*NOTE* Accutane is actually no longer on the market, but it is the name we all know, so that is what I refer to it as. It’s generic versions that consist of the exact same ingredients as the original Accutane are (Isotretinoin, Absorica, Amnesteem, Claravis, Sotret, etc). I personally use Isotretinoin.
Accutane (Isotretinoin) deserves some good press and I’m here to give it to them. I’m currently on my 6th month of Accutane and could not be more satisfied with my results. My skin is clear, my pores are nonexistent, and my skin texture is smooth (scarring has dramatically improved).
How does Accutane work? It essentially kills what causes acne by shrinking the oil (sebaceous) glands in your skin. Basically, your skin stops producing excess oil, resulting in no extra oil around to create pimples. Control the oil, control the acne, love your skin.
What does “Low Dose Accutane” mean? It means you take a lower dose of Accutane for a longer period of time (typically 5-8 months). This is to help lower the risks of side effects. For example, I took 40 mg of Accutane (a day) for the first 4 months. Now, I am taking 80 mg (a day). I will most likely stay on Accutane for 7 months (I had 2 pimples last month around my period- not horrible but the Doc wants my skin to be clear for at least one month before stopping- EVEN when Aunt Flo visits).
Some Truth…Being 28 years old and having dealt with adult hormonal acne (cystic) for all of my 20s SUCKS. I didn’t realize how long I’ve actually been trying to clear my skin up until I started working on this blog post. I’m writing this in hopes that someone reads this and takes action sooner than later, so they don’t waste as much time & money as I did.
My hypothesis on my acne situation is this; I messed with my hormones by going on birth control, which resulted in cystic hormonal acne when going off of Birth Control, leading me to have to be on Birth Control unless I wanted to have hormonal cystic acne.
Here’s my timeline with Birth Control & Skin:
- Age 18: I went on a Low Dose Birth Control because I thought I had acne (I’d get a few zits here and there but nothing cystic)
- Age 19: I discovered the Birth Control Seasonique (only get your period 4X a year-sounded like heaven to me!)
- Age 20: Realized I had gained weight & had boobs all of a sudden (asked pharmacist if a side effect of Seasonique was weight gain. Answer-YES! ) *STOPPED TAKING BIRTH CONTROL IMMEDIATELY, WEIGHT CAME OFF.
- Age 21-24: Skin freaked out upon stopping Birth Control. Discovered Cystic Acne. Became an avid skin picker, developed scars, spent thousands on facials, microneedling, fancy skincare products, natural remedies, acupuncture, vitamins, clean diets, etc.
- Age 25: Went back on Birth Control to calm skin down. Saw Dermatologist, asked about Accutane but Derm said my skin “wasn’t that bad”. Got prescribed Aczone, this worked for a bit then was just “meh”. Dealt with annoying, hormonal skin.
- Age 27: Tried new facials a friend recommended. Very expensive. Skin was still not fixed but did look a little better.
- Age 28: Finally found a Dermatologist that believed in Accutane (thanks to the Chicago mom that “fired me”) and got the ball rolling on a future of flawless skin. (Still on Birth Control because you have to be while on Accutane but will be going off as soon as I can).
Discovering Accutane…I was first introduced to Accutane by one of my bosses about 4-5 years ago. She raved about the benefits of it and how her entire family had gone on it once she had (they all now had crystal clear, beautiful skin). I researched the idea but back then, I didn’t have great health insurance. Accutane without insurance is quite expensive (I think around $700 a month- not including monthly doc visits & blood tests).
HOWEVER, I do want to throw out there that I probably spent more money trying to fix my skin without Accutane then I would have if I had gone on Accutane even without good health insurance. I spent 8 years getting facials & acupuncture, buying expensive skincare products, vitamins, etc. This all probably costed me at bare minimum $10,000 over those 8 years. That’s double the cost of Accutane without health insurance.
