What is it Like to be on Accutane? My experience

I have no before and after photos of my taking Accutane. The reason being is that I was so ashamed of my acne, I refused to take photos when I had a breakout. Some girls have skin that looks like porcelain, others have skin that is well balanced or there are girls that hide because acne has uncontrollably spread. Like any other personal struggle, opening up about something is hard to do, but I decided not to hide behind my makeup, but to speak about it.

My Pre-Accutane Battle

My problems with acne started at the age of 12 and I feel have never stopped since. Thankfully I’ve never been a severe case, at least nothing that makeup couldn’t cover in terms of my face, but can’t say I’ve seen a clear day either. I had acne on both my face and my back. My back had it far worse than my face, which I suppose was a good thing that it could be easily covered up. From cremes to chemical peels to antibiotics to birth control, you can say I have tried everything. Acne definitely cleared up drastically at first, but after a couple of months, progress was very linear almost nonexistent for all the products I used. My acne has never been so bad that it scared me in irreversible ways, but acne really tormented me.

It is always easy for others to say inner beauty is all that matters, be confident no matter what. All true, but whoever says that could not possibly truly believe it if they haven’t experienced acne. Could they? I have friends that have gone through acne, others still dealing with it and they all agree, we all agree, that stage of our lives was unbearable. From being bullied by others at an early age to
feeling depressed, no one wants to feel uncomfortable in their own skin. Literally.

What Is It Like Being on Accutane?

The major issue I had while being on Accutane was “Why did I not do this in my teens? Why did no one ever give me this option?” Being on Accutane takes perseverance and courage. Most people don’t go on Accutane because you can’t drink or smoke while on it, which was no problem for me because I don’t smoke and drinking is really not my thing. The side effects are plenty, but different for everyone depending on which dosage you go on and how your body reacts to the medication. It is important for me to be transparent with you about my experience with Accutane because if you are considering going on it, it is nice to hear from someone that has gone through it. There were many times I wanted to give up, but I was determined to put a stop on my acne issues. Read below everything you need to know about Accutane, what is it like being on it, and all the symptoms you should be aware of

How does Accutane Work?

Essentially how Accutane works is that it releases large dosages of synthetic Vitamin A into your body which then shrinks your oil glands, reduces acne bacteria, reduces inflammation, and helps prevent clogs. Unlike other medications I had tried, Accutane is a long term solution while creams and antibiotics are a short term solution.

Which Season Should I go on Accutane?

I decided to take the risk and go on Accutane winter of 2013 for my first course of treatment. I have been on Accutane both summer and winter. Having experienced both and I have to say being on Accutane during winter was brutal. The dryness during the winter cold can be unbearable. You need to moisturize and hydrate constantly. Summer, your skin will be sensitive to sun exposure, but it is definitely more manageable. Being on Accutane also means you need to have monthly dermatologist visits and have your blood taken monthly.

Accutane Dosage and Number of Treatments

I started off on 40mg and went up to 50mg then 60mg. You have to do it gradually so that your body doesn’t go through a shock. The dosage really depends on how your body reacts and what side effects you are experiencing. Your dermatologist will ask you questions each time you have your monthly visit, and then prescribe a higher dosage if needed. I was on Accutane for 7 months during my 1st course of treatment and decided to go off of it since my skin had cleared. I did have to do a 2 course of treatment this year for about 5 months, but for the most part sometimes a second treatment may be necessary. For me the number one cause for breakouts is mostly stress. Even now, when I am stressed some spots surface, but I have definitely not experienced the horrid outbreaks I did before my Accutane era.

Side Effects I Experienced While Being on Accutane

Flare-Ups While Being On Accutane

I had read horror stories on the internet of how the first month of being on Accutane your acne flares up, and it only gets worse before better. I was mortified that one day I would wake up and I would look like Samantha from Sex and the City when she got that horrible Chemical Peel. The first month went by and the flare-up never happened. I had tons of black pores that surfaced on my face, but that was as bad as it got. My back did have a flare-up but not as bad as I had expected. 

How Dry Does Your Skin Get While On Accutane?

Moisturize, moisturize! Your skin will get super dry when you are on Accutane. I got a couple of nose bleeds when my nose got dry. My face also got very dry especially since I was on the medication during the winter months, but again with the right hydration and moisturizer, these issues were easily handled. My lips also experienced dryness so my vaseline became my best friend. When my lips started to get dry I knew I wasn’t drinking enough water. So drink lots of water. The other side effect I experienced while on Accutane was inflamed lips, but in a good way. Think of it as having your lips injected with a little bit of botox. I actually kind of loved this. You may also want to read my post about my Accutane and Winter Skincare Survival Kit – 10 must have products

Will I lose a Lot of Hair While on Accutane?

Will you go bald while on Accutane? Well, many times I surely thought so. I lost a fair amount of hair, and my hair also became thinner. Sometimes, I really wondered if I was going bald for life. But fear not. Your hair will grow back. My hair has not fully recovered yet, and it is still thin, but I am definitely not going bald. My dermatologist assured me that hair loss while on Accutane is not irreversible. Your hair will grow back. After going off Accutane, I started taking Biotin. That definitely helped to strengthen my hair and I definitely recommend it. 

 Do You Feel Tired or Fatigued When Taking Accutane?

This was the side effect that affected me the most. At the time I was on Accutane I was working full time and also doing my Masters in the evenings. It was extremely hard for me to keep my energy levels up and not fall asleep. Even with a good night’s sleep I could hardly stay awake. I still do not know where I found the strength to finish my studies with an amazing GPA. What Accutane taught me is that you have more will-power and determination in you than you think you do.

Does Accutane Cause Depression?

Depression is never an easy subject to talk about, but I most definitely do not think it is something to be ashamed of. Whether or not we want to believe it, we have all dealt with depression one way or another. My depression got a lot worse when I was on Accutane. I strongly recommend you inform your dermatologist if your depression becomes severe. Overall, my coping mechanism with depression was that I had to remind myself over and over again that this too shall pass. It didn’t always pass, but I think what kept me going was my awareness of it.

My Overall Verdict. Do I Regret Taking Accutane?

Being on Accutane is a personal choice, and it is not an easy choice to make. I am not here to advocate or urge people that suffer from acne to go on Accutane. Side effects are plenty and depending on your health history you may not even be eligible to go on Accutane. But as someone who was fed up with the situation, I can wholeheartedly say that being on Accutane was the best decision I could have made. Compared to what I have been going through for so many years, the side effects seem like nothing now. For many years, I convinced myself that my acne was bearable because I would go some months without it. But it always came back. It always came back, which is why I chose to go on Accutane and do something more drastic about it. Despite the side effects, I finally feel comfortable in my own skin. This was a change I had to make in my life and I couldn’t be happier I did.

Please, please email me if you are having issues with acne, considering Accutane, or you just want to rant about your acne issues. I know what you are going through. No one should go through that alone. For the outsiders, having acne may seem like a vanity issue, but it is not. It is a skin-deep issue. I still do get breakouts here and there but not even close to the nightmare I had before. Also, check out my post about 5 Products I Use to Maintain My Skin Clear of Acne

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