I’v finally decided to post some pictures to show exactly how much Roaccutane has improved my skin. My before picture was taken during week one of my treatment, you can see that my chin and cheek area was a right mess. You can also see how much vaseline I’ve piled on my lips!
On my after picture you can see that I have red scarring on my cheeks but that the spots are pretty much none existant 
119 Responses to “Abi - Before and After Pictures”
Well done Abi (((((Yey ))))You look wonderful . I will try and talk my son around to let me take some pictures
November 6th, 2007 at 12:52 pm
Yes you should, it’s also a really good way for him to monitor his progress as he goes along
November 6th, 2007 at 12:54 pm
wow abi, that looks fantastic
rich x
November 6th, 2007 at 8:42 pm
ur well pretty!
xxx
November 6th, 2007 at 9:19 pm
Aww thank you Will I feel so much better about myself now I’ve taken the Roaccutane. I just hope the spots don’t come back!!!!!
November 6th, 2007 at 9:23 pm
The difference is absolutely fantastic Abi!!
And in just four months as well!
November 6th, 2007 at 10:13 pm
Hey Anita,
I know, it feels brilliant to not be constantly re-applying my make up. I can’t believe that only 4 months ago I was hiding in my house, too self concious to go outside.
I really hope Roaccutane works as well for everybody else as it has for me.
November 6th, 2007 at 10:18 pm
you look stunning
November 7th, 2007 at 10:05 am
Hi Abi
What a wonderful difference, you must be thrilled! I’m only on week 2, but reading your diary gave me a much better insight than any article etc i’d read. Felt more at ease about Roaccutane and less alone in the fight against my skin!!!
Hope you stay spot free! : )
November 7th, 2007 at 7:40 pm
Hey Emma B!!
I’m so glad you found my diary helpful I remember when I was 18 and I was about to have my first course of Roaccutane. I was so nervous due to all the bad press it gets. I searched on the internet and I only really found information sites when what I really wanted was to be able to read about people’s actual experiences whilst on the drug. That’s why I really wanted to write my diary.
I really hope the treatment works for you. You are only in the early stages yet, and it can suck a bit at the beginning when you are desperately waiting to see improvements and all that seems to be happening is that your lips are peeling off. It really is worth it though
Abs
xXx
November 7th, 2007 at 8:33 pm
Hey Abi,
Well done for being brave enough to take before and after pics and put them on here! U look brilliant!
X
November 8th, 2007 at 3:46 pm
You’re very brave for putting your before and after pictures on here, you skin looks beautiful now. Did you find that the Roaccutane made your lips bigger at all? Because i found it made mine bigger and they never really shrunk back down to their original size… not that i’m complaining, i quite like them this size lol. xxx
November 8th, 2007 at 3:51 pm
Thanks Leah, I was a bit nervous about it but I think pictures speak louder than words
xxx
November 8th, 2007 at 4:34 pm
Hey Em!
Nah unfortunetly my lips havn’t turned into Angelina Jolie-esque ones 
lol
xxx
November 8th, 2007 at 8:02 pm
Wow abi! Im on week 7 now on Roaccutane… U are a right stunner! Ur gna have all the men round u now u completley lost ur acne!
November 10th, 2007 at 12:28 pm
Thank you Tom How are you getting on with your treatment??
November 10th, 2007 at 3:33 pm
Yeahh its ok… I have smooth skin now and thats at week 7… I also seem to be gettin far less spots even though I had a large amount suddenly appear the other week :(.
Its so gr8 to relate to someone one who has been in the same boat as me maybe we cld go out some time and chat about our experiences? Where abouts are you from?
November 10th, 2007 at 4:40 pm
Hi, I’m back!
First of all, wow! You look incredible! The scars aren’t noticeable in the pics and you look fantastic! Thank you for making this site and sharing your advice, experience etc with everyone…
I’ve just come back from three days in the desert. The fisrt two were spent hiking etc in the dust and the sand and my skin was crazy bad. I used strong suncream and wore a hat but the dust and sand irritated my skin and it burned like you can’t imagine. I was applying E45 and Eucerin and Vaseline constantly but it wasn’t helping. I ended up tying a scarf around my face and wearing huge sunglasses to protect my eyes and face. Was no fun (Have very funny pics tho! lol) Anyway, my skin was bright red and sore. I then went to Eilat to a nature reserve coral reef and went snorkelling. I had my face down in the water for about an hour. I cane out and the redness and soreness I had had gone right down and since then for the last couple of days my face has not really been red!
Anyway, on the spots front, my skin has improved a little, the huge lumps I normally get have died down and I haven’t been getting very many pussy spots.
I’m a little worried about how effective Roaccutane will be for me as two of my cousins have taken it and it didn’e work at all for them. Their Dr says they are two of 5 cases he’s seen in twenty years that Roacc hasn’t worked for…
(Gulp)
However, it HAS improved a bit so I’ll take it as a good sign!
Thanks for making this site again, it REALLY makes a difference seeing other ppl go thro the same ordeal.
