My chin has finally begun to flake. Truthfully, flake isn't the appropriate word for what's happening.
Let's turn to our handy-dandy thesaurus and pick the best word for what's actually occuring:
scale
peel*
lamina (as if it rhymed with "vagina")
leaf*
Peel is suitable.
My chin has finally begun to peel. This was my older brother's favorite part about being on Accutane.
"It meant the drug was sucking the oil out my skin. I loved it!"
Be that as it may, my least favorite part is that picking -- or peeling -- my skin doesn't help. And if you're kissing someone else, that doesn't make things any easier.
The peeling's also begun on my lips. But thanks to the Burt's Bees, life is a lot easier. I put some all around my mouth and lips. What I like about this lip balm is not only does it get cold when it's first on, but Burt's makes your lips soft. They aren't as cracked, thank God.
What are your dry chin/lip remedies?
Saturday, December 5, 2009
Accutane - Post One
After many months of doctors appointments, blood (tests), sweat and tears, I have finally begun my first treatment of accutane.
Everyone has their own version of insecruity with self-image:
A: Oh god, my hips are so ginormous. They might as well be the 51 state of our Union.
B: You think your hips are bad, try looking at my thighs. Have you seen seals this big south of Antartica?
C. Please, my hair looks like an ape went through it.
Mine has been my skin. Thanks to my Father's genetics (not to mention Mom's oily skin -- sorry, Mom), I have struggled with acne for more than ten years. I use to think using Clean & Clear was cool until my face started to look like scab city. Not to mention the scars.
Now, I will admit, I make it sound a lot worse relative to those who've had seriously bad acne. People tell me all the time, "Your skin is clear. What are you talking about?!" If you looked into the mirror and saw what could be comparable to a minefield, you'd probably feel the same way. And those magnifying mirrors? Forget it! My best friend and my worst enemy.
Well, thanks to this wonderful drug called Accutane, my skin will be way less of problem (theoretically). Over the course of 5-6 months, I will take at least one pill a day for thirty days. After thrity days I return to my dermatologist for a monthly visit, where I get my blood taken and am also given a pregnancy test. We're required to make these visits thanks to iPledge, the Accutane patient-doctor program that requlates and closely monitors the progress of your treatment. This program was put into effect mainly from the health risks Accutane could cause, the big one being birth defects (hence the pregger tests as well as being required to take two forms of birth control -- abstinence or lying and saying that your a lesbian doesn't count. Trust me, I tried). Now if I had a penis, taking Accutane would be a walk in the park. Sexism anyone?
So having said all of that, let's talk about what's been going on. I've taken the medication for two and a half weeks. So far, I've experience:
-Dry lips. And you have to use lip balm, not gloss. The issue I've run into is that you must reapply the glossier balms 10-20 times an hour (that's not an exaggeration, people. it's 100% literal). I just started using Burt's Bees Beeswax Lip Balm. In a 6 hour period, I only reapplied once. That says something. Carmax is also another good one (I've heard). I'll have to try it if I lose my Bee's (I hope I don't!).
-Dry Skin. Period. Everyone that's ever been on Accuntane will tell you that the first side effect they experience was dry skin. And it's not just your traditional dryness. My skin has started to become so dry on parts of my face that even the inside of ears are dry.
Let's go over that again: My skin has started to become so dry on parts of my face that even the inside of my ears are dry.
Moral of the story? You have to continually moisturize. And if you use makeup? be careful. I can't use bronzer on my chin or nose because it starts to flake. It's like sandpaper. I got the recommendation to use Cetaphil Lotion or Nivea. Either is really good. So far, so good. Also, Dove Body Wash.
-Dry Scalp. This is a more recent development. I've always had a mild case of dandruff. Some periods worse than others, but since I started taking the medication, I look like I have psoriasis.
That sounds disgusting. Oh wait, it is.
