I'm 19, a college sophomore, and I've been suffering from severe acne for two years. Before that, I had a few problems (in junior high and high school), but I just used benzoyl peroxide and everything was under control. Then, during my senior year in high school, I was under extreme stress in applying for college, etc. That summer I worked as a waitress and my acne got worse. Then, I went to college, and under even more stress, saw my skin get worse and worse and worse...well, you get the picture. I tried everything, even birth control pills, and nothing worked. I was hesitant to go on Accutane, but then I saw a high school friend (who had horrible skin then) after our freshman year of college. He looked fantastic--the most beautiful skin I've ever seen. I couldn't believe it. And that's when I started getting the courage to go on Accutane. Another reason is that I'm studying abroad next spring--I don't want such a special experience to be marred by acne. So, I began my course on Accutane on October 26. I take 40mg twice a day. I'm 5'9'', 130 lbs. It may be a lot, but my doctor said it will start working faster. Today marks the end of the first week. I'm experiencing: dry lips, dry skin everywhere, peeling face but acne is worse, pain in my joints, and frequent headaches. Til next week...

Weekly Updates...

Week 1: Described in above story.

Week 2: Okay, so I just finished my second week on Accutane. The beginning of the second week was really rough. I had major aches and pains--my ribs felt like they were tightening. And my face still looked horrid. But now, the side effects seem less prominent and my face seems, bit by bit, to be improving. This makes me so happy. So I'm sticking with it. If it's already getting better after two weeks, I can't wait to see it after 20!

Week 3: n/a

Week 4: Okay, so it's been 28 days. I can't believe how quickly the time has passed. I've seen less improvement in the last week than I would have hoped for. My skin is still looking pretty bad--in general, that means large puss-filled whiteheads and a few cystic pimples on my cheeks. I look okay with makeup but not great...and my face is still incredibly red. The side effects are few, though, aside from chapped lips. I'm hoping the next week or two will bring some drastic changes.

Week 5: Still pretty bad. I would say this week has been the worst thus far in terms of worsening acne. It's pretty bad. Especially the redness and the sensitivity. But I'm still optimistic...

Week 6: Just finished my sixth week on this stuff, and slowly but surely, it's looking better. I wear a semi-opaque layer of makeup to cover my face, but now it's starting to look like a few little complexion problems instead of an outbreak. I hosted a big party last weekend, and for that one night, my skin looked almost normal. I couldn't have been happier. Now, my face is still really red without makeup, and my lips and skin all over my body are really dry. But I've seen improvement in the last week. The fifth week was by far the worst, and I hope this upswing is permanent!

Week 7: Okay, I've had finals this week, so I'm going to attribute some of my problems to stress. But this week has shown less progress than others. My face is definitely starting to clear up more, but my cheeks in particular are really a horrible sight. Especially without makeup. I remain optimistic and hope that I will get better during my stress-free weeks off from school.

Weeks 8 & 9: I guess my skin might be looking a little better. I'm still developing pimples, so that's very unsettling. And my face is still REALLY red. Like a horrible sunburned color. Fortunately, I can still cover everything pretty well with makeup. I use Lancome Maquicontrole, and it works perfectly. I'm feeling a little less self-conscious, but I leave for overseas in a week and a half, so let's hope that there's some more improvement! At least some of the dryness has subsided...

July 26, 1999: First of all, my thanks goes out to everyone who has sent me encouraging messages. It is now July of 1999, and I have been off of Accutane for nearly 4 months!!! Very exciting! I was in Europe for a semester of study, so that's why I didn't update my experience. I just want to add my voice to the chorus of people who have gone on Accutane and had incredible results. I used to have horrible, red, cystic acne that made me so self-conscious that I could hardly look anyone in the face. Now, my skin is no longer a problem. I have some residual dryness on my cheeks, nose, and forehead (which used to be pools of oil), but my skin has NO BUMPS. NO PIMPLES. I just have a few slightly red scars that will need time to disappear. But I no longer smear on layer after layer of foundation to cover my skin. I wear a very light, oil-free foundation that looks almost natural. I treat my skin very gently, with Neutrogena Oil-Free Acne Wash. Most importantly, I don't pick at my skin or even touch it. But I should encourage anyone reading this message who fears Accutane to go for it! Don't waste years of your life living with this terrible, debilitating skin condition. People who've never had it can't possibly understand what it does to every part of your life. But I know--and that makes its eradication all the more satisfying. When I look in the mirror in the morning, I don't feel sick anymore. Recently, I saw a guy that I had been interested in when I still had serious complexion problems. He looked right at my face and said "Wow, you look great!" And I could actually look in his eyes and say "Thank you." This medication really transformed my life, and I hope if you're reading this and you have the opportunity to complete a course of Accutane, you'll take the plunge. Please address any questions to me; I'll be glad to assuage your concerns.

You can email Amber at ombear660@aol.com.

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