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 Dr. Khadavi is a practicing board-certified dermatologist working in Los Angeles. He is the creator of the unique Revivogen line of products, based on natural ingredients that have been proven to inhibit DHT.
Scott Tanner
2005-01-13
Accutane induced hair loss
Hi Dr. Khadavi,
I am writing to you about treatment for hair loss caused by Accutane. I took a normal 80mg regimen of Accutane from March 1996-June 1996 for the treatment of severe nodular acne. By mid-1997 I began to notice significant frontal hair shedding and by late 1998 much of the hair was gone. From my research it sounds like this is classic telogen effluvium and in many cases is reversible.
I am concerned because so much time has gone by and I am not seeing the hair growth. I fear that this is a permanenet conditin because perhaps the accutane caused my follicles to atrophy. I have tried Propecia (from August 2000-April 2002) and am currently taking 5% minoxidil (despite the labeling that says minoxidil should not be used for frontal baldness) and 7 mg daily of biotin. I am also using Nizoral several times per week.
Can you give me any guidance or encouraging news about my condition. Everyone in my family has thick lustrous hair and that is what I enjoyed before my accutane regimen. I simply can't imagine anything else that would have caused my condition and it seems congruent with what I've read about the medication and the timeline after completing the regimen.
Your reply and suggestions are greatly appreciated.
Scott Tanner
Dear Scott,
Telogen Effluvium usually involves the scalp diffusely and not just the front of the scalp. Please see a dermatologist whom specializes in hair loss to first diagnose your condition before you initiate any treatment.
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