You look fab! Can’t get over the pics!
Luv Elle xxx
November 10th, 2007 at 5:21 pm
hey abi.
i’ve been on roaccutane for 4 weeks and my skin has nearly completely cleared up. myskin was very similar to yours but i’d say even worse. i totally ampathise with your situation about the bad press it has. i so glad i found your diary. my boyfriend put me onroaccutane because he tried it and it worked and my mum hates him because of it- she has heard all the bad press and seen the mood swing side effects. now i can show her and some of my family friends your diary and they’ll geta less biased viewpoint. thanks so much!!!!!
xxxx
November 10th, 2007 at 5:23 pm
Yay Ella, your back!!!
It’s such a pain being in the sun when you are on Roaccutane. I always hate most of the sun creams because they are so thick and greasy. Whilst I was taking Roaccutane I became a bit of a hermit and stayed indoors most of the time watching crappy tv, and when I did go out I always got sun burnt or came out in a weird painful rash. Maybe I should have tried wrapping a scarf round my head too…lol.
I’m glad the snorkelling managed to sort out the redness! My face is sensitive and it can get red and irritated, I have to be really careful about what products I use. Maybe I could try snorkelling in the bath for an hour and see if it has the same effect lol.
I’m surprised the Roaccutane didn’t work for your brothers. What other treatments have they tried? I really hope it is effective for you. Don’t let the fact it didn’t work for your brothers dishearten you, everybody is different.
P.S. The lovely Will is the person to thank for making this fabulous site
P.P.S. Keep me updated on your progress!!
November 10th, 2007 at 5:58 pm
Hey Aurora!
You have such a pretty name! Anyway…thats amazing that you are almost clear after 4 weeks!! I bet you are so pleased After years of trying useless creams and antibiotics it’s so nice to finally use something that works isn’t it?
I understand your mum’s worries. My parents were worried too. Some of the stuff you read on the internet can be very scary and off-putting. I have done some research though, and it is very rare that you get a very serious side effect. My parents noticed that my mood actually got better on the Roaccutane because I was so pleased that my skin was clearing up!!
I’m glad my diary will help your parents be less concerned about you taking it
November 10th, 2007 at 6:27 pm
My Gp told me that the Roaccutane will clear up my mild scarring as well… My scarring is only surface scarring, I dont have any of those deep ones. But everywhere I look on the internet it says that roaccutane doesnt clear scarring… can anyone help?
November 10th, 2007 at 7:19 pm
Hey Tom, I have taken 2 courses of Roaccutane and after my first course my scars cleared up beautifully, and I’m hoping they do the same this time!!!
Whilst you still have acne its a vicious cycle, you get a spot, it leaves a mark, and as it begins to fade you get another spot, which then leaves a mark. When the Roaccutane has worked you don’t get any more spots so it gives the skin a chance to heal
Abs
xxx
November 10th, 2007 at 8:28 pm
cheers honey, u are such a star!! Can i add u to my facebook? U have made my day today! xxx
November 10th, 2007 at 8:53 pm
I don’t have facebook lol. I used to have a myspace and it irritated me so I refuse to get a facebook!
November 11th, 2007 at 3:27 pm
Aww… msn? lol xxx
November 11th, 2007 at 6:23 pm
Hey Abi…yeh great results im off to the derm tmrw after weeeks on eurthromycin topical and oral,which just upsets mt tum.i think im at the end of my tether with bloody moderate but perssistant acne…i gunna push for accutane..
wish me luck x
November 11th, 2007 at 8:12 pm
Hey Sam!! How you been?
Yeah I found erythromycin completely useless. Hopefully because you have tried other methods first they will let you have Roaccutane.
Let me know how it goes at the dermatologist
Abs
xxx
November 11th, 2007 at 10:12 pm
hi abi
i just want to say a big thank you for your diary and photos, just like everyone else on this page!
you helped me decide to go ahead with this treatment and its really helping, after the doctor scared the crap out of me with side affects and horror stories i wasn’t to confident about taking roaccutane but your diaries helped me see that not only is it worth it but it is not as bad as its made out to be (dry lips seem a lot less scary then suicide attempts)
anyway thanks alot and congratulations on completing your treatment, you have beautiful skin
paul
November 12th, 2007 at 3:30 pm
Hey Paul!
That was such a nice message, thankyou
I didn’t find me dermatologist very helpful either. Sometimes when I asked questions I didn’t even feel like he was sure of the answers, which was always a bit worrying.
I hope the treatment goes well for you. Any time during your course feel free to ask me anything. As long as you equip yourself with a very decent lip balm, things really aren’t too bad
Good luck!
Abs
xXx
November 12th, 2007 at 3:56 pm
ive given up asking the doctor questions every time i do he just tells me more things i dont want to hear, its a bit weird how he recommended this drug and then spends our entire appointments trying to put me off it! lol
i am putting up with a lot of back ache and jus wondered if this was normal or even if you experienced it yourself as my gp said he wasnt sure if its because of the roac or jus coincidence
November 12th, 2007 at 4:08 pm
Muscle aching is perceived as quite a common side effect. I experienced sore ankles whilst on my treatment. It has completely subsided now I have finished the tablets though.
