Skincare Routine & Accutane

I'm glad it's worked so well for you! I almost tried it, but my insurance would have stuck me with a like $1000 copay, so that was a big fat NO. I finally got mine to cleared up this past year. The only thing I struggle with are my scars now, which I'm working on. I use retin-A to help my skin peel quicker (makes scars better) and will probably get chemical peels to get them completely gone after the wedding. I definitely don't want to risk a chemical peel so close to the wedding, especially since my scars can be covered, for the most part, by makeup.

No before and after pictures because I'm on the app though.

Also, my favorite skin care line is Neutrogena. I use an acne cream face wash twice a day with my Clarisonic and use Neutrogena moisturizer and makeup as well. It makes all the difference to my skin.

I've heard Clinique has a REALLY good skin tone evening serum that really helps with scarring...maybe check it out! My scars are going away with Accutane, it's unbelievable. And I have great insurance because I'm a nurse, so through our hospital it's almost nothing to see specialists - so I pay $10 a derm visit, $20 for monthly labs, and $10 for my Absorica (another Accutane brand) with a coupon my derm gave me. I couldn't NOT do it. It's great. If your skin ever gets the slightest bit worrisome again, get some great insurance and just knock it out. I would've paid $5000 had I known I would get these results this fast.

Minocycline is an anti botic that kills the bacteria associated with acne. Cost me $35/mo with no insurance.

Accurate shuts off your oil ducts and has serious side effects. With a proper face washing regimen and the right professional skincare line, plus regular professional facials, you can control the oil yourself.

I battled mine for years. I even became an Esthetician! Still had acne. Now it's gone because of the Minocycline. Sometimes, certain people get very inflammatory with certain bacteria and that was my case.

I was on accutane when I was in like grade 10. While it worked great for my skin I'm always careful not to recommend it to anyone.It's something that needs to be thouroghly discussed with a professional as the side effects will effect individuals differently.

My favorite skin care lines are skin PhD and skin medica. Don't ever buy drug/ grocery store skin care. It's all water. Only professional products are concentrated and made at the right pharmacology. They cost less in the long run because you only need a dab.

I got adult acne and it sucks! I tried all the meds and they worked great until I stopped taking them. I recently changed my diet and I stopped eating dairy, soy and gluten and my skin cleared up! Now I use Cle de Peau during the day and I use coconut oil to moisturizer at night. I get so many compliments on my skin. I love it! I miss cheese and ice cream but it not worth it if it means getting zits!

I went on Accutane as a teen, FH did when he was 20, and FBIL did when he was 16. Amazing results for all of us, without any complications. I don't have any before/after pics to share, I wish I would've thought of that!

I was only on it for 6 months. Just be sure to get a really good doctor as there are complications that can come from it. Also be aware that it does raise cholesterol, and you need really frequent blood work to make sure it isn't harming your liver. Again, if you have a good doctor, you shouldn't have any problems.

I was on it in high school and it worked for me. I don't have any before/after photos, sorry, I pretty much kept out of photos at that time in my life!

My brother also used it for a few months and had serious reactions, and he had to be taken off it immediately. He was involved in the lawsuit against the company. Make sure you research it and keep up with seeing your doctor and getting the blood tests and stop taking it if you have problems.

My skin care routine:

-Wash with Michael Todd honey and oat cleanser

-Exfoliate using Clinique clarifying lotion (for dry combination)

-Tone with SK II facial treatment essence

-Moisturize with Clinique moisture surge intense

-Dab Mario Badescu drying lotion on random pimples (overnight spot treatment)

I was on accutane when i was about 21 and other than extremely red skin/flushing for the first week or so and then a lot of dryness, no side effects for me. it worked wonders, but like someone else said it's reeeeeeeally hard to recommend to others and quite frankly i didn't think they prescribed it anymore.

I am 27 and I have adult acne that I have been struggling with for years. I am very tempted to go on Accutane but have read some real horror stories and became very sceptical and scared of it. A few different dermatologists have recommended it to me, frankly because I have tried everything else. I am still sceptial but love hearing all these positive stories versus all the negative ones you read online.

