The "accutane" has a profound effect on controlling cystic acne. It also has a number of side effects. We think it makes a permanent change in the sebaceous glands in the skin which is one of the ways it improves acne. It also seems to slow skin healing for at least a period of time after the treatment. Studies of this are not really that good. Clinically, it is best to be highly cautious about this. A peel that might heal quickly in normal skin, anecdotally has the potential to scar after recent isotretinoin treatment. For this reason, clinicians generally recommend waiting 12 to 24 months before having a procedure that relies on normal skin healing for a result.
