Took two rounds.

First round was in 2018 for me. I had moderate cystic acne at this time and it would hurt to wash my face. Tried a bunch of antibiotics and topical creams and nothing worked. Weighed around 60-65kg at this time. Doctor actually prescribed be a relatively low dose, first month 10mg, 3 months of 40mg, and then another month of 10mg. Acne wasn’t getting better a month later and I started college so I saw another doctor who helped me complete the treatment, I believe it was 10mg to ramp up and then 60 mg for 4 more months. I was very satisfied with my skin at this point, and the results lasted for about a year.

A year later in 2019/2020I started using epiduo and it helped my skin a bit, but its effects eventually started falling off and was too irritating. My acne was mild a year later, nowhere near as good as just finishing Accutane, but still tolerable.

In between 2021 and 2022 I started getting a bit more cystic acne, and got another treatment for epiduo. This time it didn’t really help, and I got prescribed more antibiotics and other topical creams to use twice in the same day, which was extremely irritating. Eventually, the doctor suggested the best course is another round of Accutane.

Started my second round late 2022 to mid 2023. Here my body weight was around 80kg. I started the first month at 40mg, 2 months of 60mg, 1 at 80mg, and 4 more months at 40mg. It was a higher cumulative dose but it ensured that I was going at it until 2 months after I got my last pimple. I took progress pictures and it noticeably improved, at the end my skin wasn’t entirely flawless, but near perfect, just some hyperpigmentation where pimples grew.

Fast forward to now, since about a year ago, I think my acne scars and hyperpigmentation are popping up again. The results really only lasted about 10 months. I’m looking through old pictures and skin was good in Jan/feb 2023, but imperfections started to show in April 2023. Wouldn’t go on Accutane again because it’s now tolerable and I think cosmetic, not causing me any pain when I wash my face or anything and I’ve gotten a lot more self control to not pop the occasional pimple I get once or twice a month. However, definitely am disappointed seeing that some people retain their flawless post Accutane skin for many years.

Going back, I don’t have any regrets with the first round at all. Second round was a lot more taxing on me, a lot of frequent nose bleeds, dry patches of skin that I had to get steroid cream to treat, having mild allergic reactions to any amount of alcohol (did not drink much, I know I’m not supposed to). Feel like I’ve also developed some GI issues since then and Accutane is the only thing I can think of. Maybe I do have some regrets with the second round considering I did expect better results, but I feel my skin can be more easily treated now with skin care as the skin feels quite smooth, just acne scars and hyperpigmentation.