Thinking about taking Accutane-Is it worth it?

[SedativeChunk]

Ok, I am 17 now and I have had acne for about 4 years now. I have tried every treatment in the book. Over the counter medications, prescription medications, antibiotics, benzoyl peroxide creams and ointments, face cleanings at the dermatoligist, and nothing has been effective. The most results I will ever get is when I first take something, in the first few days it will work and then the zits will come back again.
Besides my face, I have a severe outbreak of blackheads that cover my chest. They are disgusting and ugly, and I can't stand them no more. I try soaps to rinse with, and maybe some cream, but I don't get any results. These blackheads are also mildly on my back.
After a year of treatment, my dermatologist finally told me that the treatments where clearly not working, and I could see that myself, as I told her. She then told me about accutane, and told me the biggest downsides where dry skin and possible problems with the liver (but this is only in alcoholics from which I read now and I don't drink at all). It sounded to scary at first.
Well today in school, we randomly got into a discussion about acne in class. One of my friends I have known for a very long time, and is an honest person, told me he took the medicine. I remember him being covered in acne as bad as mine, and he said he took the accutane, and I personally can see the results. His face is perfect, and he said the only side effect he had was chapped lips. I had the name of the medicine my dermatologist told me about, and sure enough, it was accutane. She told me to look into it monthes ago and then I kinda stopped going to the dermatologist.
What do you others think I should do? I have never been a depressed or suicidal person. Hair loss isn't hugely common but my dad did have it, yet, I have a full, healthy head of hair that I even bleach and dye and it still is perfectly healthy. I come to realize that there is no other "real" treatment that is guaranteed to kill the acne and blackheads as well as accutane supposedly does. My friend was on it for only one month and had great results with no side effects, on his face and chest he was cleared.
My skin is very oily, I am sick and tired of all the useless junk I use on the acne on my face that never works, I am sick of getting wholes poked in my face, and I am sick of the disgusting blackheads. Do you think if I took a low dos of this medicine for about a month that I could get some results without the terrible side effects, and are these side effects even real?

[xpert008]

First you have to identify your skin type. Is it dry/sensitive, combination, oily, is it oily in spots and dry in other areas? I always thought that only people with oily skin had acne problems, but this is not true. People with dryer skin have the worst acne. A good moisturizer, believe it or not, will lessen acne. If you're a clean person, as you seem to be, acne is most likely caused by stress, dieting, and maybe your skin being too dry. When your skin is too dry, your body releases oils to compensate for the dryness, but too much can build and this can cause acne. It's tough to find a good balance. Your skin should be hydrated, but not have a layer of grease on it. Also, keep your hands off of your face throughout the day.

I suggest a benzoyl peroxide cleanser at 2.5% strength (the best for blackheads). Apply a dime-sized amount to your face and also use Dove fragrance free moisturizer for sensitive skin. Do this 2-step routine in the morning after your shower and at night after you wash your face. Apply about a two pea-sized amount of the moisturizer to your hands, rub hands slightly, then apply to your face. Don't use too much or you will appear oily. Toner is basically useless, unless you have really oily skin.

[xpert008]

Sorry, don't know anything about accutane because my skin was never that bad. But I have heard horror stories of it messing up your skin even more in the future and only working temporarily.

[venora]

accutane works because of its abilty to changed the function of the pore and its size.It also reduces oil production. I hope that helps.
Love Venora

[pixijal]

You sound like a prime candidate for Accutane.  I too, took it at 17, and have no regrets.  You do know that it is NOT safe if there is a chance you could become pregnant, as it causes severe birth defects.  So, it is best to get this done before you enter your 20's and possibly begin thinking about getting pregnant.  

As having oily skin, you may kind of like the lack of oil you will experience on your face during the use of Accutane.  It will make your hands, feet, and lips very dry, and possibly cause them to crack if you don't treat it.  

I didn't experience any side effects that were uncomfortable.  It is best to use it while your young to prevent further breakouts and possible scarring.  

You won't curse your oily skin forever....those with oily skin, have more 'lubrication';  therefore, get LESS deep wrinkles!  ;0)

[hellohellohello]

I took roaccutane, (same as 'accutane' I believe) when I was in my early 20's.  It changed my life for the better, I know it doesn't for everyone and there are groups trying to stop the drug, but I was so depressed, shy and withdrawn because of my cystic acne (face & back) that I wasn't sure what the better option was i.e. could the side effects of accutane have been any worse than the 'psychological side effects' of my acne which was destroying my confidence etc etc.  I took it for six months, but I'm not sure if the period of time is important - I think you're prescribed a certain amount based on your weight and once you've taken that you theoretically should be right?  
Well... I was a new person after the six months of my lips basically falling off daily (layer/s of skin peeling off ), my face being incredibly dry and I was terrified of losing hair but didn't.  So now that I'm about 7 or 8 years down the track I still run my hands over my face and marvel at how there are no painful cysts in the most obvious of places on my face e.g. in between my eyes, on my chin or the edge of my top lip so that the whole world saw them.  I'll never forget how unbelievably bad I felt with acne, I used to feel sorry for my family and friends who had to look at me, you can imagine how I felt inside - it's all coming back now....
So I took it, and I was terrified as I popped that first pill because I knew there could be serious consequences, you can't be sure of the short or long term side effects - and then add in that 'we all respond differently'.  I always read all I can about any drug before I decide to take it or not and I recommend that to you if you haven't already done it.  Then decide if accutane is for you.

[hellohellohello]

I should also have said that I tried EVERYTHING for about 8 or 9 years before taking accutane, from every brand of face wash, oral and topical antibiotics, methylated spirits!,  squeezing, not squeezing, facial scrubs, masks, benzoyl peroxide creams - you name it... I would have eaten ten raw eggs a day if someone had told me it would help.  I still woke every day and ran my hand over my face to find none of it worked.

It would be better if we didn't have 'photoshopped' models plastered all over the media telling us how fabulous our skin should look but that's not reality.

GOOD LUCK.