Accutane is making me bald. What can I do about this? (Photo)

Question

I have noticed that I have lost a lot of hair. Even now during my last break(went on vacation), which lasted more than a month, I continued to lose hair. Thought I could put up with it during the treatment as long as I got rid of my horrible acne... but the hair loss just continued, even during my almost 2 month break. I feel like I'm almost starting to get depressed because I think it's incredibly hard when my hair just falls out and I constantly have to put my hair.

Anna Chacon, MD, FAAD · Answer

This side effect is usually temporary, and your hair should start to grow back once you stop taking the medication. There are some things you can do to prevent or reduce hair loss while using Accutane, such as:* Increase your intake of B vitamins. Accutane may cause a deficiency of folate (vitamin B-9), which is important for hair growth. * Moisturize your hair and scalp. Accutane can dry out your hair and skin, making your hair brittle and prone to breakage. * Avoid chemical treatments and heat styling. Bleaching, dyeing, curling, or straightening your hair can damage it further and increase hair loss. Try to avoid these treatments while using Accutane, and let your hair air-dry whenever possible.Protect your head from the sun. The sun’s UV rays can harm your hair and scalp, especially if they are already dry and sensitive to Accutane. Adjust the dosage. This may help reduce the severity of the side effects, including hair loss.I hope these tips help you cope with your hair.

Matt Tahsini, MD · Answer

Hello and thank you for your question. You could be losing hair due to the Accutane but it should only be temporary.  I would consult with the prescribing doctor for advice.  Best of luck to you.

Dr. T

Jeff Donovan, MD, PhD · Answer

Be sure to see an expert. The question here is whether the diagnosis is telogen effluvium or telogen effluvium PLUS androgenetic alopecia. This can be challenging to sort through so be sure to see an expert for help.

Accutane is making me bald. What can I do about this? (Photo)

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Accutane is making me bald. What can I do about this? (Photo)

Answers (3)

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