The True Story of How Accutane Saved My Skin

Like many teens and young adults, I struggled with cystic acne for years.  

I tried countless topical products, but my acne only got worse. Then I did some research.  

Your diet, fluid intake, vitamin intake, and exposure to elements all can play a dramatic role in skincare. Click To Tweet

So I started guzzling water and lemon, cutting out all carbs and sugar, drinking beauty teas, taking supplements, and shielding myself from sun, wind, and cold.  Honestly, it wasn’t a super enjoyable time.  The cycle of trying certain fads and tricks of the trade for a few weeks, seeing no result, and starting totally new ones was exhausting.  

At 15 I was covered with severe cystic acne, even after all my efforts.  I gave up on fixing the problem with natural and topical methods, and just started focusing on trying to cover it.  I went through foundations and concealers like water trying to fake my way to a place where I could feel confident leaving the house.  In hindsight, this was probably more unhealthy (mentally) than any fad I’d tried yet.

Finally, my Mom took me to a fantastic Dermatologist.  He explained all of the medicinal options we had available to us before trying the ultimate course of treatment: Accutane.   I spent a year bouncing from one medication to the next for 2-3 months at a time before my Dermatologist once again broached the topic of Accutane.

What does it do for your skin?

Accutane decreases oil production, unclogs glands, and even can lessen the presence of acne-causing bacteria in the skin.  You are only allowed to do 2 courses of the medicine in your lifetime (which I actually did).

Accutane is serious.

There’s a lot of preparation involved before beginning a course of Accutane and even more continued maintenance required throughout the treatment.  Birth control or abstinence is mandatory, monthly online mini-exams and blood work is required, and continuous check-ins with your doctor must be made.

While on the medication, you can expect to see a few side-effects.  Dry-skin and lips, headaches, extreme sensitivity to sun, cold, and wind, and muscle aches are all side effects I experienced.

 

Who is this for?

This is the last resort for those who, like me, have tried absolutely everything with no results.

Right now, no one would ever know I had such a terrible time with my skin.  The shock of receiving a compliment on my completion has never gone away.  It seems like a miracle thinking back to how I hid my face for years.

No person should have to live with being uncomfortable in their skin when there is a treatment designed specifically to use when all else fails.  Yes, it is dangerous.  Yes, it is controversial.

But did it work for me?  ABSOLUTELY.  

And it might be something to talk to your Dermatologist about.