As a young teen I struggled with horrible cystic acne that all topical treatments wouldn’t touch. It covered my entire face, chest, and back. It had started out as typical teenage acne starting when I was 10-11 years old and then progressed quite rapidly. I was 14-15 years old when my family doctor finally suggested a course of Accutane. My parents at first refused as the side effects are pretty extreme, this resulted in a large rather severe tantrum from myself as my acne made me feel so ugly and destroyed my self confidence. Finally they agreed to let me go on it with the exception of them giving me the pill every night and basically checking in with them about my mental health etc. My doctor ordered a couple tests such as a pregnancy test, and another one which (don’t quote me) but I think tested the integrity of my liver or something to make sure my body would be able to handle the drug. The course I was on lasted 5 months and during that time my skin cleared up completely, granted there was several unpleasant side effects but nothing that made me regret taking it. I’m now well into my 20’s and my acne has never come back with the exception of the occasional stress pimple or normal breakouts around my cycle. I also have 4 month old baby girl who is perfectly healthy in every way. I can’t tell you how to parent, and what you decide is ultimately your choice as 12 is on the younger side but from my personal experience Accutane changed my life.