jennifer: Jen & Life After Accutane
February 1st, 2010I just realized that one year ago right now, I was going through my first week of Accuntane. What a year it’s been! I thought it might be nice to recap my experience so others can see what to expect, and because now when I look back, I’m glad I did it. I took the ‘tane for six months, with a one month hiatus during July. During my first few months of treatment, my face exploded like a volcano, I became very sad, and I cocooned at home.
March 5, 2009: Hell broke loose in Week 5.
My skin got worse and worse.
April 1, 2009: Week 9 was painful.
May 13, 2009: Things began to look better in week 15.
During my treatment, I realized that I had aggravated my skin (and maybe even caused most of my acne!!) by picking at it. When I learned to keep my hands off of my face, my skin quickly began to improve. I cannot over-emphasize the importance of not picking!!
July 31, 2009: I was happy with my skin. My doctor advised me to continue taking the pills so the results would be permanent.
During my treatment, all of my close friends moved far away. When I finished the Accutane, I was ready to go out into the world and meet new people. I don’t think I could have done it if my skin had been bad, but clearer skin boosted my confidence. Better skin doesn’t change one’s life, but it makes certain things easier.
I finished my course at the end of August, and since then my skin has balanced out. It produces enough oil to keep itself supple, but I don’t feel like a greasy mess and I often go with no makeup except mascara and powder.
I was nervous about tanning after Accutane because I’d heard horror stories from friends who took it and accidentally burned themselves to a crisp. But in October, I began tanning again at the salon and gradually built up a tan with no ill effects. And I do mean gradually! I tanned 3 times a week for for 3 minutes each time. Then I tanned 3 times a week for for 5 minutes each time. The next week I went for 7 minutes each time, and then I decided I was quite brown enough and now I tan once every other week. Despite the Accutane, I have never burned. This might be due in part to my Italian heritage.
My hair is noticeably thinner and more fragile. Between June and January, I was growing my hair out and didn’t see my stylist. When I finally visited him, he couldn’t believe my hair’s condition. He kept asking me what had happened. Had I been wearing my hair in ponytails too often? Had it been chemically processed? I tried to explain Accutane, but he had never heard of it and didn’t understand. I was embarrassed. And no matter how often I clean, my bathroom floor is COVERED in hair. I worry about it.
January 18, 2010: No makeup! No acne! I took this picture to show my sister the hair ornament I'd just made, but it does a good job of showing my skin and thinner hair, too.
This week I got the first blemishes I’ve had since I stopped taking Accutane. They were small, and probably due to hormones, and they did not become awful and inflamed because I didn’t pick them. So I’m not too worried. But I hope they aren’t followed by more!
February 1, 2010: The small blemish by my mouth is the first I've had in months.
So overall, my experience was VERY POSITIVE and the reason I’m writing this is to reflect on that. I’m happy I took Accutane, and I want to encourage those of you who are taking it now and feeling discouraged. It WILL get better.
Love,
Jen
jammer
1st Feb, 10
inspiring
atcharlia487
1st Feb, 10
Many thanks for your blog, I am new to Roaccutane on 20mg today is my 13th day and I have seen a little improvement. It is encouraging to read your experience and the positive outcome you are showing us through your photos. your skin looks great I’m pleased as you look good. I hope I too will be writing about positive results. Thanks for the motivation and I pray it encourages many others to keep pressing on.
Charlia
atsparklypickle
1st Feb, 10
I am so glad your skin has kept clear
, shame that your hair got thinner but hopefully it will thicken up from now on, it takes years for a new hair to grow from root to tip (if you have long hair) so breakage close to the root can be quite saddening. I have to admit, my hair is a good deal thinner than it used to be and i have had to resort to actually having hair cuts (I only used ot have, maybe 1 trim a year). Have you also found that your nails are weaker? mine are terrible, its the first time I have had short nails for YEARS, and I can’t say I like it one bit 
. I wish I could have written such a motivating post rather than my descent into depression, but, hey – one of us did it so all is well! hugs
Sparks x
atfanniemarie
1st Feb, 10
Glad ur continuing to do well, 4 months ish down the line and I’m doing well to, skin feels dare I say it ‘normal’. Hair needs washing everyday but not mega greasy, weirdly once I’ve shampooed and used conditioner it’s really really knotty when I brush it through even a conditioner change doesn’t help. One thing that’s still bugging me is the facial redness, if I get warm or have a cold (had one for the past two weeks) I get red patches on my face and neck, do you ever get this? I’m going to attempt to epilate my legs this week, not feeling that brave tho.
Hope it all continues to go well
atTake Care
FM x
sparklypickle
1st Feb, 10
FM, I get this redness too, my cheeks and nose are almost permanently rose coloured in this stupid wintry weather + violent air conditioning at work. good luck with epilation, I think I may try waxing my legs in a few months, Im still emotionally scarred from the facial waxing incident….:P
atdholi
2nd Feb, 10
hey wow its good to hear about this. im happy it worked well for u! im sure the hair loss will be temporary, as it states on the leaflet it will grow back if it thins out. also, iv seen a couple other ppl say their hair started getting thicker after a year so dont wory. i wanted to if u use a moisturiser? also does it have to be a thick one or just a light one. also just about ur skincare, like if u have any make up removing tips beacause at the mo, i just use a gel facewash at night to take the make up off xx
atclaire72
2nd Feb, 10
Hi Jen
atgood to here from you, so glad your skins stayed clear, my hairs thinner now, and loads comes out when i brush it, its nice to hear off one of the old gang! so many new people going through what we all went through, my skins stayed clear and i was due to have co2 laser resurfacing at the hospital on monday to get rid of the scars it left me with, i was put to sleep under general anthesthetic as i am having nearly full face, but when i awoke the machine had broken so they couldnt do it, so im booked in for this monday, so i will post my pictures to show you my progress.take care claire x
yasemina
4th Feb, 10
hey guys,
thank for sharing this with us..
ati wanna tell something about nails and hair too..for 5 months it was ok when i was on pills but last 2 months i had so much hair loss (i realized it even i have dreadlocks ) and my nails are like paper,,so weak and they break everytime..my hair line on my sides of face get more back..i looked abit about it and found that it might be about zinco and vitamin b12 deficency..at least having some support mght help to restore tese conditions..so i start to have vitamin and zinco suplements..and also my doctor told me,zinco helps the scar to heal so i guess it is not a bad thing..
i will write you soon if i see and difference but i am very unhappy about my hair..i have been taking care of my dreadlocks since 5 years and they were so healty and long but now it is realy thin and unhealty
anybody has any other idea to have a solution about this problem ?
by the way jennifer i am so happy to hear you are still doing good about your skin…it is very assuring to hear good coments
take care
yas
loulou
5th Feb, 10
Hi Jen, you still look good. My hair comes out by the handful when I wash it and brush it too. I have had a couple of tiny little spots but nothing in comaprison to what i used to have!
atIts good to have a catch up with all the ladies I went thru this with! Hope you are all doing well x