So, I know I’ve written plenty of blog posts about what was causing my acne, things that helped, and even some solutions for my acne scarring, but let’s rewind a little bit. I suffered from severe acne for many, many years. Seriously, I tried everything—every topical cream, every weird DIY remedy, and every prescription pill you could imagine. It got to the point where I could have started my own pharmacy with all the products I’d tried. When I came back to the United States at the end of 2015, after serving in South Korea, I made a goal to finally get professional help. No more guessing games—I wanted answers! Enter: the dermatologist, who, without hesitation, recommended Accutane.
Now, I’ll admit, I didn’t do a lot of research. I heard some people needed multiple rounds of Accutane to get long-term results, but at that point, I was ready to sign a deal with the devil if it meant clear skin. No matter the side effects, I was in. Accutane (or isotretinoin if you want to get all scientific about it) was a total game-changer for me, but not without its challenges. After years of battling with severe cystic acne that no treatment could even touch, Accutane started working its magic. By the third month, my skin was completely clear! Let me tell you, looking in the mirror and seeing smooth, blemish-free skin after all those years was like winning the acne lottery. But, of course, life has a funny way of balancing things out—my skin was so dry it felt like I was turning into a human raisin, and my emotions took a nosedive. By the fourth month, I had to make the tough decision to stop due to worsening depression. Just to clarify, I did not have a history of depression pre-Accutane.
Even though I stopped Accutane early, I naively thought my clear skin would last forever. Spoiler alert: it didn’t. Two months later, my acne came back—and it brought reinforcements. I knew some people experienced a return of acne after Accutane, but I wasn’t ready for it to happen so quickly and so severely. It was like my skin was throwing a tantrum. For anyone considering Accutane, it’s crucial to understand that while it can work wonders, it’s not always a permanent solution. The emotional rollercoaster was just as intense as the physical side effects. Watching my acne come back worse than before? Let’s just say that was a gut punch.
And let’s not forget about the other challenges. One major con for me was the monthly pregnancy tests. I get it—Accutane can cause severe birth defects, but peeing in a cup every month was a bit much. Then there were the blood tests. Between those and the dryness, I was convinced my body was doing its best impression of the Sahara Desert. Despite all of that, the joy of having clear skin—even for a little while—was undeniable. Fast forward to 2017: I found a new dermatologist, and guess what she recommended? Yep, Accutane. I lasted about a week before I “noped” out of there. The increased depression just wasn’t worth it, and I vowed never to touch Accutane again.
For anyone considering this treatment, it’s vital to weigh the pros and cons carefully. Trust me, Accutane can give you amazing results, but it comes with a whole suitcase of baggage. Proceed with caution—and maybe stock up on moisturizer. If you have tried almost every product or pill under the sun except for Accutane, please try seeing if its soy/soybean allergy by eliminating it.
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