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Original poster

Roaccutane - recommendations for dryness

87 replies

BrokenWing · 07/11/2023 22:55

After a long wait Ds(19) is starting Roaccutane next week and I am filling up my boots online basket so i know what to recommend to him if he needs anything for the common dryness side effects. He already mentions itchy skin coming out of the shower with Dove shower cream, and has slightly dry/watery eyes so expect both will get worse while on roaccutane.

I feel a bit clueless, I have checked loads of past threads that recommend e.g. aveeno, but there are lots of aveeno moisturisers and I don't know which one is best while using roaccutane and what to avoid! I would really appreciate all advice to get him onto the right products he will need.

Lips (and up nose?) - Blistex relief cream seems to be a clear recommendation
Shower - AVEENO® Dermexa Daily Emollient Body Wash?
Moisturiser body - Aveeno Dermexa Daily Emollient Cream?
Moisturiser face - What should he be using while on roaccutane?
SPF50 - recommendations?
Eyes - Hycosan Extra Eye Drops?

I know he needs to drink lots of water, any other advice welcome!

OP posts:
JoanDarc · 02/01/2024 18:29

I’ve been on roaccutane in my thirties and my daughter has just started after seeing a private derm, towards the end of week 3 now. Her skin is definitely purging, acne on chest and back which she didn’t get to much of a degree before. It looks like the bad breakouts on her face are starting to clear, with no new breakouts for a few days. Fingers crossed!
I’ve drummed it into her that she must use Aquaphor as a preventative to stop any issues, especially with nasal lining. I’d recommend very gently putting some inside the nostril twice a day. Definitely Aquaphor and not Vaseline. We’ve got tubes of the stuff everywhere, it’s great for layering on top of dry patches after moisturising too.

mrssunshinexxx · 03/01/2024 07:49

Due to start roacutane early Feb so just to get prepared. My daughter gets aveeno on prescription so planning to use that or any other moisturise? No idea what aquaphor is but seen it on this thread lots so will research, and a lip balm?? Does drinking plenty of water help? I know it's good for you in general

mrssunshinexxx · 07/01/2024 19:11

Bump

mathanxiety · 07/01/2024 19:22

I don't know if it's available in the UK, but DS used AmLactin products when he was on Roaccutane in the US. He used Vaseline in his nostrils and Aquaphor and Carmex for lips.

mathanxiety · 07/01/2024 19:23

BrokenWing · 11/11/2023 01:07

He has the prescription and starts on Monday, the dermatoligist wanted him to take steriods for 2 weeks dust to reduce the inflamation so fingers crossed it helps.

His skin is such a mess just now, the inflamation has died down a bit but he has a lot of dark red marks where they used to be, covering his cheeks and jawline, do they disappear eventually or should he be asking the dermatologist next time he goes if there is something to help lighten/heal them.

A beard solved DS's problem.

seeitthroughmyeyes · 07/01/2024 19:31

Aquarius cream. My god it was a LIFE SAVOUR. Only use it on your body. I used to coat my lashes and eyebrows in Vaseline as they started to flake and on my face I used Nivea/welda skin.

Spongeb0b · 07/01/2024 20:17

My son has this - it's working brilliantly. Thf dermatologist told him to use tons of lip balm/vaseline but not to use moisturiser on his face if he could help it as it would hinder it's progress. She said use gentle water, not oil, based cleansers.

Spongeb0b · 07/01/2024 20:26

For the marks that get left over - the dermatologist did say that there is some kind of anti scarring treatment available but can't be started until a few months after they've finished roaccutane. No idea what the treatment is or if it's available on NHS but I'm going to ask her for more info at his next appt so I can keep you posted if you like x

WhiteCatmas · 09/01/2024 00:36

Went to the pharmacist about The Roaccutane nosebleeds and they advised nothing over the counter will help and I should talk to the GP.
Interesting your dermatologist said that about no moisturiser @Spongeb0b . I must google.

Original poster
BrokenWing · 09/01/2024 16:40

@WhiteCatmas this is where I saw the nasal spray information https://www.kch.nhs.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/pl-1018.1-skin-care-routine-while-taking-isotretinoin.pdf

OP posts:
Original poster
BrokenWing · 09/01/2024 16:41

Spongeb0b · 07/01/2024 20:26

For the marks that get left over - the dermatologist did say that there is some kind of anti scarring treatment available but can't be started until a few months after they've finished roaccutane. No idea what the treatment is or if it's available on NHS but I'm going to ask her for more info at his next appt so I can keep you posted if you like x

yes please, would be interested in what they say.

