No — not waxing, not chemical peels, not microdermabrasion, and not most resurfacing facials. Roaccutane (isotretinoin) thins the skin and slows healing, so treatments that lift, strip, or abrade the surface can tear it, scar it, or leave permanent marks. This is one of the clearest contraindications in the treatment room, and "the client insisted" is not a defence if it goes wrong.
The standard most UK insurers and training bodies follow:
- Waxing: stop. Skin lifting and tearing is common even on areas that look fine. Wait until the client has been off isotretinoin for at least 6 months before resuming.
- Chemical peels, microneedling, microdermabrasion, laser, IPL: all contraindicated during the course and for 6 months after. Some practitioners extend to 12 months for ablative work.
- Facials: gentle, non-resurfacing facials may be fine, but skip acids, retinoids, extractions, and anything heat-based.
The reason this catches salons out is that clients don't volunteer it. They book a wax, never mention the prescription, and you find out after the skin lifts. Your consultation form has to ask about current and recent medication directly — and the answer has to be on record, dated, before the treatment starts.
Every client, remembered — safely.
SAY-OS keeps each client's contraindications, allergies and history in one place, and flags them at booking — so the right call happens before they're in the chair.
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