I even noticed tonight that the baby hairs along my hairline are starting to flake. It makes sense that this would occur, but it's borderline nausiating to deal with. Andrea's Granny recommended Tea Tree Oil. I've use it twice and so far it's lessened the dryiness but it's dried the hell out of my hair. I will do some research on this.
Any other new development? Oh yeah, the texture of my skin is changing. It's not as smooth. I have especially noticed this change on my forehead. I now know why: My brow is full of tiny black dots.
They say your skin is suppose to get worse before it gets better. This isn't even the worst. That has yet to come...I tried to show a video but alas, that'll have to be for another time. Until then, happy pimple picking!
Eww.
Everyone has their own version of insecruity with self-image:
A: Oh god, my hips are so ginormous. They might as well be the 51 state of our Union.
B: You think your hips are bad, try looking at my thighs. Have you seen seals this big south of Antartica?
C. Please, my hair looks like an ape went through it.
Mine has been my skin. Thanks to my Father's genetics (not to mention Mom's oily skin -- sorry, Mom), I have struggled with acne for more than ten years. I use to think using Clean & Clear was cool until my face started to look like scab city. Not to mention the scars.
Now, I will admit, I make it sound a lot worse relative to those who've had seriously bad acne. People tell me all the time, "Your skin is clear. What are you talking about?!" If you looked into the mirror and saw what could be comparable to a minefield, you'd probably feel the same way. And those magnifying mirrors? Forget it! My best friend and my worst enemy.
Well, thanks to this wonderful drug called Accutane, my skin will be way less of problem (theoretically). Over the course of 5-6 months, I will take at least one pill a day for thirty days. After thrity days I return to my dermatologist for a monthly visit, where I get my blood taken and am also given a pregnancy test. We're required to make these visits thanks to iPledge, the Accutane patient-doctor program that requlates and closely monitors the progress of your treatment. This program was put into effect mainly from the health risks Accutane could cause, the big one being birth defects (hence the pregger tests as well as being required to take two forms of birth control -- abstinence or lying and saying that your a lesbian doesn't count. Trust me, I tried). Now if I had a penis, taking Accutane would be a walk in the park. Sexism anyone?
So having said all of that, let's talk about what's been going on. I've taken the medication for two and a half weeks. So far, I've experience:
-Dry lips. And you have to use lip balm, not gloss. The issue I've run into is that you must reapply the glossier balms 10-20 times an hour (that's not an exaggeration, people. it's 100% literal). I just started using Burt's Bees Beeswax Lip Balm. In a 6 hour period, I only reapplied once. That says something. Carmax is also another good one (I've heard). I'll have to try it if I lose my Bee's (I hope I don't!).
-Dry Skin. Period. Everyone that's ever been on Accuntane will tell you that the first side effect they experience was dry skin. And it's not just your traditional dryness. My skin has started to become so dry on parts of my face that even the inside of ears are dry.
Let's go over that again: My skin has started to become so dry on parts of my face that even the inside of my ears are dry.
Moral of the story? You have to continually moisturize. And if you use makeup? be careful. I can't use bronzer on my chin or nose because it starts to flake. It's like sandpaper. I got the recommendation to use Cetaphil Lotion or Nivea. Either is really good. So far, so good. Also, Dove Body Wash.
-Dry Scalp. This is a more recent development. I've always had a mild case of dandruff. Some periods worse than others, but since I started taking the medication, I look like I have psoriasis.
That sounds disgusting. Oh wait, it is.
I even noticed tonight that the baby hairs along my hairline are starting to flake. It makes sense that this would occur, but it's borderline nausiating to deal with. Andrea's Granny recommended Tea Tree Oil. I've use it twice and so far it's lessened the dryiness but it's dried the hell out of my hair. I will do some research on this.
Any other new development? Oh yeah, the texture of my skin is changing. It's not as smooth. I have especially noticed this change on my forehead. I now know why: My brow is full of tiny black dots.
They say your skin is suppose to get worse before it gets better. This isn't even the worst. That has yet to come...I tried to show a video but alas, that'll have to be for another time. Until then, happy pimple picking!
Eww.
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