Hi I'm about to start Accutane next week. I just saw the derm today and he
gave me the prescription for the blood work to be done. This all should be
done in a few days then I'll pick up the prescription from my derm. Now I know
many side effects and most things to know about Accutane already, but what
should I excpect since I"ve never taken it before? Only thing I worried most
about was thinning hair which derms said he rarely sees anyways. And nose
bleeds? I read about some people using a Q Tip or cotton swab and dipping it
in vaseline, then twirling it around the inside of their nose and it helps with
the dryness. My derm said mineral oil. Which is better to help the nose
bleeds? To put vaseline on the inside of your nose or mineral oil? Because I
want to put something to keep in the inside moist because I don't want to start
having nose bleeds. So which is best to use. And is hair thinning really a
problem? I think it says only 10% hair thinning, but my derm said he rarely
ever sees that. That won't be a problem will it? Can I still get highlights
while on accutane? Thanks and any other suggestions would be appreciated that
I didn't already mention. Also should I buy visine? The eye drops to keep my
eyes moist too. But the most concern I think now is hair thinning. I don't
want to lose any of my hair at all. Thanks

-I never got nose bleeds
-my hair never thinned
-expect your face to be a *million* times worse than it is today, but don't
panic it simmers down about 3-4 weeks in.
-my vision was on the blurry side but i never had dry eyes
-the only thing that dried up on me was lips and fingernails
-don't know about the highlight thing (ask Kita-she knows everything!) ^_^

-cleared me up to peaches and cream (except scars of course) and 6 years
later I'm still clear.

GodSpeed DMP!! You'll be beautiful by Easter....

^_^ L

You seem so stressed. Maybe accutane will cause more mental problem for you
than the acne problem you trying to treat.

Accutane has side effect which is why despite my acne problem I refuse to turn
to this. I rather be depress and ugly than worry if my liver fail or other
worry my mind will conjure up.

Dragan

My derm told me that whatever hair fell out it would most grow back later but
I never did have hair loss. I think highlights would be ok, I had my hair
frosted while on it and no problems.
You will find what works best for your dryness, it will be worse than you think
but worth it. I'm still nice and clear after 3 years. anna

thank you for your input. but what do you mean it will be worse than I think?
What exactly will be worse than I think.......Do you mean the dryness, or how
bad the side effects are?

And does it have to get worse before it gets better? What if you only have
mild acne.......just persistant, but still considered mild. Does the acne
still have to get worse first before it gets better? Or does that only happen
to some people? Thanks

Absolutely.

I had "moderate." Before treatment I had a few places on my face that were
clear (like mere centimeters). But the week after I started Accutane I
didn't have one millimeter of clear skin and new stuff appeared like never
before...I started to get cysts and nodules on my forehead! I never had them
there. BUT I cleared up just fine (perfectly)...don't worry about it.

^_^ L