The Teen Who Beat Acne: Brady’s Honest Story with Clear Health

At 17, life is supposed to be about school, friends, and figuring out who you are. But for me, a big part of my teenage years was overshadowed by something that felt out of my control—my acne. It started when I was around 13. What began as a few breakouts slowly turned into something more serious. I tried all the usual treatments—drugstore face washes, prescription creams, antibiotics—but nothing worked for long. It felt like no matter what I did, my acne just wouldn’t let up.

By the time I was 16, my skin had taken a serious toll on my confidence. I avoided mirrors. I hated taking pictures. I felt like everyone was looking at my face instead of seeing me. Eventually, my dermatologist brought up the idea of Accutane (isotretinoin), a strong medication known for treating severe acne. I’d heard the horror stories—dry skin, mood changes, and all kinds of side effects—but at that point, I was willing to try anything.

My mom was nervous about me starting it and had done some research and found ClearHealth, which does micro-dosing - smaller doses for a longer period of time. The best part is that it is all done online and you have access to doctors and support staff at all times. This sounded like the best route for me. Starting Accutane was a lot. I had to get blood tests and sign paperwork because of the risks. But once I began the treatment, I started to see changes. At first, my skin got worse—which is common—but over time, something started to shift. Breakouts became less frequent, my skin wasn’t as oily, and slowly, the redness and inflammation began to fade.

It wasn’t an easy road. The side effects were real—my lips were constantly dry, my skin peeled in weird places, and I had to be really careful in the sun. Some days I questioned whether it was worth it. But each month, as I looked in the mirror, I could see improvement—not just in my skin, but in how I felt about myself. I started to smile more, feel less anxious in social situations, and even stop hiding behind hoodies or hairstyles that covered my face.

Now, I’m 15 months into my course of Accutane and my skin is the clearest it’s ever been. It’s not “perfect,” but it’s a world away from where I started. More importantly, my confidence has grown. I’ve learned that acne doesn't define who I am—but taking control of my skin and going through something tough made me stronger.

Looking back, I’m proud of how far I’ve come. Accutane wasn’t a magic fix, but it gave me a second chance at being comfortable in my own skin. And at 17, that means more than I can really put into words. I highly recommend ClearHealth for all your acne needs!

Brady Sheppard

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