Abi - 3 months later update and picture

Abi
 

Abi

Tuesday 05 February, 2008

Posted in Abi's Roaccutane Diary

Hey Everyone!

I think that for most people it can be a bit of a worry than when you stop taking the Roaccutane, all the spots will come back.

When I had my first course when I was 18 my skin stayed clear for 9 months after I stopped taking the tablet but then the spots started to come back (not as bad as before but still not very good..). When I think about it now, I think this might have been because I was on a very low dose. I started off on a very tiny 5mg, then took 10mg and then eventually took 20mg for the last month. I was on 40mg on my last course so I am hoping that this time around my skin is going to stay clear..permanently.

It has now been 3 months since I came off the tablets and my skin seems to be having a bit of an identity crisis. The area around my nose has gone back to being a little greasy but my forehead still insists on peeling off! My cheeks are also very dry. Therefore I am now moistursing only specific parts of my face.

As far as spots are concerned, things are still very good on that front. I have had a few very small spots, but nothing serious at all. I’m praying it stays that way!

This is a picture of my skin 3 months later. You can see a small spot and that my nose is slightly greasy but apart from that I don’t really have any complaints. I can’t believe how different my skin looks now to how it did at the start of the summer.

Photobucket

I hope you are all doing okay with your treatments. I think it’s great that there’s so many people doing diaries now as people deciding whether to take Roaccutane need as much non-biased information as possible :-)

31 Responses to “Abi - 3 months later update and picture”

#1 emma j says...

Your skins looks fantastic. I have finished my course and am waiting with baited breath!

February 5th, 2008 at 6:45 pm

#2 Abi says...

Thanks Emma J!

How long ago was it that you finished your course and hows your skin doing now? Hope it’s still as good as you said it was in your week 8-13 update :-)

xxxxxxx

February 5th, 2008 at 7:08 pm

#3 James B says...

Abi your skin looks really good. Does anyone know what percentage of people get results similar to this?

February 5th, 2008 at 10:07 pm

#4 Abi says...

Hey James B,

I am doing my dissertation on Roaccutane and according to a journal article by Hong and Schweitzer (2002) the efficacy rate of Roaccutane is more than 75% (often with complete remission).

Hope that helps! And thanks for your comments :-)

xxxxxxxxx

February 6th, 2008 at 1:01 am

#5 Haowa Kumar says...

wow abi , its really encouraging . i m on my 2nd month , and it seems so strange . sometimes , my skin looks bright and without all the red scars and sometimes my skin is a disaster . i dont kno whether i will b ever getting my perfectly clear skin again ..:( ….anyways ….was this picture of urs taken without any make up or with make up and foundation ? well because if it has been taken without make up and foundation , then this pic would be even more encouraging for me .

February 6th, 2008 at 11:49 am

#6 James B says...

You’re writing 10,000 words on roaccutane?? Good luck with that! I’m guessing any questions anyone has it is safe to assume you’ll probably know the answer…

February 6th, 2008 at 10:13 pm

#7 Anita says...

Hey Abi,
Seeing as your doing a dissertation on roacc, I’m hoping you will be able to answer a question for me?!

As I have only been taking 20mg for 16 weeks, can you tell me what the statistical success rate is for people just taking a very low dose? I have a bad feeling that they are more likely to have a relapse.
I am so worried that my acne will return!!

Good luck with the disso, I’m sure you will do well as you have lots of personal experience with it! What course are you doing by the way that would cover this?

x

February 7th, 2008 at 5:14 pm

#8 Abi says...

Hiya Anita!

My course is health and community studies and I was allowed to do my dissertation on anything related to health.

I’m writing about the link between Roaccutane and depression and how much evidence there is. Should be interesting!

I’m not really sure about your question as it’s not really what im focusing on, but I think this website might help. It starts off by discussing Rosacea but if you scroll down it comes to a section about a low dose and acne.

http://rosacea-support.org/focus-on-low-dose-accutane.html

Hope that helps!

Abs
xxxxxxx

February 7th, 2008 at 8:06 pm

#9 Sam says...

