Saturday, 20 June 2015

I've been on Accutane for 5 years?? Need advice

Beauty Tips For Body Care
So when I hit puberty (~age 13), I started getting moderate acne on my face on my t-zone, and pretty severe acne all over my back and chest. My skin also hyperpigments very easily, so it was just an awful mess. I was prescribed Tretinoin gel and antibiotics and birth control pills, but none of that helped. Finally, my derm put me on accutane when I was about 15. I did a full 6 month course, and then about a year of low dose (2 30mg pills a week) and my acne was COMPLETELY gone. I'm talking flawless skin with zero maintenance. However, a year later, my acne came back with full force and my derm put me back on accutane. I did full dose for a couple months and then went back down to low dose for a few months before stopping again because my skin cleared up wonderfully. 6 months later, my acne was back again. I then went back on accutane for a THIRD time - this time full dose for a month, low dose for another few months, and then veerry low dose (1 pill every other week). Basically, it took less and less time every course for my skin to clear up. My skincare routine this whole time consisted of the Cetaphil Hydrating Cleanser, Neutrogena Makeup Remover wipes, and moisturizing with Cetaphil cream in the tub. However, I was getting really worried about having put this much accutane in my body for such a long period of time, so I started to wean myself off again. And my skin was doing great after a couple months off... until finals week. It was basically a week of NO sleep, high stress, and substance abuse. By the end, all the acne on my face had returned (although none of my body acne thank god). At this point, I knew I didn't want to go back on accutane, and I found this gem of a subreddit. I started the beginner routine - Sunscreen, OCM with baby oil, Stridex in the red box, St. Ives, Aztec Clay mask. However, after 2 months, I didn't see any progress, and the acne on my back started to come back. So a week ago, I pulled out my accutane stash and just took 30 mg a day. I stopped exfoliating and only did sunscreen, OCM and moisturizer. My skin completely cleared up in FOUR DAYS. At this point, I don't know what to do. I hate having to rely on accutane like this, but I don't know what else to do. Should I just be patient and keep trying to figure out a routine that will make a dent? I'm just very frustrated and would appreciate any help or advice please!
Girls Blog 2015
Submitted by pugilism_illustrated

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