Accutane and Dry Skin: What Users Say (Page 4)

• Eth...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• October 11, 2015

For Acne "So I'm currently on my 2nd month of Accutane, and I'm taking 40mg a day. I have to say I'm quite impressed. I'm 15 and have been dealing with mild but persistent cystic acne since I was 11, and I still have a few whiteheads and 4 cysts that I'm waiting for them to dry up, but I have noticed that my nose, which was once covered in blackheads, is clear!! The side effects are annoying but bearable. (dry skin, dry lips, joint pains, dry hair) It's going to get worse before it gets better, trust me. If you're dealing with cystic acne, I definitely recommend this miracle pill."

• cr0...
• February 25, 2012

For Acne "Take this as a first-hand experience. I'm a 14-year-old girl. My acne used to be absolutely dreadful: severe and awful. Now I feel beautiful. My before and after pictures are astounding. My skin is as smooth as glass now, and the side effects were completely worth it. I have naturally dry skin. Accutane made it worse, yes. But now that I'm done, my skin is completely fine, and my face... goodness. Life-changing. Please-go on Accutane."

• Ani...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• July 24, 2019

For Acne "AMAZING results!!! I had bad cystic acne for 5 years. Tried antibiotics, Retin-A cream, diets, and the only thing that worked was Accutane. I still have scarring, but at least it's healing (finished Accutane 2 months ago). I would recommend it, but do your research, it can cause serious side effects. Fortunately, I just had the usual dry lips, dry nose and skin, and it went away when I stopped taking the pills."

• Bra...
• July 15, 2013

For Acne "Accutane worked great for me. When I quit smoking and started working out at the gym, I broke out on my cheeks and my back. Took Accutane for 4 months (80 mg daily) and had dry lips, dry eyes, dry face (moisturizer daily), very red and sensitive skin, and peeling hands. Made it through with a little bit of suffering, and I must say my face is 100% clear and it had been 2 months without it so far, and my back is about 80% better. Might consider another short treatment in the winter to try and combat my back a little more, but so far very satisfied with my results. I know I was worried sick and contemplated taking it for weeks after reading reviews and then finally took the plunge. Don't regret it for a second. A million times happier."

• Xev...
• July 29, 2016

For Acne "I've been taking Oratane (off-brand Accutane) for nearly 6 months now. My dosage was 20 mg during the first month and then 40 mg for the remainder of my cycle. I'm a 24-year-old male (I was 23 when I began taking the drug) with mild (but irritating) facial acne and moderate acne on my upper back. I found that my acne cleared up towards my second month of treatment. The only side effects I've encountered are dryness - dry lips being the main one, but easily remedied with chapstick. My skin (particularly on my face) and eyes also occasionally get dry, these can be tackled with moisturizer and eye drops. Aside from that, everything has been smooth sailing. I recommend Accutane to anyone with severe acne or stubborn acne that won't go away."

• Oli...
• March 4, 2018

For Acne "Accutane was probably the best thing I've done so far in my life. I had heard awful things about the drug, and people's experiences just didn't sound pleasant, so I was rather worried. Thankfully, I blocked out everything I read online and decided to try it for myself. The first few months, I was confused because, yes, my skin was dry, but nothing like people had been saying. I had a few aches and pains in my body, which were annoying, but nothing that stopped me from doing my day-to-day tasks. I also felt a bit more tired than normal, but again, nothing crazy. At month 3, my skin was worse than ever, very dry and very, very raw. This was the worst thing about the drug: it gets worse before it gets better. Hang on in there, things change. From that point, it started improving like never before. My advice is to not read negative reviews. Everyone has a different experience, so don't be put off. However, the drug does come with side effects you should be aware of. Just take caution."

• 17y...
• August 4, 2016

For Acne "PROS - completely clear skin after 4 months - during treatment my hair got much less greasy and barely needed washing. However, this stopped after I finished my course. CONS - dry skin everywhere, although was manageable with a lot of moisturizer and lip balm - eczema on arms, back of knees, and hands - severe back pain lasting the whole duration of the course, couldn't be helped by physiotherapy - (the worst side effect) irritable bowel syndrome. Severe pain while passing stools (to the extent of crying), constipation, and blood when I wiped. Was severely debilitating and made me afraid of going to the loo for 4 months. SUMMARY - despite the awful side effects, I do not at all regret taking Roaccutane even though I only had mild-moderate acne."