It will probably just be a temporary thing, but if it does persist I would go and see your GP again.
In the mean while, try some anadin extra! They are the best painkillers!
November 12th, 2007 at 4:14 pm
thank you for taking the time to help me out
i think i’ll be off down the shops for some anadin extra then lol
November 12th, 2007 at 4:22 pm
My back is extremely sore Paul. Ibuprofen is the best thing for it as the pain you are experiencing is muscular and Anadin Extra only has Paracetomol and Aspirin in it.
The long release 400mg are the best which you can buy over the counter or get from your GP and can take up to 3 times a day.
November 12th, 2007 at 4:33 pm
well abi lets put it this way
after reading this page i now have a box of anadin extra in my hand not ibuprofen, you havent steered me wrong so far! lol
paul
November 12th, 2007 at 5:17 pm
hey,
i forgot to ask earlier is anyone else suffering from insomnia? is this a normal side affect? because i havent slept properly since the first day of my treatment
i have a normal life for a 19 year old im out most of the time and like a good drink but i work 9 to 5 so sleep is important to me when i can get it, i was jus wondering if anyone else has got to the point where they physically cant sleep?
November 12th, 2007 at 8:08 pm
Hey Paul! I actually found that Roaccutane made me sleep more! I guess it effects everyone differently
November 13th, 2007 at 4:49 pm
WOW! ABI YOU LOOK AWESOME, I ONLY HOPE I CAN HAVE THE SAME IMPROVEMENTS IN MY FACE. WHEN I CONTINUE MY MEDICATION OF ROACCUTANE
November 18th, 2007 at 12:46 pm
Hello again Richard!
I really hope you get the same improvements too
When will you be starting the Roaccutane again? Maybe this time try a stronger moisturiser to help combat the dryness and stop those horrid people at your school making comments. Are you from America? If so I have heard aquaphor is excellent for lips and there is a cleanser called cetaphil that is excellent for use on dry skin.
Abi
xxx
November 18th, 2007 at 12:51 pm
IM ASIAN BUT IM CURRENTLY STAYING HERE IN SAUDI ARABIA AND ITS TOO HOT, ONE MORE THING WHENEVER I PERSPIRE A LOT ESPECIALLY WHEN PLAYING BASKETBALL MY PIMPLES GETS IRRITATED. BY THE WAY MAY I KNOW YOUR EMAIL ADDRESS OR FRIENDSTER ACCOUNT
November 18th, 2007 at 1:02 pm
I find im sleeping one hell of alot more!! I cant wake up once im asleep pretty much!
November 18th, 2007 at 2:55 pm
Weird how it can effect you isn’t it Tom!
Is your skin still good? Last time you wrote you said it was pretty much smooth
Oh, and I did add you on msn but you never seen to come on lol.
November 18th, 2007 at 3:03 pm
Hi Abi I have just finished reading your diary - well done!
My son is on Day 5 of taking Roaccutane and his skin is extremely red (looks like bad sun-burn) did you experience this, and if so how long did this last for? Your comments will be greatly appreciated.
Good luck to you at Uni
November 18th, 2007 at 10:16 pm
Yeh thanks my skin is clearing up! Im on week 8 but im still gettin plenty of outbreaks!
November 18th, 2007 at 10:34 pm
Hello Sue,
During the Roaccutane my face did tend to get quite red as it was irritated by the dryness.
What sort of products is your son using on his face? I used very mild products that were non-fragranced and non-coloured and I think that seems to help.
Tell your son good luck with his treatment
November 18th, 2007 at 11:05 pm
Thanks for replying Abi.
My son has been recommended to use Dove Soap. However he is also using Duac Gel (mediciated acne gel) in the morning and Retin A Gel (mediciated acne gel) in the evening.
He has started using Aqueous Cream to moisturise.
November 19th, 2007 at 7:31 am
i went for my second blood test yesterday and asked the dr why i havent been able to sleep, he replied that he had absolutely no idea (very reassuring)
just wondered if anyone had any idea how i can sleep better because its driving me mad and im considering stopping taking the tablets
even though there a great help i cant stand constantly feeling tired and having no energy whatsoever
November 20th, 2007 at 2:13 pm
Hi Paul - apparently my office colleagues told me that in yesterday’s (Monday 19th November) Daily Mail there was an article about Roaccutane and how it makes you hyper active - this could be the cause of you not being able to sleep.
Hope this helps
November 20th, 2007 at 3:19 pm
Hey
I am soo glad i have found this site=]
Your skin looks amazin!
I am on my 2nd week now and i have such sore lips.
when did your skin start to clear up?
Thanks for showing your pictures it makes me feel better when i see how clears your is.
