Reclaim Your Skin

I finished my course of roaccutance over 3 yrs ago. It cleared up all my acne however I have found that the pigments in my skin have been lost and are prone to burning in the sun. I use to have dark olive skin and tan easily. Now when I am out in the sun i burn easy and cannot get a tan (over 3 yrs since completing tratment). I am wondering if there are any tablets or creams I can use to bring back the pigments? Many thanks!

January 10th, 2007 at 6:46 am

My daughter took Roaccutane for 9 months last year. It did clear the acne somewhat, but not completely. Since she has stopped taking it her acne is returning. We emigrated in between and her new doctor is suggesting another course, which we, her parents, are not keen on.

Any comments/suggestions would be appreciated

Jane

March 29th, 2007 at 2:57 am

Has anyone on this treatment noticed that they feel colder at all. I’ve constantly got goose bumps and wondered if this was a side effect?!

April 10th, 2007 at 3:28 pm

Dave, I have not heard about that side effect. Are you sure you’re not taking a drug beginning with V?

Maggie

April 12th, 2007 at 4:16 pm

Hi, I’ve been on Roaccutane for the past three months and its clearing up albeit rather slowly.

My lips are really chapped and also, they look like they’ve swelled up quite a bit, is this a side effect too? Jumbo lips?

Thanks

April 15th, 2007 at 11:19 pm

Sorry, Burts BEES lipbalm! (it’s got beeswax, coconut oil and sunflower oil in it)

April 18th, 2007 at 11:43 am

Hi, ive been taking roaccutane for 3 weeks now and im experiencing random erections which is quite embarassing as im 28 !!
Not the worst side effect i know, has anyone else had this and is maybe too shy too say so??
Or am i just blessed?

April 30th, 2007 at 8:12 pm

hi. I have had acne for 15 years and have been on many treatments, which have worked to varying degrees. I am currently on Yasmin (prev i was on Dianette) both of which worked for a few years but recently my skin has been bad again. i am due to see a dermatologist next week. i do have large lumps but not all over my face, only my chin area and what i would call some ‘normal’ spots elsewhere. I am really worried that he will say my acne is not bad enough to go on roaccutane as that is what my GP said! what he doesn’t know is how much it affects my life. i don’t go out if i’m feeling/looking bad. i avoid all venues with bright lights and more recently i realised that i have not gone for a really good job as a lecturer because of my skin (i.e loads of people looking at me!). please don’t anyone tell me it’s what’s inside that counts… any other help and advice would be most appreciated, cheers.

May 9th, 2007 at 9:49 am

Hi Jen,

Thanks for your comment. I’m guessing your GP referred you to a dermatologist? If yes, he/she must believe your condition is quite serious and dermatologists (UK) normally prescribe Roaccutane.

Explain to the dermatologist what you have said on here, i.e. how much acne is affecting your life. I know many people who have been prescribed Roaccutane for what I would call “mild acne” because of the depression Acne was causing them.

Stay strong and good luck.

Maggie

May 9th, 2007 at 9:21 pm

Maggie,
thanks ever so much. Your advice is helpful. I am actually going to a dermatologist privately (£100) as the doctor said it would be a 7 month wait on the NHS. My GP did downplay the problem despite having my notes in front of him but it was the first time i had ever seen him as just moved to a new practice; maybe he thought i was trying to get more than my fair portion of their budget! I will let you know the outcome,
thanks again, jen

May 10th, 2007 at 11:58 am

Hi Maggie,

Thanks for your reply. My acne is fairly mild compared to some, but its persistence and refusal to go away despite previous, alternative, treatments (topical and oral) is rather frustrating. I am keeping my fingers crossed that this works.

I’ve another question though. I’ve read in some places that we should avoid facials during the roaccutane treatment. Does that apply to all facials or just those that use microdermabrasion and laser treatment?

Thanks again,
Ele

May 14th, 2007 at 2:56 am

Hey,

Ive been on roaccutane for almost 5 months, with the last two on 80mg. I am going away in a 18 days and was wondering if I could drink pretty heavily as its been a long time since ive let my hair down. Also, whats the protocol on sunshine exposure?
One thing i have read is that you should finish the recommended course. I was originally told 4-6 months but my last dermy appointment led him to give me the meds to finish the 6 months. ive finished early because of this holiday. Will that be alright?