• Dam...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• July 27, 2013

For Acne "I had severe acne, rosacea, and had tried tetracycline antibiotics, Duac, Differin, and Dianette to get rid of it with no results - it was that bad I had stopped going out! Referred to a dermatologist and prescribed isotretinoin at 40mg per day. Within 7 days, my face had cleared completely. This is like a miracle. My skin is still slightly red from the rosacea, but nothing I can't cover with concealer. Side effects so far are blurred vision, muscle pains, and dry skin and lips - been through 4 tubs of Carmex in the four weeks I've been on Accutane. Using Cetaphil moisturizer and E45 emollient cleanser. Cannot recommend this enough - side effects are annoying but well worth it in the short term, in my opinion. Wish I'd insisted on this 4 years ago."

• Tat...
• August 6, 2016

For Acne "Worked for me! Five years of GP-prescribed acne treatments did nothing but make me more and more frustrated. I went on Accutane, despite being dubious due to the severe side effects I'd read about. Did nothing at first, but gradually, after maybe three months, less and less spots were appearing. Now, after five months and with one more on Accutane to go, I have maybe one active spot, compared to a face full. Symptoms: I found it pretty easy. Dry lips were an annoyance, but just got into the habit of always carrying a lip balm. Dry skin was there but resolved by a good moisturizer (Cetaphil is good). My main issue was regular nosebleeds, I got one nearly every day, which was very disruptive. This was sorted, though, by slightly reducing my dose."

• Cai...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• April 16, 2023

For Acne "My brother was on this medication for 5 months, and his only side effects were dry skin/lips, and his acne is clear. Now onto my review… I’m a 30-year-old woman who started suffering from cystic acne in my late 20s. After trying for 3 years with creams and antibiotics, I finally gave in to trying Accutane. I was on 30 mg for 10 days. The first 4/5 days I was fine. Around the 5th day, the headaches started. I tried to push through, thinking it would get better, but it got so much worse. I have had a migraine a few times before, but nothing like this. I felt like I couldn’t even speak. It was like my head was going to explode. I Googled and was convinced I had pressure on the brain. I’m still not convinced I don’t… I ended up at A&E on day 11 after I began uncontrollably shaking. All of my blood work came back normal, but I was given fluids/anti-sickness. A month later, I am still suffering from migraines with aura and I can’t work because my job is on the computer."

• liv...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• April 26, 2018

For Acne "It honestly changed my life. My skin was so bad, and I was embarrassed to even go to school. I had cystic acne on my forehead and cheeks, and it was so ugly. But after 5 months on Accutane, my skin was completely clear, and my skin type went from extremely oily to normal. It boosted my self-confidence, and I go makeup-less all the time, whereas in the past, I wouldn’t be caught dead without a full face of makeup. I had dry skin and lips, but nothing that chapstick and moisturizer couldn’t fix. Don’t be scared off by all of the side effects, most of the time, they aren’t very intense."

• OJa...
• October 21, 2019

For Acne "I have bad closed comedones all over my face. A LOT of them. I first tried Retin A cream and tried Tazorac, it didn't work. I brought up Accutane to my new derm and told me it would go away on a 6-month course. I started 40 mg a day and had bad headaches the first couple of weeks, but it stopped. The side effects of dry skin aren't too bad, I had oily skin prior, so no oil now - the dry lips suck! My corners crack and are always peeling. I finished month 2 a few weeks ago. I do believe in the purging process. I never had red bumps often up until last week, they are coming up about every day. I have found 1 other person on the internet with this issue. You cannot just cover these with makeup. The wrong lighting can make them look 100x worse, and you should not pick at your face while on it. Your skin is highly sensitive, and it will be red for weeks or leave scarring. But I never had depression and don’t really have it now, other than getting upset about my face not clearing. Symptom-wise, it is good right now. Hope to update with a clear face in a few months."

