Laser Facials vs. Accutane: Which Acne Treatment Is Right for You?

A board-certified dermatologist explains how these two popular acne treatments compare—including what to expect and the pros and cons of each.

Acne is an all-too-common skin concern — and its effects go beyond the surface. In the U.S. alone, this chronic condition affects around 50 million people each year, showing up as inflammation, breakouts, scarring and texture changes. But the impact isn’t just physical. Acne can also affect confidence, self-esteem and overall mental well-being.

When it comes to proven, effective treatments, Laser Facials and Accutane are two popular — but vastly different — options.

“Although I love Accutane for severe cystic acne, it is definitely not my first choice for most acne patients,” says Skin Laundry’s Chief Medical Officer, board-certified dermatologist Dr Roberta Del Campo. “"Given the potential risks and need for close monitoring with Accutane, having a non-invasive option like our Signature Laser Facial to treat both acne and scarring—without systemic side effects—is a highly appealing alternative.”

Keep reading to learn more about the differences between using Laser Facials and Accutane to treat acne.

What Is Accutane? 

Accutane, also known by its generic name isotretinoin, is a powerful oral medication used to treat severe or treatment-resistant acne. Taken daily for about 4 to 6 months, it works by shrinking oil glands in the skin, reducing sebum production, and helping prevent clogged pores and inflammation.

While highly effective, Accutane comes with a range of potential side effects — including dry skin and lips, sun sensitivity, joint pain, and, in some cases, mood changes. Because of the risk of serious birth defects, it requires strict safety protocols including regular bloodwork, monthly monitoring and birth control for those who can become pregnant.

Some side effects, like hair thinning or dry skin, are typically temporary. However, there have been self-reported cases of longer-term issues, including joint pain, IBS, vision problems and mental health changes.

Our Signature Laser Facial treats both acne and scarring—without systemic side effects— making it a highly appealing alternative.

In some cases, a second course of treatment (or “retread”) may be needed. The higher the cumulative dose, the more likely acne is to clear — but the risk of side effects also increases.

“Patients on Accutane must be monitored monthly,” says Dr. Del Campo. “This is because the medication can impact liver function and cholesterol levels — and regular blood tests help catch issues early.”

By contrast, laser facials offer a non-invasive alternative with fewer risks and no need for ongoing lab work. Most side effects are mild and temporary, such as redness or sensitivity post-treatment.

What Are the Potential Side Effects of Accutane?

Skin Dryness: Accutane is notorious for causing dryness and peeling of the skin, leading to discomfort.

Photosensitivity: The medication can increase sensitivity to the sun, requiring diligent sun protection.

Scarring: Paradoxically, Accutane can cause initial acne flares and, in some cases, lead to scarring.

Hair Loss: Hair thinning or loss is another reported side effect of Accutane.

Mood Changes: Although rare, mood swings and even depression have been linked to Accutane use.

The Key Differences Between Accutane and Laser Facials

Apart from side effects, Accutane and laser facials have several other key points of differentiation.

For instance, Accutane works by reducing oil production in the sebaceous glands systemically, meaning it circulates throughout the body and affects all oil glands—not just those on the face. It does this by shrinking the sebaceous glands to inhibit sebum production, which helps prevent the buildup of oil and dead skin cells that can clog pores.

By contrast, a Signature Laser Facial targets acne locally, using heat to destroy acne-causing bacteria within the pores and stimulate collagen production in the skin—all without affecting the body as a whole.

In addition, while Accutane is specifically designed to treat acne, laser facials address a host of common skin concerns. Our Signature Laser Facial treats everything from inflammation and breakouts to the lingering side effects of acne, which can include redness, acne scarring and post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation.

Laser facials treat overall skin health with cumulative results and are most effective when used as an ongoing component of a holistic skincare regime. Meanwhile, Accutane treats a single issue—acne—and is typically prescribed for a limited course of treatment.

Accutane poses potential risks including severe skin dryness, nosebleeds and mood changes. Meanwhile, laser facials typically only have mild side effects such as temporary redness.

Deciding Between Accutane and Laser Facials

Accutane is typically best for severe or persistent acne that hasn’t responded to other treatments. It targets breakouts at their root by reducing oil production and inflammation systemically. Laser facials, on the other hand, are ideal for mild to moderate acne, post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation, acne scarring and uneven skin texture. They work on the surface to improve skin clarity and boost collagen — all without side effects.

According to Dr. Del Campo, “Post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation and scarring are not improved with Accutane and would still warrant lasers or other energy-based treatments for correction.”

It’s also important to note that laser treatments aren’t safe during Accutane treatment — or for six months afterward — due to increased skin sensitivity and risk of complications.

Post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation and scarring are not improved with Accutane and would still warrant lasers or other energy-based treatments for correction.

About the Signature Laser Facial

At Skin Laundry, we use lasers that are highly effective in treating a variety of skin concerns, particularly those involving deeper layers of the skin—the dermal layer—where many skin concerns originate, including sebum production which can lead to acne.

Learn more about our Signature Laser Facial.

Our lasers operate on the principle of selective photothermolysis, a process where specific wavelengths of light are absorbed by chromophores in the skin, converting light energy into heat. The heat then selectively damages the target without harming surrounding tissue.

Our lasers are non-ablative, meaning they do not remove or vaporize the surface of the skin but instead focus on the deeper layers. This minimizes downtime and reduces the risk of side effects like scarring, making these lasers safe options for treating a wide range of skin types and concerns.

“Most lasers might treat one chromophore or two, but the wavelength of our lasers targets all three chromophores which allows us to treat different types of skin concerns at once,” explains Del Campo. “Most importantly, our treatments are precise, effective and safe for all skin tones.”

How Skin Laundry’s Signature Laser Facial Treats Acne

The wavelengths of our lasers are well-absorbed by water, which is abundant in the sebaceous (oil-producing) glands in the skin. By penetrating the skin and delivering focused light energy, our lasers can reduce the size and activity of these sebaceous glands. This leads to a reduction in excess oil production, which is one of the major causes of acne.

The Skin Laundry Power Resurfacing Facial

To treat post-acne scarring and other side effects of the inflammatory condition, many Skin Laundry clients pair or follow their Signature Laser Facials with our Power Resurfacing Facial.

The powered-up version of our original Resurfacing Facial delivers three times the energy, using nanofractional radiofrequency technology to treat acne scars, uneven skin texture, hyperpigmentation, redness and other common side effects of acne.

Doctor's Note