1. Community
  2. Skin and nails
  3. Acne

Into my first week on roaccutane ...

Posted , 43 users are following.

SAMGXXX
SAMGXXX

I'm going into my second week tomorrow on roaccutane. My face is red and tight/dry (also abit painful and itchy). Is this normal ?

0 likes, 172 replies

172 Replies

Prev Next
  • SeiraSadie
    SeiraSadie SAMGXXX

    Posted

    . I have no idea how this forum works so I hope I'm doing it right.

    Also I'm so sorry this is so long

    I've been reading the discussion here and it has given me some amount of peace and I thought if I voiced tm concerns maybe I get support because I do really feel alone in this and have no experience whatsoever.

    I am 20, and also currently in my second year at medshool. My skin has always been very clear, with no amount of acne, dark or white spots (I am not bragging, just trying to explain) until a few months ago when I just randomly one day woke up, with acne. And it has been impairing me psychology ever since. Whatever bit of confidence I did have has plummeted beyond my wonders.

    I had no idea what to do, where to go what products to use I didn't even have anything to cove anything up because the most I had were moisturisers and sunblock and I don't understand what to use toncover up, I still don't. I guess I'll learn eventually.

    It IS mild though im not sure if i can call it that now and persistent.

    I've gotten a prescription for isotretinoin (arynoin) 40mg. One week in/ red spots and also patches, and redness has appeared on my face and it looks so much worse than it was before.

    Are these red patches, and red spots normal? I've read of spots and acne worsening but what about the patches of skin?

    I'm just really confused and really new. And I don't really know what to do. I use neutregena oil free moisturiser for combination skin and my face is dry but it hasn't dried out as much and my lips are okay for now TOOOOO.

    I'm just really worried about the patches of skin and all these spots. Will they get better?

    • kiran27455
      kiran27455 SeiraSadie

      Posted

      Hey I'm kiran,

      I would recommend Elizabeth Arden makeup for coverage as it won't clog your pores and should help with your acne. Also, it provides excellent coverage.

  • simon71712
    simon71712 SAMGXXX

    Posted

    Hi All, just wanted to say I've been reading the messages on this thread and its a great support and help to many people just starting out on their treatment using roaccutane......I've had issues with my skin for over 20years and used many antibiotics/creams during that time. As some might know, the body can build up a resistance to antibiotics and this what happened with me. I first used roaccutance about 7 years ago and went on a 6month course and my skin was clear for a number of years afterwards but after around 2/3years my skin started to get very oily again and have been using PanOxyl 10 (benzoyl peroxide) for most of the time since which does control the acne well but doesnt help with the very oily skin.  I have mild acne but very active sebaceous glands and after 20years of putting chemicals/ acne creams on my face I wanted to break the cycle which is why I've just started roaccutance again (low dose 20mg a day)...After reading some of the messages I just wanted to say that "if possible" if anyone is having breakouts at the start of treatment it might help to continue their current acne treatment for a few weeks until this passes...I think some of the breakout issues might be because in many cases people stop using their current acne treatment before the roaccutane starts to truely start working. I also think the dose levels have an impact on the side affects. You might have to be on the treatment longer at a lower dose but the side affects should be less at the start of the treatment.....I feel very blessed that the only side affects I had after using roaccutane the first time was dry lips and now I'm starting treatment again 7years later the first thing I did was pick up some Eucerin Lip balm and start using it day one, then hopefully it will help more when your(or IF) lips do start to get dry from the side affects......important to remember everyone is different and not everyone have the same dose or same type of acne so some might not have those breakout issues....and most of all try not to get stressed as this can make your acne worst no matter what treatment you are using.......I am down/frustrated that I've got to go back on this treatment after all these years but as my derm explained...for some people a 6month high dose(mg) of treatment works great but I might be one of those people that needs a 2nd course at a lower dose over a longer time frame.....I'm no expert, just 20years of experience of my own skin and understand the pain it can cause and the impact it can have on our lives......as far as I know roaccutane is the best thing for treating acne as its gets to the root of the problem, where many antibiotics are just a temp fix. take care all and thanks again for your messages on this thread....its a big help!  
  • jenn77117
    jenn77117 SAMGXXX

    Posted

    Hi Sam! I've just started my 30mg of roaccutane this morning. Was just wondering how long it took before you had a breakout and if it was really bad? Like worse than usual? I've heard people say that they get breakouts where it wasn't an issue before! Help!!x
    • simon71712
      simon71712 jenn77117

