Is Accutane Hair Loss Permanent?
Hi Dr. Rassman,
Thank you for maintaining this site, it is by far the most informative hair-loss site on the net I have come across.
When I was 22 I noticed that my hair line was starting to recede and I had a little bit of thinning in the crown. When I was 24 I went to see a doctor and was prescribed Propecia. At that point my hair loss was still in the early stages and was probably only noticeable to me. In January 10′, after about a year and a half on the drug… I felt like my hair-loss had stabilized, was thicker than my hair had been in a long time, and I was genuinely happy with the results.
This brings me to my problem. Along with suffering from hair-loss, I have also been fighting acne for over 10 years. In February I finally decided to take accutane to hopefully put an end to it for good. I am currently in month 4 and my acne has cleared and is continuing to get better. Unfortunately I feel my hair is in the worst condition it has been in years. The hair is overall brittle and thin. The hairline has receded in the past few months, and the crown has thinned considerably.
My question is this: If I was to assume that the accutane is what is having a negative affect on the hair…once the drug is stopped, will my hair improve? I have heard that loss while on accutane is temporary but in some cases accutane speeds up MPB. Have I done myself a huge disservice by taking accutane after having been on Propecia?
Accutane (isotretinoin) does work well for treating acne, but unfortunately one of its many side effects is hair loss. I suspect hair loss from Accutane is temporary, but it may accelerate the male pattern balding process. Only time will tell. I really do not have much experience with patients taking Accutane (nor do I prescribe it), so you should talk with your doctor as he/she may be a little more versed.
Weren’t you given all the warnings and waivers before a doctor prescribed you Accutane? I mean, have you read all the other side effects of Accutane? I know this isn’t doing much to boost your morale, but my point was to illustrate to all readers that things should be put into perspective and take medications with an informed decision. Always weigh the benefits with the risks of any drug you take.
hey david, and others….i wasjust wondering …ever since you started taking accutane and when you re blading….did you have constipation…if not…hhowmany times did you pass motion a day?…thanks….pls…..answer….as i am sincerely trying to find a link….
I took accutane in 1983 when I has 16, and yes, it does accelerate male pattern baldness. I had amazing thick beautiful hair but started to thin out in my 20’s and then it progressed to more noticeable baldness in my 30’s. Now in my early 40’s and since probably later 30’s, I have a completely bald dome. Classic horseshoe pattern baldness. I have three younger brothers, aging from 30 to 40, who did NOT take accutane and they have no hair loss what so ever.
I have learned to accept my hair loss, but it has taken much away from my looks, and the potential that looks will give a man. I have other friends who have taken accutane in the 1980s and have experienced the same level of hair loss. It is just not normal to lose that much hair at such a young age and look so many years older than your actual age. When I was 30, my girlfriend would always joke that I was 40. It really bothered me at first, but I just accepted it. Hair was just not going to be my strong suit. I wish the the public would stay away from pharmaceuticals; most are not thoroughly understood. In fact, I did not even have severe acne, but the doctors will push anything new. I will live through this but I hope others learn, and live a natural life free of all the unnecessary medications, pills and bad food products.