Isotretinoin and Dry Skin: What Users Say (Page 5)

• Anonymous
• January 14, 2011

Isotretinoin for Acne "I am 32 years old and have struggled with acne since high school. I was completely freaked out about taking this medication after reading all the horror stories online, but after talking to my doctor, I knew I wanted to give it a try. I am in my 2nd month of taking the medication, and I have seen dramatic results. I have not had any bad side effects so far. I have had dry lips (to be expected), but they have not been bad at all (thanks to Aquaphor Lip Repair - I constantly put it on). My skin is dry, which is also to be expected. I wear contacts, and my eyes do get dry at times, but no drops help. I do notice joint aches at times, so I take Tylenol or Advil, and it helps. It's nothing severe at all. BEST MEDICATION EVER."

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

Isotretinoin 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."

• OJa...
• October 21, 2019

Isotretinoin 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."

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

Isotretinoin 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."

• Ben...
• August 2, 2016

Isotretinoin 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

Isotretinoin 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."

• luc...
• June 22, 2017

Isotretinoin for Acne "(2017) completely cleared my skin. I've had acne since I was 15, and I'm now 26. I did a 6-month course. Side effects: dry lips, dry skin, and hair. I took 40 mg daily. It certainly did wonders, and I am very satisfied!"

• Kds...
• September 16, 2015

Isotretinoin 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."

• 272...
• February 28, 2011

Isotretinoin for Acne "Claravis cured my severe acne by 98% within 6 months of use. I had bad, red, swollen, and under-the-skin pimples, as well as blackheads, whiteheads, and little pimples all over for 4 years through middle school and some of high school. The only reason I didn't rate this a 10 is because of the side effects. To me, it was well worth it. I had SEVERE dry skin on my face and burned easily in the sun. The worst side effect by far was dry lips and nose. My lips were constantly dry and cracking to the point of bleeding, I had to use vitamin E oil and finally found that Aquaphor worked well for lips and nose. Nostrils were dry, burning, but only rarely cracked and bled. That was 6 years ago. I'm 21 now, and my acne never came back."

• 17j...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• December 24, 2012

Isotretinoin for Acne "Skeptical, difficult to believe that this would work with my severe conditions. Sure enough, after five months (20 weeks), my acne on my shoulders, back, and chest was 85% healed. Once the treatment was finished, there was accelerated improvement. So within about 27 or so weeks after my first dose (2 pills per day), I was healed almost completely. However, you WILL get chapped lips and dry skin. It was extremely frustrating, the side effects were. There were also bad muscle aches every time I took a running step. The healing that the medicine provided much outweighed the side effects. You must know, I could not take off my shirt, it was so bad. However, with the help of Aquaphor, my new best friend, this WILL work, and you'll make it through."

• Ivy...
• January 8, 2013

Isotretinoin 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!"

• Anonymous
• December 18, 2011

Isotretinoin for Acne "Claravis is a miracle. Sure, it ravaged my body for 5 months (very dry skin, sore body), but now my skin is clear. My skin is like that of a Japanese geisha woman, and I am a dude! The other reviewers that said it gets rid of blackheads they never knew they even had are all correct! Seriously, my acne cysts used to hurt, and now I am pain-free."

• Lew...
• December 17, 2014

For Acne "I suffered acne for years. They put me on every medication possible and refused to let me on Accutane for years until it was the last resort. I contemplated going on it, but enough was enough. I was sick of spots that returned despite rubbing Benzoyl Peroxide on my face, which stained anything it touched, Salicylic Acid, which burned my face, and taking prescribed pills for 7 years. I took Accutane, and the only side effects I got were dry skin, heavy nosebleeds, and the occasional down. To keep it short, it worked like magic and fixed my insecurity and confidence issues. I can now look people in the eyes when I talk and look at myself in the mirror without feeling bad. If you're thinking about it, don't hesitate. It WILL help you."

• Tri...
• March 30, 2013

Isotretinoin 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!"

• JJa...
• April 13, 2018

Isotretinoin 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."

• chr...
• December 25, 2008

Isotretinoin for Acne "I have just completed my first month of Amnesteem (I had moderate acne), and I am extremely happy with the results this far. However, I experienced stomach ache, nausea, constipation, chest pain, headaches, lower back pain, sore throat, dry skin, extremely chapped lips, and fatigue. They all hit me at the beginning of week three. The good news is they all subsided by the end of the week except the constipation."

• Anonymous
• May 4, 2009

Isotretinoin 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

Isotretinoin 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."

• Ind...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• October 20, 2016

For Acne "First of all, you guys out there who are putting stuff on your face every day... Be it lemon, some sort of face mask, Proactiv, or any stuff, face wash... The beauty industry is fooling everyone there. What pores do they talk about? And people telling you to drink plenty of water... Tell them to shut up. YES, only Accutane works. Nothing else will work, only this drug will get your confidence back and give you your self-esteem, and it's worth it even if you have a few side effects like dry lips and dry skin, which can be managed better with a good moisturizer. Within 2 months of Accutane, you will see the results 70% or even 100%, depends. You people seriously need to stop watching YouTube videos because these clear skin people have no rights to tell us about clear skin."

• Tay...
• March 3, 2009

Isotretinoin 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

Isotretinoin 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

Isotretinoin 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

Isotretinoin 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

Isotretinoin 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!"

• rai...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• November 19, 2021

Isotretinoin for Acne "Everyone is different. But it caused horrible joint pain day one. Started with my sacrum and SI joints. Then my hips, then my knees. Had to go to a chiropractor. It also started clearing my skin right away. I had dry lips and dry skin also. But the joint pain was horrible, I couldn't sit without pain. Was on Accutane 40 mg for two weeks before I stopped, and my pain went away after a week. Be careful if you have major joint pain, tell your doctor. If you can't function, get off it."