ACNE & EPURIS (ACCUTANE) EXPERIENCE | journey & side effects

[@annabenson5359]

I’m so glad you didn’t stop filming when your skin was bad! It’s really encouraging and comforting at least to me because I’ve been in the same position with acne for years!

[@allegrashaw]

💕

[@nishithareddyl871]

@@allegrashaw did u face hair loss?

[@annacarolmasten]

Thank you for sharing your experience on this! I also just did Accutane during the same time you did and finished a week ago. I have dealt with acne for a long time too and have always been insecure about it, so it's refreshing to see influencers like you share that you have dealt with the same thing. Makes me feel like I'm not alone!

[@allegrashaw]

definitely not alone!!

[@kristywrightson4031]

I can’t imagine dealing with that everyday, I hope you feel like a glowing goddess with your new skin.

[@bree9398]

I got off Accutane like 4 years ago and I swear have not had a pimple since. Best decision ever. I miss not having to wash my hair :( lol

[@sunflowergirl1988]

This makes me so hype lol I just started accutane 5 days ago n everyone under this vid is saying how much it changed their life so I can’t wait 😭

[@marceline5850]

@@sunflowergirl1988 how’s it going for you so far? i’m starting tmrw i’m nervous lmfao

[@fairyfreak1]

@@marceline5850 how is it?

[@nishithareddyl871]

@@sunflowergirl1988 did u face hair loss?

[@nishithareddyl871]

@@marceline5850 did u face hair loss?

[@bethwilliams7130]

Accutane was a life changer for me! I did it once in high school and once more in 2017. Haven’t had a pimple since then.

[@bricheese473]

6 months off Epuris and it was WORTH IT! Best thing I’ve ever done, wish I did it sooner

[@KateRussellVideos]

thank you for sharing your experience💗 I’ve struggled with my skin for a long time and it’s so nice to be reminded how normal that is

[@allegrashaw]

soo normal

[@sopheaw2006]

I am literally about to start Accutane, just had my first blood test on Saturday so this is rlly good timing lol

[@allegrashaw]

i hope it goes well 💕

[@JaclynForbes]

i'm so glad that you had a good experience!! wow skin is glowinggggg ✨

[@allegrashaw]

thank you 🥺

[@quagmire541]

I got off accutane about a month and a half ago and the only things still bothering me is a new bout of folliculitis which is manageable with benzoyl peroxide wash and salicylic acid lotion and also DRY EYES. I can barely wear contacts anymore my eyes are so dry. This is one thing I wish I'd known because it seems like no one talks about how accutane can permanently damage the lipid layer on your eye. I'm seeing an opthalmologist tomorrow to talk about it lol 💕💕

[@allegrashaw]

ahh i hope it gets sorted 💕

[@MyWayofEverything]

“Fuck it I’m gonna do it = I’ve actually obsessed over this decision for months” is the most Aquarius trait I can think of 😂

[@Ellie-so9tw]

I've been on accutane twice, each time stays clear around a year but unfortunately it wasn't a permanent solution, breakouts came back. I get pretty spotty just before my period, recently it got really bad so I've just started topical tretinoin and so far so good. I think it's important to be prepared for the acne to come back and once you've done your course perhaps speak to your dr about this and precautions you can take. As I said it definitely isn't a permanent fix.

[@allegrashaw]

luckily i have a great facialist to give me all the tipss :)

[@juiCyJessiEe]

I went on accutane in 2018 and it was the BEST DECISION OF MY LIFE. I stand by this drug… it is honestly one of the greatest journeys - my skin has changed 100%. Also not having to wash my hair once a week was also one of the greatest things ever LOL I MISS THIS

[@sunflowergirl1988]

I just started accutane like 5 days ago so your comment makes me so helpful thank for sharing !!!!! I can’t wait for it to be over finally

[@allegrashaw]

🙌🏻

[@allie9985]

I stand by this. I finished accutane in 2018 as well and my skin has been the greatest. But sometimes I want to go back on it just for the sake of not ever having to wash my hair lol.