November 24th, 2007 at 2:06 pm
Hey Natalie,
I’m so glad my pictures have helped you feel more confident about your skin getting better
My skin started to clear up after about a month but it wasn’t until about 3 months that I saw really really good improvements. I know it sucks being patient and waiting for it to get better but it really is worth it in the end
Post on here and let me know how your course goes for you!
Abs
xxx
November 25th, 2007 at 6:45 pm
Hi,
I have just started on Roaccutane this week and my face is now VERY dry. Today and yesterday i used some E45 cream and now my face is really red and feels very warm ? is this usual for the first few weeks or should I use a different creams ?
Many Thanks
Gary
November 29th, 2007 at 12:29 pm
Hello Gary,
Try giving some fragrance/colour free products a go such as Simple replenishing rich moisturiser or Eucerin dry skin relief face cream and see if that helps
Good luck with your course!!
Abs
xxx
November 29th, 2007 at 5:38 pm
Hi Abi, well done on the great improvement in your skin! I have just finished reading your diary - all very helpful stuff and well written practical tips. It was great to find diaries online rather than just a list of impersonal side effects - what an ace idea!
I first took a course of roaccutane when I was 16 and have bad memories about fingers and lips falling off! I had another dermo appointment today after years of various crap treatments (dalacin, eurythromycin, etc.) and have decided to go for it again at the age of 32. Getting married in August so want it clear by then. So had blood test today and am awaiting my first batch of tablets in the post. My dermotologist has also prescribed steroids for the first two weeks of the course as this will apparently help with dryness of skin; here’s hoping! Have you heard of this before?
Thanks again for all your good advice; it has really reassured me that I’ve made the right decision. Hope your skin stays clear.
Duncan
November 29th, 2007 at 8:39 pm
Hello Duncan!
Really glad you have found my diary helpful
I also tried erythromycin and dalacin-t lotion and found them both completely useless. The only thing to ever make my skin better is Roaccutane.
I wanted to take the Roaccutane again because I was going to be a bridesmaid for my sister’s wedding, and it was so nice for my skin to be better for it, I didn’t have to hide from all the cameras! If your wedding is in August then you have plenty of time for the Roaccutane to do its work
What mg are they starting you on?
Good luck!
Abs
xxx
November 29th, 2007 at 9:32 pm
Hi Abi,
Ive only just come across these pictures and have got to say you look amazing! Just seeing how good your skin looks after the treatment has made me feel really positive!
December 2nd, 2007 at 11:29 pm
Hey Luke!
Glad they have helped you feel more positive. I have been off the Roaccutane quite a while now and my skin is still spot-free, it really has been a miracle drug for me. Hopefully it will work just as effectively for you too
Good luck with your treatment, I will keep an eye on your diary!
Abs
xxx
December 3rd, 2007 at 3:03 pm
Hi Abs,
I got the tablets through the post this morning. I am starting off taking 2x 5mg and 1×20mg per day. So my roaccutane journey started today… Also got to take two steroid tablets a day for the first two weeks. My dermatologist reckons it will help with the dry skin side effect. Five tablets a day - great!
Hope your skin still good,
Duncan
December 6th, 2007 at 9:09 pm
Hello again Duncan,
I bet you are pleased to finally be getting underway with your course
On 30mg, the dry skin shouldn’t be too bad, however, even if it is there are lots of products that are really good at helping. The best moisturisers I found were Simple replenishing rich moisturiser and Eucerin dry skin relief face cream. I also used a really mild cleanser so my skin didn’t get aggravated (Simple moisturising face wash). All those products are available from boots. Also, for dry lips, give Immediate repair lip balm from Neutrogena ago. I think it’s good for guys as it doesn’t leave your lips glossy like most lip balms do!
Ooh also, when you take your tablets, take them with food that has some fat content, or a glass of milk as it helps the Roaccutane absorb into your body better.
Good luck! Keep me informed as to how things go!
Abs
xxx
December 6th, 2007 at 10:15 pm
hey abi
it’s good to see you your skin looks great now my skin has been brill to i had one bad spot after i stopped taking the tab’s and now it’s looking good glad to hear every thing great with you take care .
luv zara xxx
January 11th, 2008 at 12:39 pm
Hey Zara!
Nice to hear from you again
I’m so glad the Roaccutane worked for you. I remember us talking at the start of our treatments and we were both miserable with flaky scalps and peeling noses lol! Was worth it though!
Did you have a good Christmas/New year?
xxxxxxxxxx
January 11th, 2008 at 1:04 pm
Hi Abi
yes abi it was well worth it some times i dont even bother putting foundation on that’s how much it has made me feel better about myself what a result lol.
Christmas was good but had a stinking cold and a cough that can’t get rid of how about you ?
It good to see that you are still doing the diary and helping people,
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
January 11th, 2008 at 2:41 pm
Yeah, it used to take me half an hour to apply my make-up and now it only takes a few mins!
