Hello ladies!

First, I want to say thank you so much for all those responses to my previous article about taking the plunge on accutane! I did finally decide to go ahead and talk to my doctor about starting the accutane treatment a few months ago- what a change! I am about halfway through my second month of treatment and I'm already seeing changes in my skin. It's dramatically clearing up and smoothing out! I'm loving it. However, I'm not loving the list of side effects I've been experiencing- back pain, strong mood swings and overreactions, muscle soreness, and dry everything. My hair is usually full of moisture, not oily but healthy, and I've never had an issue with dry skin or lips. Since starting month two though, the inside of my nose is SO dry. Gross! My skin on my face is staying flake free (for the most part) with the help of amazing lotion, but my hands and arms are very, very dry. My lips are the most painful part, since they are constantly chapped no matter how much lip moisturizer I use and are always splitting if I smile or laugh.

 

So my question would be: if anyone has been on accutane or a similar medication that is excessively drying, What did you do to prevent those horrible, cracked lips? I know chapstick doesn't work, but moisturizers don't really seem to be helping much either! Did anyone else notice a delay in heal time as well?

My skin sucks. It has always sucked. My nickname in seventh grade given to me by the oh-so-sweet boys on my bus was pepperoni face because there wasn't a square centimeter on my face or neck that wasn't covered in disgusting red dots. That was almost ten years ago, and my face is STILL covered in acne, no matter what I do! I have tried any and every type of lotion available without prescription, and also Benzaclin and Clindamycin gel together for about a year.

Finally sick of being the only senior in college with acne, my family doctor referred me to a dermatologist, and I have an appointment in a couple weeks to see what we can do. When my mom was in college/my age she had the same issues and took Accutane, and has yet to have a major breakout that I constantly experience since then. I would like to try it, but I'm not sure what to expect and I'm also a little scared of the risks. I intend to ask the doctor before starting, but I am on Seasonique birth control and I absolutely will not risk pregnancy. So if anyone is on Accutane, how does it affect your BCP's? (Note: Yes I know it causes horrendous birth defects, I'm not concerned about pregnancy as much as period consistency.)


If you have tried Accutane, let's hear about your opinion on it and your experience.. Or if you have any solutions to keep your acne in check, what do you do?