[@fairyfreak1]

@@sunflowergirl1988 any updates?

[@nishithareddyl871]

@@sunflowergirl1988 did u face hair loss?

[@EdwinaSY]

Some people may be sensitive to the lanolin in acquaphor. The major ingredient in acquaphor is petrolatum, so someone could just get Vaseline.

[@alisaajeseni]

I did accurate last year for 8 months, and my acne is back this year, and I will go back on it this autumn because first time just didn't work for me. I have had acne for 12 years now and I am so done with it, there's nothing I wouldn't try at this moment

[@solvisionx9965]

I wish you all the best!

[@HeelloMrHeelloo]

@@solvisionx9965 Look into spironolactone and talk to a doctor about it babe. I did accutane for over a year and my acne started coming back after 6 months. I started taking spironolactone and now I can't remember the last time I had a pimple.

[@allegrashaw]

goodluck this time round 💛

[@MainKane]

Thanks so much for this. On my third month of Epuris! Can’t wait till it’s over

[@allegrashaw]

excited for you. you'll get throughhh it

[@EdwinaSY]

I feel your pain, Allegra. I had no acne as a teenager and started birth control in university. But I started having major hormonal acne after getting off birth control in the last year of university (birth control totally screwed up my body's natural hormone balance and I could never get myself back). And I have struggled with hormonal acne for almost 17 years. Now at almost 39, it's finally under control. The thing that helped me the most has been retinol (using OTC Adaplene, following Dr. Dray's video).

[@fairyfreak1]

Which Dr. Dray video?

[@EdwinaSY]

@@fairyfreak1 Just search Dr. Dray Differin routine. She has a few videos about it. She used it for a year, I think to teach others how to use it so it is not irritating. She moved onto tretinoin after that.

[@felixcat9320]

What skin care will you use to maintain clear skin?

[@amdunn461]

Love it when you say ‘I’m not a doctor’ - that is so responsible. This is your experience and others need to consult with their doctor.

[@simonize251]

It's a standard disclaimer genius

[@amdunn461]

@@simonize251 is there a reason you’re being nasty and snide?

[@zberumen6404]

Thank you so much for sharing your experience! The details and dates did not go unnoticed. You gave me the confidence to start and get it over with !!

[@BeautyForFun1]

I'm on epuris now so this video is perfect! Will you get laser for acne scaring?? Will you discuss this?

[@ginjuice8951]

I just completed my 6 month, second round treatment of Accutane and my skin is smooth like a baby’s bottom. I started on a low dose of 20mg and finished off with 80 mg in my 6th month. Main side effect for me was backache. I got dry lips but wasn’t too dry for me. So I’d have to say the backache was the main thing for me but I took painkillers for that. I had to take Accutane the second time as my acne came back. This medicine is a Gamechanger….. thank you Accutane. ❤

[@allegrashaw]

seriously life changing!! so glad you had success

[@517cw]

Hope your results are long lasting! Unfortunately wasn't the case for me, about a year after my treatment my acne came back with a vengeance and was worse than before. I think it didn't work for me mainly because my acne is more hormonally driven, so accutane is just a bandaid solution and works for a while but it won't actually fix your hormones. It's been a couple years since my treatment now but I've finally managed to keep my breakouts more manageable with diet, benzoyl peroxide and adapalene, although I do still get a breakout around my period

[@fairyfreak1]

What have you changed in your diet?

