What to Know Before Starting Accutane (and a Personal Story of Healing)
In Her Image Photography
Before you commit to a harsh pharmaceutical like Accutane, I invite you to hear my story. I haven’t always shared this chapter publicly, but I believe our most vulnerable experiences are often the ones that can help others the most.
In the age of filters and curated wellness, it's easy to present only our polished selves. But my passion for nutrition and healing didn’t arise from perfection—it was born out of struggle. My journey with acne, weight gain, sluggish digestion, and self-worth has shaped me into the woman I am today: grounded, glowing, and committed to guiding others to wholeness.
A Wake-Up Call
I struggled with acne in high school and college, but was able to keep it at bay with harsh cleansers and creams prescribed by a dermatologist. When the creams eventually stopped working, I was prescribed antibiotics, and after three weeks of wiping out all the friendly bacteria in my digestive system, the acne seemed to disappear, until it didn’t.
During a long stay in India. I arrived wide-eyed and eager with a six-month visa and dreams of spiritual awakening. But by the time I arrived back in the US, I was breaking out again and felt weighed down—literally and energetically. I had been drinking sugary chai multiple times a day, ate heavy restaurant food, and avoided raw greens due to safety warnings. Dressed in flowy clothes, I didn’t realize I was gaining weight—but I could feel it: the lethargy and painful cystic acne across my jawline.
When I returned to the U.S., I was ungrounded—no job, no home, no partner—and no sense of where I belonged in my body or life. My dermatologist recommended Accutane and birth control. I asked gently, “Could food or emotions have something to do with my skin?” She shook her head: “That’s just a myth.”
But something in me stirred—a whisper that said: There’s another way.
Emotional Roots of Acne
Years later, I discovered German New Medicine, a body of work that views physical symptoms as the body’s biological response to unresolved emotional conflict. What I learned:
Acne is often linked to the conflict of “feeling attacked”—and unfortunately, after getting acne, we can often feel attacked by the acne itself, and perpetuate the cycle of breaking out
When we look in the mirror with judgment, disgust, or despair, we emotionally "attack" ourselves. That self-attack creates a stress signal in the body—keeping the acne alive.
While I was beginning to learn about the benefits of nutrition and healing my intestinal biome from the years of antibiotics, this was a key piece of my healing: it wasn’t just the food I ate, but the thoughts I carried.
To truly heal, I had to stop seeing my skin as the enemy. I had to choose love over shame.
How I Healed My Acne Naturally
Instead of Accutane, I began to rebuild my body, mind, and spirit from the inside out. Here are some of the key shifts I made:
🌿 1. I Cleansed Gently with Whole Foods
Green smoothies became my breakfast ritual. I prioritized leafy greens, fiber, and hydration. I phased out processed foods, sugar, and dairy—slowly but intentionally. I stayed off of sugar and dairy for years to give my body time to heal, but now I can eat those foods in moderation with no problems.
🌿 2. I Rebuilt My Gut
Years of antibiotics had wiped out the good bacteria in my system. I began fermenting my own sauerkraut and goat milk kefir. These living foods brought life back to my belly—and helped my skin glow.
🌿 3. I Balanced My Hormones
I noticed my breakouts flared around my cycle. I learned to eat with the rhythm of my hormones, used seed cycling, and increased fiber to help my body eliminate excess estrogen.
🌿 4. I Stopped Waging War on Myself
This was the biggest shift. I stopped squeezing, picking, or cursing my skin. I let myself be. I stopped all the harsh cleansers, and opted for jojoba oil instead. (To this day I do not use any cleansers or toners on my face) I created self-love rituals like rubbing oil on my body while saying, “I love you, I’m listening.”
The more I honored my body, the more she responded. The inflammation softened. My digestion awakened. My skin slowly cleared. Within a year, I was thriving.
A Sacred Invitation
If you’re considering Accutane, I understand the desperation. I’ve cried into pillows, canceled plans, and doubted my worth because of my skin. But here’s what I want you to know:
Your skin is not the problem. It’s the messenger.
It’s asking for your attention, not your shame.
Your healing won’t come from war—it will come from reunion.
Before you choose medication, explore your options. Choose to listen. Ask your body: What are you trying to show me? And when the answer comes, let it guide you home.