Hey. I’m on my second course in about 18 months. The first, 40 mg a day for 16 weeks worked wonders - I had normal skin for about 8 months having had acne for 6 years. I started to break out again in December, so went back to the dermatologist, who gave me 60 mg a day, which I’ve been on for a month.
As before, the effects have been quick to appear - spots going but side effects too. Last time I had the tiredness, dry lips, eyes, nose and fingers, but this time I seem to be losing weight. it says in the leaflet that muscle loss is a possible side-effect, and I was wondering if anyone else had experienced the same?

February 14th, 2008 at 11:03 am

#10 Abi F says...

Hiya..

I have been suffering with acne for the last 3 years or so. Im really concious of my skin and want to do something about it. I have tried quite a few different treatments from my doctor and still haven’t noticed any sign of improvement. I am in the process of being referred to a dermatoligist and my doctor has told me that i will probably be offered the chance to start taking roaccutane. Looking at your results i am quite encouraged to go ahead with it. I am just a little worried about the side affects. But i suppose coping with a few bad side affects for a few months will be worth having clear skin :-) How was your experience on the whole? Would you reccomend people to use it ?

Abi xxx

February 17th, 2008 at 6:05 pm

#11 Abi says...

Hello Abi F!

Ok..treatment as a whole..

First few weeks did really suck. My lips were so dry and painful and my skin showed no signs of improving, however, after about a month or so when I started to see results I didn’t mind so much about the dry lips etc cos I was just so pleased my skin was getting better!

In my opinion, tolerating a few months of dryness is worth it when you see your skin improving. On my first course of Roaccutane I had been so used to greasy skin that the dryness was actually a refreshing change lol.

Also, if you suffer from greasy hair it’s amazing when your on Roaccutane because suddenly your hair stays looking fresh for ages!

I was only on 40mg, so I didnt feel the side effects quite so much as someone on a higher dose might, but for the dose I was on it was definetly bearable. The nipple cream made the lip situation much better than it had been when I took my first course! One of the main things is to make sure you get a good bunch of products to use that suit you.

Ultimately, the decision has to be yours, but in my experience I would recommend it as it has helped my skin more than any other treatment I have ever been given.

xxxxxxxxxx

February 18th, 2008 at 12:16 am

#12 vicky says...

Hey Abi,

Your skin looks great in your photo (-; I wish i had skin like yours. Can you give me any advice? I am on my tenth week of Ro-Acc and to be honest im feeling worse than i ever have about my skin. I would say my skin is smoother but apart from that - with no make-up on - i have soooo many red marks all over my fac, i cant bear to look in the mirror )-: They look like spots from a distance! Did u have these? And did you ever squeze your spots? I find it sooo hard not too.

Im still also getting 2/3 new spots every day to add to my existing ones. Everyone else seems to have improved in soem way after this amount of time but im not )-: Im feeling so down and have to force myself to go to work everyday. Im on 30mg a day and my derm wont increase this because of my weight.

Any advice hun? Or have you got an email ad or something?

Sad Vick xxx

February 18th, 2008 at 9:23 am

#13 Abi says...

Hiya Vicky,

Sorry your feeling unhappy :-(

Sometimes it takes some people longer to react to the drug, it really sucks having to be patient and waiting to see improvements but it is worth it when it happens. I was still getting some spots right up until the late stages of my course and my skin actually improved the most the month after I came off the tablet. How long is your course? Your derm may suggest a longer course if you still aren’t seeing much improvement towards the end.

I also have red marks. I can cover them pretty effectively with make up, however, I do feel really self concious without make up. My derm told me that the marks would fade but that it just takes time. I have thought about possible treatments such as microdermabrasion but I am worried that it might end up to be a waste of money and that I’m better off just waiting for them to fade. I think it’s so unfair that we have to put up with acne first and then we are left with red marks as a constant reminder.

Try to stay positive about your treatment. Hopefully soon the Roaccutane will kick in fully and you will start to feel better. I have added you to my msn if you want to talk :-)

xxxxxxxxxxxx

February 18th, 2008 at 10:45 am

#14 vicky says...

My course is supposed to be 4 months but she did she if she there was no noticeable improvement - we would extend it…

I know - Red marks are just as bad )-: At least Im not alone then. As drastic as this sounds - I wish I could hide away until my skin looks “normal” as im not the same person as i was before my skin went crazy.

Bit of a disgusting question but Did u pick/Squeeze you spots? Im trying so hard not to but everytime I go to the mirror, there’s one to squeeze Arghhhh Or I go to the loo and a nice whitehead has apeared )-:

xxxxx

Okay well hopefully

February 18th, 2008 at 10:57 am

#15 Rose says...

