Blue
i was on accutane three seperate times, for 4 months 2 times, and three months the third time, for a total of 11 months. normally a person does no more than 2 round of accutane, but due to it's high cost and our not-so-good insurance, I couldnt afford to do the complete 5 months each time. without insurance it costs over $900 just for a one month supply.
there's some stigma with this medication that it can cause depression. but as my dermatologist told me, having severe acne is quite depressing itself. personally, i feel much LESS depressed now that my skin isnt riddled with acne.
it took about a month and 1/2 before my face was clear of acne, and at that point it was 100% clear, and STAYED that way for the duration of treatment. my skin was very dry on my face. not uncomfortably dry and tight, but i went from having oily skin to having dry flaky skin. not a big deal, but makeup doesnt look good over flakes. the skin on the rest of my body was somehow not affected. of note, my eyes were uncomfortably dry, to the extent that sleeping with a fan pointed at me gave me really dry eyes. its been over 8 years since i've stopped the accutane, and my eyes still get dry from time to time, and i sleep with my fan pointed away from me. aside from the dry eyes, i have not had any other negative side effects.
after the first 4 month round of accutane my skin stayed clear for approximately 6 months, and then the acne came back, although not as bad as it had been originally. I'd say that my skin had improved by roughly 50-55%. after round 2 my skin stayed clear for a few months longer, but again i still had a considerable amount of acne come back. after all of the rounds, i am now ~98% clear. i currently use a BHA religiously, and without that i'm only 90-93% clear. and i also have a mirena ring, so i do not have monthly periods (TIM, i know, sorry!). as such, i dont get monthly breakouts. when i DO have a light period, every 3-4 months or so i will get a small breakout or 2, but no where near as bad as i used to get.
all in all, i dont regret taking accutane at all, and given the decision i'd take it again all over again. only regret is that i want able to complete the full 5 months each time. i think if i had been able to i would have only needed to be on it 2 times instead of 3.
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*TOP REVIEWER* cheeky on 9/23/2012 5:24:00 AM more reviews by cheeky
Age: 25-29 Skin: Acne-prone, Fair, Neutral Hair: Brunette, Wavy, Medium Eyes: Green
This helped so much! I started using it in 1999 i think, back then it was new and not as controversial as it is now. It was so new I even got paid to take a survey after I took it because they wanted feedback. My skin was awful all through middle school, I tried topical meds but they made my skin burn and peel so badly it bled. I took antibiotics like tetracycline and doxycycline which helped while I was on them, but once I went off the acne came back. My boyfriend at the time was taking accutane so I asked my dermatologist about it and he prescribed it. Luckily my side effects were very minor - very very chapped lips, that's honestly all I remember. For a few years after I took this my skin was perfectly clear, but acne came back in my late teens/early 20s. Some people go on two cycles of this. Luckily I have been able to control my acne with aha and bha products, but accutane was perfect for me when I was 14.
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TiffD on 9/20/2012 1:58:00 PM more reviews by TiffD
Age: 19-24 Skin: Acne-prone, Fair-Medium Hair: Brunette Eyes: Hazel
I am extremely happy with the results I got after using isotretinoin for 6 months. As a female, I had to take the urine tests every month to make sure I was not pregnant (because there are serious fetal malformations that can occur from becoming pregnant while on this medicine), but that wasn't too inconvenient. Also, you have to get blood tests done for the first 3 months, but after that if your results do not change then the medicine will have no effect on you and your doctor will probably stop administering the blood tests.
Instead of writing an essay I am just going to list all of the pros/cons of using isotretinoin that I experienced.
Cons:
1) Initially broke out a bit more on top of all the acne I already had but this only occurred in the first month.
2) VERY dry lips. This medicine completely shuts off your oil glands, and since your lips are very sensitive, expect to have paper-dry lips. But with many applications of aquaphor/other chapsticks throughout the day, you will be fine.
3) Isotretinoin is VERY expensive if your insurance doesn't cover it. I had to pay around $300/month for 6 months. Not very wallet-friendly.
4) Slight stomach problems. If I didn't take each tablet with a meal my stomach would cramp up but I have been off of it for five months now and am completely healthy.
5) Skin is sensitive to the sun so I was constantly wearing sunscreen, even if I was only outside for about 30 mins.
6) Skin on your face becomes very dry but adding lots of moisturizer day and night will easily take care of that.
