A Face Five Guide for Parents, Teenagers, & Young Adults
Alternatives to Accutane (Isotretinoin)
Why You Found This Guide
If you’ve been struggling with severe acne and considering Accutane, you might also be exploring a safe subsitute to Accutane. You’re not alone. The sacrifices you have to make and the potential side effects you may face on the acne clearing drug is not something you should take lightly.
Now, this guide is not intended to offer you medical advise!
Instead, we intend to inform you fully of all the things you should consider if you or your child is contemplating isotretinoin, and also lay out of a more natural, and safe alternative.
What is Accutane?
Accutane, also known as isotretinoin, is a potent medication primarily used to treat severe acne. Often times, teenagers look to Accutane as a last resort after not having responded to other treatments. Developed from vitamin A, Accutane works by reducing the size and activity of sebaceous (oil) glands in the skin, which decreases oil production, reduces inflammation and the excessive shedding of skin cells, and helps clear acne. It is typically prescribed for individuals with nodular or cystic acne.
What Are the Side Effects of Isotretinoin?
Where do we begin?
The Cleveland Clinic states that the side effects of Isotretinoin can include:
- Allergic reactions—skin rash, itching, hives, swelling of the face, lips, tongue, or throat
- Change in vision such as blurry vision, seeing halos around lights, vision loss
- Hearing loss, ringing in ears
- Increased pressure around the brain—severe headache, blurry vision, change in vision, nausea, vomiting
- Liver injury—right upper belly pain, loss of appetite, nausea, light-colored stool, dark yellow or brown urine, yellowing skin or eyes, unusual weakness or fatigue
- Mood and behavior changes—anxiety, nervousness, confusion, hallucinations, irritability, hostility, thoughts of suicide or self-harm, worsening mood, feelings of depression
- Pancreatitis—severe stomach pain that spreads to your back or gets worse after eating or when touched, fever, nausea, vomiting
- Redness, blistering, peeling, or loosening of the skin, including inside the mouth
- Stomach pain, rectal bleeding, severe diarrheaSide effects that usually do not require medical attention (report to your care team if they continue or are bothersome):
- Dryness or irritation of the eyes, lips, mouth, or nose
- Joint pain
- Muscle pain
- Nausea
The most serious side effects of Accutane are:
- Increase in blood fats
- Serious birth defects if taken during pregnancy
The potential risks particularly for women in this instance is not to be taken lightly. And thankfully, procedures are in place. Women must have two negative pregnancy tests before starting isotretinoin, and one each month during treatment, even if not sexually active. They also must use two reliable forms of birth control for one month before, during, and for one month after stopping this medication.
These side effects are so serious that FDA requires all prescribers to abide by the iPledge safety program to ensure the benefits outweigh the risks. If we’re being honest, the iPledge website in itself is a bit unsettling, branded like a warning sign before walking into a hazardous area!
Unfortunately, if you or your child is considering an intense drug like Isotretinoin, than perhaps you’ve tried a wide range of products and techniques with little success and now you’re considering Isotretinoin as a last resort.
You’re not alone.
The journey to clear skin is incredibly challenging! There are so many commercials products in the market place and too often they carry harmful chemicals. It’s also challenging because your skin changes as you use different products, so you may see progress at first, but then quickly hit a wall because you don’t make the right adjustments. There are also so many different lifestyle and dietary factors that may be triggering your acne and you don’t even know it!
There's Another Way
Let’s make one thing very clear. In this guide, we’re not challenging the notion that isotretinoin is not a viable solution for treating acne. However, in years past, isotretinoin was generally prescribed as a last resort because other topical or oral treatments failed to work.
However, today the use of Isotretinoin is becoming more and more ubiquitous because standards and procedures have been put in place to avoid the severe side effects. In fact, dermatologist now commonly prescribe “Accutane for moderate or even mild acne that is stubborn to other topical or oral treatments”.
The reality is, too many acne sufferers are being recommended isotretinoin without having truly tried everything to clear their condition in a safe, natural, and sustainable way. They think they must endure the risks assoicated with Accutane in order to clear acne when in reality they’re missing some simple yet key strategies to do so without having to resort to harsh medication.
Put it this way: If you’re struggling to lose weight, but you’ve only been working out while still eating junkfood, is it time to look towards a last resort for your weight loss?
A Safer Alternative to Isotretinoin
We believe that solving acne is a multi-faceted problem, that requires a multi-faced solution.
To clear severe acne, you need:
1) Safe and non-toxic skincare products
2) The right lifestyle and dietary routine
3) Knowledge & support
This is why we’ we created this guide. We’re continually updating the resources below with tips an tricks and information surrounding Alternatives to Accutane. In addition, we offer skin safe products in our store, and Acne Solution Programs that are both in-clinic and virtual to support acne sufferers. Going back to our weight loss analogy, you may want to gather your information on your own and tackle the journey on your own, or you may want a dedicated trainer to push you and keep you accountable. Either way, we’re here to support your path towards clear skin!
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Helpful Links
Lifestyle Considerations
Diet Advise For Acne
How Diet Impacts Acne and What Foods to Embrace
Struggling with persistent acne? Discover how inflammation and diet play a major role in skin health, and which foods to avoid or embrace for clearer, calmer skin.
Yuki Stauffer, is a licensed Colorado Esthetician, Functional Nutrition Coach, Certified Acne Specialist, Preventive Health Instructor, and Medical Interpreter. Her Acne Solution Program offers personalized skincare, diet, and lifestyle guidance to empower clients in overcoming acne.
With expertise in skincare and a dedication to helping others, Yuki provides customized consultations and Face Five Skincare products, both in-office and online.
Product Guidance
Ask Us Anything!
We’ve seen over a thousand clients over the last 10+ years running the Face Five Acne Clinic. Chances are, if you’re going through an acne breakout, we can give some pointers. Contact us with any general questions, and we’ll follow up with you as quickly as possible!
Yuki Staufer - Founder & Head Esthetician at Face Five
Yuki is a highly skilled and dedicated professional in the field of acne care with over 15 years of experience as a licensed Colorado esthetician. As a certified acne specialist, she has extensive expertise in treating and managing acne, particularly in teenagers and young adults.
In addition to her esthetician credentials, she is also a functional nutrition coach, certified preventive health instructor, and certified medical interpreter. All of her training and experience has been in the pursuit of both safe and sustainable acne solutions, focusing on comprehensive methods that promote long-term skin health.
Disclaimer: The information on this website is not intended to replace a one-on-one relationship with a qualified health care professional and is not intended as medical advice. It is intended as a sharing of knowledge and information from the research and experience of Face Five and the 15 plus years we’ve served our customers with safe acne solutions.