4 months IN

4 months into Accutane & Chill and shit went crazy. So last time I posted was around the end of August. I had my follow up with Dr. Schaen on 8/23 and flew out to NOLA on 8/26. I had to make a call to the pharmacy and let them know that I would have my brother pick it up before the iPledge deadline of 1159pm on 8/28. When my flight landed and I settled into my hotel room, I called the pharmacy to see if the order would arrive on Monday before the deadline. The answer was yes. I enjoyed my mini vacation, but bright and early Monday morning I called the pharmacy and they hadn't received the order. They offered an option to pick up my Rx at another CVS pharmacy. They transferred the Rx and I sent my brother there.

 

I returned home Tuesday morning and saw the pharmacy bag on the table. I opened it and there was only 1 box. My Rx is for 2 boxes. Some days past and I realized that my one box was coming to an end and I've yet to hear about the 2nd box. I called my regular pharmacy and inquired about the 2nd box. They said the shipment never came, so I asked where is my 2nd box? They advised that the CVS they transferred my Rx to should have it. I called the 2nd CVS pharmacy and they didn't have it. I spent 2 hrs back and forth between 2 pharmacies who couldn't tell me who owed me my 2nd box.

 

I called my dermatologist office and they said X amount of days had passed and the iPledge program is requesting that I come in and give a urine sample and go thru a full follow up. How am I going thru this, when it's the pharmacy that didn't fill the Rx as written? I didn't want to deal with CVS anymore and asked to have my Rx sent to Kroger or Walgreens.

 

All of this happened on Friday 9/15. The dermatologist couldn't get me in with Dr. Schaen, so I was set up to see Dr. Ngozi, Monday 8/18 @ 1pm. Pissed I agreed. Monday came and I was pleasantly surprised to have been seen by an African American dermatologist. Leaving the office, I set up my next follow-up for 15 days out with Dr. Ngozi(will no longer be seeing Dr. Schaen. Personally I feel as a black woman, I should be seen by another BLACK women.) They need me to fast so they can draw blood and test my cholesterol and make sure my Liver is intact. The Rx they sent in that day was only for a 15 day supply and was ready 2 days later. They sent it right back to CVS. I gave up on trying to change that. By the time I picked it up, I had been without my daily CLARAVIS dosage for 6 days. Thankfully my skin is at a stage where I'm not breaking out, so it didn't revert back.

 

My blood work will be done at 7am on 10/4 and I'll be put back on my full 30 day dosage of 60mg of CLARAVIS.

 

My skin has been doing it's thing. I attended a wedding in Columbus, GA. The wedding was BEAUTIFUL, but it was so HOT outside, my face was red the entire time. I'm still using the Sebuderm to minimize redness and it does what it's supposed, unless I'm overexposed to HEAT. IT's semi blotchy in areas where the cystic acne was most prevelant. I guess that will fixed itself with time or something topical in the future.

.

.

.

Showered

.

.

.

Got dressed and headed to work

.

.

.

settled in at work

.

.

.

and here's my face

 

Will be back after my follow up Wednesday!

 

 

1/4 year

Had an interesting month for my skin... I'll talk about it later... progress photos to come.

Here's to day 120 (4 months of #accutane&chill)

90 days in & 90 to go

Made it this far. 

My follow up with Dr. Schaen was on 8/23 and things are going as expected. I have redness that needs to subside. I asked the Dr what her guesstimated endtime would be and she suggested another 3 months. I'll need to come in for a follow up and she'll need to see no pimples at all on my face, neck, chest, back and or shoulders before she can end my treatment.

YAY

{INSERT SARCASM}

Improvement is all that can take place from there. Still looking way better than day 1, so here's to clearer skin

With flash

.

.

.

Showered

.

.

.

Got dressed and headed to work

.

.

.

settled in at work

.

.

.

and here's my face

Here's to another 90 days...

With time

So, I've been gone for a while......

Readjusting after vacation. Working crazy overtime hours. Trying to rest in between. More recently, I've been doing all 3 in addition to trying to have somewhat of a social life. It's been interesting to say the least.

July 19th, I went for my follow-up visit. It wasn't a good visit for me due to the fact that the dermatologist office that I've went to for the last 2 yrs was bought by a new company. My dermatologist that started me on my treatment was no longer there. I saw a new dermatologist and it was very off putting to me, because I wasn't not familiar with her. 