I also had a christmas of illness! My whole family got that virus thing thats going round and I spent most of boxing day throwing up - not that fun! And now I’ve also got a cold. I have an essay due in on Monday and I’ve been too ill to do it so I’m all stressed now!
Hope you feel better soon,
xxxxxxxxx
January 11th, 2008 at 3:04 pm
Hope you feel better soon sounds like you had it worse than me take care hun.
zara xxxxxxxxxxx
January 11th, 2008 at 4:16 pm
Hi Abi!
I can really see the difference it has made to you. It’s making me feel positive!
I want to aks a question, can I take L-Carnitint if I’m on accutane course?
I’ve started some strength/weight training because I’m getting fat and my abs arent in the way they were before so I want to get my six pack abs back!
Anyway, you are gorgeous! :-O
xxx
February 1st, 2008 at 2:10 pm
Hey Tommy,
I’m glad my pictures have helped you feel more positive about your treatment! Hopefully it will work as well for you as it has done for me
I’m not sure about the L-Carnitint thing. I’ve never heard of it myself (being a girl who doesn’t even have a hint of muscle lol). I think your best bet would be to ask your dermatologist about it.
Good luck with your treatment and thanks for you comments!
Abs
xxxxxxxxx
February 3rd, 2008 at 4:07 pm
Hey Tommy,
when i started roac i asked my derm about taking l-glutamine, and she told me not to take anything - “no vitamins; nothing”. i expect it was just to make sure i didnt end up taking vitamin a or anything containing it by mistake, but i stopped taking it anyway.
i dont know much about l-carnitine (if im honest i hadnt heard of it until now) but you can get most of the amino acids you need in food anyway. (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carnitine#Food_sources)
btw, if youre using a whey protein powder you might want to check how much vitamon a is in it and how much you’re taking.
abi: you do look incredible on those photos, are you still that clear?
rich
xx
February 3rd, 2008 at 9:18 pm
Hey Rich!
Thank you , it’s so nice to hear such nice comments from everyone
And yes, my skin is still pretty much completely clear! I have had 1 or 2 very small spots, but nothing to get too flustered about! I might put up another picture soon to show you guys how my skin is looking 3 months after Roaccutane.
Hows your treatment going for you?
Abs
xxxxxxxx
February 3rd, 2008 at 9:30 pm
Hi Abi,
my skins getting quite clear thanks, im still getting a few spots every now and then, particularly on my back, but ive been on 30mg for almost 6months now so im pretty much dried out.
Please do put up another picture. i think most people on roac have that niggling feeling of “what if after all this acne comes back again?”, so i’d quite like to see how it has continued.
rich
xx
February 3rd, 2008 at 10:51 pm
Hi Abi
Im Tiron, im from South Africa. I must behonest and say that you are looking really cute and stunning im really happy that Roaccutane has worked for you and i hope it works for everyone els
February 6th, 2008 at 7:26 pm
no problem , anyway its the truth you are cute, can you tell me at 1st do you get more breakouts ?
February 7th, 2008 at 12:34 pm
hey Abi, do you have an Email Address so that i cn mail you , reason being i dont feel comfortable asking all the Questions on the site.
February 7th, 2008 at 12:42 pm
I have sent you an e-mail so you have my address if you want to ask me any questions
February 7th, 2008 at 12:50 pm
Thanks
February 7th, 2008 at 1:23 pm
Hi Abi,
Like you say, a picture speaks a thousand words!! I’m so happy that you’ve found your beautiful, clear skin! Fingers crossed my treatment will be just as successful! (i’m on week 2).
Question - for any scars that you had, red or purple ones that were persistent, did these disappear once you finished your course of treatment? I’m worried my scars will remain. Your face looks flawless! You look stunning!
xx
February 7th, 2008 at 9:40 pm
Hey jojo!
Thanks for your comments
Rights, scars! I do still have some red flat scarring on my cheeks and some on my forehead. I’m really really hoping that over time it will fade. I did think about possible peels or dermabrasion but i think it might just be a waste of money. I had a laser treatment before that was useless so id rather just sit it out and hope they go. Now the roaccutane has sorted out the spots I do find the scars much easier to cover though, so i try not to let it worry me.
I really hope your treatment goes well. It can be a bit sucky to start with when your face and lips are so so dry and your waiting to see improvements, but it is all worth it in the end!
xxxxxxxxxx
February 7th, 2008 at 10:44 pm
hi! I’ve just started my second week of roaccutane. My skin is teribble. Iv had acne for around 7 years and this is my last resort. Around christmas i had it really bad and i now have scarring upon scarring upon scarring.
i really hope that this works becuase it really gets me down.
did anyone else experience hard lumps under the surface because i never had these before.
Also i too have had trouble sleeping!i just can’t get to sleep.
xxx
February 7th, 2008 at 10:59 pm
Hi Abi,
Thanks for your advice. Yeah guess first things first is to wait for my active spots to disappear or slowly decrease, and I guess I can worry about the scarring later. Your blogs and experiences have given me a much better insight into the Roaccutane treatment anyways! Thanks.
