Why Does Accutane Cause Hair Loss?
Hello Dr. Rassman. I’m a 25 yr old female and I recently took accutane for 6 months(have been off it now for 7 months). I knew hairloss was one of the side effects but I took my chances. My hair was fine during the whole treatment…didn’t have any thinning whatsoever. About 5 months ago, however, my hair started thinning and has gotten progressively worse since then. It’s especially thin on the sides above my ears, and my hairline is much thinner. The top of my head is much thinner also. I don’t know what to do. I don’t know what accutane does to actually cause the hairloss, it would probably help to start there. I’ve been reading online about what others in my situation are doing and I started on the Nioxin hair system, started taking milk thistle for my liver, and a B-Complex vitamin to help with the hairloss. My doctor said to wait it out and that it should be temporary. I don’t really like that idea. It keeps getting worse and I want to put a stop to it. Please help me! I’d appreciate any information you could spare…thank you so much
I am not certain of the specific mechanism causing hair loss by Accutane. The package insert of Accutane stated that this drug may lead to alopecia, but it was rare. Accutane causes dry skin, skin fragility, erythematous rash, vasculitis, and decreased red blood cell formation which may contribute to hair loss. In general, Accutane may contribute to hair loss by creating a not so optimal environment for hair growth and it clearly does impact the glandular elements of the hair, which will make the hair dry and fragile as the amounts of sebum production drops. Rogaine may help improve hair loss, but it also drys the scalp further. I recommended that you see a dermatologist to evaluate your hair loss in person. However, there are many causes of hair loss which also must be evaluated, such as thyroid problem, eczema, infection, autoimmune problems, weight loss, stress, etc.
I would also like to comment. My son was put on accutane when he was 13 for severe acne. My family doctor took care of his treatment, he told me it was not necessary to go to a dermatoligist for treatment. I should also tell you he tried other forms of prescription acne formulations before we decided to go the accutane route.No one ever told me there was a possibility that he could lose his hair and the insert that the pharmacy provides you with does not state hair loss as a side effect. I have kept all the inserts!!
Tyler went for blood work before he started the medication, and then for week into treatment. He took maximum dose twice daily for 4 months. Our family doctor never had him come in for any other blood work while on the medication.
Tyler started losing hair about a month after stopping the medication.I first just shrugged the hair loss off as the drug was strong and this was his bodies was of getting rid of the toxins that had been in his body for the past
four months. I should tell you my son had the thickest, curly, gorgeous head of hair. Now 2 years later he has significant receeding at the temples, the hair at the top front does not grow as well as the top and sides and is significantly thinner. My son is only 15 years old and he is very upset. I am now trying to get him in to see the dermatoligist for this problem and I hope that we can correct this problem before it worsens, I wish someome had told me there was a chance your son could be bald, both he and I both would have rather dealt with the pimples!!!Any insite or comments would be deeply appreciated.
Signed one upset Mother
I’m a 24 year old female who’s lost about 50% of my hair from Accutane. This is my third round with this drug, and I never experienced any hair loss before. I’ve been off of it for about a month and a half and I’m starting to worry because it’s barely slowed! I think what caused hair loss this time as opposed to before is the high dose: I weigh 115 lbs and I worked my way up to 4 40mg pills per day. I’ve been using Rogaine which is AWFUL but it doesn’t seem to be working so far. Any suggestions from anyone???
I used accutane and had very nice thick hair i noticed a few weeks after i lost tons of hair
now its been a full year and my hair is receading and it looks horrable. the doctor never told me about hair loss either
I’m a 33 year old female who was on the lowest dose of Accutane for 3 months. When I noticed my hair thinning in the front my Dermatologist made me stop taking it. He said it may or may not be permanent. Well I’ve been off of it for 8 months now, and my hair is falling out even more now. I’ve always had really thick hair and now the hair by my forehead is thinning. It’s so bad you can see holes when I pull my hair back. I am petrified because I wanted to try and have a baby this year. If it makes your hair fall out, what other issues could it possibly cause a year after you’ve stopped taking it? :(
i am a 31 year old female, took accutane 4 years ago. after 4 months of treatment i noticed my hair fell in huge amounts. i had 1 month left for the treatment so i decided to continue. dermatologist ignored the hair loss.
i haven’t grown back all the hair i lost. my hair is thinner and i have bald spots, after 3 and a half years.
thank you accutane.
biggest mistake of my life.