Starting Roaccutane (10mg) soon. Terrified of the purging phase. Does it really cure acne forever?
Hi everyone,I’m looking for some advice and experiences from people who have taken Roaccutane. Here is a quick backstory of my acne journey:Last spring (around May), I started getting tiny bumps on my cheeks. By summer, it got significantly worse and turned into severe hormonal acne. In August, I visited a dermatologist. Instead of prescribing oral medication right away, they recommended a strict skincare routine and diet. It did help a bit, and my skin stayed relatively calm during the winter and early spring.However, I recently had another bad flare-up. My doctor prescribed Doxycycline to calm down the inflammation, which worked temporarily, but now the acne is already starting to come back.At my last visit, my dermatologist finally suggested Roaccutane (10mg per day). I’ve been researching it online, and to be honest, I am absolutely terrified of the "purge." I’m scared that if I purge constantly for the first 4 months, it will completely destroy my mental health.I have a few questions for those who have been through this:How bad was your purge on a low dose (10mg)? Did it really last for months?Is a 6-month course enough? I read that people usually take it for about 6 months max.Does it actually cure acne forever? Will it completely disappear from my life after I finish the treatment?I would love to hear about your experiences, especially if you started on a low dose or struggled with the mental aspect of the purging phase. Thank you so much!
Posted Jun 27, 2026, 10:16 AM UTC