Needless to say, she advised that I'll be going up to 60mg CLARAVIS, taking a 30mg capsule twice a day. In addition to upping my dosage, she Rx'd me a topical ointment called SEBUDERM to minimize redness. 

I did not like that at all. I feel like the treatment can become harsher and to add in another Rx would be too much. I left feeling MEHHHH, for a lack of better words.

The weekend came and went and I had so much going on, that I missed taking the last 2 of my 40mg capsules on 7/22 & 7/23. On 7/25 I finished off my last 40mg capsule and started taking 2 30mg a day on 7/26. Today, 7/28 marks 57 days I've been taking CLARAVIS and with each day that passes I feel more and more like my old self. Is my skin 100% clear? NO, but it's that it's been in months and I am happy with the progress.

Start: June 1st

After picking up my RX on May 22nd, I decided to start taking Accutane on June 1st.
Memorial Day weekend was approaching and I had wine I needed to finish.

With that time in between, I thought about what time of day I'd take my pill, because it's suggested that it be taken at the same time every day.
730pm worked out best for me. It's the time I wake up to go to work and on my days off I'm usually going to bed later than that.

So date and time set

.

.
.
.
.
Thursday, June 1st 2017, I woke up at 730pm, walked into the kitchen, grabbed one of these

because it's also suggested that you take the pill with fatty foods such as avocado.
Seemed like regular avocado aren't in season and I hate HAAS avocado, so this will do for now.
Walked back into my room and on my night stand, there it was, ready to be taken:

Before getting in the shower, I took pics of my face {bed hair included}, so I can compare later on.

With flash

Without flash.

.
.
.
Shower
.
.
.
Got dressed
.
.
.
Got to work
.
.
.
Here's my face

after using Kiehl's Ultra Facial cleanser and then applying the Ultra Facial Cream with SPF 30

Product HAUL

I finished up most products I already had at home.

The timing of me starting Accutane and this product haul was on point.

Every product I purchased emphasized HYDRATION, MOISTURIZER & SUNSCREEN.

Going into this battle strong with:

On my nightstand

In the bathroom

 {I plan to return to Kiehl's and purchase a travel size supply of the Ultra Facial Cream with SPF30 as well as a bigger supply of the Ultra Facial Cleanser}

In my handbag

The Derma-E Hydrating Facial Wipes I have yet to use.
I bought it in the event I feel the need to refresh my face during my 10hr night shift or if I'm not going straight home after work.

At my desk at work

These I had prior to prepping for Accutane.

I'll continue taking Biotin daily. A vegetarian soft gel with Cold-pressed organic coconut oil that supports nail growth/strength and fuller/healthier looking hair.

The Flurandrenolide Lotion is a milder version of the Clobetasol Propionate Cream.
They both aid with itchy skin, which I'd been experiencing since I came back from Ft. Lauderdale intermittently.
No visible signs as to why my skin itched, it just did.
I use it as needed and not daily, because I realized only when I'm HOT do I start to itch.
So staying cool and taking cool showers keeps me from having to slather up constantly.

Outta here

So pretty much from the very first day the word Accutane penetrated my eardrums I took the Internets to see what other people have had to say about their experience.

Instagram, YouTube, Pinterest, Twitter and even Facebook kinda sent me over the deep end.
I was super nervous about this treatment and 2nd guessed my decision before even starting.

I critiqued the products I was already using at home and began throwing things away.
One day on Facebook, I came across an article from XONecole on Jacq's Organics and how the company came to be.
In the article one part stood out to me:

“I already shopped at farmer’s markets because I was a very conscious buyer, but the more I researched, [I realized] everything in my refrigerator was soy. I learned that it mimics estrogen and that was feeding my thyroid.” From hummus and chickpeas to chicken and white rice, Barbara learned – and spread the word – that her food choices were killing her... “And then I look, and I have this make-up artist display of products in my closet,” she continued. “I have bags of MAC make-up, Estee Lauder, Clinique…it was crazy. I just started throwing my stuff away, and that’s when, for me, when I felt that sense of calmness.”

