Accutane Irritation

Hi all,  this is my first post.  So glad to reconnect with my fellow beauty makers.  I just got a call from my friend who is desperate to get her niece in to see me.  She is on Accutane and is about 3 months in.  I haven't seen her yet but I am told she is beyond dry and VERY broken out.  I have the clarifying mask from PCA I could use on her for the severe breakout, but I'm afraid she might be too dry for that.  I also have the Detox from PCA.  Should I use that and then a calming mask and LOTS of humectants?  Any ideas?  I took Accutane and I remember how incredibly dry I was and how broken out before the stuff started to really work.  She is a high schooler and is devastated by her skin.  Help me help her please.

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Permalink Reply by Laura Cooksey on February 10, 2011 at 2:28pm
If she's on Accutane, I wouldn't use anything that has any activity to it.  I would just hydrate her.  Too bad she went that route - it's pretty easy to get acne under control without it.
Permalink Reply by Sandy Alcide on February 17, 2011 at 10:31am
After a gentle cleanse-Steam in the humectants for about 5 mins as your last step.
Permalink Reply by Katrina Kulm on February 17, 2011 at 1:07pm

Hi Rita, 

I've been using PCA Skin and still new and learning about which products would be best for my clients. Only use steaming during the cleansing part. The clarifying mask works great for acne and has vitamin E which is an emollient..it'll hydrate the skin.  I've found it to be pretty intense for some of my acne clients so I've found it works better to do sections at a time so it's not overwhelming. You can start by doing chin and fan her for a bit and then continue to apply and work your way up on her face every couple of minutes and then remove with a cool towel. Yes, a calming mask afterwards is always helpful. When I've emailed my instructor about a Detox Gel extraction appointment after someone is very reactive red after I did a Sensi peel, she suggested to make the appointment further apart. So I think have the client come back in 2 weeks for a Detox gel extraction appointment and serums (A&C synergy serum is great for acne). Are you selling any of the acne products? I would sell her the acne or breakout control kit if you can or at least some of their products. Start her out on using the Benzoyl peroxide wash, Acne gel, and Clearskin. Hope this helps!

Permalink Reply by Cindy Chiapetta on February 17, 2011 at 3:16pm

Have her check with her dermatologist to see if she would be a candidate for any facial treatments.  You have to be very careful with patients who are using Accutane.  The final word should come from her derm...

Permalink Reply by Katrina Kulm on February 17, 2011 at 4:32pm
I agree with Cindy on checking with her Dermatologist. There's always a possibility that acne treatment/products can irritate their skin further when they are already exfoliating and drying out their skin with taking Accutane. Best to get approval first, then you can feel okay about trying out an acne treatment on her. 

Cindy Chiapetta said:

Have her check with her dermatologist to see if she would be a candidate for any facial treatments.  You have to be very careful with patients who are using Accutane.  The final word should come from her derm...

Permalink Reply by Rita M. Liegl on February 17, 2011 at 8:35pm
So it looks like I won't be seeing her too soon.  Her mom won't let her get any facials while she is in treatment.  I told her aunt (my friend) and tried to at least help advise her on home care.  The mom said the dermatologist has better products.  She is using the free samples from the office.  My friend and I are both frustrated but we can't really do anything more than try to educate her.  I would like to at least be able to hydrate her.  Ughhh!  So frustrating.
Permalink Reply by Katrina Kulm on February 17, 2011 at 8:49pm
Gosh..how does she know that the products she uses from the Dermatologist is better than yours? PCA Skin is medically formed products and sold in Dermatologist offices! That's frustrating especially if they're not open to what you suggest them to use. I had an acne client that I treated with a series of 4 Sensi peels and she used the acne kit daily. Once she ran out she did not want to spend any money on full sizes of acne products even though I tried to keep suggesting them to her. By her 3rd peel, her skin cleared up wonderfully..then when I saw her for 4th peel, she broke out badly again since she wasn't continuing the acne products. I totally understand how you feel because all you want to do is help them and they back away. Hang in there..maybe they'll change their mind one of these days...only so much we can do right?

Rita M. Liegl said:
So it looks like I won't be seeing her too soon.  Her mom won't let her get any facials while she is in treatment.  I told her aunt (my friend) and tried to at least help advise her on home care.  The mom said the dermatologist has better products.  She is using the free samples from the office.  My friend and I are both frustrated but we can't really do anything more than try to educate her.  I would like to at least be able to hydrate her.  Ughhh!  So frustrating.
Permalink Reply by Laura Cooksey on February 17, 2011 at 11:40pm
@Katrina- since she's on Accutane, she can't use any of the "active" products that you normally would have your acne clients use.  So NO on any acne kit of any kind!!  And NO to peels and/or Detox Gel.  Yes, we all know that you can get acne clients clear without using Accutane, but that's not the issue here.
Permalink Reply by Katrina Kulm on February 18, 2011 at 12:14am
@Laura, I appreciate your feedback and I didn't realize that they can't use any of the acne products while on Accutane. When a client comes to you with acne while on Accutane, do you sell them any home care products? Like a gentle wash and light-weight hydrator? I was thinking Clearskin from PCA might be okay even though it has sulfur in it but maybe not? I'd love to know of your suggestions.
Permalink Reply by Samantha Maline on December 6, 2013 at 7:20am
Clear skin has Retinol in it. It's light but it's fairly active. Not a good combo with Accutane.
Permalink Reply by Jami amidon on February 18, 2011 at 10:50am
@Katrina, Laura is so right on with this. I would encourage you to call PCA's aesthetics line for their advice using PCA products on Accutane users. This drug greatly affects the endocrine system and a person's reaction to this drug can be very dramatic.
Permalink Reply by Laura Cooksey on February 18, 2011 at 1:09pm
@Katrina - we don't do treatments or products on anyone who's on Accutane. They have to be off Accutane for at LEAST a month before we will touch them.

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