      Posted

      jenn77117, just wanted to mention...not everyone has a breakout when taking roaccutane....it really isnt one rule for all...everyone is different, every treatment is different and everyones acne is different..Starting on a low dose can also help and keep side effects as mild as possible....the only side effect almost everyone seems to have is dry lips and dry skin...I think it helps if you can keep using your normal, daily skin routine for the first few weeks on the treatment, to give roaccutane time to start working... many people seem to stop using the skin routine that works for them when starting roaccutane and I think it can sometimes be too much change, too quickly from what your skin is use too..which isnt going to help..Make sure you also have a good lip balm and moisturizer and drink lots of water.....Most of all, try not to worry and get stressed with all the stuff you read online....getting stressed and worried will not help.....I'm no expert but just wanted to give my opinion from experience. I used roaccutane 7 years ago and it was the best ance treatment I've used, after spending years with creams, antibiotics etc.......I only have very mild acne now but have just started a low dosage 20mg (nearly 5 weeks ago) to control my very oily overactive glands! best wishes with your treatment
    • jenn77117
      jenn77117 simon71712

      Posted

      Thank you Simon! I've been researching like mad and have been really worried about it. Il continue my usual routine until roaccutane is in my system and can start to make a difference. Thank you so much!
    • simon71712
      simon71712 jenn77117

      Posted

      Any time jenn! wink It really is very difficult to always know whats best method to use....noone knows your skin as well as you! and everyone is so different. I think it also depends on the type of acne you have...The "breakout" some people mention is when the accutane is starting to clear out the skin and your pores start to shrink and you start to produce less oil from your glands, as accutane dries you out...I get the feeling from the online research I've done, that those people that do have a "inital breakout" its the accutane clearing the ance that was already there under the skin.....so it isnt "new" acne but the ance that was already there waiting to come to the surface....which is why I feel, the amount or type of acne being treated can also impact if you have a IB (inital breakout) or not.....really is so many factors which is why, keeping your daily routine the same for the few weeks might just help alittle while the accutane works.....I'm no expert but just wanted to try and help! take care  
    • l92094
      l92094 simon71712

      Posted

      Hi

      I started my second course a few days ago but stopped due to getting very panicky about long term problems for the future ( I somehow have got it into my head that I will get something life threatening and so stopped ) I've only missed one pill but and had one pill for three nights then stopped.

      Really don't know if to continue or not my acne is mild ish but very persistent X

  • shaun24303
    shaun24303 SAMGXXX

    Posted

    Guys, my face is red atm, after taking this medicine for a few months. My face has healed completely, but it is quite red. Will the redness go away?
  • hilary58059
    hilary58059 SAMGXXX

    Posted

    hi all i myself am startin roaccutane fri the 30th, feelin excited but affraid of the side effects
    • kiran27455
      kiran27455 hilary58059

      Posted

      Hey Hilary,

      I've been on accutane for around 3 months now and it's a scary process with all the side affects the dermatologist mentions however don't be afraid you may have a break out in the first week but this should subside also, you might be the lucky ones who don't even get one. I had experienced a breakout in the first week however within a month I started to see a lot of difference for example I was getting loss spot and they were smaller, my spots weren't as painful. So all the best 😀

      Kiran.

    • hilary58059
      hilary58059

      Posted

      3 weeks into treatment, lips dry but thats it no change to skin still getting large sore spots sad
  • emily_85782
    emily_85782 SAMGXXX

    Posted

    yes thats completley normal! ive just finished my 4 month high dose course on raoaccutane and im 16, its a dreadful process and sadly only gets worse but trust me it is worth it! you may not see the light at the end of the tunnel now, but trust me u will! the drug is making your skin red and exentuates all of your acne, almost drawing it out the skin, i found that 'e45 intense lotion' is good for the body aswell as the face it seemed to be the only thing that helped with my serious dry skin, also cetaphill moisturiser is amazing- i used that in my first few weeks it was a life saver! you will just have to do trial and error to see what helps you bestsmile hope all is well with u! 
  • jenn77117
    jenn77117 SAMGXXX

    Posted

    So I've been on roaccutane for 3 weeks now. Had 1 spot which was small. Skin is quite dry and lips are chapped. Went back to dermatology today for a check up so they want to up me from 30mg to 60mg but said if I feel it's too much of a jump then to take 40mg for a week first then up it to 60mg. What's wveryones advice on this? Thanks x
Back to top
Prev Next

Report or request deletion

Thanks for your help!

We want the community to be a useful resource for our users but it is important to remember that the community are not moderated or reviewed by doctors and so you should not rely on opinions or advice given by other users in respect of any healthcare matters. Always speak to your doctor before acting and in cases of emergency seek appropriate medical assistance immediately. Use of the community is subject to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy and steps will be taken to remove posts identified as being in breach of those terms.