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Original poster

If you've taken Roaccutane in the past

31 replies

ZittyMess · 09/09/2021 10:26

...and still have acne, has anything else ever helped? I took it in my early 20s and it worked really well but now in my 40s the acne is worse than it has ever been. On Yasmin and tried Skin&Me highest dose preparation for months with zero effect although I know it's actually a relatively low dose of tretinoin.

I'm considering seeing a private derm but I suspect the answer will be another course of Roaccutane but I'm really not sure whether I want it again and the estimated cost including follow up consultations, bloods and meds runs to about £2k.

I guess I'm wondering if my skin is so bad to have needed Roaccutane in the past whether there's any point pursuing topical treatments or whether I need to book to see the derm having already accepted that Roaccutane and the associated costs are inevitable.

OP posts:
Fluffycloudland77 · 09/09/2021 10:30

I’m ok but they said to go back to them if it happened again.

ViaRia · 09/09/2021 10:37

I had it in mid 20’s and was told acne could come back later on in life. So if that helps… your experience isn’t unusual.
I can’t really answer your actual question, I’m afraid.
I’m curious about why you need to pay privately… this suggests they perhaps your condition isn’t very severe now, otherwise you surely could go through nhs?
Not my business, I know… I guess I’m just saying that, if it were me, I would only go back to roaccutane if my acne returned and was severe.

Original poster
ZittyMess · 09/09/2021 10:39

I guess I feel like the NHS has better things to deal with than my shitty acne and I shouldn't be wasting resources that could be used for a skin cancer patient or whatever.

OP posts:
TheWashingMachine · 09/09/2021 10:51

Pretty much the same as you, roaccutane at 20, skin still erratic I still take yasmin in my 40s, I also have to apply acnecide every night otherwise I look dreadful. Skin ok now I also use Cetaphil face wash and LA Roche posay Effaclar Duo moisturiser, if I go off piste even for a day I get spots. It's a pain.

Miseryisabutterfly · 09/09/2021 10:52

Acne can have a massive effect on mental health. You’re important too, you should go to the NHS.

TheWashingMachine · 09/09/2021 10:53

Acne can make you seriously depressed and undermine your confidence it should not be brushed off as a minor ailment.

Miseryisabutterfly · 09/09/2021 10:54

I still have crappy skin in my late 30s after being on roaccutane as a teen (it didn’t help me but the pill did). I second la roche posay though, it’s definitely improved my skin a lot.

Fluffycloudland77 · 09/09/2021 11:29

Roaccutane is £35 or so a month for 4 months. If it was too expensive commissioning wouldn’t pay for it.

You’ll waste more money trying to cure it yourself at home.

WhereAreWeNow · 09/09/2021 12:36

I was on Roaccutane in late teens and it really sorted me out. I still have oily skin and very open pores in my 40s but no acne. I use LRP Effaclar face wash and Effaclar Duo cream. I would go back to the GP. It may be that a different pill might help.

TaraR2020 · 09/09/2021 12:37

@Miseryisabutterfly

Acne can have a massive effect on mental health. You’re important too, you should go to the NHS.
This exactly
namechange7865 · 09/09/2021 12:37

I've heard it can take a couple of courses. I had it 4 years ago and still mostly ok but they are popping up a bit more frequently now. I will do one more course if necessary (but that would be my limit). I don't think anything else will work for me.

Hopetobe4mrfatty · 09/09/2021 12:42

I had to do a second course in my 40’s

workshy44 · 09/09/2021 12:46

I'm a massive fan of this brand Biologique Recherche. It has transformed my skin and I look younger now than I did 10 years ago
I first got made aware of it when my friend who had serious acne skin suddenly cleared up and she had skin as smooth as a babies butt within a few months
It is VERY expensive - and there are numerous products so you would need a consultation with a facialist of theirs and a regime. It would be cheaper than 2K, probably half that all in
Pro's would be your overall skin would improve massively, cons are it doesn't work on one type of acne, not sure which whereas Roaccutane is a surething

HelloCanYouHearMe · 09/09/2021 13:11

I had 2 courses in my late teens and 20s. My skin isnt brilliant, but im putting that down to hormonal changes as im now in my 40s.

