IMPORTANT:  If the client was only on it for 1 or 2 months then they would need to be off Accutane for at least 1 or two months, and so forth.  If a client has taken a full course of Accutane, they must be off of it for at least 4 months to begin the program. 

 

Accutane is a type of retinoid medication that clients will use to treat severe acne.  It is a man-made, chemical form of vitamin A.

 

We consider this a band-aid effect.  It doesn't work to clear acne, it works to suppress acne.

 

We have a lot of clients who come to us either right before considering Accutane, or after being on Accutane.  For those who were on Accutane, it generally seems to work for about 6 months, and then their skin would resume breaking out.  Or clients will come off of Accutane and their skin will purge, because the breakouts were being suppressed.  

 

 

The most common side effects of Accutane are:

• Very dry skin, eyes and mucus membranes
• Itching (caused by dry skin)
• Rash
• Dry nose
• Nosebleeds
• Dry cracked lips and in the corners of the mouth
• Dry mouth
• Cracking or peeling skin
• Inflammation of the whites of the eyes
• Joint pain
• Back pain
• Dizziness
• Drowsiness
• Nervousness
• Changes in your fingernails or toenails

Long-term side effects:

• Liver damage
• Inflammatory bowel disease (Crohn’s Disease, Colitis)
• Bowel obstructions
• Leaky gut
• Suicidal behavior
• Birth defects

 

It is unarguable that taking Accutane has short-term side effects that are uncomfortable, unpleasing and substantial. A drug that is this powerful will have significant long-term side effects for some. More and more people are considering the permanent damage that can be caused to the bowel and liver. While Accutane does have a high success rate it comes at a very high price both for your pocketbook and also in side effects.

 

What is important to note is that after a 4-6 month course of Accutane, if the skin has cleared, the results typically only last for 6 months. The acne will slowly start to come back after 6 months of being clear. This is very risky for such short-term results.

 

It's important to remind clients that prescription drugs are not necessary to clear acne, and often times they only work to suppress acne, not clear it.  
 

Keep in mind that Accutane will make the skin very sensitive, so keep an eye on the clients skin when they begin the program, and remind them to report any irritation, burning, etc. right away. 

 

Clients who decide to use Accutane after doing our program will need to discontinue our active topicals and stop using Skin Clarity.