Cheers,

Rick

May 16th, 2007 at 10:59 pm

Maggie,

I am about to turn 18 and will probably be drinking at my party, would it be ok for me to drink. I have been on roaccutane for a month and I am on 60mg a day. What do you think?

Thanks,
Ross

May 20th, 2007 at 8:38 pm

hello,

I’ve been on roaccutane for three weeks now and I’m not experiencing so much of the side effects, apart from dry lips (which is not a problem at all for me, as I use a great lip balm) and dry eyes…Anyway, i was wondering if I could ask my derm to increase my dose, because my acne isn’t bothered at all by anything and it’s still comfortably and for-what-seems-like-forever all over my face…

It’s not that I am not patient enough or anything, but the thing is I suffer from this depression too (I don’t think it’s due to roaccutane, I’ve had it before, but roaccutane certainly doesn’t help), depression that comes mostly from the way I see myself, self-esteem under see level, anti-social behaviour and everything that comes with it. Acne=torture, it’s the way I see it…

May 22nd, 2007 at 5:16 pm

Hi,
Thought you might like to hear my experiences so far. I started taking roaccutane at the end of April. I had a month taking 50mg, then a month on 60mg and now I am on 95mg - the maximum for my weight. Although my acne is no where near as severe as the photos in the dermatologists office!

I have had acne since I was 11 and I will be 26 next month. My GP is great and has prescribed so many different lotions, gels and tablets over the years without success that roaccutane was my last hope. I only had to wait 3 months to see a dermatologist on the NHS, which I think is fairly quick compared to some places.

So far I have had some side effects, but I am of the opinion that a few months of discomfort is worth it if it is going to cure a problem I have had for 15 years. My lips were the first thing to change, getting very dry within days of starting the treatment. The skin on the back of my hands and my arms also gets quite dry, sometimes with a rash - E45 deals with that. Perhaps the worst thing is the “crusty nose” which can feel quite painful, especially in the morning. I am going to try the vaseline idea suggested by someone else to see if that makes it better.

So far I ahve not have any of the depression side effects, no more than normal anyway!!

My advice would be to give it a try. Good Luck

Hayley

May 28th, 2007 at 7:47 pm

Hi,

I started a course of roaccutane just over a week ago (40mg p/day). After four days I developed severe back pain - so severe I have now obtained a prescription from my GP as the shop bought products could not control the pain. There was no trauma, it just became increasingly painful with frequent muscular spasms. On my GP’s advice I have stopped taking the roaccutane but will try again once my back has recovered just incase the two are totally unconnected. I know one of the side effects can be mild-moderate back pain but has anyone else suffered from really bad pains that they think are related? I have never suffered from back problems before and I am frightened that when I eventually recover and start again that it will return - it has been painful enough to bring me to tears and even the slightest movement has been torture.

As I’m nearly 40 and have suffered from acne since my teenage years I am desparate for a ‘cure’ and had hoped that this was it at last.

June 1st, 2007 at 2:40 pm

I’m currently on Roaccutane at 70mg per day. I started off on 40mg and went up after the first four weeks.

It’s the second time I have been on the drug. To be honest i’m struggling with the dryness it is causing. My face feels constantly tight and itchy, although I have tried about ten different face creams and moisturisers but to no effect.

The dermatologist said if I found it too bad I could reduce my dose. I’m wondering if I should reduce my dose to 50mg per day. This would be between the 0.5 - 1.0 mg/kg body weight/day as recommended.

Does that sound about right ? I only get to see our dermatologist every six months due to my current location so i can’t ask.

Any advice would be grateful.

June 2nd, 2007 at 6:29 pm

Hi I have been on my treatment now for just over a week and my eyes are starting to get really dry. Can you recomend any eyedrops?

June 7th, 2007 at 6:21 pm

Hey, i got referred to a dermatologist by my doctor about 2 months ago after being on prescribed and over the counter acne treatments for around 3 years, i rang up the NHS ‘choose and book service’ and was told i’d have an appointment by the 21st of may (about a month later), but rang them up again on this date and was told there were no openinings, that my local hospital had been contacted, and i’d hear from them within 2 weeks. I hadn’t, so i called them and they said the dermatologist would choose when to see me… does anyone know how long this will be? It’s so frustrating not having a set date for an appointment.

I’ve checked the waiting list for my local hospital in terms of the dermatology department, and there are only 9 people and none of them are waiting more than 10 weeks for their appointment.

I’m considering going private to get the treatment, but can anyone give me a rough guideline as the the consultation fees, cost of the drugs, and the blood tests that are taken whilst on the drug?