[@517cw]

@@fairyfreak1 Mostly just tried to not eat dairy, overly processed sugary/oily foods too often! Still have them here and there, but I noticed when I wasn't eating them every week my skin would be a bit better. At this point though since I've been using adapalene and a benzoyl peroxide face wash for long enough, if my diet falls off track the breakouts I get now thankfully aren't as bad

[@userzal]

I'm 17yr old (high school student), I've been suffering from acne for almost 4 years now, it really affected my lifestyle and appearance. Acne changed my personality, Acne destroyed me, I've been fighting against it for such a long time using various of products and none of them worked. I visited a dermatologist 2 months ago (first time in 4 years) and he prescribed me some medications including Isotretinoin (Roaccutane). I had no clue whatsoever about this capsule nor about its side effects. I'm currently on my second month with this capsule, although I stopped using Isotretinoin for a week after my first *box* was finished, it didn't take long (2days) before my skin completely changed its path in an unimagineable way, I started getting the worse acne I could think of but thankfully I visited another dermatologist and she treated and currently does as her son, I did some blood tests and was given the green flag to continue with Accutane. I'm currently on low doses 10mg during Moday-Friday and 20mg during weekends, the side effects are slight and hopefully there will be more improvement upon my skin. Note: Pretty sure you've heard of it already but I'm just reminding you to drink lots of water, I mean alot!!

[@catherinemadsen]

Thank you for documenting this! Felt seen and inspired. So happy for you!

[@allegrashaw]

💛

[@DoeRaeMe]

This is GREAT timing- I am very curious about Accutane!

[@Madss976]

niceeee!!! glad it worked for you.. i was on it about 6 years ago for cystic acne.. went on multiple meds which i kept becoming immune to. So eventually got on accutane. The accutane journey was rough, skin peeling, bad side effects, etc. but 100%%%% worthhhhhh it! I dont get pimples anymore.. the only lasting side effects i believe i took from it is my vision- i got the bad vision side effect and it never went away. Since accutane blocks your pores from sweating thus preventing acne.. i now don't sweat on my face which is bad in the heat/outside bc sweating is how you regulate body temperature and you become lethargic and fainty when you cant... so i am constantly fainting in the heat lmfao. BUT on the upside i dont get pimples.. if my skin is irritated by a product ill get like tiny itchy bumps that go away in a day, but no pimples. So sending good energy that it lasts for you too

[@firefliesfled]

How are your side effects now?

[@Madss976]

@@firefliesfled I feel like it may have given me astigmatism that effects my vision at night but it’s not a big deal. I have glasses for night. but that’s it. I don’t have any other symptoms now & it’s been 8 years off of it.

[@HeelloMrHeelloo]

I was on accutane when I was 24-25 (was on it for over a year!) and it helped so much! My skin was very similar to yours, acne was moderate and persistent most of my life and then started to just be consistently terrible. My skin was flawless for about 6 months post-accutane then I started getting small spots, nothing like the painful cystic ones I got pre-accutane but still annoying. Anyways I started taking spironolactone (prescribed by doctor) and my skin is perfect all the time. I can't even remember the last time I got a pimple and I am now 2 years post accutane. You can take it long-term with no issues, you would just need to stop if you got pregnant and then can start again after the birth. Definitely look into it!

[@yumekui88]

Absolutely not true. You can only take accutane up to a certain lifetime max dose and that's it or you can say bye to your liver. Also if you got pregnant while on accutane, then it's already too late at that point as it would have caused damage to the fetus/baby. It needs to be stopped well before you even start trying for a baby.

[@fairyfreak1]

Can you talk about your experience with spironolactone?

[@kirstenolivas6125]

I’m 51 & took Accutane in my 20’s, it was amazing how much it helped HOWEVER now that I’m older my skin in significantly drier it’s almost like my oils glands don’t produce any more. Look into how accutane patients fair later in life?

[@enikolestyan8868]

Was your skin dry or oily before?

[@chantalrollinson3785]

I'm so glad that this was worth it for you. So my daughter is 21 and her skin brings a lot of stress. Her whole face is covered. It's almost worse now than it was when she was 17 and she really wants to put an end to it and take epirus were in British Columbia, Canada and concerns are of course the side effects for her. But I'm wondering if you ended up with dry eyes and some people end up with permanent dry eyes from taking this medication

[@emilywarner2879]

Did you have blackheads - and if so did it help clear them as well?