• Ben...
• August 2, 2016

For Acne "Accutane is amazing for severe acne. I had back acne for around 2 years. It wasn't too bad for the first year, but then it started to get very bad and embarrassing the second. I was pretty depressed, and I tried everything. So I did some research on some medication. That's when I was told about Accutane. I knew about the risks, but I needed to have my confidence back, so I decided to start it. The first month, nothing happened. Second month, a little bit of a change, and the third month was incredible. I only had a little bit of pimples on my back, but mostly just scars. I am going on my fourth month soon, and I hope that I will be perfectly clear. My side effects were dry skin on my face and chapped lips, and that is it. No depression."

• Jay...
• June 22, 2016

For Acne "I am 17, and I have had pretty moderate acne since I can remember, and pretty severe acne on my back for the last four or five years. I asked my dermatologist to start me on Accutane as I've had two friends who swear by it. The first month I was on 40 mg Claravis, my side effects were dry lips, skin, and scalp, nosebleeds out the wazoo, and weird rashes around my elbows and hands. But the results were incredible. All of my back acne was gone within the first week. The blackheads on my chin vanished. Although it made my face break out slightly worse, I was warned that would happen. I am now on month two, 60 mg Myorisan, and the side effects are slightly worse this month. Also, it is a bit pricey. But still, very happy with this medication."

• Kds...
• September 16, 2015

For Acne "I had struggled with severe acne ever since I was in 6th grade. It was all over my face and even my shoulders. Of course, as you would suspect, I got bullied big time for it. My dermatologist put me on so many different types of pills that helped a little, but my acne was still horrible. Then she put me on Accutane. Accutane is a miracle process, is a pain, and the side effects made me want to just quit. I struggled with very dry skin and lips, sensitive to the sun, and soreness. I went through 6 months of the pill. I am now a sophomore in high school, and I have perfectly clear and smooth skin. Yes, I still have battle scars, but they are tiny. I have never been so happy with myself. I recommend it to anyone and everyone."

• JJa...
• April 13, 2018

For Acne "My daughter started Accutane at 14 years old after struggling with acne and self-confidence issues for years. She had moderate facial acne but severe chest and back acne. She tried antibiotics, topicals, and birth control. The birth control was mildly successful but didn't treat her back. We made the decision to try Accutane to get rid of her acne once and for all. I am writing this as a very nervous mom who was extremely worried about the side effects. I did not want her to do it, but two dermatologists recommended it, and she was willing to make the commitment. In her 5 months on 60 mg a day, the worst side effects were very chapped lips and dry skin. All her blood tests were fine but slightly inconvenient. Her results have been excellent. Her back and chest are completely clear with an occasional pimple on her face. Five months after finishing, my daughter is beyond happy with her results. Do your homework, but if your dermatologist recommends it, seriously consider it."

• Ivy...
• January 8, 2013

For Acne "After I had been on this medicine for 6 months (only 20 mg as I am quite petite), I was still breaking out, frustrated and over having cracked lips and dry skin. I asked him to up my dosage. He did not want to due to my weight but agreed to let me take 40 mg every second day. He told me I had to stay on it for up to 8 months! I was devastated! After another month, I had some improvement but was still breaking out. I gave up as it was coming into summer, and I live in a very warm, beachside place and stopped taking it. After about 3 weeks, my skin was clear! I have been off it for about 4 months, and my skin is 100 times better! I get a tiny pimple once in a blue moon, but that's it. Guess it's different for everyone, but my best results came after I finished!"

• Tri...
• March 30, 2013

For Acne "I didn't have the worst acne in the world, but after I came back from my summer in America, I broke out all over my chest, back, and face. Since I was 21, my doctor referred me to the dermatologist to go on Accutane. In the UK, health care is free, so I didn't have to pay for it. I broke out really bad after two weeks, but then my skin started to really clear up, and I finished my course after 4 months. I don't have a single spot! I am so happy with the results and didn't notice too many side effects. I stayed on top of the dry skin/lips with Elizabeth Arden 8-hour cream - I would recommend this to anyone, it's been a lifesaver! Good luck!"