Thanks

June 11th, 2007 at 7:14 pm

Noel,
I went private. The initial (once off) consultancy was £120 and the monthly medication cost is £56. When I went to collect my last set of medication they hadn’t any in stock, so I popped to Boots and they sold it there for less. Basically, I would recommend going private to get things hurried along, the consultancy is an essential part of the treatment, so I think you’ll have to pay for that, but get the medicine from high street pharmacys instead. Also, blood tests aren’t always essential.

June 12th, 2007 at 1:04 pm

Dear Noel

My son has just finished his Roacutane treatment and now looks wonderful! He’s had acne since he was 12 (he is 18 now) and it is just wonderful to see his skin so lovely. We went privately to see the dermatologist for our first appointment because of the long wait. It cost £85. Then he put us back into the NHS system because the drugs are quite expensive (about £500+) and by seeing us again quite quickly on the NHS he could prescribe them on the NHS. It might be worth doing this - at least you get to talk to him quickly.

Hope that helps and good luck!

Kate

June 12th, 2007 at 1:43 pm

Thanks Emma. I only have about 3 weeks left and my dose has been increased from 40 mg to 60 mg p/d. I am seriously considering decreasing my dose back to 40 mg or even 20 mg becuase of the way that I am feeling. Does anyone think, in their experience, that this will make a difference to the treatment as a whole?

June 12th, 2007 at 2:54 pm

hiya im considering starting on roaccutane after about 5 years of failed antibiotics and generally feeling like it isn’t fair that i have acne and my friends don’t. All these stories about the side effects of roaccutane are really scary though, however it won’t put me off because i desperately want to get my skin sorted. I am however confused about how much it will cost, my parents want to go private if they can afford it and many articles i have read on the internet state a wide range of various prices. is the cost of treatment just something I will have to wait and find out about from the dermatologist? p.s i swear by Eve Lom ‘Dyna Spot’ its expensive (£20 for a tiny tube) but it helps to prevent some of my worse beakouts by drying up painful lumps.

June 13th, 2007 at 2:58 pm

Hi,

I’ve been on Roaccutane for 3 weeks now and my overall skin condition is a lot clearer. I’m breaking out still but I think that’s the Roaccutane making it worse before it gets better (as expected) but it doesn’t ‘flare up’ anymore. I think the reason it’s improved is not because of Roaccutane (as it’s still early) but it’s because I’ve cut out dairy in my diet. Research has pointed out that most cows are pregnant when they are milked, therefore increased hormones in the milk. If people who have hormone imbalances, i.e. those with persistant acne, drink milk, their acne is aggrevated. Try cutting out milk, cream, cheese, yoghurt etc and see if this helps your skin. Perhaps after roaccutane, we may be able to tollerate some milk…not sure on that one!

June 14th, 2007 at 5:22 pm

Matthew,

I’m sorry to say this but I would avoid sunbathing at all costs while taking Roaccutane. You may think you are tanning but you may not see the potential damage you are doing.

How long is your treatment? Most people’s treatment lasts on average 5 months, this is not a long time to wait for healthy skin.

Dan

June 18th, 2007 at 8:59 pm

I’ve finally got an appointment with a dermatologist on the 22nd August, after years of being given treatments over the counter and prescribed by a doctor, hopefully things are on the up now

June 21st, 2007 at 10:40 pm

oh sry i 4got to say i bleached my hair before 3 weeks and i stopped the medicine before 1 week and my face now very sensitive and become red quickly

June 22nd, 2007 at 2:29 pm

I went on roacctuane 2 years ago and it cleared my skin up and it remained clear for about 9 months then started to break out again. I’ve just started a second course on 40mg a day. I’ve only just finished my first week and I had forgotten how uncomfortable roacctuane made my face feel. I havn’t left my house all this week. I feel miserable. What products have people used which were especially good at combatting facial dryness? I am keeping a diary of my roacctuane experiences this time round. check my blog http://reclaimyourskin.co.uk/category/abis-roaccutane-diary/