[@bree9398]

I took it and it got rid of my blackheads!

[@Zinger9991]

@@bree9398 did they come back after you got off?

[@meeuh3254]

@@Zinger9991 for me they came back after stopping probably about a year after but definitely not as bad as before taking accutane and much more manageable

[@chiaravitale3182]

same for me, the birth control pill ruined my skin and caused me acne on my cheeks too! Before using it, I only had some pimples on my chin. I didn't want to use the pill but I had to use it for 6 months because of an ovarian cyst. Only after 2 years from stopping the pill my skin started to be better

[@theswisssystem77]

I feel like your hair also got so much thicker. Are you taking any vitamins for hair?? Or any diet changes to improve your hair. Its looking so healthy!

[@mcgovern123]

I loooooved accutane it saved my skin, id do it again if i had to!!

[@oliviaswanson7511]

Thank you so much! I’m going on accutane tomorrow and I’m really scared but this gave me so much hope :)

[@allegrashaw]

oh im so excited for you and i hope you get the results you want!! let me know how it goes

[@rora1435]

How is it so far?

[@guilhermejunior2689]

You are sensational in this vídeo. Thanks for the tips

[@haleycanales]

Always love your sit down talks Allegra!! #allthingsallegrashaw I’d love to see a video on your birth control experience or if you have a past video on it, someone drop the link below please!!

[@bringdawhl]

I too have struggled with acne my entire 20s (30 now) I was fine as a teenager but also started having terrible period symptoms in my early 20s and went on to have endometriosis diagnosed. I can’t be sure but I wonder if they’re connected. I have tried a couple topical treatments but can’t mentally get through the purge. The hardest part for me is that the purge ends with so many scars, it’s almost easier to put up with my skin texture being a bIt off and always having a few pimples... even though I am so, so overrrr it.. how am I thirty still dealing with this. Ugh! Even as a nutritionist I couldn’t pin point any specific dietary triggers. But so happy to see you found a solution, you look amazing. Would love to know what your best tips are for scarring

[@EdwinaSY]

I am a fellow no acne as a teen but hormonal acne starting in my early 20s gal. Have you tried Dr Dray's channel? Her channel changed my skin. She teaches you how to apply retinol to minimize irritation and also how to identify what's a purge vs. allergic reaction. I also find Dr. Bunting's Flawless Brightly Serum helpful (but only apply it using the Dr. Dray method of applying retinol to minimize irritation). I was on OTC Adaplene for a few months before seeing results, and after more than one year on that, started adding the serum above, alternating them every other day. If my skin ever felt irritated because I was in the sun that day or the early days of adding that serum above, then I stopped for a day or two. It's a long game, like Dr Dray says, more is not better for actives.

[@quagmire541]

Nuxe Reve de Miel lip balm (hard to get in the US but so worth it) and the Etude House 2x Barrier cream were A+. 100% the best I've tried

[@allegrashaw]

oo love a lip balm rec

[@ervinsmoviecorner8748]

Nice! The video is great, Allegra!❤️

[@smilemiles21]

So happy for you! I'm on my own skin journey, so I totally get where you're coming from. Do you still have to take birth control? Or are you also off that?

[@elizah6589]

Can you do an accutane update video? I'm so curious to hear your thoughts a year later

[@702kimberlee]

What products are you currently using for skincare?

[@amandagodwin8039]

Thank you so much for doing this!

[@MarieLeopold_m]

thanks for sharing Allegra!❤️

[@xfashionista1993x]

Thank you for Sharing… if it’s Not too personal what form of birth Control did/do you take. I want to try this but i dont want to go back on the pill…

[@mcgovern123]

I did abstinence as my “form” cuz doc said i could do that to cover two forms…. But i was also in highschool and like not doing anything anyways soooo 😂 yeah i dont know if all doctors allow that choice 🤷‍♀️ If i had to do it again now id probably do condoms and the bar or iud if that helps!

