Accutane Journey (Week 3)

On 27 July 2015 (Day 16, third week), the bumps are still there. I still have about 20 pimples. Some bumps have subsided after I squeezed out the whiteheads. To be honest, it is hard not to accidentally pop the whiteheads as they are protruding. I noted some blood in the nostrils when i blow my nose. This is prob because the skin has become thinner. My lips are still fine as i put a generous layer of lipbalm. I am using Vasline's lip therapy (100% petrolatum) 

Day 17, more cystic acne formed. I wonder if it is because my mensus was coming. The skin has also become dry and flaky, making the skin harder to heal when it was pricked. As much as I would encourage you not to prick it, i understand how much u want to squeeze the pus out to reduce the bumps. I wasn't able to control myself hence i would expect a delay in recovery as the cystic acne of one spot may have spread to other parts of the skin when I pricked before it was "ripe". Darn... 

Accutane Journey (Week 2)

Day 8, the 23 active spots remain red and active. I started to have itchy scalp. I read some blog reviews that accutane makes scar easier, slows down healing process, red marks will take a few months to fade. I will try to observe the cycle of pimples with and without picking. I quote other bloggers' observations as below:

"If you don't pick-
1 day: Ahh huge whitehead of pus
2 day: Dark brown whitehead of pus
3 day: Where the *@#&*# did it go?!
--
If you do-
1 day: Ahh pop huge whitehead of pus
2 day: Ahh huge redmark of pus 

4 day: Another pimple grows elsewhere

4 month: Ahh huge redmark of pus"

In terms of emotions, I do not feel much difference other than being more anti-social. I chose to go for lunches on my own and when I am eating, I tried to motivate myself by reading other people's accutance progress through the website www.acne.org. It helped that many reviewers advised not to give up.

Accutane Journey (Week 1)

On 12 July 2015, I decided to begin my Accutane Journey. I went to Niks Maple Clinic in Jurong East and was served by Dr Handry Gumanti. Nice doctor and I felt he was sincere. I am 54kg and based on my weight, I was prescribed 30mg (20mg after breakfast + 10mg after dinner). The doctor will first warn you of the possible side effects. NO PREGNANCY ALLOWED during the course of the medication and 4 weeks after the medication, as it can cause birth defects. Side effect warnings include lips dry, skin flaky, headache, body ache, blurry vision etc. The entire course of the medication will take 8 months. Hence the earliest I can plan for pregnancy is in April 2016. The doctor will also do a blood draw and conduct a health screen to check if your liver is functioning properly and if your cholesterol is at a healthy range.

Roaccutane, bought from Niks Maple Clinic (2 boxes for $295, inclusive consultation)

On Day 3, I can feel my pores getting smaller and areas which were red started to have whiteheads surfacing. I believe the accutane has begun its effects in purging. Areas which were red probably have hidden acne below the skin which were not ripe yet to surface up. I do not feel my lips or skin are dry yet because i have been putting on lip balm and mositurizer consciously. My daily routine has also reduced significantly. I only dab a little Dalacin T (Clindamycin) on the pimple areas and apply moisturizer throughout the face.

Day 6, my face continued to purge. I have about 23 (big and small) active spots. Some large n bumpy cystic acne. Some small n protruding. I couldnt really cover with my makeup as the bumps could be seen regardless how thick I cover. I started to wonder how long will this purging process last and how many more bumps will I have. This period of time is emotionally challenging. Writing my day to day progress does help me to calm my nerves. I read some reviews on acne.org and I am glad there are many people who wrote posts to encourage others to keep going. I read that the purging period is about 1-2 weeks. I just have to hang on...