piercings and accutane

Piercings and Accutane: What You Need to Know Before Booking

At Essential Ink Body Art, your health and safety always come first. Whether it’s choosing high-quality jewelry, using sterile tools, or giving you aftercare advice based on science—not trends—we’re here to help you heal beautifully and safely.

One question that comes up more than you’d think is:

“Can I get pierced while I’m on Accutane?”

Short answer: Not right now.Let us explain why.

💊 What Is Accutane (Isotretinoin)?

Accutane (also known as isotretinoin) is a powerful prescription medication most commonly used to treat severe acne. It’s highly effective—but it also comes with some serious side effects, including how your skin and body heal from injuries.

If you're on Accutane or a similar medication, your skin is:

  • Thinner
  • More fragile
  • Slower to heal
  • More prone to scarring and infection

That means any trauma to the skin—like a piercing—carries a higher risk of complications.

🚫 Why We Won’t Pierce You on Accutane

While it may seem like “just a little hole,” a piercing is technically a wound. And when you’re on Accutane, your body’s ability to handle that wound is compromised.

Here’s what can go wrong if you get pierced while on Accutane:

  • 🛑 Poor or delayed healing
  • ⚠️ Increased risk of infection
  • 🚫 Severe scarring or keloids
  • ❗ Tissue damage that doesn’t resolve easily

None of that sounds fun—and it’s the exact opposite of what we want for you. Even a piercing that looks fine in the beginning can go south weeks or months later if your body can’t keep up with the healing process.

⏳ So, When Can You Get Pierced?

Most professionals—including dermatologists and reputable piercers—recommend waiting at least 6 months after you’ve finished your course of Accutane before getting any body mods, including tattoos or piercings.

That gives your body enough time to:

  • Regain normal skin thickness
  • Restore healthy oil production and elasticity
  • Resume typical wound healing function

Everyone is different, so it’s always a good idea to check with your prescribing doctor before booking a piercing appointment.

❤️ We’re in This for the Long Game

At Essential Ink, we’re not here to rush you into a piercing that might leave you with complications. We want your piercing to heal well, look great, and last a long time—and that means working with your body, not against it.

If you’re on Accutane or planning to start it soon, let us know. We’ll be happy to:

  • Talk through your options
  • Answer questions about timing
  • Help you plan your piercing for when your body is ready

📣 Final Thoughts

Your skin’s health is just as important as your style. While it can be disappointing to wait, trust us—a well-timed piercing is always worth it. Let your body heal, finish your medication, and then come see us when the time is right.

We’ll be ready for you. — The Essential Ink Body Art Team

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Frequently Asked Questions

Can I get a piercing while taking Accutane?

Because isotretinoin (commonly known by the former brand name Accutane) can affect the skin and healing process, getting an elective piercing while taking it may not be recommended. Talk with the healthcare professional prescribing your medication before booking a piercing.

Why can isotretinoin be a concern with new piercings?

Isotretinoin can cause significant skin dryness, increased fragility, and changes in how the skin responds to injury. Since a piercing creates a wound that needs to heal around jewelry, these effects can potentially make healing more difficult or unpredictable.

Does Accutane make piercings heal slower?

It may affect wound healing in some people, although current medical evidence is more nuanced than the older blanket advice surrounding all procedures and isotretinoin. Piercings present their own healing demands, so your individual medication, dose, skin condition, and medical history should be discussed with your healthcare provider.

Should I stop taking Accutane before getting pierced?

Do not stop or change a prescription medication just to get a piercing without speaking with your prescriber. Your healthcare provider should determine whether and when changing your medication is medically appropriate.

How long after stopping Accutane should I wait before getting pierced?

There isn't one universal waiting period that's appropriate for everyone. Recommendations can depend on your treatment, dosage, skin condition, procedure, and healthcare provider's guidance. Ask your prescriber when they feel your skin is ready for an elective piercing.

I heard you have to wait six months after Accutane. Is that true?

You may have heard a traditional recommendation to avoid certain cosmetic procedures for six months or longer after isotretinoin. More recent research has questioned whether that blanket waiting period is necessary for every type of skin procedure. That doesn't automatically establish that piercing immediately after treatment is appropriate, however, so individualized medical guidance is still important.

What if my dermatologist says I'm okay to get pierced?

Let your piercer know you've recently used isotretinoin and that you've discussed the piercing with your healthcare provider. The piercer can then determine whether they're comfortable performing the procedure under their studio policies.

Can I get pierced if I'm taking a very low dose of isotretinoin?

A lower dose doesn't automatically mean there are no healing considerations. Your prescribing healthcare professional is the appropriate person to evaluate whether your medication regimen makes an elective piercing advisable.

Why might a professional piercer decline to pierce someone taking Accutane?

A piercer's responsibility isn't simply to perform the procedure—it's also to consider whether the piercing has a reasonable opportunity to heal successfully. Because isotretinoin can affect the skin, a studio may choose to postpone elective piercing until treatment is complete and appropriate medical guidance has been obtained.

Is asking about medications part of responsible piercing?

Yes. Certain medications and medical treatments can influence bleeding, skin integrity, immune response, or wound healing. Sharing relevant information helps your piercer make safer decisions and determine when medical guidance may be appropriate.

What's the most important thing to know before booking?

Your piercing appointment can wait; your prescribed medical treatment shouldn't be changed for a piercing. If you're currently taking or have recently finished isotretinoin, talk with your prescriber first and be transparent with your piercer so you can choose an appropriate time to get pierced.

What should I do if my piercing becomes unusually dry, cracked, swollen, or irritated?

Contact your piercer for an evaluation and let your healthcare provider know about significant or unusual skin changes. Persistent redness, worsening pain, heat, significant swelling, or concerning discharge should be evaluated appropriately rather than treated solely with home remedies.

Can I use extra moisturizer or ointment around my piercing while taking Accutane?

Don't add heavy creams, oils, ointments, or other products directly to a healing piercing unless specifically advised by an appropriate healthcare professional. Products used to manage isotretinoin-related dryness elsewhere on your skin may not be appropriate inside a healing piercing.

Should I remove a healing piercing if I start Accutane?

Don't automatically remove it. Contact your piercer and prescribing healthcare professional first. Removing jewelry from an irritated or problematic piercing isn't always the appropriate solution.