Acne Support Group

Ive been on Accutane twice, once when i was about 15 and then again at the age of 27...i have suffered from acne since the age of 14 and i am now 38. The only thing i experienced from the medication was dry lips. No mental problems. I was taking it for 6 months then switched off to Retin-A

If you can keep your head above water (ie realise when you are having downs and not get too depressed) then the effect of the medication and having clear skin will far out weigh any interim depression you may suffer because of the meds. It feels totally amazing to have clear skin, you will feel great - just keep reminding yourself there is an awesome light at the end of the tunnel. I personally have suffered depression and I don't think it was made worse by accutane. The end result made me very happy.

If you want to try it, just make sure your doctor knows you have a history with deppression and stop taking it if you get to down and call your doctor. It is very true that the results. And even progress made me happy too. Jst don't forget to moisturize!

thanks for the replys everyone. My doc has sent me to a derm to get it as he said he couldn't prescribe the drug. Do you think if tell the derm about my history of mental illness he/she will not prescribe? i am a little worried about that, as i am desperate to rid my acne. I am on anti-depressants do you think those pills might conteract the accutane symtoms of depression?

thanks

I have just finished accutane, about 2 weeks ago and it has cleared up my skin amazingly. I must say though, that in my 1st month, I was very emotional unstable, cried a lot and lost my appetite , but that all went away from month 2..

Ive been on accutane for about a month. I also have depression and have done for years. Ironically I came onto this site tonite because Im beside myself with depression today and wanted to see if anyone was on here in the same boat. My advice is, that you know yourself best so if you get extremely down then get straight back to the doc

i wouldnt advise anyone to take accutane or retin-a unless really need to do so and everything else is working for you, both of these actully in long term really ruin your skin. They thin down the epidermis by making the skin shed quicker, this is kinda how it helps you acne. This also means most beauty treatments are out of the question, deffo no eyebrow waxes! Becasue the skin is being thinned down then you may actaully rip of the skin with waxing, and it can promote premature ageing. Learnt that in college..didnt know about these side effects before

Hiya, i have been on accutane for 6 - 7 weeks now and i have suffered long term depression in the past and i have been absolutley fine, the only side effects i have suffered so far is dry lips, scalp and face and really bad breakouts but apparently you have to just be patient and stick at it and eventually your skin should be amazing. On alot of internet sites so many people are always complaining about the side effects but i think once you have lived with acne you would be willing to put up with dry skin for a few months to end up with the results, hope this has helped x x x x

i too have ocd and anxiety-depression and i take zoloft and my skin has been total shit for over ten yrs and i am on accutane and cant wait to see the results from it in the end i pray it works for me as i know it has for so many others and it hasnt affected me mentally and im super hypersensitive to all meds

Princess Poppy: "i wouldnt advise anyone to take accutane or retin-a unless really need to do so and everything else is working for you, both of these actully in long term really ruin your skin. They thin down the epidermis by making the skin shed quicker, this is kinda how it helps you acne. This also means most beauty treatments are out of the question, deffo no eyebrow waxes! Becasue the skin is being thinned down then you may actaully rip of the skin with waxing, and it can promote premature ageing. Learnt that in college..didnt know about these side effects before "
....
It does shed your skin whilst you are on it... but that is only a short term effect. The long term effect is that it shrinks your oil pruducing glands back down to the size they should be.... meaning you wont produce more oil than you should. so dont panic!!! =]