Hello, I am about to start treatment with roaccutane and wanted some advice from the girls on hair removal. I understand that while on roaccutane, the skin becomes so sensitive that it might scar if waxed or epilated. As I get irritation from shaving, was wondering if anyone had any tips what to use and if I should really avoid waxing. Thank you so much!!!

February 19th, 2008 at 3:31 pm

#16 Abi says...

Hiya Rose,

Throughout my whole course I epilated with no problems whatsoever. The problem with waxing is that with the wax being ripped off ur skin, it can pull ur skin off with it as roaccutane makes your skin thinner. However, as epilation just pulls the hair from the root without anything going on your skin then I think it’s fine to do it :-)

xxxxxxxxxx

February 19th, 2008 at 8:54 pm

#17 vicky says...

Hey Abi, Ive accepted u on msn but im not allowed to use it at work )-: Wanted to ask u something or anyone in that matter - Does/did anyone suffer from like spots that are just there i.e. have surfaced, popped and are still there like spots…Arghhh this is really annoying me lol Ive been getting spots which feel huge but they just dont do anything )-: And dont know if i should put anything on them?

)-: Vick xxxx

February 20th, 2008 at 12:39 pm

#18 Lovisa says...

hey, im 3 months into a 60mg dose, i have one like a white spot that just does nothing, the dermatoagist told me its just scar tissue and should go down with time but isnt affected by roaccutane or by anything else… if its the same thing? i was told it just has to be left or removed which would leave a small scar…x

February 20th, 2008 at 4:06 pm

#19 Rose says...

Hey Abi, thanks for ur reply. Your skin looks great, by the way. Take care.
:)

February 20th, 2008 at 6:46 pm

#20 Victoria says...

Hey Abi,

Your diary has been really useful. Thnaks for that.

I have just started my course, and I was wondering if you could tell me a bit more about the alcohol thing. My doc didn’t mention it, and the leaflet says to avoid large quantities which is a pretty unclear. What’s your advice? Did you drink at all? Does it stop the drug working, or is there another reason?

Thank you!

Victoria

February 23rd, 2008 at 8:23 pm

#21 Abi says...

Hiya Victoria,

I have found one of the leaflets my dermatologist gave me and it says that,

“Isotretinoin (Roaccutane) may increase blood levels of fat-like substances in some patients. Because of this, it is best that you do not drink alcoholic drinks or that you atleast reduce the amount you usually drink whilst on treatment”.

Hope that helps! :-)

xxxxxxxxxxxxx

February 24th, 2008 at 3:35 pm

#22 Elle says...

Hi, I’m back home in England for the week, as my mum had a baby. (The 9th!) I only have a few more weeks to go and then I’m off the drug! My lips are as cracked as ever and I’m still very red but no more acne/ on my face, back and front!!
Abi, ur skin looks fab! Enjoy it!
Love Elle x x x

February 26th, 2008 at 9:11 pm

#23 Abi says...

Welcome back Elle! :-)

Thanks for your comments! I just hope my skin stays this way now! I really don’t fancy ever having to have another course of Roaccutane!

I’m so glad it has worked for you as I remember you were a little concerned it wouldn’t as it hadnt worked for your cousins. I bet you’re so pleased :-) Did you have fun whilst away travelling? Last time you posted you had been snorkelling, what you been up 2 since then?

Love Abs
xxxxxxxxxxx

February 27th, 2008 at 12:49 pm

#24 Paula says...

My 4 months course was up last week of 60mg, or so i thought! I suffer from acne cyst, ive got a large cyst on my jaw line since last September, and after getting a steriod injection in to it, it started to clear up, then 2 months later, a few day before my appointment with the derm it flared up again, so yet again another injection, because the cyst was still active they said it was best to stay on Roaccautane for another month, i was dissapointed but no in the long run its for the best, they said if it flares back up then the will refer me to the plastic surgeon who will excison it, I no am thinking well ahead but has anyone had treatment after being on Roaccutane IE: dermabrasion??? my skin has scared bad with previous cysts!

Paula xx

February 27th, 2008 at 3:29 pm

#25 steph says...

