What to know about hair loss and Accutane

Accutane was a brand name of the drug isotretinoin, which healthcare providers used to prescribe for treating severe acne. This drug can cause a number of side effects, and some people have concerns that taking isotretinoin can lead to hair loss.

Although Accutane is no longer available under that brand name, the active ingredient isotretinoin is still available under generic names and other brands.

Keep reading to learn more about why Accutane may cause hair loss, and for tips on reducing hair loss while using Accutane or similar products.
Why might Accutane cause hair loss?
The isotretinoin in Accutane may contribute to thinning hair.

Isotretinoin is a synthetic form of vitamin A that helps suppress sebum production in the skin to reduce acne.

Accutane may affect the body in ways that could contribute to hair thinning or hair loss. For example, Accutane may affect the hair shafts and follicles themselves.

Most of the time, any hair loss is temporary, and the thin hair should start to thicken again with time. However, some people may notice a permanent change in their hair after taking isotretinoin.
What the research says

Isotretinoin may also affect hormone levels, which could be another cause of thinning hair or shedding in some people.

One 2011 study found that isotretinoin suppresses hormones in the pituitary glands. Although this may be helpful for acne, it may also shift hormones that influence hair growth.

Another study, the results of which appear in the journal Advances in Dermatology and Allergology, measured the effects of taking Accutane for acne treatment.

Though the product usually cleared up the participants’ acne, it also caused some changes to their hair. For example, some people lost hair, while for others, their hair became thinner and less dense.

That said, this was a small study of just 30 people, and its results do not provide any strong evidence that this effect will occur every time.

Isotretinoin can also contribute to a number of other issues, and the researchers called for individualized treatment and close monitoring in each case.

A more recent study suggests that isotretinoin may not actually cause significant hair thinning or hair loss.

After 3 months of normal use, some people with moderate-to-severe acne who took isotretinoin did experience changes to their hair. However, these changes were not statistically significant enough for the researchers to conclude that the drug causes hair thinning or hair loss.

This study also suggests that only a person taking very high doses of isotretinoin may experience altered hair growth. It is also important to note that isotretinoin may affect each person differently, which is why doctors tailor the dosage to each individual.

Due to the varying nature of isotretinoin’s effects on hair, it is still possible for some people to have lasting effects from taking the drug. For example, it may be that a person has taken too much, or that they have been taking it for a long time.

The important thing is to work directly with a doctor or dermatologist to create an individualized treatment plan in each case.