We’ve all been there. Sometimes you forget to remove your makeup after a night out. Paired with not drinking enough water and stressing out over an upcoming midterm, you wake up with literally the biggest zit on your face. After trying every at home remedy for a quick fix, you are eventually forced to leave your dorm room for school, work, or an outing with friends. All you can think about is that stupid zit on the side of your cheek. Concealer does nothing and the swelling just won’t stop.
For some of the college-aged population, waking up with only one new zit is a gift. In 2016, I was prescribed Accutane because I ran out of all other options to combat my acne. Countless other retinoids, oral hormonal birth controls, and doses of benzoyl peroxide and doxycycline did nothing. Acne reared its ugly head even when I made drastic changes to my diet and followed doctors’ recommendations with a remarkable discipline. My cheeks were constellations of pimples that responded to nothing.
Accutane changed my life, but I first had to make some lifestyle changes. Here are five things I wish I knew before taking Accutane:
- You should be on two forms of birth control before a doctor will prescribe you Accutane to prevent birth defects
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Those who get pregnant while on Accutane are at greater risk of having children with birth defects, so primary and secondary methods of birth control are usually recommended while on Accutane.
- You may have to get monthly blood tests to make sure Accutane is not affecting your cholesterol
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My doctor requested I get monthly blood tests done to see if Accutane had any effect on my cholesterol and triglyceride levels. When they began rising, I made simple changes in my diet to remain on the medicine.
- You will have to invest in moisturizing lotions, conditioners, and lip balms
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Your skin, hair, and lips will become extremely dry and flaky. It’s a blessing (I began washing my hair only twice a week) and a curse.
- People you look up to have also gone through the struggles and victories of Accutane
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Arden Rose is a beauty and lifestyle Youtuber that I absolutely adore. I even got bangs so I could emulate her style. She recently went through a round of Accutane and discussed her experience openly on her Youtube Channel, which made me realize how common acne is.
- Acne can affect your mood and self-esteem, so make sure you have close family and friends check up on you
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Severe acne can cause emotional distress. I asked my parents to keep an eye on my mood during my Accutane journey because change is not overnight. My parents kept cheering me on when I got discouraged over my eight months on Accutane.
There is no shame in having acne. But if you feel more confident with clear skin and have struggled with acne for years, Accutane is transformative.