My face is a hot mess when I'm not on birth control. The hormones are what keeps my skin so clear. I'm glad you're getting results!

Also, Neutrogena has a product that helps clear up acne scars. It tingles a bit when you put it on but it's works so so good.

I had taken every oral antibiotic you can name. I've also always had a great skin care routine, but you can't alter your oil production or hormonal acne (like I have) without the help of accutane. If your derm has recommended it, he thinks you're a good candidate and should get the show moving. It's amazing. Not for everyone, but an MD can decide if the benefits outweigh the risks for you.

I have had acne since age 10, but just in the last 3 years it has gotten worse and turned into cystic acne. My derm recommended accutane but then warned me to make sure to not get pregnant for at least 5 years, because it comes with extreme birth defects. Considering I'm getting married soon, And have always wanted kids. It is not an option to put a time limit on when I can conceive. I have been going for chemical peels, and that has been working wonderfully. I have gone 3 times so far and have noticed an all around different texture of my skin. The acne is flaring up more right now, but that is a normal response. I was told to manage my dairy, salt, processed foods, and sugar intake, as those things will increase acne. Good luck with your decision, but really weigh all the options and after effects of being on accutane.

Nicole - he told you 5 YEARS??? That's not accurate at all. You can't conceive during the treatment or one month after, but after that, you are fine and the medication has left your system. I haven ever in my life heard 5 years. I personally would wait maybe 3-6 months after treatment ended just to be 100% safe, but you can go to the Accutane website and read all sorts of post. 1 month is all that is required to wait.

I work for a dermatologist and we prescribe accutane. You have to pick your patients carefully. Due to some of the side effects that accutane has (along with many other medications) it should be a last resort type of treatment. I have been working there for 6 years and have seen a lot of patients go on the medication and the success rate is unbelievable. You may read about all the scary side effects and what could possibly happen while taking the medication, but have you thought about what could happen when you take antibiotics chronically? What happens if you were sick and one of the medications you needed to help with the sickness is the one antibiotic you have been on chronically? It won't work. If anything I would contact your dermatologist and have them give you the information and their pamphlet on the medication. I wouldn't google it because most likely you will get forums and people bad mouthing the drug. Talk to a PROFESSIONAL. End of rant. phew.

On a side note, a couple of co-workes have been on the drug and i have been right beside them for their six month treatment and their skin is beautiful. If it were me and I had breakouts I would totally do it.

I don't want to scare everyone/anyone...but two of my friends in high school took it and although they had great skin, one of them was just on the winning side of a big lawsuit because it has been found to cause infertility/deformities, even after you've taken it.

This won't happen for all, but if you're just starting, I'd DEFINITELY look into it.

@Mrs. Ashleigh Almost-King: I had it recommended to me once, when I was regularly seeing a dermatologist for serious back acne. I flat-out refused. I was told that I would need to be on at least 2 types of birth control, whether I was sexually active or not, have monthly blood tests for liver function and kidney function, and be closely monitored for possible side effects. I, too, was told that waiting at least 5 years was ideal before attempting to get pregnant, however the official word was only a couple of months after stopping treatment. The doctor flat-out told me though, if I was ever considering having children, to wait on the drug, as they weren't 100% certain whether the drug affected the eggs themselves, or caused the defects in utero after fertilization. Since they don't do studies on pregnant women with the drug, it's something they're still guessing at. After all that, I told him no way. I've also heard of many people who have, years after coming off the drug, having to have liver transplants or having severe liver problems that are associated with the Accutane. It works for some, but it has some super-nasty side effects for a lot of people, some of which don’t show up for years.

I have horrible skin. my insurance kicks in on february 1st and one of my first doctor appointments will be to the dermatologist since the last time i was at one was almost 3 years ago. i was on a bunch of prescribed topical treatments but ALL of them dried my skin so raisin like. right now im doing:

Lush Lemon sandstone soap

St. Ives apricot exfoliant

Lush Rose water toner

Shiseido pureness moisturizer

Clean & Clear Persa-Gel 10 at night before bed.

I hope more than anything that my skin is clear as hell on my wedding day.