June 24th, 2007 at 7:06 pm

hi this is my second time round , and i have just remembered how anonying the itching is my head feels like i have scratched it in every single spot i have massive white clum’s of dandruff can any one surggest what i can wash my hair with to ease the itching ? i dont think it was as bad last time,i have bought some cream to put on my face that is brill it is called emuo base concentrated rehydration cream i put loads of it on at night i told abi about it and she found it helped her which is great ,i got it from the chemist i think it was about £3.00 last time i was on roaccutane was about 10 yrs ago i started on about 15mg to 20mg 3 times aday i remmber having a really sore inside of my nose this time i dont have that but it is worse on my head than the time before,
i think this is great that you can read how other people are getting on before i just had to go along with it by my self and just try and get bye with how i was feeling roaccutane did work for me but a while ago i started to get big cyst and they were staying on my face for at least 1 month if i knocked it it would turn blue like a blood blister some times i did not wont to face people so here i am again on 80mg a day hope this time they will go for good. i would tell anyone that is suffering to try roaccutane why suffer with embarrasment not beable to face people staying in not socialising when they can have itchy flacky skin for a while and then beable to face the world because thats how i felt.

July 2nd, 2007 at 7:57 am

Hi Sam,

Sorry to hear about your bowel problems. Please, please do not buy Roaccutane online, this can be extremely dangerous because you could be taking anything. It really isn’t worth damaging you health.

Your G.P has referred you to a dermatologist which is goods news, how long do you have to wait for your appointment? If you have to wait a long time it might be worth trying to go private. Ask you derm if he/she thinks your bowel problems are related to taking Roaccutane, if not you may be prescribed another course legitimately.

Stay strong – you can get past this horrible disease.

Will

Please read this: http://www.fda.gov/buyonline/accutane/

July 3rd, 2007 at 1:16 pm

Hey Sam,

I also went on that website and watched the this morning interview and nagged my mum to let me have it. I had 3 laser sessions. It cost £750. After the laser sessions my face was so red and on one occassion I ended up covered in little red bruises. The laser felt uncomfortable on my skin too. As for my skin. It didnt get any better. I dunno whether I was just unlucky, but it didnt work for me i felt it was a big waste of money.

Abi xxxxxx

July 3rd, 2007 at 2:03 pm

Hey Sam, iv sent u an e-mail

July 3rd, 2007 at 2:16 pm

Hey all,

I have been on roaccutane for about 3 1/2 weeks now, and my mild/severe acne is teasing me badly. it gets unbelievably better one day, (almost so it’s invisible from a distance) and then the next i’ll wake up and i have a load of new bumps all under my skin. i don’t know whether my treatment is working as fast as it normally does. (i’m on 30mg a day)

can anyone help me out here?

thanks a load

July 3rd, 2007 at 8:52 pm

I might just be lucky but I’m in week 6 and other than dry lips I seem OK - i’ve been using Clinique moisturising gel 3 times a day and so far so good. i did make the mistake of giving myself what i thought was a light body scrub two weeks ago which seemed to take the top layer of skin off in places but it seems to have recovered - thank goodness! From now on i will be treating my skin far more gently.

July 4th, 2007 at 7:55 pm

I used Roacuttane 15 years ago and my skin improved drimatically. The side effects I suffered were, a very dry nose which used to bleed and very dry lips and eyes. After the treatment had finnished my skin was great for at least 18 months, then the acne came back but worse. I am now 33 and the acne is still casing me problems I have been to see a dermotologist who has suggested another course of Roacuttane. After much research in to the drug I have decided that it is not a treatment I am willing to take again. I have found that there are side effects such as facial hair growth, depression, hair loss, bone issues, tiredness, and these effects can be long term, even after the treatment is over. I am going to try a drimatic change of diet and lazer treatment before taking Roacuttane again.

July 6th, 2007 at 10:50 pm

Is it okay to have you eyebrows threaded? I made the mistake of having my eyebrows waxed too soon after I finished my first course (have never done it since!) but thought threading might be okay???

July 9th, 2007 at 8:17 pm

I am on my 2nd week of taking Roaccutane & am already very happy with the results. The only side effect I have is very dry lips but that is easily solved (although I look like a girl with nivea essential smothered around my lips ;-p )
I have to say I am VERY impressed with the NHS, I went to the Dr’s and in 6 weeks I was taking Roaccutane with zero cost to me. The dr & derm were both lovely, the whole experiance so far has been positive. Instead of making me depressed I am a much happier person now, I feel like something is finally being done and my skin is clearer, I haven’t had an outbreak yet either like some. I’m only on 20mg a day though which seems very low compared to others? (The derm did say she liked to keep it to a minimum - new research suggested they were over subscribing previously) My acne was pretty bad before the treatment, one thing I have noticed is my pores have become much smaller which is great. Nothing has happened to the spots on my shoulder or back though yet but I will give it time.
If your unsure about taking the drug I would say go for it!

