OK To Do a Chemical Peel 2 Months After Accutane? Did 3 Month Course.

Our treatments use combination therapy to improve the epidermis and dermis. We see atrophic and hypertrophic scars, as well as scars that have hypo and hyperpigmentation. Our main concern is rebuilding collagen and that is why we use a HIDEF protocol that includes combination therapy. Morpheus 8, scar subcision, fibrous release, fractional laser, CO2 laser, Thulium laser, PDL Vbeam laser, and fractional resurfacing can be used in addition to TCA Cross and chemical peels to further improve skin. Patients should start Melarase AM and Melarase PM for active hyperpigmentation. Always begin with a consultation to discuss the best treatment options for your type of skin. .

Best,
Dr. Karamanoukian
Realself100 Surgeon

I generally advise patients be off of Accutane for at least six months. Candidates for skin peels must also avoid the use of Retina-A, Renova, prescription skin care drugs, any products containing ascorbic (or any other variety of) acid and bleaching/skin-lightening agents in the 48 hours prior to treatment. 

·         Accutane seems to alter the skin's healing capacity for the six months following the treatment course. In our practice we always wait 6 months to do fractionated CO2, and most other lasers or treatments that cause peeling of the skin surface.  If the chemical peel is extremely mild and won't cause much exfoliation it might be okay but in my opinion it is always better to be safe than sorry, so I would advise waiting the full 6 months.

 

In my practice, I recommend patients wait 6 months after finishing isotretinoin (Accutane) to have elective treatments to the face.  Isotretinoin makes the skin very sensitive and impairs healing. It is especially important to stay out of the sun and to avoid laser treatments. 

This is a on-going controversy in Dermatology. Some experts think that patients should wait 6 months, and other experts feel that the period immediately following Accutane is a time of therapeutic opportunity. There is much activity in the skin, many healing cells are in the tissue, and along with them, growth factors. My advice is to ask your doctor if you could have a "test site" treatment. This is where the patient and I select an inconspicuous area and conduct a test treatment...but I do not recommend something that is ablative (CO2 laser). No ablative treatments..only treatments that aid the body in repair and help you with any problems you have..for example, working on the excess oil. By the way, if the oil problem is on your face, there's a great product called OC-8 that helps with oil control. It can be applied daily to give you a matte-finish look to the face. I am sure that you can find it online and it should be no more than $40.00. For other people reading this who are on Accutane, it is common to get a little re-bound acne (small pimples, with some oiliness) at about 4-8 weeks after Accutane but this process calms after about 8 weeks.