Those products – the ones she placed in her hair and on her skin – were causing equal amounts of damage to her health. And just like over 70% of all beauty products catering to Black women, they included “the dirty dozen”. “The dirty dozen is basically a list of 12 common ingredients that you will find in, not just skin and hair products, but also in food that are a no-no,” Barbara explained. “They’re linked to cancer, birth defects, ovarian issues, stuff that has harmful side effects. But it’s ingredients, preservatives, and products that are basically in everyday [items] that we don’t even think about. Everything from toothpaste to clothes, canned goods, sugar, milk – everything.”

Once I finished the article, I took to my fridge and bathroom and was like

Why? Because cystic acne is commonly referred to as hormonal acne, I felt it was a smart move to look for products with SOY in it and not purchase them and or not use them if I already had them at home.
My trusty Aveeno products had soy in it... I didn't throw them away, I placed them under the bathroom sink.
Out of sight, out of mind, right?

The day after I picked up my Rx, I made a trip to the mall and killed two birds with one stone.
I got my eyes brows threaded happily as it's one of the few things I CAN do during my Accutane treatment.
I love my eyebrow threading lady and I had a chat with her about what I'd be putting my body thru.
She was very understanding and gave me a little advise.
She asked "Do you have an IUD?"
I said "YES, Mirena." She then said "that's your problem.
Mirena affects your hormonal levels."

Two different ways of being informed about hormones, just set me up on a better path to be mindful of the products I use on and in my body.

Do your OWN research!!!

This blog documentation of my skin prior to, during and eventually after Accutane all started because  it was kind of difficult to find women with complexions other than white to fair.
There were a few women of color who shared PARTS of their Accutane journey mainly via Youtube.
They however didn't get into much detail, or didn't show their skin without makeup or just talked about how they maintained the dryness they experienced with makeup.

They all emphasized ONE thing though: protecting your lip from severe dryness.
Their recommendation:

AQUAPHOR Lip Repair Immediate Relief

{They advised to use it often, especially when going to sleep}

I bought enough to have one at my desk at work, on my night stand, in my bathroom and in both handbags I'm currently alternating between.
{On the hunt for Aquaphor Lip Protectant + Sunscreen}
Coming from someone who was an avid Carmex user and from someone who has never had dry/chapped lips I decided to by one and try it...I LOVED it.
Even after my treatment, I'll continue to use it.

Due top the fact that Accutance is going to halt oil production in your skin, mainly your face where the acne is most prevalent, you don't want to invest or continue to use facial cleansing products that will strip you skin of oils(that aren't there).
Sooooooooo...

HYDRATION ■ HYDRATION ■ HYDRATION

To Pinterest I went for all my visual aids and I immediately saw a trend.
I noticed a couple of brands that others who were on or are on an Accutane journey being used:
Eucerin
Aquaphor
Aveeno
Kiehl's

from TheMRSandTheMomma

from ThisYouNeed

from PrettyLittleGrub

I eventually made up my mind on a combination pf products to use.

iPLEDGE allegiance to ACCUTANE

The process involved with starting Accutane:

■Urine sample to rule out pregnancy. 

■A blood sample that same day but my veins kept rolling, so NO DICE.

■Was given a booklet titled The iPLEDGE Program
ISOTRETINOIN EDUCATIONAL KIT 

FOR FEMALE PATIENTS WHO CAN GET PREGNANT"

{The Importance of Avoiding Pregnancy on Isotreatinoin}

Inserted in the booklet, were two sets of documents that I had to sign multiple times signifying that I understand I can not start Accutane if I am pregnant nor can I get pregnant during my treatment.

■Dermatologist filed copies of my signed documents.
■In the booklet, I was provided my iPLEDGE number.

■Dermatologist office registered with iPLEDGE and started the process on their end.
■Returned 30 days later{Wednesday May 17th, 17} gave my blood sample & was given my Rx.
{I was told to wait until Friday before registering & dropping the Rx off}
■Dermatologist office completes the iPLEDGE process on their end.
■Register myself with iPLEDGE online and answered a questionnaire that once again signified that I understood I can not start Accutane if I am pregnant nor can I get pregnant during my treatment.
■Dropped my Rx off Friday morning.
■Pharmacy registers and completes their part of the iPLEDGE process.
■Picked up my Rx of CLARVIS{brand name version}of Isotretinoin on Monday May 22nd, 17'

Being that Memorial Day weekend was approaching, I made a decision to not start immediately.

