Sustaina Online Clinic Launches Isotretinoin Treatment for Refractory Acne

Vitabrid Japan Inc. (Headquarters: Minato-ku, Tokyo, Representative Director: Hiroshi Otsuka) has launched "Isotretinoin" treatment on its online medical platform, 'Sustaina Online Clinic,' offering a new option for individuals suffering from recurrent or refractory acne.

Isotretinoin treatment is a private medical service where a doctor determines the suitability of prescription after assessing the patient's condition, constitution, and potential side effects. Sustaina Online Clinic aims to establish a consultation and treatment system that is easy to access and continue, in collaboration with Omotesando Skin Clinic.

A Medical Service Born from Employee "Passion"

The background of this service stems from the experiences of staff members who have struggled with acne for many years.

These staff members themselves faced daily anxiety and stress, checking their faces in the mirror for new pimples and trying various treatments without improvement.

Through their encounter with isotretinoin as a treatment option, a desire arose to 'be a supportive presence for those who suffer similarly,' leading to the launch of this medical field.

Sustaina Online Clinic strives to create an environment where patients can undergo treatment with peace of mind, not just by providing medication, but by addressing each patient's anxieties and questions.

What is Isotretinoin Treatment?

Isotretinoin is an oral medication with 40 years of global usage history (※1) for severe and refractory acne.

It directly addresses the cause of acne by shrinking sebaceous glands and reducing sebum secretion by 90-95% (※2), enabling "fundamental treatment." A key feature is its ability to achieve a state where recurrence is less likely even after treatment completion.

※1 Source: Škiljević D. Isotretinoin: 40 years of experience. Galenika Medical Journal. 2022; 4: 84–88. doi:10.5937/galmed2204088s.

※2 Source: Layton A: The use of isotretinoin in acne. Dermato-Endocrinol 2009;1(3):162–169. doi:10.4161/derm.1.3.9364. PMID:20436884; PMCID:PMC2835909.

Features of Sustaina Online Clinic

1 Online Consultation System

From consultation to prescription, everything is completed via smartphone. Patients with busy schedules can continue treatment without difficulty.

2 Reliability through Collaboration with Omotesando Skin Clinic

In partnership with Omotesando Skin Clinic, which has over 22,000 consultations annually (※1) and a cumulative total of over 83,000 patient visits (※2), we have established a system for safe online medical care.

※1 August 2024 – July 2025

※2 January 2019 – July 2025

Achieving "Sustainable" Isotretinoin Treatment

1 Gradual Treatment Design Starting with Low Doses (5mg)

In recent years, awareness of isotretinoin as a treatment option has been growing in Japan.

However, many individuals, after encountering information about side effects through social media, feel hesitant to start despite their interest due to anxiety.

At Sustaina Online Clinic, doctors assess the patient's condition, constitution, medical history, and risk of side effects to determine prescription suitability and dosage.

While isotretinoin treatment typically starts at 20mg or higher, we offer a gradual treatment design, starting with low doses (5mg) as needed, to accommodate each patient's individual condition.

2 Six-Month Intensive Program & Affordable Pricing

※ Free shipping for the first delivery, covered by our company. Shipping fee of 110 yen (tax included) from the second month onwards.

Sustaina Online Clinic sets one course of isotretinoin treatment at 6 months. To support continuation from the start to the end of treatment, we have established pricing starting from 4,675 yen per month.

Isotretinoin treatment, when continued for a certain period, is said to suppress the recurrence rate to 1.72% (※1) and allow 92.1% of people to maintain stable skin after 5 years (※2). Therefore, we provide an environment where treatment can be continued easily under the supervision and progress monitoring of a doctor, starting from 4,675 yen to 7,810 yen per month.

3 Safe Online Support with Medical Supervision and Safety Management System

Isotretinoin is a drug with an improvement rate of 97.4% (※3) and is one of the treatment options for refractory and severe acne. However, side effects such as dry skin and lips, liver dysfunction, dyslipidemia, headache, and depressive symptoms have been reported, making it crucial to use it appropriately under medical supervision.

For those who find it difficult to visit a clinic due to busy schedules or worry that online consultations might just end with a prescription, Sustaina Online Clinic offers a system for progress monitoring and support by doctors.

During treatment, we support continued treatment by monitoring skin condition and side effect risks through LINE-based photo progress checks and the use of easy at-home blood collection kits (※4).

※1 Rate requiring retreatment is 1.72% Source: Blasiak RC, Stamey CR, Burkhart CN, Lugo-Somolinos A, Morrell DS. High-dose isotretinoin treatment and the rate of retrial, relapse, and adverse effects in patients with acne vulgaris. JAMA Dermatol. 2013 Dec;149(12):1392–1398. doi:10.1001/jamadermatol.2013.6746.

※2 Source: Rasi A, Behrangi E, Rohaninasab M, Nahad ZM. Efficacy of fixed daily 20 mg of isotretinoin in moderate to severe scar-prone acne. Adv Biomed Res. 2014;3:103. doi:10.4103/2277-9175.130823. (PMC 4009746) *For 20mg/day administration.

※3 Source: Blasiak RC, Stamey CR, Burkhart CN, Lugo-Somolinos A, Morrell DS. High-dose isotretinoin treatment and the rate of retrial, relapse, and adverse effects in patients with acne vulgaris. JAMA Dermatol. 2013 Dec;149(12):1392–1398. doi:10.1001/jamadermatol.2013.6746.