I now use La Roche Posay cleanser, toner and moisturiser which is helping

lurkingfromhome · 09/09/2021 13:14

I took it 7 years ago and have been absolutely fine ever since, touch wood. I was told at the time not to hesitate about going back if my acne ever appeared again. If it did, I would be straight back there like a shot.

No amount of dietary changes, amazing skincare, antibiotics, so-called miracle products had the slightest effect on my acne. It was like trying to put an elastoplast on a severed leg.

I just wouldn't waste my time on anything else. I know for a fact that my acne was so serious that only the hardcore drugs would sort it out. When it's that bad, you just know that it goes way beyond what any topical treatment can do.

JustforToast · 09/09/2021 13:59

I took 3 courses of Roaccutane, one in each of my 20s, 30s and 40s. It worked each time and I didn’t mind having to go back as I got a long period of respite each time. I think it’s the only viable option!

Isabelle70 · 09/09/2021 16:47

I did 2 courses of Roaccutane in my 30’s it worked for a time but I still had acne. It’s only as I have got older now 50 and on the mini pill that my skin is better.
Since August it is perfect as I have 3 courses of antibiotics for a infected cut on my finger and of course the antibiotics sorted my skin on my face too :) I mentioned the great side effect to the doctor on the last visit and she asked if I have rosacea and has given me Rolex cream to apply which I hope keeps the acne at bay. It feels so strange to have smooth skin.
I have also been using glycolic acid for the last 9 months and I think that has made a difference too.

JMAngel1 · 09/09/2021 18:20

I had 3 courses over my 20s, 30s abd 40s. Everytime, jt came back with a vengeance after approx 1 year.
My derm refused to prescribe any more and quite rightly so - my eyesight was shot!

Around 2 1/2 years ago it was probably the worst it had ever been. I started taking DIM supplement and within 3 weeks it all cleared up and has never come back.
I am never stopping taking it!
I can't tell you the weight it has lifted from me - acne ruined so much of my life.

CherryAndAlmond · 09/09/2021 18:27

Spironolactone has helped me in recent years, and isn't as harsh on the body as Roaccutane. My GP prescribes it 'off label' as I've exhausted all other avenues, including three courses of Roaccutane. I agree with pp about the effect on eyesight - my night vision is permanently ruined.

violetbunny · 09/09/2021 19:00

Some people need multiple courses.

I've had 3 - one in late teens, one in my 20s, one early 30s. Now aged 40 with no issues since. I notice with my skin that oral contraceptives seem to help the Roaccutane effect last longer, so after the last course I went on Yasmin and have been on that ever since. If I ever forget to take the Yasmin, I get breakouts straight away!

Ireolu · 11/09/2021 18:30

Shop around for private derm. Even if just some advice if you don't want to use roaccutane again. Some platforms give a free initial remote consultation and pricing including bloods/consultations with dermatologist and meds is around the 1200 mark.

Original poster
ZittyMess · 11/09/2021 21:09

Thanks all for the feedback. Lots to think about. Will ring the GP and see where I get to.

OP posts:
LindyLou2020 · 11/09/2021 21:45

@ZittyMess

I guess I feel like the NHS has better things to deal with than my shitty acne and I shouldn't be wasting resources that could be used for a skin cancer patient or whatever.
@ZittyMess........ You have as much right as anyone else to consult your GP and see what help is available via the NHS, be it more Roaccutane or whatever. NHS dermatologists are not just there for people with skin cancer, but for people in your situation too!
onedaysoonish · 11/09/2021 21:52

I did two courses of roaccutane then went on dianette (it's a type of contraceptive pill often prescribed for women with PCOS). Skin was incredible and came off it after two years - skin has been great ever since. (Touch wood touch wood!)

Waitwhat23 · 11/09/2021 22:06

I did a course of roaccutane about 14 years ago and while it's much better than it was (I used to get asked if I'd had an accident because it looked like my face had been skinned!), I still get breakouts. I use Aknemycin (a topical solution) to keep it at bay - it's prescription only.