As far as I can tell from your description, you have not severe acne but rather the kind of minor irregularities of skin tone and texture which respond poorly to any acne treatment. If you started having them a mere couple of days after stopping Accutane, then I wouldn't bother taking it again. I doubt that topical or oral antibiotics will do much for you either. The patients I see with similar complaints I direct to an esthetician for facials, microdermabrasion, and other esthetic treatments. I don't understand why the estheticians' admonition to moisturize makes you "not get the facial." As to the disagreement over whether to moisturize or not, I think that's not a medical issue but one of personal judgment--if it makes your skin look and feel better, do it, and it not don't--up to you.
Eating well is good overall but hasn't much relevance to skin appearance. Cleaning phones of bacteria feels hygienic but is not necessary.
A useful thing for skin that looks "lifeless" is makeup. Worth considering, along with esthetic treatment.
Best.
Dr. Rockoff
can you put non oil free lotion on while using accutane? also, i use foundation that is not oil free. is that okay as well?
Sure, no problem.
Dr. Rockoff
I wish the doctors would have said that from the very beginning. Thank you very much, those are GREAT news and make all the sense in the world. Medications seem to come and go and my face is just oblivious to them. No matter what medication I am on I break out the same. It is not too much just bothersome however combined with the pigmentation irregularities adds up to where it hampers my job which is closely tied to my appearance. It has been professionally and personally frustrating.
The dermatologist told me to stay away from moisturizers while on Accutane because they would not help the treatment. Once the treatment was over and my face kept breaking out she advised me to stay clear of any type of creams, lotions, ect for a while so I am just following directions. I went
You're welcome. I appreciate your response very much.
Good luck.
Dr. Rockoff