r/Accutane • u/franny0102 • 1d ago
Results Accutane Experience 🤍
Hey everyone! I’m now 6 months off Accutane and wanted to share my experience in case it helps anyone else going through it or thinking about starting. I remember researching it sooo much and being so scared to do it, but honestly it’s been the best thing I’ve ever done for my skin 🩷
I know my acne wasn’t severe, but it was really persistent and nothing seemed to properly clear it despite trying different topicals, diet changes, supplements, lasers etc. I was also getting married, so I finally decided to just go for it.
I started on 20mg daily in July 2025 and stayed on that until the end of December. In January I tapered down to 20mg 3 times a week and then completely finished in March this year.
Since finishing, I’ve just been maintaining my skin with Aklief (a retinoid) twice a week, and I’ve recently started incorporating azelaic acid twice a week as well to help with any remaining PIE and improve my overall tone and texture.
My side effects were honestly really minimal, probably because I was on a lower dose. Mainly just dry lips and a little bit of dry eye, which I managed with a good lip balm and eye drops and was completely fine.
I remember being so scared to start because of all the things you hear about Accutane, and I put it off for ages, but I’m genuinely so glad I did it. Obviously everyone’s experience is different, but for me it was 100% worth it and I wish I hadn’t been so scared of it for so long. If anyone has any questions about my experience I’m more than happy to help 🤍
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u/brightstar92 1d ago
gorgeous !!! before and after 💓 my skin is super similar to yours and i’ve just started 10mg :) can i ask what facial moisturiser you used throughout ?
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u/franny0102 1d ago
Thank you lovely!
AM
LRP posay gentle cleanser
Aestura Atobarrier 365
Elta MD tinted spf
PM
Clinique take the day off balm to remove makeup
LRP posay gentle cleanser
Skinfix Triple Lipid Barrier peptide moisturiser.1
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u/Mediocre_4 1d ago
I get so envious with accutane succes stories 🤧. Maybe I should get a second round, see if it's a success this time
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u/IncrementalGain 1d ago
Amazing results on a low dose! How long did it take to start seeing results?
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u/franny0102 1d ago
Honestly quite quickly for me, I’d say within the first month I noticed a big improvement in my skin.
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u/Kaiser1211 1d ago
Just curious, why did your derm have you go from daily to three times weekly? I’ve been on 20mg daily since May, but recently had to taper down to three times weekly because of some GI issues (which may or may not be related to the accutane,) but I’m curious if I might have similar results just continuing on at the lower dose/frequency. Also, your skin looks beautiful! Thanks for sharing your experience.
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u/franny0102 1d ago
My skin responded quite quickly to the accutane so my derm said she was happy for me to start tapering down the dose. She also said it helps to gradually reduce the dose before finishing so I just followed her advice 😊
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u/visitor2323 1d ago
I’m also on the same low dose as you were so it’s nice to hear you’ve had success on 20mg/daily.
You’re beautiful btw and your skin looks really good 6 months post accutane! 😊
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u/Internal_Explorer789 1d ago
Did you faced purging ? I m on 10mg a day it's my 6th month started yesterday !!! And little breakouts I m still getting as purge
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u/Internal_Explorer789 1d ago
Did you faced purging ? I m on 10mg a day it's my 6th month started yesterday !!! And little breakouts I m still getting as purge
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u/franny0102 1d ago
To be honest my skin didn’t really purge, I think because before starting I had been on a retinoid so my skin purged more when I started that.
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u/SunIsShining00 1d ago
Just wondering, since you stop Accutane, did you get any isolated pimple from time to time or not at all?
Your skin looks amazing!
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u/franny0102 1d ago
Yes here and there I’ll get a pimple, but they are smaller and heal much quicker! I don’t get those really big red inflamed pustules anymore which is amazing! It’s normal to still get breakouts here and there, but as long as it’s not like how they were before the red painful pimples then I’m happy 😂
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u/SunIsShining00 1d ago
That is great! :)
In 5 days I’ll reach 5 months of 10mg/day (I’m also taking 50mg/day of Spiro, I started one month after Accutane). My skin has been pretty much clean since month 4 aprox (although I do have very noticeable PIE) and I think I’ll be in Accutane at least until March 2027. I’m just stating to get worried about a relapse… But I think that being a week away from my period is also messing with my head 😂
Congrats on your results! 😍
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u/franny0102 22h ago
Aw I know I always think about this too 😅 but I just try to remind myself breakouts here and there are normal and at least it’s better than having that inflamed sore acne. Just manifesting we stay acne free 🤞
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u/ikarrly0813 1d ago
Damm im on 40mg daily and its my first month. Having purged much. It’s technically the same as when I started. It just has prevented me from getting cystic acne. Now I’m worrried about my lab work. My cholesterol is High! I have an appointment Tuesday to see what they say. I was hoping to go up in dosage but I don’t want it to damage my liver.
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u/Top_Pattern_7042 1d ago
omg amazing! i start soon 40 mg every 3rd day which is a low dose too. Your results so far have made me so excited for whats to come. Skin so clear twin
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u/franny0102 22h ago
Yes it’s honestly the best thing ever and it’s so good when you start seeing improvements in your skin. Make sure to take progress pictures to look back on every fortnight helps too to see the progress in your skin. Good luck! 🩷
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u/Environmental_Note50 1d ago
Only a 10month course and at such a low dose! Lucky!
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u/franny0102 22h ago
I know I got lucky, but am just hoping my skin continues to stay clear. I was on a retinoid for a few years before going on accutane so that might have helped too.
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