Roaccutane Review

 

 This is Roaccutane, the strongest and meanest drug available in the United Kingdom to treat Acne.  It is a strong vitamin A supplement.

I decided to review my experience on Roaccutane for you guys as when I was starting out myself there was not much positive information on this drug, only warnings!

Yes the warnings are there for a reason, as the side effects are pretty unfriendly, but I am here to talk about the positives from this drug, and how much of a life changer it is if you suffer with acne.

I started by going to see my GP. When I was 13 I started getting acne, specifically acne vulgaris. This is a common type of acne including symptoms like redness, raised skin, sore and delicate areas, whiteheads, and big and small spots all over my face and a few on my back.

I had tried everything from my doctors surgery on prescription for my acne. From antibiotics, to gels and face washes. They had nothing else on their list to give me, except a referral to a dermatologist. 

It was the best decision possible, and although it had been a 3 year journey to get my first course of a drug that actually helped my skin it was worth the wait.

Waiting for the referral to come through as an NHS patient was the biggest complaint I could have. Once you make an appointment to see your GP, ask your GP for the referral, wait for the referral in form of a letter in the post, call the dermatologist at the hospital or clinic, and then wait for that appointent with them, for me it took 3 months in total.

Before Roaccutane, when suffering with acne, very morning I'd wake up, look in the mirror and think "What new spot have I got today then?" and "I wonder if that concealer will make my acne look better or worse to the outside world today?" 

After starting the drug, immediately I suffered with were dry and chapped lips, leading to dry and sensitive skin all over my face, therefore applying foundation, concealer and any lip product was a pain in the nat! So a good moisturiser, a tub of Vaseline, and a liquid foundation are essential!

Any thick foundations, being oil free, thick in consistency, or matte finish are just out of the question when on Roaccutane. Although I was used to applying foundations like this when I had acne, the drug completely dries out your skin, so liquid is needed to replenish the skin and make it look and feel hydrated, not patchy. When I attempted applying my thick oil free Vichy foundation (Which is perfect for acne sufferers, I purchased mine in the Vichy section in Boots) I found my skin was so dry that the foundation did not spread and it instantly went patchy and flaky on my skin. It felt like I was applying dry powder paint to a blank dry canvas, it just didn't work!

Forever Living Aloe Vera Gelly. I would apply this before bed, every morning before my applying my makeup. It's very thin in consistency and because its a natural product no irritation is caused. It's pure aloe from the plant itself. It's slightly sticky whilst its sinking in but as soon as it is absorbed its so refreshing. I apply my makeup immediately after applying this.

Clinique Moisture Surge Extended Thirst Relief. This is the pricier option at £32 a tub, but its very much worth it! I tried cheaper moisturisers to start with but nothing was cutting the bacon until this little tub of amazing came along. This can be applied over or under makeup. This has a very watery, cold feeling when applied, when your skin is dry this is the most refreshing sensation ever! I can't rave about this moisturiser enough. Its so damn good. 

Vaseline Cocoa Butter. I would literally apply this all over my lips, around the edges, around the edges of my nose, on my eyes, and around the creases of my ears every night religiously after taking my makeup off before bed. Yes your hair does get stuck to it whilst sleeping, but I found if i didn't do this my face would be so dry, tight and painful when I woke up! So this was a must for me. 

Forever Living Aloe Lips. This is the loveliest lip balm I've ever used. It's so refreshing just like the Gelly. It's also an antiseptic. So it can be used on anything from cuts and grazes, to any part of your body that needs some moisture. It is a lovely thin consistency but it stays on the lips and keeps you hydrated for around 1-2 hours. Reapplying throughout the day is a must, else it is very obvious you have chapped lips. For me working in the hair industry, image is everything. You're talking to clients all day long and for them to notice your lips look like they've been gently sandpapered was like my worst nightmare! 

Whilst on the drug I did suffer many of the common side effects, including..

Joint Pain

Regular Nose Bleeds

Back & Muscle Pain

Dry Skin

Sensitive Skin

Increased Redness In Face & Skin

Headaches

Nosebleeds were probably my biggest side effect. As the drug thins your skin, the inside of your nose becomes very delicate. Sometimes just applying my foundation with a brush on my nose would disrupt the inside and start off a nosebleed lasting around 5 minutes. 

Also being awoken from sleep with a nosebleed is rather unpleasant, several times this happened, so be sure to keep tissues next to the bed ready for any leakages! 

Also when walking or exercising, obviously doing physical activities increases your blood flow, therefore it is moving faster around your body and your face. I almost felt like because of the physical activities I was doing and my blood moving so fast, that it would break through the delicate skin and tissue inside my nose to create a very sudden burst of a nosebleed!

So always carry tissues with you, and don't gym it too hard.

 The box containing your tablets also contains a long, very long list of all the side effects, advice, warnings and information... 

So yes you could say there's alot of things to worry about! But what happens when you actually start popping the pills?
Your dermatologist will start you off gently. Maybe on 20mg per day, taken with or just after food. Then once your body has adjusted to it and you start to see some of the grimey side effects appear, your dermatologist will increase your dose, to approximately 1mg per kg of your body weight. So myself being 60kg in weight, take 60mg of Roaccutane a day. All in one dose, I take 3x 20mg tablets just after any meal of the day. 

Unfortunately for me my acne was so bad, since I started suffering from the age of 13, I have had two courses of 6 months on Roaccutane. One when I was 16 and one when I was 18. The first course was successful but I asked my GP for another referral to my dermatologist when my acne started to reappear 9 months later.
5 years on from my first appearance of acne and my journey has ended. I finally have nice skin and Roaccutane changed my attitude to "Chilling with no make up on".
Tad of photographic Evidence for you...

Before Roaccutane
January 2014

 

After Roaccutane
June 2014

I would highly recommend this drug.

Although the side effects are lame at the time, its worth the wait and the results are flawless.