July 17th, 2007 at 10:58 pm

I read somewhere - possibly this site - that nipple cream would help the dry cracks on the corners of my mouth. Well it worked! It’s the first time I can open my mouth properly and I only put it on half an hour ago so I want to share that tip with people.

Also on a recommendation I bought Bio Oil which my skin seems to really love.

If someone were to go through my handbag they would think I have a lip balm fetish - so many. I’m at a stage where I’m putting layers of different ones on which seems to help. Right now what seems to be working best is the Blistex intensive moisturiser followed by the Blistex lip splash roll on.

One of the dermatologists I saw told me that a girl who took two courses of roaccutane (like me) never recovered from the dry lip syndrome. I am terrified it will happen to me

July 22nd, 2007 at 10:08 pm

Hi. I am 19 years old and I’ve started taking Roaccutane in the middle of September 2006 and finished 23 May 2007. I took 20mg in odd days and 40mg in even days, because I could not support the side effects of a bigger dosage (Dry skin and lips - even using products to hydratate them). My acne was not of a severe type and in the end of the treatment my skin was almost completely cleaned. The side effects I’ve experienced were dry skin and dry lips, and rarely pain in articulations. After 2 months my skin and lips continues to be dry, my skin more than my lips. Spots are returning, specialy in my noose and I have some pimples specialy in my forehead and chin. The products that I’ve used during the treatment and continue to use due to the side effects were:
Noviderm Serenactiv for dry skin
Neutrogena Fluid balsam for lips

Sorry If my english is not correct but I am from Portugal.

July 23rd, 2007 at 6:02 pm

hi, i have a relatively clear face apart from cysts that appear out of the blue, mostly on my neck that take a couple of weeks, if not longer to clear, i also get them on my face, mainly on my forehead but usually i can go for a couple of months cyst free then they come back and they become very painful, i am on a course of minocyclene anti biaotics at the moment and have been for about a year, i am thinking of going on roacutane, but although id do anything to have clear skin, reading all the blogs on the internet is starting to worry me with all these side affects, can anyone tell me is it worth it?

thanks

Rich

July 31st, 2007 at 9:04 am

Hey Richard

I also suffer with cists and am on lymecycline having previously been on the minocycline that your on.I had graet results with the minocycline but after about 1 year i noticed that i was getting reccuring acne new ones every day and at night.I recently went out thursday just gone and was feeling ok about my skin but not fab,it really shakes your confidence when there seems to be so many people around with good skin.I have been on roaccutane when i was 21 im now 28 and it worked wonders for me…BUT and theres BIG BUT…I developed bowel disease and have undergone five major operations to correcy this and it may have been down to the roaccutane..but it was never conclusive.Im due to see my derm on 20th Aug to disscuss the possibilty of trying it at alow dose again but im weel worried that this may make thing bad in my stomach again consider all options but i thhink roaccutane is the only thing that truly works but i also know its dangerous talk about being stuck beetween a rock and a hard place!

All the best
Sam

August 4th, 2007 at 10:47 am

Comment posted as a new thread: How Roaccutane changed Martin’s life!

August 19th, 2007 at 8:41 pm

Hey Moyra,

When I took my first course of Roaccutane I had acne on my face, chest and back. I found that the first area of my body to clear up was my back. This didn’t happen though until I had been on the Roaccutane for almost 2 months, so I guess you have to be patient.
It should have cleared up in time for your wedding
Since taking my first course my back has stayed completely clear ever since.
What dose are you taking a day?

Abi
xxx

August 21st, 2007 at 9:34 am

SINGING?

Hey, im a singer and i cant help but feel roaccutane is making my voice hoarse and my throats seems quite dry. i dont know if this is directly linked with roaccutane, but if anyone else knows anything about this particular side effect please reply to this otherwise my bands gna wonder what the hells goin on an i wont b able 2 tel them…..

cheers,

Will

August 21st, 2007 at 7:34 pm

Hey Noel,

It such a pain having to be patient and wait for appointments, I’m really glad something is finally being done for you. Let us know how you get on with the treatment

