Accutane And Balding - Accutane Effect On Existing male pattern baldness

[ShanghaiExpat]

Hi,

I already have a receding hairline and thinning on the top. Currently I take finasteride and minoxidil.

I want to stop my acne which I have had long since before I started finasteride, so am thinking of going back to the derm and asking for accutane. I already tried oral and topical antibiotics, plus topical retinoids but have had no luck.

Would accutane make my balding worse? Many users complain about it inducing male pattern baldness, but what if I already have male pattern baldness?

 

[Capone]

You’ll be in cue ball city sooner than you think!

 

[Ikarus]

Hi,

I already have a receding hairline and thinning on the top. Currently I take finasteride and minoxidil.

I want to stop my acne which I have had long since before I started finasteride, so am thinking of going back to the derm and asking for accutane. I already tried oral and topical antibiotics, plus topical retinoids but have had no luck.

Would accutane make my balding worse? Many users complain about it inducing male pattern baldness, but what if I already have male pattern baldness?

There is no proof isotretinoin can cause baldness, I don't know where people get this from. It can cause temporary hair loss, but there are ways to prevent this. Remember, everyones side effects are different, and hair loss being a side effect is rare (from what I have seen, temporary hair loss occurs in patients who take higher dosages). Don't fall into the negative stigma of isotretinoin, because the benefits outweigh the 'negatives'.

 

[AnxiousAndy]

There is no proof isotretinoin can cause baldness, I don't know where people get this from. It can cause temporary hair loss, but there are ways to prevent this. Remember, everyones side effects are different, and hair loss being a side effect is rare (from what I have seen, temporary hair loss occurs in patients who take higher dosages). Don't fall into the negative stigma of isotretinoin, because the benefits outweigh the 'negatives'.

Of course there is proof. I've witnessed it first hand, a friend of mine started going bald from the crown on accutane and it didn't grow back once he stopped (acne of course came back ) his crown continued to worsen until I told him about finasteride. He has maintained but the damage was already done.

 

[manda]

I took 10mg/day for 13 months. During the treatment I didn't experienced a shedding or a loss but it definitely changed the texture and the quality of my hair in a bad way. Before accutante, I had super thick black hair and after the treatment they became a bit thinner and also the colour changed into sth between black and dark brown.

I'm glad I took it though bc I had really bad acne and a clear skin just gives you so much more life quality. If you consider to take it, definitely do a long-term low dose treatment. I heart terrible stories including hair loss and other sides with ppl who made a short-term high dose treatment.

 

[Ikarus]

Of course there is proof. I've witnessed it first hand, a friend of mine started going bald from the crown on accutane and it didn't grow back once he stopped (acne of course came back ) his crown continued to worsen until I told him about finasteride. He has maintained but the damage was already done.

That is not proof that it causes baldness. It's similar to when people say that masturbation causes hair loss, and when they stopped, their hair grew back; it's purely anecdotal. Another thing to keep in mind is that many dermatologists link isotretinoin hair loss to the dose you take.

When it comes to the medication, you have to listen to your body. If you're noticing an increase in hair shedding, speak to your dermatologist about it and ask to go on a lower dose. I honestly can't say much when it comes to advice, since I have only been on it for a month. I can give advice on preventing chapped lips though!

To conclude my message: people need to stop portraying the medication in such a negative light. People often complain about the mental-health side effects with isotretinoin, but the emotional, psychological and physical effects of acne are significantly worse. People complain about hair loss being a possibility, yet they take finasteride which has the possibility to cause breast cancer. As my dermatologist advised, just listen to your body and adjust it so you can have the best run of the medication you could possibly have.

 

[ShanghaiExpat]

I took 10mg/day for 13 months. During the treatment I didn't experienced a shedding or a loss but it definitely changed the texture and the quality of my hair in a bad way. Before accutante, I had super thick black hair and after the treatment they became a bit thinner and also the colour changed into sth between black and dark brown.

I'm glad I took it though bc I had really bad acne and a clear skin just gives you so much more life quality. If you consider to take it, definitely do a long-term low dose treatment. I heart terrible stories including hair loss and other sides with ppl who made a short-term high dose treatment.

That is not proof that it causes baldness. It's similar to when people say that masturbation causes hair loss, and when they stopped, their hair grew back; it's purely anecdotal. Another thing to keep in mind is that many dermatologists link isotretinoin hair loss to the dose you take.

When it comes to the medication, you have to listen to your body. If you're noticing an increase in hair shedding, speak to your dermatologist about it and ask to go on a lower dose. I honestly can't say much when it comes to advice, since I have only been on it for a month. I can give advice on preventing chapped lips though!

To conclude my message: people need to stop portraying the medication in such a negative light. People often complain about the mental-health side effects with isotretinoin, but the emotional, psychological and physical effects of acne are significantly worse. People complain about hair loss being a possibility, yet they take finasteride which has the possibility to cause breast cancer. As my dermatologist advised, just listen to your body and adjust it so you can have the best run of the medication you could possibly have.

Thanks guys!! I went to the derm today and he has given me my isotretinoin. I will be only having 30mg/day as I explained my concerns and what you guys said.

Will let you know my results! Any tips for the dry lips?

 

[Ikarus]

Thanks guys!! I went to the derm today and he has given me my isotretinoin. I will be only having 30mg/day as I explained my concerns and what you guys said.

Will let you know my results! Any tips for the dry lips?

For the dry lips, it's a cliche but Eucerin Aquaphor has been helping me a lot. I have tried a lip balm by Drunk Elephant, but that doesn't do much for me. From my experience, the dry skin began after the third week; you will notice the dry skin slowly. Just make sure to use a hydrating, and moisturising moisturiser which contains a combination of soothing ingredients, along with emollient ingredients and humectants.

 

[ShanghaiExpat]

For the dry lips, it's a cliche but Eucerin Aquaphor has been helping me a lot. I have tried a lip balm by Drunk Elephant, but that doesn't do much for me. From my experience, the dry skin began after the third week; you will notice the dry skin slowly. Just make sure to use a hydrating, and moisturising moisturiser which contains a combination of soothing ingredients, along with emollient ingredients and humectants.

Thanks! I have a humidifier too, a decent big 9L one. I hope that will help me, atleast when I sleep.