Pros:
1) Skin cleared up within 3 to 4 months and has STAYED CLEAR which is amazing.
2) I could go 4 days without washing my hair because my scalp was so dry that my roots wouldn't get oily. It was a major time saver!
3) I have been off of isotretinoin for 5 months now and my skin is completely clear. I occasionally get a breakout or two but they are very small and go away within two or three days.
4) I do not have to spend mass amounts of money on skin care/acne products.
5) Skin all over your body, not just your face, becomes smooth and even.
If you have severe or very persistent acne, I would HIGHLY recommend isotretinoin. I no longer have to worry about my skin, and don't have constantly make sure I am keeping it perfectly clean. This medicine is expensive but, in my opinion, worth every penny and if I had to go back in time, I would take it all over again in a heart beat.
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crochetbella on 8/31/2012 1:52:00 AM more reviews by crochetbella
Age: 36-43 Skin: Combination Hair: Brunette Eyes: Brown
Accutane (Claravis) changed my life. I had cystic acne from my teens through my 30s and couldn't take turning 40 and still dealing with painful acne. I took it for about 7 months. Had dry lips and some muscle soreness but nothing too bad. My skin cleared almost immediately and I have been clear for a year. I can't tell you the joy of not having the pain and embarrassment that I dealt with for so long. It is serious medicine, but I had tried everything else. I am so glad I tried it.
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lady25 on 8/24/2012 7:09:00 PM more reviews by lady25
Age: 25-29 Skin: Acne-prone, Medium Hair: Blond Eyes: Green
i remember reading these reviews about accutane, and being very scared on the one side, yet very curious if i'd have the same good results as others here.
i am now 6 months off the accutane, and like other people here i gotta say this is the best thing ive ever done for my skin!! i was on a lower dosage 25mg for 10 months (starting from april 2011 till feb 2012). the doctor said my acne was pretty stubborn because even at 6/7th month i still had some acne. now i realize it could be just hormones that only started working after 6th months, not sure.
oiliness returned after 3th month of stopping, but still not that bad as it's used to be. my back & chest are clear, and so is my face. i have lots of scars left from permanant battle with acne for over 10 years (im 28 now) but no inflammation or spots
people tend to forget bad stuff quickly, but when i look at my older pictures i remember the pain, and realize what a good feeling is to wake up without having a new pimple on your face.
speaking of side effects: i did experience extremely dry lips, dry hair, dry skin, overall fatigue that i was sick of to the end of the treatment - thats pretty much it. and my hair is falling out badly atm, but only after i finished my doctor said that it is actually a very common post side effect.
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paigie42 on 8/13/2012 5:23:00 PM more reviews by paigie42
Age: 30-35 Skin: Acne-prone, Fair Hair: Brown Eyes: Blue
I can't believe I waited so long to use this medication! I have had acne since my teenage years and now that I am 30 I was sick and tired of constantly battling with my skin. Now that my skin is clear I had no idea how much thought and time was put into covering up my acne with makeup, trying to find cleansers and treatments that would work, blotting my oily skin and touching up my makeup. The freedom this product has given me is unbelievable - I can walk out the door without a stitch of makeup on and not feel bad about myself. I can't begin to explain what this has done for my confidence and happiness!
The treatment is rough at times. There is no side effect that you MAY have. You WILL have side effects - dry lips, dry skin, dry hair which causes breakage, nose bleeds. Some people experience them more than others, but you WILL have side effects. One thing I did that helped is from day 1 I replaced all my products with new things that were moisturizing - cleansers, lotions, shampoo and conditioner, and I even had to change my brand of deodorant. You will need 42 tubes of lip balm and you will go through all of them.
I was clear from about 6 weeks in. The purging was insane! I would literally run my fingernail down my nose and the blackheads would just scrape out. So gross, but so awesome! It got rid of the blemishes on my back and chest right away. It took a while for the scarring to go away and I still have some stubborn spots that will take a while.
I am now 2 months off of the medication and I have had 2 small blemishes that haven't come to a head, very minor. My skin is starting to have some oil to it, but so far it is very normal - it probably just feels a little oily because it has been SO dry for so long!
Some people get all crazy about the side effects, harshness, chemicals, etc. But if you haven't given it a try, you don't know how it will work for you. I say go for it! I had tried antibiotics, tazorac, spironolactone, pretty much everything and this was the only thing that worked for me. Some times I guess you have to just go big. I did and I don't regret it one bit!
