Week 2

So I've been on Roaccutane for two weeks now. I think 'the initial breakout' is starting to happen as pimples are breaking out more frequently, mostly on my forehead. Some of them are large, red and sore :-(

My face and scalp is now feeling very itchy and irritated. It seems to be more irritated in the afternoon and evenings. I've been trying my best not to touch my face but it's proving difficult! My lips are continuing to dry out, but not majorly so.

The other thing I've noticed is that I often feel dehydrated, so I'm drinking plenty of water. At the very least 2 litres per day.

Mentally, I'm feeling quite insecure, but I know that it has to get worse before it gets better, so I'm keeping myself busy and am trying not to think about it too much.

Until next week...

 

Week 1

So I've been taking Roaccutane for one week now. My skin is steadily breaking out as it has been for the past few months, mostly on my forehead, around my temples, on my lower cheeks and neck. I've had a really painful red cyst on my nose this week which has thankfully gone down!

I'm not suffering from any serious side effects yet, although I can feel my lips starting to dry out. I bought some Carmex Moisturising Lip Balm in anticipation of this, which I have to say is by far the best lip moisturiser available. It keeps my lips moist for up to six hours where as Vaseline Petroleum Jelly only moisturises my lips for an hour or two at best.

Mentally, I'm feeling positive that I'm now taking something I know will put a stop to my acne!

Here are pictures of my skin as of the end of week one:

 

Introduction

Hi all!

I'm Chris, I'm a 29 year old male and I have acne. I decided to create this blog to document my progress and the side effects of Roaccutane, which I have just been prescribed by my dermatologist.

I suffered badly with acne in my early teens which was successfully treated with Roaccutane when I was 15. My skin remained clear for the last 10-12 years. I would suffer mild break outs from time to time, but I put this down to stress as my face would usually clear up after a week or so.

Unfortunately in recent years my acne has returned and has gradually worsened. It got to the point were I started feeling really embarrassed and insecure at work and also around my friends. As a professional male in my late 20s, I don't expecting to have acne breakouts like I did when I was a teenager!

Over the last six months I've tried a number of things such as changing my diet and skincare regime. neither of these have helped, so I went to the doctor and was prescribed Minomycin tablets and Eryacne gel. I found the Eryacne gel quite effective at drying out large pimples, but long term it didn't have much effect. Unfortunately the Minomycin didn't work for me at all and my acne remained persistent throughout the course of medication.

My doctor then referred me to a dermatologist and I have now been prescribed Roaccutane. I was a little nervous about going on Roaccutane for the second time, but my dermo has assured me that because it's been such a long time since I last took it, it's not a problem at all.

I've been prescribed 1x 20mg Roaccutane capsule per day with a fatty meal. Fatty foods take longer for the stomach to break down and so the acids produced to break down the food also help to dissolve the Roaccutane capsule and absorb more of the active ingredient, Isotretinoin.

The aim of this blog is to document my personal Roaccutane journey and to provide support and guidance for others who are on theirs.

So, here goes....