Accutane: A Scarred Controversy is a deeply personal and visually compelling senior thesis that explores the complexities surrounding one of the most powerful—and controversial—acne treatments: isotretinoin, commonly known as Accutane. Designed as an expressive book, the project seeks to illuminate the often-overlooked truths hidden in the fine print of a drug that has changed countless lives, including my own. Too often, the warnings and potential side effects are glossed over, reduced to tightly packed legal jargon on a single sheet of paper that most patients never fully read. This thesis aims to bring those buried stories to light in a way that is digestible, emotional, and unforgettable.

This work is not an attack on Accutane—far from it. If I had to go through it all again, I would. Accutane gave me my confidence back and helped me reclaim my self-image at a time when acne had taken a toll on my mental and emotional well-being. However, my experience also made me hyperaware of the drug’s harsh realities. From intense dryness and mood changes to long-term side effects, Accutane is not a casual fix. It's a serious medication that deserves serious attention, and that’s what I sought to give it through this project.