Isotretinoin (oral medication)
Click here for clinics where treatment is available
Treating recurring severe acne from the root

Isotretinoin is an oral acne medication that is said to be the last resort for treating severe acne. It works by reducing clogged pores and inflammation, and by preventing acne scars and new acne from forming.
This treatment is recommended for those who have tried various cosmetics and treatments without success.
Find the Right Treatment for You
- Those who suffer from recurring acne
- Those who have not seen results from other treatments
- Those who are prone to acne scars such as redness and pigmentation after acne has healed
- Those who suffer from rosacea (red face)
- Those with excessive sebum secretion
Supervisor information
Tsubasa Shirozu
- 2010
- Graduated from Hiroshima University School of Medicine, Department of Medicine.
Worked at Saga Prefectural Hospital, Kyushu University Hospital, JCHO Kyushu Hospital, Fukuoka Red Cross Hospital, Kitakyushu Municipal Medical Center, Oita Prefectural Hospital, Kyushu Medical Center
- 2020
- Cosmetic dermatology Elm Clinic Fukuoka Clinic
- Juvederm Vista certified doctor
- Certified doctor trained in Allergan’s Vista program
- Cosmetic Ingredient Test Level 1
What is isotretinoin?
Isotretinoin is an oral acne medication that contains a type of vitamin A derivative. It has effects such as preventing clogged pores, suppressing sebum secretion, acting as an antibacterial agent against acne bacteria, and acting as an anti-inflammatory, making it known as the ultimate treatment for severe acne.
It is expected to be highly effective against intractable acne, recurring acne, rosacea, and acne scars. It is also effective in suppressing the occurrence of new acne, not just existing acne, and is said to prevent acne from occurring for 3 to 5 years after taking it, depending on the duration of oral administration.
However, it is an oral medication that can have some side effects, so it must be taken only under a doctor's prescription.
Isotretinoin Features
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Point
Suppresses the activity of sebaceous glands
Acne is often caused by clogged pores, so this product helps to suppress excess sebum secretion and reduce the occurrence of new acne.
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Point
Calms inflammation
Inflammatory acne occurs because the immune system responds excessively to eliminate the overgrowth of acne bacteria. Isotretinoin has anti-inflammatory properties, normalizing the immune response and calming red, swollen inflammatory acne.
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Point
Promotion of turnover
It has the effect of promoting skin cell turnover (metabolism), which makes pores less likely to become clogged and reduces the occurrence of new acne. Furthermore, by quickly suppressing inflammation and promoting cell turnover, it is expected to have the effect of reducing the remaining acne scars (pigmentation and craters).
Disadvantages of Isotretinoin
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Side effects
Isotretinoin is an oral medication that has some side effects, such as dry skin and mucous membranes, chapped lips, dry eyes, nosebleeds, and dry hands and feet.
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May not be able to take
Isotretinoin cannot be taken by pregnant or breastfeeding women, those with a history of allergies to vitamin A, or those with liver dysfunction, so a doctor will always provide counseling.
Treatment overview
| Duration of treatment | 30 minutes |
|---|---|
| Points to note | Those who cannot take isotretinoin orally ・Pregnant or breastfeeding women -People who have had an allergic reaction to vitamin A -People with liver dysfunction ・Those with high triglyceride and cholesterol levels ・People with depression or a depressive temperament - People in their growth period (women under 15, men under 18) |
| Side effects | Dry skin, teratogenicity, dry mouth, depression, insomnia, hair loss, etc. (Note that side effects other than dry skin, lips, and mucous membranes are rare.) |
*Pain, downtime, and effects vary from person to person.
*The treatment time does not include counseling time.
*Pregnant women cannot undergo any treatments.
Isotretinoin case photos


- Our Treatments
1 month 20mg 15,000 yen x XNUMX months
- Treatment amount
- \90,000
- Side effects
- Dry skin, teratogenicity, dry mouth, depression, insomnia, hair loss, etc.
- Our Treatments
1 month 20mg 15,000 yen x XNUMX months
- Treatment amount
- \90,000
- Side effects
- Dry skin, teratogenicity, dry mouth, depression, insomnia, hair loss, etc.
Flow of treatment
-
Flow of treatmentby doctors and nurses
Counseling
(About 30 minutes)At our clinic, we place great importance on counseling by our doctors. All first-time patients are required to receive counseling from a doctor. Before treatment, we will examine the condition of your acne and ask about the content, duration, and effectiveness of any previous acne treatments you have received. Please feel free to ask any questions or concerns you may have.*For those who only need counseling, the session ends here.
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Flow of treatmentPrescribe oral medication
We will prescribe isotretinoin and begin treatment. Please rest on the day of taking the medicine, and if you feel unwell or experience any other abnormalities, please contact our clinic immediately.
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Flow of treatmentRevisit
One month after starting treatment, you will be asked to come back for a follow-up appointment to monitor the effectiveness of isotretinoin and the condition of your acne. Thereafter, you will be asked to come back for regular follow-up appointments depending on your acne symptoms.
Clinics where treatment is available
Residents of Kanto (Tokyo)
For those who live in the Chugoku region
For those who live in Kyushu
Isotretinoin price
(tax included)| メニュー | 通常料金 |
|---|---|
| 20mg/日まで | 15,000円 |
| 40mg/日まで | 25,000円 |
| 60mg/日まで | 35,000円 |
Click here for details on the fees for each treatment
About Payment Methods
You can choose the payment method that suits you.
Various combinations are possible.
- Lump sum cash
- Credit Transfer

- Medical loan(3 to 60 installments/annual interest rate 8.4%)
For minor patients
If you are a minor, a "parental consent form" is required.Please download and fill out the form in advance and bring it with you, or bring one of your parents with you.
Clinics where treatment is available
Residents of Kanto (Tokyo)
For those who live in the Chugoku region
For those who live in Kyushu
Hiroshi Kikuchi
- 2008
- Graduated from Hiroshima University School of Medicine, Department of Medicine Worked at Chiba University School of Medicine Affiliated Hospital and related hospitals.
- 2013
- Cosmetic dermatology Elm Clinic Fukuoka clinic opened
- Juvederm Vista certified doctor
- Certified doctor trained in Allergan’s Vista program
- Cosmetic Ingredient Test Level 1
About medical advertising guidelines
Review and improvement of homepage
At Elm Clinic, under the supervision of a doctor, we are reviewing and improving our website as appropriate in the following two areas, in accordance with the "Medical Advertising Guidelines."
(i) Addition/deletion of testimonials
(ii) When posting case photos, please describe the details of the treatment, risks of the treatment, price of the treatment, etc.
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[Business hours] 9:00-18:00 [Closed] Sundays
*Temporary closures may be established.[Business hours] 10:00-19:00 [Closed days] Irregular holidays
*Temporary closures may be established.[Business hours] 9:00-18:00 [Closed] Sundays
*Temporary closures may be established.[Business hours] 10:00-19:00 [Closed days] Irregular holidays
*Temporary closures may be established.[Business hours] 9:00-18:00 [Closed days] Irregular holidays
*Temporary closures may be established.Monday/Thursday 11:00-20:00/Others 10:00-19:00
[Regular holidays] Irregular holidays
[Business Hours] 9: 00-18: 00
[Closed] Sundays and Mondays
[Business Hours] 9: 30-18: 30
[ Regular holiday ]Sunday
Weekdays 10:00-19:00 Saturdays, Sundays and holidays 9:30-18:30
[Regular holidays] Irregular holidays
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