Is four months off Accutane/isotretinoin long enough before hair transplants?

Question

I have hair transplants scheduled for late February. By that time, I will have been off Accutane/isotretinoin for a little over four months. I know the old recommendation was six months (or, even more conservatively, a year). It's my understanding that that time frame is more based on convention than science, and that recent research has called it into question. Is four months enough, or is six really a magic number? Thanks!

J. Timothy Katzen, MD, FACS · Answer

Thank you for your question regarding whether four months off Accutane/isotretinoin is long enough before hair transplants? In my opinion, I would wait a FULL SIX MONTHS off accutane/isotretinoin before hair transplants.  What is the rush?  If you rush things, accutane may KILL some of the transplanted hairs.  Then, you would be wasting money, time, and possibly precious hair.  Therefore, what the suggested SIX months.  I hope i have answered your question regarding whether four months off Accutane/isotretinoin is long enough before hair transplants.

Roberto Guerrero Zazueta, MD · Answer

Shedding from that could take from 8 to 12 months, the thinning is usually temporary, and the problem would be that you can freak out if you don’t see results on the estimated time after a hair transplant, good luck on your hair transplant journey

Yetkin Bayer, MD - Account Suspended · Answer

Hello Is four months enough, or is six really a magic number? yes 4 months is enough stopping Accutane

Is four months off Accutane/isotretinoin long enough before hair transplants?

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Is four months off Accutane/isotretinoin long enough before hair transplants?

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