***Disclaimer: this is based on my own experiences and is not true for everyone. ***
Acne has always been a source of insecurity for me ever since I was in middle school. Not having a clear face messed with my self-confidence growing up, and by the time I was a senior in high school I was tired of trying to pretend like it didn’t bother me. I tried a plethora of face washes and other hacks that I found on the internet, but no matter what I did, a new pimple would appear on my face every day. Eventually, I learned that I needed more than Google and YouTube videos to combat this. So, I eventually went to a dermatologist, and after years of trial and error with multiple prescriptions and topical creams, the result was all the same. Each solution was a temporary fix, but my clear face never lasted more than a couple months. So, it was time to go to my last resort, Accutane (Isotretinoin).
Accutane is an intense medication, so if you are thinking of starting it, here are a few things to consider!
- Did You Try All of Your Other Options?
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Before I started the process to get on Accutane, I had to make sure I tried all my other alternatives. My dermatologist was very clear about the potential side effects because it is a lot to put your body through. So, before putting yourself through the potential 6-8 months of side effects, make sure you have done all the alternatives.
- It Requires a lot of Patience
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Just to be prescribed as a woman, it took a month of pregnancy tests and questionnaires to make sure I understood the repercussions of pregnancy while on Accutane. It also took a while for me to see any results on my face. However, eventually the results will come, it just takes some time.
- It Dries Out Skin A Lot!
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Before I started Accutane I had relatively oily skin, however just a couple months in, I noticed not just dryness in my chapped lips, but also large patches of dry skin on my arms. Everyone’s experiences are different with this, but it was a large adjustment for my skin type to drastically change. I know this is typically the warning heard most often, but that is for good reason, because it is a lot more drying than people realize.
- It Gets Worse Before It Gets Better
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After a month or two, I noticed that my acne was actually getting worse! It had made me so confused because this medication was supposed to be the “cure all” for acne. However, once again, it requires patience, and the results will eventually come.