Many consider Accutane (isotretinoin) a miracle drug for severe acne. Essentially, Accutane slows down the oil production in your glands and stops the formation of bacteria which causes acne. The Accutane regimen typically includes taking the drug daily for five to six months in hopes of never having to undergo other acne treatments.

I started to develop severe acne during my sophomore year of college. After years of following a topical skin care regime, avoiding the sun, and wearing light makeup, my routine was no longer working for my skin. My skin was fighting back- cystic bumps were surfacing all over my cheeks. I would apply a thick layer of foundation to cover up as much as possible but my only option was to sign up for this miracle drug.

The process isn’t easy, this is a government regulated drug through which users are registered through the iPledge system. For women, two forms of birth control have to be used as this medication can cause serious birth defects. Monthly visits and blood tests are a must to make sure that the medication isn’t affecting the liver or any other internal parts of the body. After your visit, you have to answer follow-up questions in the iPledge system and have a seven-day window frame to pick up your medication for that month. To top everything off, the list of side effects are endless and everyone’s reaction is different.

Within the first week of my treatment, I experienced the purge. My skin broke out even more and if there was ever a time in which I felt embarrassed and insecure about myself, it was at this point. There were a plethora of bumps all over my nose, forehead, and cheeks that were seemingly uncontrollable. At this point I had no hopes for what this medication would do for me, I was even more fearful of what my future side effects would be.

Fast forward two months ahead and this is when I started to see some improvement, except I was still facing the most common side effects. Migraines became a daily occurrence, strong enough that I wasn’t able to function or complete any of my assignments for class. As everyone excepted, the dryness quickly kicked in. My entire body began to peel and crack, and I was constantly applying a thick layer of moisturizer to my face. One mistake I made during this time was getting some sun. From the moment I stopped my topical regime, I was so excited to lay out in the sun and get tanned, little did I know that Accutane also makes you sensitive to the sun. During my trip from spring break, I gave myself sun poisoning and I still have my sunburn to tell the story.

Now, I’m coming to the end of my treatment. I have absolutely no breakouts or cystic acne, although the acne scars have yet to fade. Everyone has a different Accutane story. Thankfully, the side effects have lessened and I owe everything to this miracle drug.