[@uzznee]

Really needed this video! Thank you for sharing

[@MadelineDellaMora]

Love hearing skin success stories! I've been having really good results using Differin gel to treat my adult acne, a prescription from my family doctor. Would highly recommend using it if you need something for maintenance!

[@bethwilliams7130]

Aquafor was 🔑🔑🔑 Literally the only thing that saved my lips.

[@nishithareddyl871]

did u face hair loss during accutane?

[@bethwilliams7130]

@@nishithareddyl871 Not really. I lose a decent amount each day anyhow because my hair is quite thick, but I didn't see a difference during accutane.

[@rora1435]

What was your dose of iso?

[@jordanpbabcock]

what kind of sunscreen do you recommend when experiencing acne?!!

[@lillianmichaels1477]

Hi Allegra! How many mg were you on?

[@nikostavros2722]

Do or did you notice any vision problems while you were on it long term? I’m looking to take it while getting my pilot ratings and I have to pass a lot of eye tests

[@rileighponton4205]

Curious to know what you used for the scarring ?

[@valeryqueen31]

I get those red bumps on my chest and they are definitely affecting my self-confidence:(, makes me wonder if i hace a lactose intolerance

[@solvisionx9965]

Well - that would be an easy fix then and something that you can try out all by yourself. Go for it! :*

[@eglystoria]

me too!!

[@allegrashaw]

worth checking 💕

[@rnikkki]

Thanks for sharing your experience, this is very helpful. Did you experience hair loss/shedding?

[@allegrashaw]

i didn't!

[@elizabethdoney962]

When I did Accutane the effects didn't "stick" properly so I ended up needing to do the process twice. Is that something you would consider?

[@allegrashaw]

hmm i think i'm just going to cross that bridge only if it comes to it. i think it depends

[@EE-in2uv]

What were your doses each month? Did it change?

[@Muna-ht3me]

Everything you said I resonated with I got prescribed epuris today at 20 mg for one year which I’m a bit scarred taking that long. What dosage were you prescribed?

[@utoobbott8817]

You are on a low dose, so taking it for one year is pretty normal.

[@Muna-ht3me]

@@utoobbott8817 yeah but every month my dose goes up bowim on 50mg

[@MrsNBrooks11]

My doctor just had me take blood test to start. I have a cruise in 50 days. Would you all recommend I wait to do this. I didn't consider it getting worse before better or being in the sun.

[@allegrashaw]

oh ya i was really careful about sun once i was on it! good to take care of your skin in the sun anyways but it might be nice to wait

[@MrsNBrooks11]

@@allegrashaw thank you

[@taraandtori]

So sad because this was exactly me expect my side effects were much worse and unbearable. My doctor also had me up to 80 mg. A year after, my acne came back full force and even worse. I wish my doctor or anyone told me that doing accutane is a possibility. Not trying to scare anyone I just wish I knew that when I started the first time. I’m am unable to go in it again so now I’m stuck :/

[@rockymtmal]

Good review. You seem to have a much above average ability to remember things.

[@allegrashaw]

aha i filmed the process along the way so it was easier to keep track

[@brunacandidi4798]

I have cystic acne , and I stopped birth control like almost 2 years ago and let me tell you my skin is just the same lol

[@emiliamorgan5052]

You’re In your apt!!

[@allegrashaw]

😍

[@alicemilton8756]

When i was seven years old i found a magic lamp and wished that i would be beautiful forever, and my life has pretty much been perfect ever since. Thank you for sharing your story! 🥰

[@fairyfreak1]

I didn’t really watch this video when it came out because it didn’t appeal to me, but I just stopped my birth control and my skin is freaking out 🥺

[@fairyfreak1]

April update - I just went on Spironalactone

[@faridakhatoon2616]

Hey can you please tell me ......that accutance help me get rid of blackheads whiteheads clogged pores 😢😭

[@allegrashaw]

i think you'll have to as your doctor!!

