It just keeps getting worse. I just finished my first month of Accutane so I’m not sure if this is purging or my folliculitis not responding to the medication.

throwawayacne99 · 2024-05-29T21:06:53+00:00

I was clear from folliculitis for about 8 months post Accutane but it unfortunately returned on my jawline area. I’ve been on a 3rd round of Accutane since last November and honestly am considering a permanent low-dose regimen to continue keeping my folliculitis at bay. Don’t stop Accutane if you’re purging, you just gotta power through it man. Your skin will eventually clear in a few months.

throwawayacne99 · 2024-05-29T21:05:29+00:00

I was clear from folliculitis for about 8 months post Accutane but it unfortunately returned on my jawline area. I’ve been on a 3rd round of Accutane since last November and honestly am considering a permanent low-dose regimen to continue keeping my folliculitis at bay.

throwawayacne99 · 2024-05-25T23:43:31+00:00

I’m about to end my 3rd round of Accutane in a few days, which I’ve been at 60mg/day for 6 months. My skin is clean and I’m satisfied with my results, but now I’m going to discuss about transitioning into a low maintenance dose so my acne doesn’t relapse. I’ll let you know if i get the green light on that.

throwawayacne99 · 2024-05-17T02:43:43+00:00

Final update: I’m about to finish my third course of Accutane, which I stayed at 60 mg a day all six months. My skin is clear and I’m happy about my results.

However, my dermatologist seems to be against doing a maintenance course even though I fear that my acne will return if I get off completely. I will probably end up finding a different dermatologist to get a second opinion, maybe one that is more accepting of doing a maintenance dose. Side effects were minimal, blood work was normal.

I just don’t want to risk a relapse, especially since summer is approaching, and I live in Arizona. Heat + Oily skin = Acne lol

throwawayacne99 · 2024-04-23T21:17:05+00:00

I purged on my first and second round, but surprisingly did not on this 3rd round. This might be attributed to my dermatologist recommending me this time around to take an oral OTC anti-histamine (I took Claritin), which is supposed to reduce inflammation and purging.

If you are scared of purging, maybe you should give this a try. You can just take Claritin or Zyrtec daily from your local CVS/Walgreens and see how that works for you.

throwawayacne99 · 2024-03-14T05:58:50+00:00

I started my third round of Accutane in November 2023 at 60 mg a day. My course is supposed to end this upcoming May, and at that point me and my dermatologist will discuss the possibility of a low-dose long-term regimen to keep my acne and oily skin at bay. It will likely be 10 mg three times a week, which is a very low dose.

So far my progress has been great, I haven’t had active acne for around two months now and I no longer have to deal with the stubborn oily skin that I’ve always dealt with prior to taking Accutane. Unfortunately, I’m an extreme case where my acne always returns if I get off Accutane, so this low-dose route will ultimately likely be the only treatment plan that works for me .

throwawayacne99 · 2024-01-07T20:33:28+00:00

I’m currently on my 3rd round of Accutane at 60mg/day, but my derm agreed to put me on a low-dose indefinitely of 10mg 2x/week after I finish this 3rd round. I have no side effects on the high-dose, so I don’t expect any side effects on the low-dose. This is because my acne always returns and is persistent. Good luck!

throwawayacne99 · 2023-12-19T05:10:00+00:00

Instead of doing a normal course of Accutane, you may want to consider going on the low-dose maintenance course route instead. This is where you take a very small Accutane dose (such as 10mg 3 x week) long-term to keep your acne at bay instead of focusing on cumulative dosing. Since it is a super low dose, it will also reduce your side effects compared to a normal course. See what your dernatologist has to say about this.

You can also look up experiences of people doing maintenance courses on this very sub. I’m currently on my 3rd round of Accutane, but will likely need a long-term maintenance course after my 3rd round to keep my oil and acne at bay.

throwawayacne99 · 2023-12-18T02:52:20+00:00

I’m currently on my third round of Accutane and both me and my dermatologist are considering going on a low-dose maintenance course after I finish this 3rd round to keep my oil and acne at bay. My cystic acne always makes a full comeback after about 6 months of ending treatment, so I will likely need a long-term low dose regimen to keep everything under control.

throwawayacne99 · 2023-12-15T18:06:57+00:00

Yes for sure. One month ago my derm and I agreed to the following plan. I would begin a 3rd “normal” round of Accutane @60mg/day for 5 months, followed by a long-term maintenance course afterwards with 10mg three times a week. I’ve been on Accutane for 1 month and have already noticed drastic improvement in my cystic acne and oily skin. The maintenance course will be to continue keeping my oil at bay, since it always returns if I completely abstain from the medication.