Abi
xxx

August 23rd, 2007 at 10:53 am

Hey guys, it’s so relieving to find people going through what I am, none of my friends really understand it and always say, “it’s not that bad”, with 2 inches of make up maybe not, but check me out first thing in the morning! Not a pretty sight. It makes meeting people and making eye contact a nightmare because I always thing they’re just scanning my skin. My heads always down and my hair covers most of my face. I hate going through this on a daily basis and have tried everything else and am now on my 5th week of taking Roaccutane. My chest and back have been clear for years and within the first week of taking it I had a break out on both, not terrible but enough to want to keep it covered. My face broke out too, but not as bad as I’d feared, and almost immediately my pores became smaller and at the end of the day when I get home from work the first thing I’d do would be to cleanse my face because it gets so oily, and it was fine, completely shine free! I also noticed that my hair doesnt need to be washed every day because it just isnt getting greasy at all. My lips are very dry, as is my chin and nose, but I can suffer this for the results I am seeing. I made the mistake of exfoliating really hard and left my chin red raw, and I’ve decided there really is no point in doing this because it’ll only peel again the next day, and slathering on a load of good moisturiser is the best bet. Blistex Relief Cream works wonders for your lips too.

The way I see it is this: I have felt insecure about my skin for the last 12 years of my life, and if I have to go through 4-6 months of so called hell (which isnt actually that bad if I’m honest!) to get clear skin then so be it. The worst part is the monthly blood tests because I am petrified of needles, but I get through it by imagining being able to go for a swim with NO MAKE UP, or being on a beach with NO MAKE UP, waking up in the morning and being able to look at my boyfrined without running to the mirrior to “cover up” before he sees my horror show and dumps me! It may be a vanity thing, but hey, I dont care. No pain no gain! Hang in there peeps, it’s a few months of suffering for clear skin for the REST OF YOUR LIFE!!!!!!! You do the math!

Good luck, and if it doesnt work, I will be finding out where my dermatolagist lives….

August 28th, 2007 at 10:04 am

I totally sympathise with you guys.
Ive had sever acne for a few years and I agree that a few months of treatment potentially causing an outburst is totally worth it.
Thank Goodness for accutane.

August 28th, 2007 at 3:16 pm

Hi, I’ve started to take Roaccutane 7 weeks ago and now my skin is worst than before. I have big acnes all over my chin n jawline and I have very red scars. It just never stops coming out. I am so worry and I don’t know if this is normal. If it never stops coming out, I’ll have more and more scars. Also, my hair are thinning and my skin around my lips and nose are peeling non-stop too. I am so depressed and I wonder if I’ll ever have clear skin….even it is clear…I still need to deal with the scars….

August 29th, 2007 at 2:04 pm

hi will
yes it is worth it but it all depends on how you feel yourself ?would it be worth your skin getting worst before it gets looking great ? i should say so good luck it’s your choice.
zara x

September 3rd, 2007 at 1:51 pm

Does anybody know of a woman getting pregnant while on Accutane, and if so was the child born?

September 4th, 2007 at 9:08 pm

Thanks Zara!! I really hope this all works because I really want to have a great Christmas with my family and not have to wake up and get dressed and makeup first thing christmas morning!! Well it is day 3 and I think im getting a bit of a breakout form starting accutane hopefully results will happen soon so i can go back to being “makeup free”LOL

September 5th, 2007 at 2:08 pm

I am about 4 months into my treatment now and am up to 80mg a day. I have had the usual dry lips, eyes, skin, rash on forearms, aches and pains and lower than usual tolerence level.

My worst side effect is the small cut on my chin that i CANNOT get to heal properly. If i moisturise or use vaseline on it, it seems to desolve the scab. If i leave it dry it makes the crack even larger because the skin is so dry. It is driving me mad and is sore sore.

On the subject of moisturiser, i switched from the cheap and cheerful boots sensitive stuff to E45 recently. I came out in large red blotches and it stung like crazy. I have since switched back to cheap and cheerful, and thankfuly a couple of days on allergy tablets and the rash is gone. I have since heard of loads of perople who are alergic to the stuff.