Question - Are you wearing any make-up or cover-up in your ‘after’ photo? Just gives me a better indication on what how successful it can be……
You look great!!
xx
February 7th, 2008 at 11:01 pm
Hey JoJo,
I’m glad you have found my diaries helpful
I was wearing some tinted moisturiser in the photo but nothing very heavy.
xxxxxxxxx
February 9th, 2008 at 11:35 am
Hi Abi
how long will it take before you see results ?
February 9th, 2008 at 11:52 am
Hiya Tiron,
It’s hard to say as everybody is different. Personally, I started to see really good improvements after about 2 months but for some people it can be earlier or take longer. Enough Roaccutane has to build up in your body for it to start working.
xxxxxxxx
February 9th, 2008 at 12:52 pm
so some poeple could see results earlier ?
February 9th, 2008 at 12:57 pm
Hi Abi
Iv just finished reading ur diary and just wanted to say thank you for sharing ur experience as it has provided me with alot of useful tips and also …WOW ur skin looks great…
iv just started roacc and am hoping that my skin looks as gud as urs.
i just wanted to ask whn u started using roacc did it get worser before it got better?, because the dermatologist told me that it may get worser before it gets better.
thanx
February 21st, 2008 at 11:29 pm
Hiya Pali,
Thanks for your comments
Yes, I did find that in the first few weeks my skin did appear worse. This isn’t anything to worry about and it happens to quite a few people. It took about 2 months for the roaccutane to properly starting kicking in for me, for some people it takes less time and for some people more. What mg have you started on?
Abs
xxxxxxxxxx
February 22nd, 2008 at 6:35 pm
hey Abs
iv started on 20mg and i guess itll b doubled after the first month. The derms also given me deltacortil enteric retrinoids starting with 30mgs per day for the first week and lowering the does there after for the following 3 weeks.
pali
February 23rd, 2008 at 4:44 pm
ur pix have given me faith! x
June 5th, 2008 at 1:46 pm
Im glad to hear it Lee-anne and good luck with your course!
xxxxxxxx
June 5th, 2008 at 4:30 pm
Hi, I am knew to all this I have Roacctuane prescribed but still waiting for my blood test results to come back so will be starting next monday. Your pics look fantastic and have made me really confident, but I have heard of all these bad side effects I can handle dry skin and lips but things like feeling depressed and being psychotic Ive heard about really turn me off. Ive also been told you can feel you have no energy even years after coming off roaccutane. Im confused can anyone help??
July 8th, 2008 at 11:32 pm
Hi Abi
Its Tiron again, Just wanted to say that Roaccutane, has cleared my skin and I have not one pimple on my face and theres no black heads. roaccutane is one of the best products I ever scene work, I will rate roaccutane 10/10. for all the people that just started using Roaccutane, just dont wori at 1st your break outs will be very bad, but after 2 months it will clear up.
July 9th, 2008 at 7:39 am
Hiya Jess,
It can be very scary when your first begin Roaccutane as alot of people do have a negative opinion of the drug (mainly due to the media). Most of the studies undertaken regarding Roaccutane and depression have not found that they are linked. The evidence to suggest there is a link is based on a few case studies (not particularly strong evidence in my opinion). I did my dissertation on the link between Roaccutane and depression and after writing 8,000 words it became apparent that is no solid evidence and the media has hyped up the case studies.
Therefore, try not to worry too much about the side effects, the dry skin and lips are manageable with a good selection of products
Good luck!
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July 9th, 2008 at 9:10 am
Hi again Tiron!
What a great message! So glad the Roaccutane worked for you
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July 9th, 2008 at 9:11 am
yeah im really happy to see my skin like how it is now, thanks for all your advices, greatly appreciated
July 9th, 2008 at 9:13 am
Hey thanks heaps for that, today is thursday and Im starting them monday, and going to warn my family and close friends that Im on them I cant wait to have clear non oily skin. Thanks again and I shall keep you updated
July 9th, 2008 at 10:49 pm
So its day 8 and I must admit Im pretty surprised I did not feel or look any different in the mirror til maybe day 3 or 4 when my skin started getting dry and the zits which I already had existing got really red but they are starting to pale out now. My acne was never that bad but still bugged it was just always there I have always had at least 5 or 6 on my face at a time. Blackheads are the worst though I think they are what make my skin oily, in photos I look terrible all shiny and red faced, so I cannot wait for them to dissapear. Also on about day 4 I had a headache and felt pretty tired til day 6 my eyes were also quite red and sore I did actually miss 2 tablets in a row because I drank and didnt know how I would react to it but Im back into it now and my skin has broken out a bit and feels really rough especially my chin and forehead where a lot of big blackheads live so I hope its just them leaving my body (hope) Otherwise no other side effects as yet Oh my lips are pretty fine as well…. Ive been using my every day chapstick since I started the course and they are fine they get a bit flaky now and then but not cracking or anything
Talk soon
Jess.
