Let's be honest, there are a lot of before and after pictures floating around on the internet. While many are drastic, most of us are aware that they’re being used to sell us something, generally under the premise that the product will “change our lives.” Call it a healthy dose of skepticism, but I believe very few of the before and after pictures I see. With the ability to use Facetune and Photoshop on just about anything (including your waistline), it's hard to determine what's actually real.
But one must see before-and-after that’s undeniably real? Check out 22-year-old Kali Kushner’s account @myfacestory.
Kushner started Accutane in 2015 and documented her journey on her Instagram. Originally, she started the account for herself, as documentation of the drastic changes that were occurring as a result of the treatment. “I honestly didn’t start the account with any idea or goal of getting noticed. I was just trying to keep track of my progress as I went through my six-month prescription of Accutane.” She still appears to be baffled at her success, and the effect that it has had on people. “I used to think it was odd because I really didn’t do anything magical—I just took Accutane and a bunch of selfies, but now I realize that the reason people are so dedicated to following my story is because nobody actually posts stuff like this."
However, the account has turned into more than just a collection of before and after pictures. Kushner is advocating to eliminate the stigma that surrounds acne. “Acne is so hush-hush and shamed in society, and having clear skin is the epitome of beauty, so if you dare have a zit or a breakout—and if you dare to take a picture of it—it’s almost like something’s wrong with you, which is so false." Instead of seeing it for what it is, a disease, many people see it as something that is controllable; which is frustrating to those struggling, who feel as though they have exhausted every opportunity and potential solution. Kushner continues, “People think you have acne because you’re dirty, or you don’t wash your face, or you’re just generally unkempt, but it’s about hormones, blood sugar, and genetics, more than anything else, and yet people look down upon it as if it’s something you’re not trying hard enough to fix, which is what I try to dispel in my Instagram."
Luckily for Kushner, she finally found the method that works for her with Accutane. The medicine didn’t come without some harsh side effects, though. “The only downside was the side effects, which, for me, made me dry literally everywhere, and made me feel achy all over, all day long, every single day. It’d take me ten minutes just to get out of bed in the morning, because my back was so sore.” Joint pain, dryness, numbness, depression, severe blistering and even seizures are all on the long list of potential side effects that come with taking the drug, so it definitely isn’t an easy solution.
Kushner has been off of Accutane for over a year and is currently focusing on reducing the appearance of her acne scars. She has been using vitamin C and a derma roller, and the results have been phenomenal.