I’d also like to point out that most dermatologists do not encourage Accutane. My boss at the time (Chicago mom-February 2020) referred me to her Derm, who was not like the others. He did’t tell me my skin wasn’t “bad enough for Accutane” like every other doctor had. I went into the appointment and told him, “I know my acne doesn’t seem horrible, but I do get deep cystic acne occasionally and know it will be 10X worse once I go off Birth Control” He agreed and responded with, “You don’t have to justify for wanting to go on it. Accutane works and we’re going to make your skin perfect”. What a guy.
Now let’s talk side effects of Accutane...
I know they all sound scary but don’t side effects on every medication give you a little fright? Personally, my biggest concern of the side effects listed was hair loss (I’ve got a lot of hair, I really like it and I don’t want to lose it). Currently at 6 months into Accutane, I have not lost any hair (knock on wood).
Depression is another big side effect people get concerned with. A lot of people ask me if I’ve felt depressed while on Accutane and the answer is a BIG FAT NO. If anything, my skin has made me nothing but happy since being on Accutane. My doctor told me that the reason Accutane got a bad rap back in the day is because a politicians son committed suicide whilst having been prescribed Accutane. HOWEVER, this politicians son, never once took Accutane. The politician wanted something to blame for his sons death and thus chose Accutane.
Other horrible side effects of Accutane are birth defects. While on Accutane, you have to register for this program called iPLEDGE. The goal of iPLEDGE is to inform you of the serious risks Accutane has on fetals and to make sure you use Accutane safely. You are required to use two forms of birth control and promise to not get pregnant while on Accutane. The packaging on Accutane even has a pregnant woman with a DO NOT sign over her. I know this may make many of you think, “why on earth would you take something with this kind of threat???” Well, the side effects are only while on Accutane, meaning I can get pregnant one month after stopping Accutane if I so wish to. *I also personally know 5 women who used Accutane and now have healthy, happy, smart children.
Drinking Alcohol is another concern many have about Accutane. Most google results of “drinking alcohol on accutane” say you should not consume alcohol while on Accutane because you may experience side effects such as fast heartbeats, warmth or redness under your skin, tingly feeling, nausea, and vomiting. My doctor assured me that it was OKAY for me to consume alcohol while on Accutane, as long as it wasn’t binge drinking. For example, one drink per hour a few nights a week is acceptable. I’m not a huge drinker, but I do love my white claws (I try to not drink during the week and limit myself to 2-3 on weekends).
The only side effects I have had on Accutane are dry skin & lips, itchy scalp, a little eczema on my elbows & knees (went away) and sensitivity to sun.
ALL OF THESE side effects have been “cured”.
CURES:
- Dry Skin – Vanicream Moisturizing Cream (on both my face and body)
- Dry Face – Vanicream Gentle Face Wash (I switched form Cetaphil to Vanicream because Cetaphil made my skin sting)
- Dry Lips – Dr. Dans Cortibalm Lip Balm for Chapped Lips (Legit the only chapstick that works for me on Accutane)
- Itchy Scalp – Prescription from Dermatologist – Ketoconazole 2% Shampoo (I only used it twice because it fixed my issue that quick. I also tried Head & Shoulders before asking my Doc what to do)
- Ezcema – Vanicream 1% Hydrocortisone Anti Itch Cream (I only used it once. I haven’t needed to thanks to the vanicream moisturizing cream-I bought both at the same time and didn’t realize the cream would do the job)
- Sensitivity to Sun – Supergoop Unseen Sunscreen (face) Supergoop Play (body) *DO NOT bask in sun while on Accutane. Wear a hat & wear sunscreen. *Skin Cancer & Wrinkle Prevention are also reasons you should do both of these!
Thank you for coming to my Ted Talk. I know we are all different and can have different reactions/side effects to medicines. Follow your doctors guidelines and be honest about any concerns or side effects you may have.
*Once I finish my completion of Accutane, I’ll post before & after pics/videos.
Have questions? Feel free to DM me on Instagram @anneliandale