※4 Blood collection kit is an optional service. Available for application at 7,520 yen (tax included, free shipping) per set.

Treatment for Whom?

Sustaina Online Clinic's isotretinoin treatment may be an option for those with the following concerns:

Note: Prescription may not be possible if the doctor determines it is not suitable after examination.

FAQ: Sustaina Online Clinic's Isotretinoin Treatment

Q1. What is Sustaina Online Clinic's isotretinoin treatment?

A. It is an online medical consultation plan offered by Sustaina Online Clinic for individuals suffering from refractory and severe acne. Isotretinoin is prescribed if the doctor confirms the condition and side effect risks and deems it suitable.

Q2. Who conducts the consultations?

A. In collaboration with Omotesando Skin Clinic, doctors conduct online consultations, prescriptions, and progress monitoring.

Q3. How much can be completed online?

A. You can receive a consultation via smartphone and proceed with prescription based on the doctor's judgment, all online. Progress can also be monitored via LINE with photos during treatment.

Q4. How much does it cost?

A. For the monthly regular course, the first-time price is 4,675 yen for 5mg, 5,610 yen for 10mg, and 6,545 yen for 20mg. Please refer to the service overview below for prices from the second month onwards.

Q5. Can anyone take isotretinoin?

A. It cannot be taken by pregnant women, those who may be pregnant, those planning pregnancy, or breastfeeding women. It is also not for individuals under 18 years of age.

Doctors may determine that a prescription is not possible due to liver function, lipid abnormalities, mental health symptoms, medical history, or concurrent medications.

Q6. What are the main side effects?

A. Main reported side effects include dry skin and lips, headache, liver dysfunction, dyslipidemia, and depressive symptoms. If you experience any concerning symptoms during treatment, do not continue on your own; consult your doctor.

Q7. Is this medication approved in Japan?

A. Oral isotretinoin is not approved as a medication for acne treatment in Japan. Sustaina Online Clinic provides it as a private medical service under the doctor's judgment and supervision.

Service Overview

・Service Name

Sustaina Online Clinic https://sustaina.vitabrid.co.jp/

・Medical Field

Acne Treatment / Aesthetic Dermatology

・Treatment Plan

Medication for one month is delivered once a month. This course automatically concludes after 6 months and 6 deliveries.

Dosage

First-time Price (Tax Included)

Price from 2nd time onwards (Tax Included, Shipping Included)

Total for 6 Deliveries (Tax Included, Shipping Included)

5mg

4,675 yen

5,610 yen

32,725 yen

10mg

5,610 yen

6,710 yen

39,160 yen

20mg

6,545 yen

7,810 yen

45,595 yen

※All prices are tax included.

※Free shipping for the first delivery, covered by our company. Shipping fee of 110 yen (tax included) from the second month onwards. ※This is private medical care, not covered by insurance.

※Prescription may not be possible if the doctor determines it is not suitable after examination.

※Blood collection kit is an optional service. Available for application at 7,520 yen (tax included, free shipping) per set.

【Dosage and Administration】

Take 1 tablet once a day after meals.

【Main Side Effects】 Dry skin and lips, liver dysfunction, dyslipidemia, headache, depressive symptoms, etc. ※Must be used appropriately under doctor's supervision.

Medication Precautions

About Sustaina Online Clinic

Sustaina Online Clinic Official Website: https://sustaina.vitabrid.co.jp/

Sustaina Online Clinic is a medical service that allows you to receive consultations and prescriptions from Omotesando Skin Clinic online. In addition to the convenience of completing consultations and prescriptions online, it also engages in initiatives aimed at a sustainable society, such as allocating a portion of sales to nature conservation activities.

※Sustaina Online Clinic is an online medical consultation platform. ※This is private medical care, not covered by insurance.

About Vitabrid Japan

Vitabrid Japan Inc. is a company that develops and provides products and services that 'Expand Tomorrow's Possibilities®.' For example, their powder 'VitabridC,' which achieves long-lasting vitamin C (※1) packing, was realized through special technology selected as one of the world's top 8 promising technologies (※2) and has received recognition and awards in various fields. Their functional food product 'Terminalia First' became the No. 1 in Japan sales in the overall diet market (※3). Emphasizing a matching approach that aims for optimization rather than maximization, they value the D2C (Direct-to-Consumer) model, which allows direct contact with customers.

※1 Skin conditioning ingredient

※2 2001 MRS Highlight Innovations

※3 2023 Sales Source: 'H・B Food Marketing Handbook 2025 No.1 Functional Food Edition' (Fuji Keizai) / 2022 Sales Source: 'H・B Food Marketing Handbook 2024 No.1 Functional Food Edition' (Fuji Keizai)

Company Profile

Company Name: Vitabrid Japan Inc.

Address: Akasaka Biz Tower, 5-3-1 Akasaka, Minato-ku, Tokyo

Established: April 2014

Representative: Hiroshi Otsuka

Business Activities: Life technology related business (health, beauty, etc.), business development for direct marketing

URL: https://vitabrid.co.jp/

Contact Information

Email: info@cs.sustaina.vitabrid.co.jp