Just started accutane

[ElDictator]

Hi,
I just found this message board today and its a really comforting thought that there are others going through the samething I am. Anyhoo, I started accutane today, 40mg a day, and had a couple of questions.
-How bad is the initial breakout?
-How soon until you started to see some positive effects (I realize this varies from person to person but i just wanted a general idea)
-Do you still (or are you still supposed to) put creams, and things of the sort, on your face while on accutane?
-What kinds of products (like the name of the brand) do you guys use to deal with acne? Whats the regiment?

I probably shouldve asked the derm yesterday but was very excited by the fact that he prescribed it that I couldnt think...
Any help, suggestions, or things to watch out for would be really apreciated...
Thanks in advance

[AcneTeen]

Okay, I'm just starting accutane so I can only answer one of the questions.

Don't use creams and stuff on your face. The only thing you should do is wash your face daily with a mild soap. I told my derm i was using Cetaphil and he said that was great and to only use that while on Accutane.

[ElDictator]

Oh I seriously hope thats not true. So your just supposed to let that breakout happen? Thats gonna be horrible if youre right. Can someone verify?

[Annie*]

I've been on accutane for 2 weeks now and I think I'm just starting my intial breakout (I can't tell because I breakout all the time anyway but I just developed a cyst the size of Jupiter on my chin) Although I read an article on accutane that said a small percentage of people's acne gets WAY worse before it gets better and about half of accutane users' acne gets SLIGHTLY worse before clearing while the other half does not experience an intial breakout at all.

I use either purpose or cetaphil as a daily cleanser and nothing else. Accutane is very potent so you do not need any topicals.

I think seeing significant improvement depends on the person. I've heard some people's skin improves in 3 weeks while others do not see results for 5-6 months. Happy Accutaning!

[ElDictator]

Thanks for repliess!!
What about topical stiff for the face as opposed to pills?