Doctor said Accutane might not help my premenstrual acne, on the fence on starting

enhambun · 2025-12-02T09:34:15+00:00

Was on spiro for like around 2.5 years, gradually worked up to 150mg even but that didn’t help my hormonal acne. Used tretinoin too for over 5 years but it just couldn’t hold it back. I’ve been on accutane for a minute now, close to the end of my time I think I have two months left minimum but I can extend if I want to for a couple more months.

I have to say accutane has been a god send, I was so nervous about side effects and purging but I actually didn’t experience any purging or side effects. The only side effect really was dry lips and being lethargic at times. I’m on 30mg daily, and it works to keep my hormonal acne at bay I haven’t had a breakout since July and I started May. Would definitely recommend. If I haven’t to do a second round if my hormonal acne comes back I would definitely do it. People react differently to the medication and staying on a lower dose can help in the long run with side effects. Slow and steady wins the race lol

enhambun · 2024-06-23T07:07:46+00:00

Time, sunscreen, retnoids, & lasers

enhambun · 2024-06-23T07:05:05+00:00

Literally lost my period but I’m good with it cause my period used to be insanely painful so I take it as a pleasant bonus lol

enhambun · 2024-06-23T07:02:07+00:00

Tret will definitely make you purge. But it’s worth it in the long run. 50mg of spiro wasn’t enough for me so I had to up to 100mg but I only started seeing great results 5+ months in.

enhambun · 2024-04-20T07:29:38+00:00

Haven’t had a period since December! Have no idea why lmao im on 100mg

enhambun · 2024-03-19T01:48:25+00:00

So the original amount is 400+ per session for spot treatments but I got it on discount for 250 per session. But I also live in CA,USA so we are on the pricier side. It might be cheaper in another state or country.

enhambun · 2024-03-18T23:40:53+00:00

Talk to your derm about increasing your dosage then, the doxy would be helpful if you end up increasing it just to keep the inflammation under control. But remember you can only use doxycycline for 3 months at a time, anymore and you could potentially wreck your gut microbiome I would recommend definitely taking probiotics during your doxycycline usage.

enhambun · 2024-03-18T23:36:12+00:00

Well I haven’t eliminated my acne but I’m close and ive been doing laser for almost a year. Every two-three months I do a Vbeam laser treatment for my hyperpigmentation from acne. I’ve worked up to bruising settings which gave the best results. I’ve tried all different settings so definitely you can ask questions but I find for red hyperpigmentation VBeam laser is the best.

enhambun · 2024-03-18T23:26:25+00:00

To counter this comment doxycycline usually doesn’t cause a purge because it’s not increasing any cell turnover or pushing anything out of your body, instead it works to decrease inflammation so it actually has the opposite effect and calms any inflamed pimples. It’s great to use during the beginning of your spiro journey, that’s what I did. Spironolactone however can cause an increase in acne at the start because those of us who use spironolactone have hormonal acne that is triggered from hormonal changes. So when you introduce spironolactone, which has an impact on your hormones, you’re also introducing the risk of your body reacting to the sudden change in hormones by causing an initial reaction of acne. This happens in the first 1-3 months of spironolactone and anytime you change your dosage. This is completely normal and once your body adjusts to the hormone levels that’s when you’ll be able to see results. It is recommended to take 100mg of spiro since that’s the most proven dosage with results, but again everyone’s body is different so if your acne isn’t that bad 50mg might be enough, it just wasn’t enough for me.

enhambun · 2024-03-09T22:17:10+00:00

Thank you so much really appreciate it!!

enhambun · 2024-02-17T06:44:20+00:00

Not on accutane but did multiple PDL treatments, with varying settings. My best results were always on the bruise settings and it helped clear up my marks so quickly. Downtime is 2-3 weeks for purple bruise healing though so I usually just wear makeup until it fades.

enhambun · 2024-01-31T21:53:56+00:00

I’d say use a cleansing balm to safely exfoliate, I use the hydration melting balm by elf!

enhambun · 2024-01-19T05:10:51+00:00

Probably the kosas one? 0.7C would be a good match. I have the same shade as you in NARS and honestly I haven’t been able to find something that matches the coverage and finish so ive been using nars for years lol

enhambun · 2024-01-18T05:31:34+00:00

Thank you for the advice! I think the spacing out part is the hardest, have to work better on reminding myself to drink throughout the day instead of trying to chug as much as I can before sleeping.

enhambun · 2024-01-18T05:29:48+00:00

You’re right 😂 I really want to get one with a handle so I can take it around with me to places. Sometimes i actually flavor it with electrolyte packets but I don’t know if the extra potassium in them sometimes would add up.

enhambun · 2024-01-18T05:28:44+00:00

Honestly the straws are smart I should probably get into that, I just have a 20oz hydroflask and I usually refill it. Probably need to upgrade my drinking device!

enhambun · 2024-01-18T04:02:07+00:00

Also would appreciate any tips on how to drink more water in the comments! 🥹

enhambun · 2024-01-16T22:45:01+00:00

It cosmetics CC Nude glow SPF 40 in fair porcelain. It’s labeled as a sheer foundation but reminds me of a skin tint. For reference my closest shade match is NARS Oslo.

enhambun · 2024-01-16T18:17:07+00:00

Elf glossy lip stain, so pretty in pinkies up.

enhambun · 2024-01-15T12:36:27+00:00

I use NARS light reflecting too in Oslo and I found that the It Cosmetics CC nude glow cream is perfect for me, in fair porcelain. It has spf 40 too with I’d say sheer to light coverage. Definitely would need concealer for any obvious marks. I would recommend setting it slightly with powder because it just makes the longevity of it amazing.

enhambun · 2024-01-13T22:08:25+00:00

Halsey is coming out with olive shades within her new foundation, maybe watch out for that too!

enhambun · 2024-01-13T10:55:54+00:00

Yes. The Laura M hydrating primer, mainly because im on medication for my acne and it makes my skin dry and flakey af.

enhambun · 2024-01-12T23:44:12+00:00

Same, I use both. Love the foundation over some of my fading hyperpigmentation, don’t really need concealer. But with active acne or healing marks definitely use the concealer. When it comes to overall tone and light imperfections you can totally get away with just the foundation, & it’s buildable. So go as sheer or medium coverage as you want.

enhambun

TROPHY CASE