Hi everyone!! I wanted to update you on how things were going since I stopped the course. Initially I’d been thinking that first couple of months would probably be ok as the Roaccutane would still be in my system which is why my check up with my dermatologist was this week - so he could assess my skin properly.
Hair Status : Well a couple of weeks into March and leaving my hair unwashed for 3 days was a big no ?, and at the beginning it almost seemed more greasy than normal, in that even after a day the hair at the roots looked separated. Glad to report that all has settled down now, and I’m back to washing it every other day like I did pre-roaccutane.
Rest of body Status: Still had a touch of dryness on the tops of both arms for quite a while, even into April there were tiny flaky bits, but that disappeared without me noticing exactly when, and that’s it really!! The backs of my hands - which were the other areas I had dry/rough episodes with - have been perfectly fine.
And…
Skin Status: Well you can imagine that I’ve scrutinised my skin everyday… and for first few weeks there were no real changes, I got another lump on my cheek which I’m sure was in the same place as last time it happened, and that left a pink mark! One or two tiny spots popped up every other week but were hardly noticeable. Into April I began to feel my skin looked oilier than it had for some time, and the pores especially on my nose were looking darker.
I was in real quandary about products and when I ought to change from dry/sensitive! I decided to stick with same routine till 2 months were up, which may have been mistake but i didn’t want to upset my skin by swapping around and switching back etc… So I was using Cetaphil cleanser and SPF 12 moisturiser for daytime and still putting a bit of moisturiser on at night.
Next I noticed a few darker pores on my forehead, mainly between my eyebrows… not sure it helped that at this time that I was on holiday in Peru for 2 weeks, having to put a lot of suntan lotion on, getting grubby from all the hiking and camping!! (did have an absolutely fantastic time).
Actual spot wise still had couple of small ones, but there did seem to be more of them at any one time. Also in the last couple of weeks the skin on my forehead has felt bit bumpy - those tiny little bumps under the skin (blocked pores) again - and I had small area by the side of my mouth the same and maybe a touch of it on side of my face on tops of my cheekbones!!
I was pretty worried at this point as I was pretty certain my pores were starting to clog again and I just saw this as the warning signs that would see a comeback of the rest of the spots!
I knew I was seeing my dermatologist this week so just stayed calm till then - and changed from the cleanser/water routine to using Neutrogena facial wash (still for sensitive/dry skin) which did make my skin feel ‘cleaner’.
So on Wednesday I had my appointment and the verdict was that there is clogging of my pores, mainly concentrated on my forehead though he could see small problem areas elsewhere - when he put his magnifying head thingy on.
He said, sitting across from me I had a lovely clear complexion and it was only the trained eye that could see any problems!!! (his trained eye, and my ‘years of scrutinising every bit of my face’ eye!!! 
) Hes prescribed Roaccutane in topical form, Isotrex gel which he told me he often does!?!?
I’m currently applying it once a day before bed - apparently some people encounter problems with using it even that frequently - but he said with my dark hair/oily end of spectrum skin I ought to be fine!
So far no dryness or redness or an adverse reaction…. Just when I wake up in the morning I sometimes have these white bits like peeling suntanned skin - though its not my skin just the dried gel - as it dries it forms a transparent layer which I suppose gets rubbed off in places when I’m asleep.
Skin is looking ok, its pretty much clear, just few marks from old spots still fading and the little bumps on forehead are still there though sure no-one else can see them but me. Have couple of spots near my hairline so at least not too visible.
Overall my skin is so much clearer than it used to be… I’m just still very sensitive to any small changes as I’m scared of the spots returning. Its been so wonderful waking up and not seeing red blobs and bumps! I knew my skin would ‘level’ out so to speak after stopping Roaccutane, I just have to learn not to be afraid of a few darker pores, they are not big blackheads taking over!!! : )
So I wondered how many of you have had to use the topical gel after your Roaccutane treatment?? Also bit worried about what to use as facial wash - my dermatologist said I should go for products for oily/greasy skin, its just that in the past when I tried those sort of things they dried my skin out so I eneded up with rough patches and just felt it was pointless if I was having to us so much moisturiser to counteract it! Maybe Simple would be ok? Post Roaccutane should you still moisturise at night?
Hope that you’ve all got, or are on your way to clear skin! Xx