Hi Abi,

Glad the treatment worked for you! Your skin looks great!
I am just starting the Roaccutane, I’m on my third day. I’ve noticed some side effects already. I have bought the nipple cream for my lips, but would you recommend anything for your face? I have been using the simple moisturiser for almost a year but my skin all of a sudden doesn’t seem to suit it. Anyone any ideas/suggestions?
Thanks

March 21st, 2008 at 6:21 pm

#26 Abi says...

Hiya Steph,

Thanks for your comments :-)

Ok, 2 moisturisers that I reckon are pretty awesome are:

1. Expert sensitive daily defence moisture cream spf 12 from Boots. Its pretty cheap, is fragrance and colour free like the simple stuff, has spf in it, and most importantly soaks into the skin really well and leaves it feeling soft and smooth.

2. Eucerin dry skin relief face cream with 5% urea. Also fragrance and colour free. A little bit more on the expensive side, however you can ask for samples from their website before you buy to check it suits your skin. This stuffs really good when your skin feels really tight and is flaking.

What face wash are you using? I love the Simple moisturising face wash, however another good face wash is Johnsons sensitive skin facial wash.

For lips, I used the nipple cream throughout my entire treatment and it was fantastic so hopefully it will work as well for you too :-)

Good luck with your treatment and let me know how you get on!

Abs
xxxxxxxxxxx

March 21st, 2008 at 8:02 pm

#27 steph says...

Thats really helpful thank you
At the minute, I am using a face wash from the body shop in the aloe vera range. It suits my skin so much and it is helpful for sensitive skin. I would recommend it for anyone but it may not suit some people. I have tried almost every face wash and its made my acne worse so it must be good.
I will keep you posted on how it is going
Thank you

March 21st, 2008 at 9:46 pm

#28 Jordon says...

Hi Abi i av wrote 2 u a while ago as i got prescribed roaccutane, i am in the army and have been putting off taking it for nearly a yr now! There just never seems to be a good time like goin on exercise and living in the field for example cant be easy with the dry skin! I have just been reading your diary and i came across your b4 n afta pics …….. wow! I am going to hold off the excuses and get right on them! Excellent diaryxxx

March 29th, 2008 at 6:44 pm

#29 Abi says...

Hello again Jordan!

Glad you have found my diary useful :-)

I can see why you have been putting off taking the tablets due to your hectic lifestyle. However, the dry skin doesn’t have to become too much of an invconvenience if you arm yourself with some good products. There are some fantastic moisturisers such as “Eucerin dry skin relief face cream”. This moisturiser stops your face flaking and reduces how tight ur skin feels. I also really like “Boots expert sensitive daily defence moisture cream”. It absorbs into the skin really well and has spf 12 in it. For days when you are out alot in the sun I would try to get yourself a higher spf .

The dry lips can be a pain..i found nipple cream to be my saviour however, not sure how ud feel about applying that infront of your army friends lol :-P

For dry skin that might appear on the tops of ur arms or the backs of ur hands - Eumo base concentrated rehrdration cream is really good (available from pharmacies).

If you find that the side effects are bothering you, you could reduce your daily dose so that the side effects are not as intense.

Good luck with your course and let me know how you’re getting on!

Abs
xxxxxxxxx

March 29th, 2008 at 7:09 pm

#30 ali says...

I took this drug in 2001, I wish I hadn’t. I developed excessive dryness-most mornings I woke with blood stained lips from bleeding gums. I can’t remember the dose-too long ago. The reason I stopped was due to explosive nosebleeds while flying from aussie to uk. Bla bla However the crucial point is that the side effects are not always explained and the damage can’t be rectified

May 21st, 2008 at 1:49 pm

#31 Olivia Nicola says...

I’ve been on Roaccutane for 4 and a half months now, first four months on 40mg a day.. And now im allowed it for one more month with a daily dosage of 50mg.. Im 16 and 3 of my friends are on it aswell.. My skin still hasn’t cleared up whereas they’ve been on it for one to two months and their skin is so clear.. My forehead, chin and back are completely clear, but my cheeks are filled with spots.. I don’t know why it is like this.. Shouldn’t my whole face have cleared up by now? I still have to wear make up and i did irritate the spots on my skin about a month ago, but they still haven’t gone.. Is there anything i can do to help them go? HELP ME!

May 30th, 2008 at 12:31 pm

Your Say

Tags

,

Login

Popular