You may have heard about this drug in your own research when trying to treat your acne? Maybe your doctor even mentioned it? You’ve probably heard that there can be some side effects but dismissed these warnings with eyes laser focused on clear skin. Well.... maybe you should read this first.
First of all what is Accutane?
Isotretinoin is a drug used to treat severe acne that dermatologists have decided can’t benefit from other treatments.
This drug is a vitamin A derivative (retinoid), so your body reacts to it in a similar way that it does to vitamin A. Vitamin A quickly builds up in your tissue which can quickly lead to bigger problems.
Accutane does not fix the issue!
Acne is a hereditary condition of your skin’s pore where it sheds too many skin cells in a day. These accumulate inside your pore creating acne. Someone with this hereditary condition may never see acne on their face, that is because there has to be something that triggers it. Commonly that would be diet, poor gut health, external factors like makeup, or medications. If you never find and fix the trigger or supplement your skincare regimen elsewhere acne will always come back. Accutane does NOT address triggers, you are essentially putting a bandaid over the problem, that WILL create BIGGER problems later!
Isotretinoin will dry your body out for life.
Chronic dry eyes, bleeding nose, chapped lips, thinning and breaking hair, just to name a few. Your skin will be so fragile that sun exposure can scar your skin. Not only that but people have often experienced the palms of their hands, and soles of their feet peeling, cracking, and bleeding. It is even recommended that you do not wax your skin for 6 months AFTER taking it because your skin is so prone to irreparable damage.
Is temporary clear skin worth central nervous system damage?
For some clear skin meant permanent hearing loss. Ringing in the ears, and temporary hearing loss are not uncommon. Isotretinoin will increase pressure in your brain. Common side effects of pressure in your brain include:
- severe headache
- blurred vision
- dizziness
- nausea
- vomiting
- seizures
- Stroke
More serious mental health problems including depression, psychosis, and suicidal thoughts. Warning signs include emotional outbursts, withdrawal, and seeing or hearing things that aren’t real.
Say goodbye to a healthy digestive tract.
Problems along your digestive tract would include:
- bleeding gums
- a lack of appetite
- heartburn
- stomach pain
- bowel pain
- dark urine
- nausea
- vomiting
- diarrhea
- rectal bleeding
These symptoms could be warning you of severe problems to your:
- esophagus
- pancreas
- liver
- intestines
You are in big trouble if you get pregnant.
If you become pregnant during the time you’re taking this drug, or 4 weeks after (in my opinion not long enough), you are putting your baby at SERIOUS risk. Taking isotretinoin during pregnancy can cause miscarriage, death of the fetus, or premature birth. It can also lead to severe birth defects such as:
- small or missing ears
- hearing loss
- small eyes, which is called microphthalmia
- missing eyes
- a small or missing thymus gland, which is responsible for making white blood cells
- a cleft palate
- congenital heart defects
If that’s not enough It can also cause a buildup of fluid and pressure on the brain called hydrocephalus. This can lead to intellectual disabilities.
Babies may be born with an underdeveloped brain and small head, which is called microcephaly. This can lead to intellectual and developmental disabilities.
In fact pregnancy is taken so seriously with the use of this drug that you are required to enroll in a risk management program designed to prevent fetal exposure to isotretinoin called iPledge. This requires that you must use two forms of contraception and submit a negative pregnancy test to your physician each month while you’re taking isotretinoin.
Why would you take such a harmful drug if it doesn’t even work?
I have treated MANY clients who have come to me after Accutane doesn’t work. Can you imagine doing so much irreversible damage to your body only to continue experiencing breakouts? I have created programs with Face Reality that have a 95% success rate, naturally, without the use of drugs. That other 5% that don’t clear is because they don’t follow instructions, are not dedicated to the program, or are taking a medication that isn’t acne safe that they can’t go without (they usually still clear to about 85%). My programs are cheaper, work better, address the issue to not only get your skin clear quickly but KEEP your skin clear for life. Your health will not decline, your body will feel better as we address issues in your diet, and internal health. Educating you on your body, teaching you the tools to maintain your health, and of course giving you completely clear skin that doesn’t come back (unlike Accutane)
***Isotretinoin is an extremely harmful drug that is completely unnecessary in the fight against acne. I urge you, even BEG you, do NOT take this drug. It may be your biggest regret in life.***
