Has anyone ever used accutane (acne drug)

[DanielJames]

Afternoon all.

Has anyone got any experience with the acne drug accutane (sometimes called RoAccutane)?

I very nearly went on it around 4 months ago, but was put off with reports of hair loss and depression.

My acne is getting no better, and I would like to leave the teenage look behind now, it knocks me back quite a bit in professional and personal life.

So has anyone used it before on here?

thanks
Dan

[Victor McDade]

I did as a teenager and it was the best thing I did with regards to my acne. Previous to that I had tried dozens of different topical treatments and numerous different anti-biotics and whilst some of these worked in the beginning, the acne soon came back.

But after using roaccuatane for 3 or 4 months my acne cleared and it never came back.

The only major side effects I experienced was extremely dry lips and skin and a little bit of hair loss at the temples (which returned back to normal once I came off the roaccuatane).

[DanielJames]

Thanks, i think im going to go for it - its the last straw really

[Tim1989]

Hi Dan,

Before you try it, just got a couple of things that I'd suggest. I used to get terrible spots all over my shoulders and back but I rarely get them now.

Diet, gym and sauna were key for me. I cut down on any sort of processed food, used olive oil for cooking instead of vegetable oil and barely ate anything fried. I started going to the gym 5 days a week, and then used the sauna and cold shower immediately afterwards.

Seemed to do the trick. Apologies if you've heard all this before, but just thought I'd let you know a more natural approach.

[VinceFox]

Never used it personally but had a couple of friends who have. Dry lips and depression seemed to be the only two main drawbacks. Theres absolutely no denying it cleared up some pretty bad skin for them though.

Good luck to you.

[ChasW]

A member of my family used it for a particularly unpleasant body acne. I can't remember how long the treatment lasted but it was certainly less than 6 months, possibly as short as three. Anyway the acne disappeared and has never returned. I think it has a reputation as being quite harsh in terms of side effects though I don't recall any being suffered. At the time it was quite expensive and we were lucky that the GP was very sympathetic.

[seany87]

I was very close to being put on this, but before I booked with a dermatologist I decided to use a sunbed, 3-6 minutes per week. That really, really did help, although be careful not to burn!! Added bonus of looking a bit healthier rather than anaemic also. I don't use them now and get all the sun I need in the UK summer cutting the grass etc.

I also ditched the special spot skin remedies and just used good old soap and water. Also avoided dairy. Took a couple of weeks but it was remarkable how my skin cleared up. Give the sunbed (light use) and soap a go.

[Silent1]

I love threads like these, mainly for the responses.

Anyway ignore everyone else, I find self flagellation with thistles on the hour every hour worked for me, the scans from the puncture wounds had a sort of war with the spots and after a small thermostatic weapon was deployed by the free scab army the spots left and never came back

Just letting you know the more natural way of course! Because that's exactly what you requested in your OP and not information on isotretinoin...

[mark831]

Google is your friend...... Have a look for long term low dose accutane. As little as 10mg a day or even every other day has been enough to keep people clear with minimal to zero side effects.

I'm no expert, just what I've read! I think generally the total dose is per lb of body weight over a certain time period. Not sure how derms in the uk view long term low dose prescriptions.

[Big Raff]

There is always laser treatments as well, the technologies out there are very impressive and the newer the techniques and machines the lower the down time. You may find that post accutane, you may want to strengthen and smooth out the skin (acne scars etc...) with a course of laser treatments. You could even look down this road as an alternative.