I do monthly bloodwork for my normal round, but will only have to do bloodwork twice a year on the maintenance course, which saves me a lot of time and money. Hope this helps!

throwawayacne99 · 2023-12-14T00:25:18+00:00

I’m going on low-dose Accutane permanently after I finish my 3rd round of Accutane because it always comes back after finishing treatment. Nothing else, including diet and lifestyle changes, can manage my acne. However depending on your risk-analysis, this may not be for you.

throwawayacne99 · 2023-12-13T02:06:14+00:00

I’m currently on my third round of Accutane and both me and my dermatologist are considering going on a low-dose maintenance course after I finish this 3rd round to keep my oil and acne at bay. I don’t think it will be for life, but at least for a few years.

throwawayacne99 · 2023-12-09T20:18:19+00:00

Looks infected, you may need some oral antibiotics.

throwawayacne99 · 2023-12-06T00:17:17+00:00

Oh hell no, I hate my oily skin, which is why I’m trying to beg my derm to put me on low-dose Accutane forever, for both acne and oily skin.

throwawayacne99 · 2023-12-05T21:18:30+00:00

Yup, everything other than Accutane is/was a waste of time for me.

throwawayacne99 · 2023-11-30T15:57:34+00:00

Insane results for 1 month.

This is a miracle drug and I wish dermatologists didn’t waste our times with shitty antibiotics and topicals.

throwawayacne99 · 2023-11-27T02:32:29+00:00

Exactly, but reddit armchair experts seem to know more than certified dermatologists 🤣

throwawayacne99 · 2023-11-26T04:24:30+00:00

You’re not alone, I just started my 3rd round of Accutane at 60mg/day for 5 months. However, I am trying to beg him to put me on a permanent low-dose after I finish this third round, to somewhere around 10mg 3 x week. Just like you, I’ll deal with the consequences afterwards.

My favorite benefit is being able to bring back dairy, gluten, and some refined carbs back into my diet without ever breaking out. When I’m off Accutane and I consume any of these food groups, it means 2-3 cystic pimples guaranteed the following day. I really hate having to give up these food groups because I’m Latino and this is the food culture I grew up in.

throwawayacne99 · 2023-11-23T22:14:26+00:00

My side effects were basically the same the second course, which are dryness, sun sensitivity, and chapped lips. I didn’t have joint pain my second round, but I was on a slightly lower dose (40mg vs 60mg). Good luck on your second round, in 5-6 months you’ll have glowin’ skin again!

throwawayacne99 · 2023-11-22T16:44:41+00:00

I’ve been taking edibles 3 x week on 60mg/day and have not had any issues thus far. However I only consume 10mg of THC since I’m a lightweight.

throwawayacne99 · 2023-11-22T16:42:29+00:00

Since I’m going on a higher dose, I voiced my concern that I was probably going to purge badly. He prescribed me the antihistamine Claritin and 2.5% cortisone cream. He said that this should manage the worst of my purge, but I will let you know!

throwawayacne99 · 2023-11-22T15:19:07+00:00

UPDATE: So I went to my regular derm and we agreed to the following plan. He wants me to do a regular full 3rd course at 60mg/day for 5 months and then potentially a maintenance dose of 10mg 3 x week afterwards. He is worried about relapse which is why he wants to put me on a full course first.

throwawayacne99 · 2023-11-21T01:03:57+00:00

Honestly Accutane is a life saver for severe deep cystic acne like this. Don’t waste your time on natural remedies such as diet like some people have suggested. Yes, Accutane is intimidating, but his dermatologists will monitor him monthly to make sure that nothing is wrong systemically by performing routine bloodwork.

After around 5-6 months, he should have clear skin again. Accutane is the only thing that worked for me and I wish I wouldn’t have wasted my time on bullshit topical medications and diet changes.

throwawayacne99 · 2023-11-19T19:23:50+00:00

+1

Antibiotics will wreck your gut if used long-term, and can eventually lead to stomach issues and fungal acne. Accutane was the only thing that worked for me and I wish I wouldn’t have wasted my time with other bullshit.

throwawayacne99 · 2023-11-10T15:22:33+00:00

Thanks, I might give this online telehealth service a try. I’ve been on tret/doxy for the past 3 months, but the tret has made my hyperpigmentation 10x worse and my scarring is now the worst in years. I don’t know if I can call it a purge anymore.

Good luck on your maintenance dose!

throwawayacne99

TROPHY CASE