qwertynineofive
Cool hand in a cruel world.
- Joined
- Apr 24, 2021
- Posts
- 436
- Reputation
- 409
Preface
Like any medication, the only drawback of the use of Isotretinoin (Accutane/Roaccutane) is it's side effects. Outside of it's side effects, Isotretinoin is a holy grail looksmax medication. It cures acne forever in 80% of those who take it, increases skin cell turnover rate, improves collagen production, reduces pore size, anecdotally slims the nose down etc. So how do we make the most of this medication while also not wanting to rope while using it?
Dispelling Rumours
Isotretinoin does not cause depression or suicidal thoughts, nor does it inhibit growth in the doses prescribed nowadays. Simple as. Feel free to debate me on this in the replies but there is no sound clinical evidence to suggest that it has anything but a positive influence on the physical and mental wellbeing's of it's users. It's crucial that we both know and understand this without any doubt in order to not fall victim to the nocebo effect. I have personally used isotretinoin twice before and I am currently on treatment for a third time with a different (and more based) doctor. The main reason I had to return to isotretinoin was that my first doctor would not prescribe me more than 40mg of the drug, which is not a high enough dose to permanently cure acne after treatment is ended. When my acne came back and I started a second course of treatment at the same dose with the same doctor, I reported feeling depressed and stopped treatment. Only thing is; my depression didn't go away after I had stopped taking the drug. So what happened? Before starting my second treatment, I had read some horror stories online about depression that didn't subside after treatment and growth being inhibited by the drug. So going into treatment with a negative mindset as to what this medication would do for me, no wonder I convinced myself it was the cause of my depression (when in reality, the acne itself was likely a large contributing factor.)
I'm now on my third course of treatment with a doctor who has prescribed me an appropriately high dose (1mg per Kg) and I'm feeling absolutely fine. Why? Because I now understand and know that Isotretinoin is a safe and effective medication that has the ability to increase someone's PSL by 2 points. That being said, onto the actual info of the thread...
Anti-histamine - The Catch-all side effect cure
I don't care who you are and if you are having side effects with isotretinoin or not; you need to be using an anti-histamine alongside your treatment. It has been proven to help curb the dreaded purging phase, and reduce other side effects as well (aching joints, irritation from dry skin etc.) But not only that, it's also been suggested that it may improve the speed and effectiveness of treatment. On top of this, participants in studies who used antihistamine alongside isotretinoin were significantly more satisfied with their results post treatment.
Take 10mg of Cetirizine or Loratadine daily.
Dry Lips - 1% Hydrocortisone
Do not use this chronically since the skin does build a reliance after enough time, but never the less, if you find your lips being seriously fucked up by the dryness; apply 1% Hydrocortisone cream a couple nights a week layered under petroleum jelly (vaseline, aquaphor) especially if you have an important event the next day.
1% hydrocortisone cream a couple nights a week.
Aching Joints - Glucosamine and Collagen
I've been taking glucosamine every day for about a year now due to it's supposed minimal height benefit, but for about a week I stopped taking it and all of a sudden my joints were aching like a motherfucker (it seriously felt as if I had twisted my ankle). Once I resumed taking it, pain subsided.
Take high dose glucosamine daily (and collagen powder too if you have it).
Like any medication, the only drawback of the use of Isotretinoin (Accutane/Roaccutane) is it's side effects. Outside of it's side effects, Isotretinoin is a holy grail looksmax medication. It cures acne forever in 80% of those who take it, increases skin cell turnover rate, improves collagen production, reduces pore size, anecdotally slims the nose down etc. So how do we make the most of this medication while also not wanting to rope while using it?
Dispelling Rumours
Isotretinoin does not cause depression or suicidal thoughts, nor does it inhibit growth in the doses prescribed nowadays. Simple as. Feel free to debate me on this in the replies but there is no sound clinical evidence to suggest that it has anything but a positive influence on the physical and mental wellbeing's of it's users. It's crucial that we both know and understand this without any doubt in order to not fall victim to the nocebo effect. I have personally used isotretinoin twice before and I am currently on treatment for a third time with a different (and more based) doctor. The main reason I had to return to isotretinoin was that my first doctor would not prescribe me more than 40mg of the drug, which is not a high enough dose to permanently cure acne after treatment is ended. When my acne came back and I started a second course of treatment at the same dose with the same doctor, I reported feeling depressed and stopped treatment. Only thing is; my depression didn't go away after I had stopped taking the drug. So what happened? Before starting my second treatment, I had read some horror stories online about depression that didn't subside after treatment and growth being inhibited by the drug. So going into treatment with a negative mindset as to what this medication would do for me, no wonder I convinced myself it was the cause of my depression (when in reality, the acne itself was likely a large contributing factor.)
I'm now on my third course of treatment with a doctor who has prescribed me an appropriately high dose (1mg per Kg) and I'm feeling absolutely fine. Why? Because I now understand and know that Isotretinoin is a safe and effective medication that has the ability to increase someone's PSL by 2 points. That being said, onto the actual info of the thread...
Anti-histamine - The Catch-all side effect cure
I don't care who you are and if you are having side effects with isotretinoin or not; you need to be using an anti-histamine alongside your treatment. It has been proven to help curb the dreaded purging phase, and reduce other side effects as well (aching joints, irritation from dry skin etc.) But not only that, it's also been suggested that it may improve the speed and effectiveness of treatment. On top of this, participants in studies who used antihistamine alongside isotretinoin were significantly more satisfied with their results post treatment.
Take 10mg of Cetirizine or Loratadine daily.
Dry Lips - 1% Hydrocortisone
Do not use this chronically since the skin does build a reliance after enough time, but never the less, if you find your lips being seriously fucked up by the dryness; apply 1% Hydrocortisone cream a couple nights a week layered under petroleum jelly (vaseline, aquaphor) especially if you have an important event the next day.
1% hydrocortisone cream a couple nights a week.
Aching Joints - Glucosamine and Collagen
I've been taking glucosamine every day for about a year now due to it's supposed minimal height benefit, but for about a week I stopped taking it and all of a sudden my joints were aching like a motherfucker (it seriously felt as if I had twisted my ankle). Once I resumed taking it, pain subsided.
Take high dose glucosamine daily (and collagen powder too if you have it).
What It Does Well
1. Practical & Experience-Based Advice
What Could Be Improved
1. Lack of Citations
Final Rating: 8.5 / 10
. Should explain everything. 