Wrecked but HOPEFUL

(Clears throat) 90% of my life I had not a worry in the world when it came to acne.
My fatter, ate whatever I wanted self had no worries and as of 2 years ago, my healthier, ate cautiously self had not one worry either.
Turn 30 and WHAMM
  ACNE came in like


I've tried over the counter acne solutions.
I've been Rx'd a combo of Retin-A Mirco, Onexton & Solodyn, which worked for a few months then stopped.
After getting the chemical type burn on my face from applying my Rx'd acne medication immediately after using a spin brush, I ventured into natural remedies:
■Vitamin E Oil
■Tea Tree Oil
■African Black Soap
■Coconut Oil
■Baking Soda
■Tumeric
They all provided short lived relief but no permanent fix.

I've revisited Dunwoody Dermatology and saw Dr. Sonya Bellamy.
She strongly advised to go the Accutane route.
She warned me of the excessive dryness and other major & minor side effects.
So many questions came to mind:
■face product suggestions❔
■daytime routines❓
■nighttime routines❔
■do's & don'ts❓
■sunblock suggestions❔
■pros & cons❔
■would this interfere with my gym routine❓

...and then this happened

One night, I went into work for some overtime. 

As the time went by I noticed that I was working harder that the regularly scheduled staff. 

Highly frustrated, I lost it and went AWF!

After venting my frustrations, I went to the restroom and there it was: a cluster of cystic acne along my right jawline. Within a week or so, my face turned into:

In an attempt to ease my frustrations at work, I took a 3 day trip to Ft. Lauderdale.

I had a decent time away, however I came to another realization.

FLORIDA WATER DOES NOT AGREE WITH MY SKIN.
It just got worse.

at this point I felt...HELPLESS

Spring 17' SPRUNG

& so did my breakout {AGAIN}

I honestly thought I was in the clear. But NOPE.

My acne came back slowly and not just on my face. 

It appeared now on my chest, back and shoulders. Thankfully not CYSTIC but still as frustrating.

Incessantly, I used natural oils, soaps and tried to exfoliate this breakout away, but NO DICE.
I scrubbed and exfoliated to no end, until one unlucky day, I used a spin brush on my face with my Cetaphil cleanser.
Not giving it enough time after patting my face dry I immediately applied Retin-A micro and felt a tingle.
Thinking nothing of it I applied Onexton and


I didn't know if to add water to it and wash it off or what, so I sat through the burning tingle that was happening on my face.
When I woke up, I had some sort of chemical like burn going from the sides of my nose outward to my cheeks and the outer sides of my mouth.
The areas that were burning got coarse and peeled for days.

I was so over my skin that I sent a message through the patient portal asking to switch dermatologists.
I inquired about Dr. Sonya Bellamy again and was happy to hear she had a opening on April 17th, 17'.
Booked it asap and threw away every piece of Rx'd acne medication I owned from my previous dermatologist.

Back to basics

Jan 20th, 2017 I was back to basics with my face.

The soreness around my chin was gone and the gash was completely healed.

Jan 28th, 2017 my face was clear.
There was a cluster of acne along my left jawline, but it was barely visible.
Treated my problem areas to a Bentonite clay mask and felt renewed.

Dairy AIN'T for me

That Dairy ain't no joke. 

After consuming Dairy for 30 years,  I had a painful episode of cystic acne last April- Sept.
So painful I had to put ice packs on my face to ease the pain.
Dermatologist advised me to cut Dairy out of my diet completely.
Took his advise and that episode hasn't repeated itself since... 

Came across this post on instagram

from GMO_GUS

An acne-riddled bodybuilder has revealed the surprising dietary tips that cleared his complexion.

Brian Turner, 23, turned to veganism after exhausting every possible solution to rid his face of the large pus-filled cysts that had haunted him since puberty.

He guaranteed others could banish acne if they dropped all dairy out of their diet, drank a gallon of water a day and ate at least 10 to 16 servings of vegetables a day.

In an Instagram video posted to his 70,000 followers, Mr Turner revealed the secrets behind his crystal-clear complexion. 'So I used to have super severe acne all over my face. I had nodular cysts - four, five, six of them - over my face every single day of my life,' he said.

#govegan 🌱