Hair Loss 5 Years After Taking Accutane

Hello Dr. Rassman, I am a 21 year-old male and 2 years ago a friend mentioned to me that my hair was thinning. I had never noticed, I wore hats all the time, but then I started to notice shedding and thinning. I took acutane when I was younger (16 years old). Balding is not in my genes. I stress about it a lot. Do you think my hair loss has anything to do with accutane? I have seen doctors and they have just suggested rogaine or propecia if it starts excelerating. I would love any advice or tips you could present to me. I know I am not ready for a transplant, but what can I do to slow this down? I recently have started using nioxin hair therapy shampoo and condidtioner, haven’t really noticed much. Thanks a lot.

I am not certain if accutane could cause your hair loss after not taking it for more than 5 years. Starting Propecia and Rogaine is a good idea in an attempt to regrow, stop, or slow down your hair loss. As for Nioxin hair shampoo, I am not completely sold on this product for hair regrowth, but it is a good shampoo. If you have good result from this shampoo, then I think you should continue using it. If you have concerns that you are really going bald, I recommended that you call me at 800-NEW-HAIR to schedule a free consultation in Los Angeles or San Jose. You need to have your scalp mapped out for miniaturization and a proper diagnosis made by an expert.

Paid advertisements (not an endorsement):

Carol - September 5th, 2007 at 7:12 pm

My daughter took Accutane for acne when she was a teenager. Now in her early 20’s she is going bald. The doctors cannot find a medical reason for this and we do not have a family history of female baldness. She is so young and the biopsy of her scalp shows that her hair follicles are getting smaller. She has not lost any body hair, mostly the hair on the top and crown of her head.

bob - December 13th, 2007 at 8:30 pm

Took accutane at 17, Hair loss and damage occur, Has not gotten better but stop getting worse after i stop taking it. I was told any loss or damage would be temporary and nothing has return to normal. No baldness on either side of my family going back 5 generations. I use to have hair like my father does of which he is now at age 55 which is thick but salt and peppery. Good news though, although you’ll never find a medical professional to contribute the permanent hair loss to accutane, there is how ever rogain and hair transplant surgeries. I would stay away from propecia due to the side effects (a pill is what got you into this mess lol. Do research before you pop any more pills or surgery. Remember, Its easier to keep what you have now than to start something to save your hair after its gone. Fear now friends, you are not alone.