Mon. 11/19/07: 4 years post-accutane

I can't believe it's been 4 years since my Accutane treatment. It still feels fresh, because I still remember how bad my skin was and how much I felt like some sort of monster.

I've been without severe acne for a few years now, but occassionally I still break out, especially around my chin area. I started seeing a new dermatologist and she put me on Ziana, which is pretty good... it's a blend of clindamycin and tretinoin (the ingredient in Retin-A). I can't really say much about it since I haven't been using it for that long yet, but I apply it only a few nights per week and it's definitely not as harsh as Retin-A.

I have pitted scars, especially on my cheeks area, and I have been trying to get rid of them by getting a mild glycolic peel once a month. It doesn't work.

I considered getting a deep chemical peel but the down-time is not appealing to me. Plus, anything that can make me look like a monster (even for just 2 weeks) is off-putting.

So, then Fraxel - a new laser technology - was developed and approved by the FDA for the treatment of acne scars (and other skin conditions). My dermatologist told me about it and I was intrigued. However, I pondered for at least 6 months before I decided to go for it.

I thought, like my Accutane Diary, I will keep a Fraxel Diary as well... just in case someone out there is looking for another's experience.

Previous Next

HOME