July 22nd, 2008 at 6:26 am
Hey abi, wow ya skin looks nice now =] how long were you on roacc for? and what dosages/wks? anyways my acne is pretty bad aswell, been abt 4 weeks now on accutane, 2nd and 3rd week was really good skin dried out and started looking clearer, week 4 has been abit of a bummer though i wanted to go clubbing this weekend lol but a few nasty ones came through, did you cop any bad side effects? ive got the usuall dry lips that everybody gets, plus i think im getting like this little rash on the top of my hands and like one of my arms is really dry and the other 1 isn’t lol i dont know whats the go there… my skins the type like my acne can look super bad like one week and then at other times nice and clear for a next or so on and then back again, so im hoping this stuff works 
i know this sounds like a lifestory but yeah its not everyday you come into contact with people who really understand what your going through haha so if you or anyone on here wanna add me on msn or bebo or whatever feel free - nzrealest@hotmail.com - http://www.bebo.com/2FKNSX
chao
July 25th, 2008 at 8:24 pm
Hey Hyrah,
I know what ya mean.. good skin one week.. wake up one day and it suddently looks horrendous again!
Abi.. Which week did you find worse on Roacc. Im going into week 3, have found week 2 quite bad for outbreaks. Hoping it gets better now!
x
July 26th, 2008 at 3:56 pm
woah u look rlly gd now abi gd 4 u!! i just started roac today so im just waiting 4 the changes 2 happen! i hope my skins as gd as ures in 10 weeks or i will not b happy!lol jks.
spk 2 u soon xxx
July 26th, 2008 at 4:51 pm
Hi abbi
i hope this dont sound funny lol i have been on roaccutane before a few years ago but i am on it for a totally different reason .. lol where do a start .. right well i have your normal spots like anyone a suppose .. but reason for me being on the roaccutane is i suffer a form of abcessess not on the facial area …the derm has had me on all sort felt like a guinnea pigs sometimes .. i was also on another accetretine for the same reason but these didnt work … i had a vivst to the derm today to tell me she was gona change ma medication again a wasnt happy but a suppose i will have a go again as i have nothing to lose ..well a suppose the Q i am asking you is did you or ant of your readers here have any symtoms like this and if so did it help them .. well i would realy like to hear from anyone who can help or give a bit of advice to as a seem to be getting no were and this is being going on for 9 yrs now …thanks sharon
July 28th, 2008 at 8:54 pm
Hiya Patrick!
Thanks for your comment hope your treatment goes well for you!
Hiya Sharon,
I personally havn’t suffered from this but i’m sure someone on here will have done who will be willing to give you some advice. If I was you I would write a post in the forum to see if anyone else has suffered with a similar problem. I’m sorry your problem has been going on for so long and I really hope that the Roaccutane is able to sort it out for you.
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July 30th, 2008 at 9:36 am
Hello Abi, congratulations on your skin, must feel brilliant not having to worry when you wake up in the morning.
I started on Roaccutane 3 days ago, not to worried about the side effects, as has already been said, nothing you can do about them.
I was just wondering, it’s been over eight months since you stopped taking Roacc, have you had any breakouts in that time? How has your skin been?
Regards,
JP x
August 5th, 2008 at 12:08 am
Hiya JP,
Unfortunetly, my skin did not stay as good as I hoped and I ended up starting a third course of Roacc in May. This course is working a treatment at the moment :-). You can read about everything that’s happened since my second course here:
http://reclaimyourskin.co.uk/category/abis-roaccutane-diary/
Abs
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August 5th, 2008 at 11:27 am
Hi Abi,
just thought i would say your skin looks amazing now, and thanks for putting up the before and after pictures (i know the majority of people won’t want to do that) but it’s really good to see someone with flawless skin after taking roaccutane.
Did you have any breakouts later on in the treatment?
I’m on week 7 and hoping that my skin will end up like yours.
Anyway-you look great!
x
August 5th, 2008 at 7:26 pm
Hiya Lyn,
Thank you for your comments
After finishing my treatment I had good skin for about 6 months and then some of the spots started to return :-(. Therefore I went back to my dermatologist and I have now been taking a third course of Roaccutane for almost 3 months. My skin is currently looking very good, I’m just really hoping it stays this way this time!!!
Good luck with your treatment :-),
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August 6th, 2008 at 10:36 am
I am so happy for you Abi!
Thank you for supporting me all the way through my treatment, it has really made a difference
Congratulations on having clear skin hehe:)
I will have to put some before and after pictures up of me, i think 
Hope your skin continues to be beautiful and clear
You look awesome, so enjoy it!!! No more hidding behind your hair :D:D:D
xxx
August 12th, 2008 at 6:49 pm
Hiya Tess!
Yes, definetly put some pictures up!
It’s been lovely to read your posts because your so positive. I really hope your skin stays clear for you
How many more weeks do you have left on the Roaccutane? I’m hoping to take it longer this time than the 16 weeks I have done in the past in the hope my skin stays clear this time!
