Before Accutane: What I Want Parents to Know About Teen Acne
As a mom, I know how hard it is to watch your child struggle with something that affects their confidence. And as a licensed esthetician and the owner of a wellness spa, I also know how easy it is to feel like you need to fix acne immediately. Your child is frustrated. You're frustrated. You start Googling. You buy products. Nothing seems to work. You eventually take your child to the skin doc (dermatologist hopefully) and they turn you on to stronger prescriptions, maybe even Accutane.
I want to say this right up front: I am not a doctor or dermatologist. I don't prescribe medication or tell parents whether their child should or shouldn't take a medication. But I do believe parents should understand their options and personally, if this were my child, I would want to know whether we had really given their skin a chance before moving to one of the strongest medications available for acne that could have some serious long term side effects.
Isotretinoin, commonly known as Accutane, can be life-changing for people with severe, painful or scarring acne, but in my opinion, this is a serious medication. One of the biggest concerns is pregnancy. The label will tell you that Isotretinoin can cause severe birth defects and pregnancy loss, which is why there are strict pregnancy-prevention requirements for patients who can become pregnant. There can also be side effects during treatment, including extremely dry skin and lips, dry eyes and other issues that a prescribing physician may need to monitor. There are plenty of scary claims about Accutane online, too, especially when it comes to girls, hormones, fertility, mental health and long-term health. I think we have a responsibility to be careful here. Not every claim circulating on social media has been proven, and I don't believe in frightening parents into making a decision. I believe in giving them information.
For my own daughter, I would want to understand the risks, benefits and alternatives before making that decision with her physician. And I would ask one very simple question: What are alternative options?
This is where our approach comes in.
Teenage skin is complicated. Hormones are changing. Oil production changes. They're sweating at sports. They're wearing makeup. They're touching their faces. They're trying products they saw on TikTok. They're picking at a breakout before school and then covering it with concealer. And sometimes they're doing way too much because they're desperate to make it go away. I've seen routines with acids, scrubs, acne washes, spot treatments and drying products all being used on the same teenage face.
More isn't always better.
At Rooted Method, our approach is much simpler.
We want to look at the skin first. What's actually happening? Is the skin congested? Inflamed? Is the acne hormone related or is it due to clogged pores, congestion, and over/under cleansing? Is the skin dehydrated? Overproducing oil? Has the barrier been compromised from aggressive products? What are they using at home? And, maybe most importantly, what will this teenager realistically do every day?
Because I'm a mom, I do not believe in sending a teenager home with a complicated 10-step routine and expecting that to happen twice a day.
Why I chose TOMA
I am extremely particular about the products we bring into Rooted Method. When we launched skincare, I considered our clientele, my 44 year old self, my friends, parents, grandparents, and yes- our children. I landed on TOMA Skincare in our esthetics program because I wanted a line that fit the needs of all ages and skin types, effectively and safely.
For our teens, I was specifically looking for skincare formulated without ingredients of concern that the brand identifies as endocrine disruptors. I can't control every ingredient my children will encounter in their lifetime. None of us can. But when I have the opportunity to make a thoughtful choice about something they're putting on their skin every single day, I want to make it. I also don't want to sell your teenager an entire shelf of skincare. The goal, rather, is to figure out what their skin actually needs and keep it manageable.
Clear Waters was created for this.
Our Clear Waters Facial is designed specifically for congested, breakout-prone skin.
We take our time with the skin. Depending on what we see and what is appropriate for that client, the service may include professional cleansing, exfoliation, extractions and calming support, along with blue LED light therapy.
But honestly, one of the most valuable parts isn't just the facial. It's the education.
We want teenagers to understand their skin instead of hating it. We want them to understand why picking makes things worse. Why stripping every bit of oil from their face isn't necessarily the answer. Why consistency matters more than the newest viral product. And why clearing skin usually takes patience.
There is room for esthetics and dermatology to exist together. This isn't about being anti-medication. It's about not treating every case of teenage acne as though the most aggressive option automatically needs to be the first one.
If your son or daughter is struggling with breakouts and you aren't sure where to begin, book them a Clear Waters Facial at Rooted Method.
We'll start with their skin, meet them where they are and go from there. We want to help your teen feel comfortable and confident in their own skin.
Rooted Method provides cosmetic esthetic services. We are not physicians or dermatologists and do not diagnose, treat or cure acne or other medical conditions. Severe, painful, cystic, nodular, infected or scarring acne should be evaluated by a qualified medical provider.