How Can I Tell If My Hair Loss is MPB or from Accutane?

Comments of Accutane inducing hair loss raised my concern. I’ve been through two sessions of the drug, the first round 5 years ago and the latest last year, and have experienced recession of the hair-line. Attributing the hair loss to genetics, I began splitting Proscar (Finasteride) tablets 3 years ago. Since then, progression of hair loss at least isn’t significant, but may still be worsening. Photos from years ago are difficult to compare to the present. If the hair loss I’ve noticed is along temples in the normal MPB fashion, could the problem be a result of Accutane? If Accutane were the culprit, wouldn’t it cause an overall thinning of scalp and not be so localized at the temples? Further, if the balding is from Accutane, is Finasteride a proper treatment?

Thanks!

If it quacks like it duck, it probably is a duck. If your hair loss is in the pattern of Male Pattern Baldness (MPB) and there are characteristics typical of MPB miniaturization, then your hair loss is probably be due to MPB. Hair loss from Accutane may persist after stopping the drug and may precipitate patterned hair loss in men and generalized decreased hair bulk in men and women.

To have a correct diagnosis, you need your scalp hair evaluated for miniaturization and be able to quantify the “thinning” or the hair loss. It is the best way to follow the effects of finasteride.