• Anonymous
• May 4, 2009

For Acne "This stuff is pretty potent, but AMAZING. I love this. I am 22 years old now and have had acne since I was 14. I tried everything out there, from soap to creams to every lotion and pill, and NOTHING worked for me. I even tried Proactiv for a few months and saw no results. I have been on ACCUTANE now for almost 3 months, and my acne is gone. And it's really simple, all you do is take a pill once a day, and the power of Accutane just completely destroys your acne. The only side effect I have noticed is dry lips and skin, but it's okay as long as I carry chapstick and lotion and I'm alright. But other than that, this is a cure for me, and I only have 3 months left."

• kat...
• May 14, 2013

For Acne "In high school, I had beautiful skin and rarely had any breakouts. Then, when I was 19, I started breaking out terribly! I literally think I tried every acne medication, gel, antibiotic, tea, and pill under the sun. FINALLY, I decided to follow my doctor's advice and try Accutane. IT WAS A MIRACLE! My only regret is that I wasted so much time being scared of the side effects and didn't start it sooner. I was on it for 5 months. My acne got a TINY bit worse during the 2nd month of Accutane, but after that, it got better and better! I experienced some crying spells, depression, and dry skin, but those things truly weren't that bad, and you really can't put a price on your self-esteem/clear skin - and that is EXACTLY what Accutane will give you."

• Tay...
• March 3, 2009

For Acne "Accutane was great for me. I had moderate acne, and after taking Accutane for only 2 weeks, it cleared up my skin. I kept clear all throughout my 5-month treatment, and now I've been off of it for almost a month, still clear. The chapped lips are easily treatable, and dry skin just needs a little lotion. Overall, very worth it."

• Cal...
• March 18, 2017

For Acne "I've had very bad back and butt acne for 14 years. I have always put off taking Accutane as I heard of the horrible side effects. I went to the doctor for a bad spot of acne that needed to be cut open. He said I have to go on Accutane and explained the side effects. Let's do it because I can't carry on like this anymore. The pain, the bleeding, and the fact I haven't taken my shirt off in public for 14 years. I was very worried about taking it. Started in December 2016. I've been on it for 4 months already, and it's made a huge difference to my back and butt. My butt is taking a bit longer, and that was explained to me before taking it. I have had very little break out on my back, and it's almost cleared. Though I have dry skin and very dry lips so far, but worth it."

• Anonymous
• November 18, 2009

For Acne "I have been on Accutane for only 2 months now, and my skin hasn't looked this good since I was maybe 14, and I am 19 now! I have had only doses of 20 mg for the past 2 months, but the only side effect I have had is the dry lips and skin. It's going so great, and I highly recommend it to people that are struggling with acne! I struggled real bad this past year (my freshman year in college), and I tried everything before this. It's a process, but I noticed results in my first month!"

• Eli...
• May 3, 2019

For Acne "Not gonna lie, this drug is painful. So many side effects. I'm in my 6th and hopefully final month today. I have experienced dry lips and skin, extreme eye irritation, headaches, bad scarring, and oddly enough abnormal hair growth. I think because the cells are turning over at a faster rate, the hair follicle is too. Therefore, I am a hairy beast now. Yay. It was not like this before Accutane. It has mostly cleared up my acne, but the purge was so bad that it brought everything to the surface, and now I have dents and bad hyperpigmentation from pimples that I didn't even have before Accutane. It looks pretty bad. I still get pimples too. Which stinks, but I guess at least it's not cystic ones anymore. I cannot wait to get off this medicine. I guess it works for huge cystic acne, but it was not for me. Also, it was expensive. And I had pharmacy and iPLEDGE trouble every time I tried to retrieve the medicine."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• December 31, 2020

For Acne "I took Accutane at 17 years old. I was on 30 mg for 2 months and 60 mg for 4 months. I got rid of my cystic acne on my face, chest, and back. I still have scarring, but my skin looks so much better! Some side effects I experienced included dry skin, nosebleeds, and dry eyes. However, it was all WORTH IT! Accutane changed my life for the better. I've never felt so confident in my skin. I struggled with acne my entire life, and my only regret is not starting it sooner. I started seeing it work after only 10 days. I can't recommend Accutane enough. My advice is to advocate for yourself and keep asking for it over and over again until they give it to you. Accutane didn't change my life, it saved my life!"