OP posts:
WhiteCatmas · 11/01/2024 21:32

GP advised the nosebleeds could be caused by an infection. Prescribed a cream and so far nosebleeds have been banished. Joy!

mrssunshinexxx · 12/01/2024 10:51

I'm really struggling with my skin so so ready to start this treatment I hope the dermatologist gives me the prescription on the 6th when my appointment is. I have had my bloods done yesterday and will of been on the pill for a month

AntonFeckoff · 12/01/2024 12:36

Fingers crossed for you @mrssunshinexxx, it was life-changing for me. Nobody should have to suffer with this. It's as much a disease as anything else.

mrssunshinexxx · 12/01/2024 18:29

@AntonFeckoff thank you. I so hope
It works well without any awful MH issues

AntonFeckoff · 12/01/2024 19:30

@mrssunshinexxx awful MH issues here and it didn’t cause any problems at all.

mrssunshinexxx · 13/01/2024 07:30

That's good to hear @AntonFeckoff

saturnspinkhoop · 13/01/2024 07:39

Spongeb0b · 07/01/2024 20:26

For the marks that get left over - the dermatologist did say that there is some kind of anti scarring treatment available but can't be started until a few months after they've finished roaccutane. No idea what the treatment is or if it's available on NHS but I'm going to ask her for more info at his next appt so I can keep you posted if you like x

Yes please!

Shiningout · 13/01/2024 07:44

For very very dry patches of skin I find the standard blue pot of nivea cream works wonders. It is heavy, but if you put it on before bed it really helps to moisturise dry skin. I suffer chronically with acne, rosacea and dry flaky skin so I sympathise. It's awful.

mrssunshinexxx · 13/01/2024 15:11

Thanks @Shiningout there's so much skincare stuff out there it's overwhelming

Bangkokbaby · 13/01/2024 20:14

I also had bad mental health issues while on it, and for a while afterwards. I also had low b12 which I think was linked.
Please keep a close eye on him.
I found vaseline very helpful.

Original poster
BrokenWing · 13/01/2024 20:44

My SIL suggested to ds to take b12 for his dry skin but I remembered the dermatologist asking if he took any Vitamins and to not start any during during the course without discussing as they can interact with roaccutane. Think I also remember reading high b12 can aggrevate acne.

But I didn't know low b12 was also related to poor MH, good to know if ds is impacted. It seems it is a balancing act between MH issues due to severe acne and MH issues due to the treatment!

OP posts:
Original poster
BrokenWing · 06/02/2024 18:03

After 4 weeks x 20mg and 8 weeks x 70mg ds was back for an appointment with the dermatologist last night.

His skin has started to show improvements with the number of new spots on his face and neck visibly reduced, but a lot of red marks left behind so far. His shoulders/check/back are a little better but not much.

We have a prescription for another 10 weeks x 70mg. Dermatologist told him that should be enough to clear it and the red marks will go eventually. He has another appointment booked in 10 weeks, but dermatologist said if it has cleared by then to just cancel the appointment nearer the time. Fingers crossed, although a bit concerned we stop too soon and it all comes back!

He had a huge eye stye last week (the dermatologist said can happen when on it), to add to the spotty face, swollen sore cracked shiny lips 🤦‍♀️ but thankfully it went away itself after 5-6 days. So proud of him that he is managing to keep up beat and still get out to uni and socialise when going through it all and very thankful he hasn't been affected by any of the mood changing symptoms that we, and most people, worried about with this medication.

OP posts:
mrssunshinexxx · 06/02/2024 18:16

@BrokenWing sounds like it's going in the right direction.
I had my app to get my prescription this morn he is starting me on 20mg as I am anxious about the negative side affects re MH. Hopefully it all goes ok. He did say it may only take 4 months so fingers crossed for that

Original poster
BrokenWing · 25/02/2024 13:25

4 weeks x 20mg and 11 weeks x 70mg now.

Good news is the spots have really dried up now. Still dark red and a lot of healing to do.

Lips are painful, cracked and dry including the skin around them and he has been prescribed a Chlorhexidine with nystatin cream for them.

Skin on arms getting dry and developing a rash so trying to get him to keep on top of applying cream. Might head to the pharmacist next week to ask for advice.

He is how starting say he feels strangely tired, but not unhappy/sad/worried (depressed). He thinks he is tired mentally rather than physically as ok at the gym. So keeping an eye on that. Anyone experienced similar. I thought perhaps multivitamins might give him a boost, but that seems a minefield what he is allowed to take with roaccutane.

OP posts: