An Accutane Experience in Pictures

Thanks everyone!

I don't have much to say other than to reply to the kindness you have shown me in your messages that come in every once in awhile-- but seriously-- THANK YOU for your notes!

It's really nice for me to know I made some small, positive difference in someone's life-- and you ladies and gents that let me know you appreciated this site are freakin awesome!

I wish there was more for me to add...

I know that one of my biggest concerns when I started this whole process was the risk (as some of you that have written me mentioned) of the first treatment not working for a long term, and the possibility of having to go multiple bouts with this stuff before exorcising this demon from our lives for good...
The only way for me to show that sometimes... (maybe most times) this stuff works it's wonders the first time perfectly, is to prove it with evidence.
So here's another now-years-later (as in: current) and STILL blissfully acne-free picture  : )

For those of you that didn't get to kick it the first time, fret not-- watch your diet (clean food adds so much to the overall health of the body) stay fit... and keep with it-- I know how absolutely staggering a change I have experienced (a very positive change) post-acne, and I deeply wish the very same experience for each and every one of you that are considering Accutane, or are in the process of your first (or even repeat) treatment.

I believe in this stuff, and I hope you have the success with it that I have!

All photo albums updated with current pics:)

Hi everyone:)

     Just decided to snap a few current shots on a whim, as it's been a long time since the most recent ones, and I wanted those of you who were curious to see how everything's going to feel warm and fuzzy inside. 
Sorry about the formatting/cropping/position-- they don't exactly match the rest because I didn't exactly care as much about getting it perfect this time :p

Everything is as it was before as far as the day-to-day; sporadic pink bastards here and there, but they are usually alone and only last a few days before going away. (Still hitting them with the Proactiv that I have when they jump out of my nightmares to spook me.) I am also using the Oxy pads as frequently as I can (which is around 3 times a day) in addition to showering both immediately after work and before bed. So far, so good.

I know that I am nearing the point that some people's recurrence begins, and I am conscious of it...but there's really nothing that I can do aside from maintaining good hygeine and skin care habits.

I hope all of you who are thinking about this treatment go forward with it... please read the comments by some of the readers here-- they are important reminders about some of the very real risks that a small portion of the users of this drug experience-- BE EDUCATED: LIFE HURTS LESS.

To those of you who are in the ugly stages of the regimen, when it feels and looks like your face has taken on the challenge of looking like a pizza-- and it hurts to shave, and you want to scream but your throat is so dry you don't think you could...well... buy an electric razor, and STAY HYDRATED--it makes such a HUGE difference!

You will get through it, and you will feel healthier, and you will finally wake up and look forward to seeing yourself in the mirror making funny faces as you brush your teeth in the morning.

Believe me--- that feeling is the most wonderful thing in the world.

So...how permanent is Accutane anyway?

I just finished working out ('cause as you can see from my pics, I totally make Arnold Schwartz-a-however-you-spell-his-name look like Steve Erkle) and afterwards I decide to take a tally of the acne currently on my body.

I currently have three mini-blemishes on my face, essentially invisible to everyone but me looking into the mirror @ 8 inches, where they seem like they measure an inch across), a few on my neck above the hairline that don't feel quite as mini, and one decent-sized one on my chest. These are all pretty new. I think in the last three weeks or so I have really become conscious of them showing up sporadically (though for awhile I was 100% clear). I ended my accutane treatment on  August 26th, 2004. That's a bit over 5 months ago. Erm....

So as I may have mentioned before, I am more than a little paranoid about the whole thing... what scares me the most is not *that* they're appearing, but *where* they are. The biggest ones so far have been on my jawline/cheek, and on my chest near the collarbone.

Exactly where my demonic worst-of-the-worst cysts were. Exactly where the scars from those cycts still are.

I know that it's not uncommon for sporadic, minor blemishes to appear post-treatment. I've read about it, and have been told by the derm that it can happen. But the frequency at which new acne is appearing is starting to worry me.

Well...no matter what happens, I know I'm glad that I only look goofy, and not hideous, right now. Maybe I'll schedule a follow-up with the doc? Just because I haven't seen him in half a year, and he's a cool guy-- it probably can't hurt-- and I may ask him about the scarring while I'm there. It doesn't really bother me, as it's 1/10 of what severe cystic acne is, (hell, it''s almost like battle-scars that I earned from years of suffering-- and they're so subtle now that I'm almost proud to show them off, hehe) but I would like to know whether to expect it to continue to diminish or if it's as good as it's gonna get.

That's it for now I suppose.

Until next time:)

PS--Oh...you might have noticed two little text ads on the page...um...I'm kinda embarassed to ask, but if the 12 of you that come here wouldn't mind clonking one of 'em every once in awhile, the couple of cents here and there would help me pay for this exciting and fun-filled site each month. No pressure, and I won't mention it often-- I hate them too-- but...well...enough of that...thanks in advance:)

PPS-- What the hell are trackbacks? I have no clue.

Neck progress pictures are up.

Contain your excitement, all three of you that have seen this site ;)

I'm trying to figure out a way to let those who might find this information useful know about this place. How do you get something like this noticed? I don't want to spam up all the places I go to, but I do want people to see what they're getting into...if anybody sees this, and has any suggestions, I'd be grateful.