[@Milo-tp2ti]

I just took the first pregnancy test for it I’m supposed to get bloodwork soon supposed to start in September I’m nervous 😬

[@allegrashaw]

goooodluck!!!

[@emmyeve6321]

The itching!!! It’s getting unbearable, when can I expect that to stop. I can’t sleep from it, doesn’t feel like just dry skin.

[@allegrashaw]

ahh i hope it gets better! aquaphor saved me

[@guilhermejunior2689]

I liked your vídeo 👍and I wish you a great day 🌞

[@BriannaHewett-l1f]

Super helpful!

[@Laura-ij6fm]

cant wait for updates

[@adventurousbec]

Gosh I had the suicidal thoughts when I was on it the first time and such dryness, like even within my core. Luckily I don't need to use the pills again.

[@allegrashaw]

oh noo. yes happy that you don't 🙌🏻

[@manalkhan9954]

Is there anyone who got their acne in theirs 20’s and got curef with accutane completely never got after it?

[@mehreenzahid4834]

Im 25, and got severe acne now..2 months on accutane low dosage..No progress till now, lets see how it works..I never had a pimple all my teenage until 25.

[@newwave2705]

I took Accutane and the side effects were the worst. My hair shed like crazy and my skin peeled a lot. I also had gut issues which remain to this day. My acne improved significantly but it came back years ago but in a different way. Pre-accutane I would get large pimples on my nose, forehead, chest and back. Post accutane my breakouts we’re concentrated on my cheeks, jaw and chin.

[@paigemorrone9003]

Do you sleep on your left side?

[@allegrashaw]

i usually sleep on my back

[@manalkhan9954]

You never increased your dose right?

[@gabbyscott8181]

Thank you for sharing! I just started Epuris and this was super educational! Did you stay on the 20ml the whole time or did you ever up your dose?

[@DianaM77]

She mentioned she did not up her dose. Stayed the same throughout the entire time

[@t4health527]

I’m so curious what are the two forms of birth control. Condoms and…….. ?? IUD? That’s overkill the iud is 99.9% effective. Or condoms and…..pull out? Haha.

[@michellemoreal]

so i live in toronto and i did go on accutane when i was 17-18 (almost 10 years ago lol) but it wasn't called epuris..it was specifically accutane. also, the thing you said about having to go on birth control...i was not required to do that! what's the reason for having to go on birth control?

[@sunflowergirl1988]

Well I just started the treatment and while I’m not in Toronto ( I live in Qc) the reason why you have to go on BC is because if you get pregnant while on accutane well you’ll have a deformed baby with a lot of health problem. Legit my derm + pharmacist focused more on don’t get pregnant than the side effets of the drugs 😂😂 it’s written I think over 15 times in the little book that I have for the side effets and in front of each of my pills there’s a warning sign that says don’t be pregnant. Also you can’t give blood and if you have sex you need 2 form of BC ( so pill + condom ) it’s really intense and my guess is that it happened a couple of time that women who were on it got prego unfortunately

[@michellemoreal]

@@sunflowergirl1988 Yes, I remember my derm would always ask me if I was pregnant or sexually active! I wasn't at the time, so maybe that's why they didn't put me on bc.

[@cuisina5562]

8:15 same girl same

[@faridakhatoon2616]

You are so beautiful ❤

[@allegrashaw]

🫶

[@MarieLeopold_m]

💘

[@cetinozden6937]

Hello. 🌹

[@ProudMorenamom]

Ur face is perfect 🇵🇭

[@allegrashaw]

🥺 thank you

[@rmartini1050]

Chapped lips on day 1 🙄

[@AlexaStyleBook]

Kisssssesssss 💋💋💋