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August 12th, 2008 at 7:49 pm
Heyy Abi
Erm i believe i have about 15 days left of my treatment :S
I’m just really praying it won’t come back quick or back at all for that matter!
I’m loving being normal way tooo much heheh
You are going to be completely shocked at my before and after pictures (when i put them up), i look like a completely different person, it’s incredible!
So how long after your treatment was it when the buggers came back?
xxxxx
August 13th, 2008 at 5:39 pm
Well, after my first course i got a good 9 months of clear skin and had got to the point where I had sort of forgotten what it was like to have spots, then slowly i started to get the odd one that eventually turned into the odd two, then three and so on until I wasnt happy at all
I also started taking the contraceptive pill microgynon and that seemed to make my skin loads worse, and even after i stopped taking it my skin stayed bad. Then I had the laser treatment that was rubbish and expensive so went back on roacc about a year ago. Stayed clear for 6 months and now im back on it again! Third time lucky!!!
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August 13th, 2008 at 6:25 pm
wow hopefully mine will stay away and hopefully yours will too this time round
I think mine may come back though as i am a hormonal teenager with loads of exams coming up soon Very annoying! Anyway,
How old are you now? if you don’t mind me asking
xxxxx
August 14th, 2008 at 1:34 pm
Yep! We’ve got to stay positive!!
I’m now 21, I was sort of hoping that by the time I reached 18 my body would decide i was an adult and that I would have no more spots, however, no such luck!
Are you taking the pill? I am on dianette and when my course finishes this time I’m gonna continue to take it for several months, I think it may help to keep my skin clear. On my last course I stopped the dianette a month later and I think i would have been better off to take it.
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August 14th, 2008 at 2:04 pm
Ahh i see
No i’m not taking the pill, i used to be on dianette about 2 years ago and it worked really well, but then the dr said i should come off it because i had taken it for too long or something, but when coming off it, my period became very mucked up and i got severe stomach cramps. Not good :S!
My derm said i wouldn’t need it anyway for my treatment, she just told me don’t have sex ..ever lol. I was like okay then
Dianette is good if you are in your late teens i think. I was possibly a bit too young for it at the time
One thing i have realised though is that taking all this medication and being on the pill at such a young age is that i have become more careful about life in general.. i think i have matured very quickly aswell:P Tis very strange how a skin condition can actually change how you treat others and how you lead your own life.
How young were you when you first got acne?
xxxxx
August 14th, 2008 at 2:21 pm
I remember getting my first spot when I was in Year 6 of primary school. It was on my forehead and I put a massive plaster on it lol. By the time I moved up to high school it was pretty much all over my face, back and chest. I really wish I had been given Roaccutane when I was a bit younger as it would have made high school much more bearable!!
I agree with you about how it can change you. I am a very open-minded person and I never judge anybody about anything, which I think it partly down to having acne. It has also helped me to choose what course to do at uni and the line of work I want to go in to
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August 14th, 2008 at 2:30 pm
I got mine when i was 9 so that was at the end of year 4!
I wasnt actually given roaccutane, i did loads of research on it and practically made my dr refer me to a derm. My normal GP was absolutely useless, i felt like i could do a better job than he could at age 12! And he has been trained! Stupid man lol!
Yeah i can’t judge anyone either!When i hear a person saying something nasty about somebody else, i have to stick up for them, i remember one time another guy i knew had extremely bad acne and someone said to him, “do you have cancer on your face?” That made me so angry and i just felt like hitting the other person. I hate people like that, they have no idea how it feels!
I’m thinking about going into Dermatology as a career or some form of “helping people” job I need very good grades to get there though!
What career root are you choosing?
xxxxxx
August 14th, 2008 at 2:43 pm
Yeah, i had no idea about Roaccutane until I was about 17 and a girl at school took it and her skin miraculously cleared up and i thought “i want some of that!!!!”.
I’ve just finished a uni course is Health and Community Studies as I want to work either in health promotion or working with people with learning disabilities. I did quite alot of voluntary work in this area whilst at uni and found it really rewarding I am currently in the process of applying for jobs. I have just filled in an application form for a job being a personal assistant to a boy with autism, really hoping I get an interview!
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August 14th, 2008 at 3:13 pm
Aww thats excellent Abi
Good luck with it all! I’m sure you’ll get it
I was thinking last night about how incredible it would be to meet everyone on this website. It would be so amazing if we had a massive reclaim your skin gathering somewhere! I think it would make people realise even more that they are not alone
It would be so cool
Anyway yeah it was just a idea i thought i’d share with you
xxxxx
August 14th, 2008 at 3:25 pm
I know, it would be wicked!!! Think it would be dead hard to organize though as firstly we’d have to find a day when every1 could make it and then decide where to have it that everybody could get to. I have definetly though about it before though as it would be great to meet everybody!
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August 14th, 2008 at 3:43 pm
yeah thats what i thought too, oh well
It would be amazing though
xxxxx
August 14th, 2008 at 3:46 pm