September 8th, 2007 at 10:05 am

Hi Noel
may be you need to use a different moisturiser if that one hurts you . try a make called simple you can get it from tesco it might be more gentel on your skin when i started i was on 80mg a day and at night i used emuo based concentrated rehydration cream you can get it from the chemist it was really good to put on at night and i used to put it on in the day if i was staying in as it is quite thick it really helped with the dry skin on my face .when you put moisturiser on try putting a little on at a time to make sure you are not putting to much on because it soaks in real quick .
hope this helps
luv zara xx

September 9th, 2007 at 9:11 pm

yeah guys simple ‘rich moisturiser’ is the stuff you need, i put up with a peeling face for about a onth before switching t it and it stoped the peeling instantly and didnt hurt when aplied.

my acne has come back on my neck and face but has stayed off of my back but i want to do a second course of roaccutane…

a question which i just cannot find the answer myself so would be v greatfull to anyone who has an input….im a serious competeing athelete and HAVE to keep training etc etc, would roaccutane have any negative effect on my training, and would my hard training be risky to carry on whilst on roaccutane? i was fairly innactive when i took my first course.
cheers

September 10th, 2007 at 12:49 pm

andy on your 1st course did you experience any hair loss?

and now your off it have you experienced any?

Thanks

September 12th, 2007 at 7:29 am

Hey Steve,

I am on my second course of Roaccutane and each time my dosage differed. I am now on 40mg but whenever I tell my derm that my lips are severely dry or that I have suffered a mood swing, they always immediately want to drop my dose to 20mg. This is because there has been so much bad press about Roaccutane that the dermatologists are overly cautious.

You will probably be happier on the 40mg as the dryness isn’t so severe which means its much more manageable. I am also finding that my skin is clearing up very nicely on the 40mg so I wouldn’t worry about it not being as effective.

With Roaccutane I think it is best to find a dose at which the side effects are manageable, otherwise it just makes it so much harder. I have taken higher doses and not been able to move my mouth because my face was so dry!!

Abs
xxx

September 12th, 2007 at 8:33 pm

hey i have just recently stopped taking roaccutane after a 5 month treatment. i had to stop early as i suffered from some side effects. in the afternoon at roughly the same time each day i seemed to have a “hot flush” which was getting increasingly more embarassing. has any one else had this? it go so bad it caused me to have a panick attack!! i know roaccutane can raise anxiety levels. went to the doctor and they said to stop taking it. i don’t have any hot flushes since i have stopped and have’nt had any more panick attacks but my face seems to have a more pinky glow than i ever remember and also my hands are constantly pink/purple it seems as though my circulation has been effected, has anyone else had this? will it take a while to return back to normal???? will it turn back to normal skin colour? thanks anna

September 14th, 2007 at 2:37 pm

Hi,

I am so glad I found this site. I have been sat here on my night shift reading carefully and getting rather excited.

I have had spots from when I was about 13 they get bad then they clear up but I can’t even remember a day when I have thought wow I look good today. All my friends have clear skin and my wonderful boyfriend which just gets on my nerves why is it always me! They always say,’ I can’t see the spots’, and thats like saying I can’t see you because of course they can see the spots!!

I think from what I can remember they did clear up when I was about 17, because in pictures at that time I look pretty clear. I am now 22 and quite frankly have had enough of plastering myself in make up to try and make myself feel better.

I have tried everything I think possible. The topical stuff the pills and medication but I can’t remember any of them doing anything. I decided to take action.

So here I am 00:02 hours on the 15th September pouring it all out. I have had my medication a week.

Side effects are lovely I have so much peeling skin and dryness. Ears eyes nose. My Chin is the worst because thats where the worst spots have come up. Ouch. My head itches too, its like I have the most horrendous dandruff ever.

Supportive boyfriend is all thats getting me through and reading other peoples stories.

I have to say being on 60mg seems a lot to start on and I think I am going to ask to drop it maybe to 40mg just so my skin has a chance to recover as the peeling is quite severe.

I’ll write again when I am at week 2. x

September 14th, 2007 at 11:04 pm

Hey Anna,

I experienced the same thing as you. When I started taking Roaccutane I was doing my a levels and I was sat in an a level exam and I suddenly got very hot and my heart starting going crazy and I had to run out of the exam! I then had to take the rest of my exams in an isolated room because of my panicking. After I stopped the Roaccutane the panic attacks became less and less but now im on my second course they have come back with a vengeance. I’m hoping that when I finished my second course they will go away again because they can be really disruptive!

xxx

September 15th, 2007 at 10:09 am

Hi Anna,
Ive not quite started on my course of roacctune yet, however i wanted to ask you how long were you on the course of treatment for and how long did it take before your skin started to clear up.

Also is the peeling REALLY noticable, or only visible up close?

Thanks. Wills.