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sheradri on 8/2/2012 6:55:00 AM more reviews by sheradri
Age: 25-29 Skin: Acne-prone, Fair-Medium Hair: Black, Straight Eyes: Brown
After over 10 years of battling with acne, I finally found something that works. I've tried every lotion and potion out there. I've also been on oral antibiotics, prescription topicals until I finally decided to talk to my dermatologist about it. This is my 4th month on Accutane and I couldn't be happier with the results. Prior to Accutane, my skin was very oily and my acne was mild to moderate. I also suffered with acne on my back and chest. Prior to my course of Accutane, I used Retin-A to control my acne with satisfying results but the side effects were unbearable (redness, inflammation, sensitivity to the sun). Additionally, my acne would flare up really bad when I travel.
Here's my experience thus far:
Month #1: Rx for Claravis (generic for accutane) qD 40 mg. My first two weeks with accutane was marked with a purging stage. It wasn't anything out of the ordinary or much more severe than my previous flare ups so it didn't bother me at all. My dermatologist warned me that I would get severely dry skin, chapped lips, even dry nose so I was prepared for that.
Month #2-4: Rx for Claravis qD 40 mg. I started getting used to having really dry skin so I made sure I was hydrated very well. I am also a regular Bikram Yogi so I had to make sure I drank lots of water in addition to consistently applying moisturizer and lip balm. This is where I started to see drastic changes in my skin. I was no longer purging and my skin was glowing. My acne scars were significantly better and people started noticing the changes in my skin. One of the MUA at MAC even commented on how she wouldn't even believe I suffered from acne had she not known me from years before. I can also get away with using just tinted moisturizer or even not wearing makeup at all. My all-time favorite foundation to use is MAC face and body and some asian BB creams that have lighter coverage.
Notes:
Getting the Rx for accutane is a lengthy process. Your dermatologist is the only person who could determine whether this drug is right for you so I would have an extensive discussion with them regarding the side effects of the drug and your concerns about it. Getting the bloodwork done every month, doing the iPledge stuff may seem like a hassle BUT it was definitely WORTH IT. YOU ABSOLUTELY CANNOT GET PREGNANT while on the drug as there is a 100% chance that your child will have birth defects. You are required to have 2 forms of BC while on the medication. While some people have reported suicidal thoughts and emotional changes or depression, I have not experienced this at all. If this is a concern, you definitely have to keep in contact with your doctor immediately. The worse side effect that I've had while taking it is extremely dry skin and severely chapped lips. Lip Balm (Lypsyl) and Cerave Moisturizer was my BFF during the entire process. I was advised to use gentle moisturizers and face wash so as not to irritate my skin during the process. Additionally, I burnt so easily during the entire process so I had to make sure I was always wearing sunscreen.
Overall, I swear by accutane. For someone who suffered from acne for so long, I finally found something that works. My skin has never looked this good in such a long time and I definitely accutane has definitely been my miracle drug!
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*TOP REVIEWER* Gracious_Lady on 6/21/2012 8:17:00 PM more reviews by Gracious_Lady
Age: 36-43 Skin: Combination, Medium Brown, Warm Hair: Brown, Relaxed, Medium Eyes: Brown
I had acne to varying degrees for over 26 years, and over that period of time, I had tried every prescription-grade acne retinol cream & gel available, plus other prescription acne meds. Tazorac worked alone for the most part but 3 years ago, my skin took a bad turn and out of frustration, I decided to listen to my Dermatologist and give Accutane a try. Well, it's 3 years later and my skin is absolutely beautiful with ZERO acne. Now Accutane is a SERIOUS med, so serious there are checkpoints and monitoring required by law. Also, it affects people differently. The worst problem I had was dry skin, dry lips and dry eyes which were anticipated and were easily remedied by over the counter products. I never had any serious issues and my blood work throughout the process (required) was always normal. All in all, I was on Accutane for just under 5 months and it was the best decision I've ever made concerning my appearance. For 26 years, I was so self couscious about my skin because of the acne and the dark marks the acne bumps would leave behind. Now, I have none of that. Now, i feel good when I look in the mirror and I'm actually complemented on my skin and it's clear, glowing quality. Amazing! My Derm put me on Tazorac for daily maintenance so I use it, but again, I've never been better; I haven't had an acne bump in 3 years. It's not for everybody, but it was for me.