September 15th, 2007 at 8:12 pm

Hi,

i’ve found this site realy helpful, but feel i need more advice from people like yourselves with personal experiences of taking roaccutane, rather than all the leaflets etc. that come with it…

i’ve been on the medication for about 12 weeks now, and am on 60mg per day, having been on 40mg for about 2 months; i’ve just started uni and am currently embarking on freshers’ week, but feel that i’m missing out of a lot of the fun and sociolising because i’m not drinking.

what sort of measures do people class as “moderation”, and is it ok to take part in all the drinking games etc. without putting my future health at risk with liver disease?

help!!!!

September 16th, 2007 at 9:00 pm

Carmen,

Just wondering if you have seen any improvement since your last post??? I think I am at the same stage as you with treatment and unfortunately not seeing any improvement which is so frustrating. What dose are you on?

September 18th, 2007 at 10:24 am

today is day 16 for me and I am really dry and peeling…..plus im am totally broke out and want to hide until this gets better!!! LOL
Anyways I was wondering how long some of your IB lasted. Thanks
~ME~XOXO

September 18th, 2007 at 2:51 pm

Hello all
I am off to the Dermatologist tomorrow to find out more about my post roaccutane treatment. I started off my treatment in South Africa(I am a South African, sorry about the rugby!) and have recently moved to France. I am seing a French dermatologist so it will be interesting to hear a different point of view. I really hope this will be the last time I have to take Roaccutane! I’m not sure my system will be able to handle it again (this was my third time!), especially as I was on such a high dose of 70mg daily. I battled troughout these last 6 months with severe dry lips. It was worse this time than the last two times. When it comes to dry lips I would suggest that one looks for a lip balm that contains Lanolin and yes, this might sound crazy, but nipple cream used by breastfeeding mothers works amazingly! We have a product in SA called Lansinoh, that was my miracle cream! I did suffer from nose bleeds and sores in my nose but my Dr prescribed an antiseptic nasal gel which worked well.

I seem to find that my acne took longer to clear the third time round and I definately didn’t have that healthy glow as I did previously, but still I’m acne free now and hope it stays that way. I have had bad skin for 17 years and it is unbelievable how it effects ones life. I almost feel robbed, because as a teenager I never swam in front of people(my back and chest were really bad), I could never wear anything backless and HATED photos. I made the mistake of picking and scratching which left a lot of scars. Later I found that if I went to a professional beauty therapist then they would remove that which could be removed and there was no scarring. However, insist on seing a therapist that knows what he or she is doing and knows how Roaccutane works and what procedures can be used and what not. After my second course I completed a range of peels. This was performed at a dermatology and laser clinic under professional guidance and the product used was Neo Strata. I think its an American poduct. My skin looked wonderful after these treatments, although they were expensive. Then 2 years later I developed Polycystic Ovarian disease(very common among women)and my acne returned with a vengance! I presume mine is mostly hormone related and this makes me a little despondant as I would like to have another child!
I hope any info given has been helpful and I welcome any questions.

Will keep you posted on the outcome of my visit to the dermatologist.
Anne-Audette

September 18th, 2007 at 9:25 pm

Forget my last post, i woke up this morning and my skin has gone crazy. Lots of new whiteheads showing up across my chin and many, many more across my forehead. These first few weeks are going so slowly..

September 19th, 2007 at 5:19 pm

Hey sweetie, i got told by my dermatologist that most people will get crazy breakouts for the first 3 weeks because it was the nature of the drug, and it forced forming spots to the surface.

and i wouldn’t worry about taking roaccutane with dianette, i’m sure your dermatologist is doing the best thing to help you!

In my experience so far the dry skin hasn’t really impacted on me, after washing my face in the morning my skin is dry and i just use some e45 on it and everything feels better, and the flakeyness disappears.

Best of luck on your course!

September 20th, 2007 at 3:09 pm

Hi again!!

I’ve been on the treatment for a month and half now…and i’ve noticed some improvement…i’m on 40mg a day….

the reason why i was prescribed roaccutane was mainly for back acne…and mild breakouts on my chin…

i’ve noticed that i dont have as many breakouts on my back…which is good….but just wondering how long it will take for blemishes to clear..by this i mean dark spots……..

i still get some breakouts or white heads…is that normal at this stage of the treatment???

my wedding date gets closer and closer…i’m freaking out!! LOL

thanks guys!!!

xx

September 21st, 2007 at 1:52 am

today is day 21 and im doing a bit better then last week!!! I think that the IB is calming down and just hope it dont start up again!!LOL The only dry ares are where I got healing pimples….

September 23rd, 2007 at 1:03 pm