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Dermatology  (Expert Forum)
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6 Months of Accutane...acne now on scalp...hair loss
Answered by
Alan Rockoff, MD - dermatology, Child Skin Problems
The Rockoff Dermatology Center Brookline - MA
This forum is for questions regarding Dermatology issues, such as: skin rashes, acne, birthmarks, skin infections, rosacea, and general skin care.
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MedHelp Member's Question

6 Months of Accutane...acne now on scalp...hair loss

by Jason, Dec 09, 1999 12:00AM
Hello doctor!  I was on accutane for 6 months(From Jan 99 to August 99) to treat cystic acne on my chest, back and face.  Everything went well as far as that acne went but I lost quite a bit of hair during those 6 months and still continue to lose more hair.  Recently(past month) acne has started coming back but on my scalp.  My scalp feels very oily all of a sudden and I'm getting acne bad in the places where my hair has thinned.  Mostly in the temples and it's progressing to the top off my head it appears on the front part of my head.  First of all will the hair I lost from the accutane grow back?  If so when?  6 month...a year???  My doctor told me to wait a year.  Why am I still losing hair and why do I have acne on my head now?  Does this make any sense?  Does oily scalp cause hair to fall out???  Please answer my questions the best you can.  Thanks!



Jason
Doctor's Answer

by Alan Rockoff, MD, Dec 09, 1999 12:00AM
Jason:



Although people get pimples on their scalp, these aren't acne  (the hair shaft keeps the "pore" open enough so it can't get clogged in the acne sense of clogging.



Ask the doctor who prescribed Accutane to have a look.  Usually, a mild medicated shampoo and perhaps a topical cortisone lotion (plus no picking!) will take care of the problem.



Also, ask the doctor to evaluate your hair loss.  In 17 years of prescribing this drug, I have never seen anyone with much hair loss or long-term hair loss.  I don't think you need to worry about permanent hair thinniung or baldness from this drug.



Good luck.



Dr. R
Member Comments (22)

by Carrie, Dec 09, 1999 12:00AM
Hi.  At age 19, I took Accutane for just a three-month period.  I stopped taking it early because of severe pains in my muscles and joints.  Immediately after stopping the drug, I experienced really bad hair loss; it wasn't like patches or anything -- just massive shedding everywhere.  I am now 24 (going on 25), and this problem has yet to go away.  I would say that my hair is at least three times thinner than what it was prior to my taking Accutane.  It would appear that new hair continues to grow in; however, either the growth is too slow to catch up to my other hair, or I have permanent damage to my hair follicles.  I have been to many doctors to assess this problem; they all agree that I have a substantial amount of loss, but can't find the reason for this.  I've taken thyroid tests and they came out perfect.  I do not take any prescription medication and eat a wonderfully healthy diet.  I drink lots of water.  Yet my hair continues to shed at a very rapid rate.  The only connection I can see was with Accutane; I believe that it has caused long-term hair loss in my particular situation.

by Tim, Jan 03, 2000 12:00AM
I am 34 years old and have never had acne problems, However, for the last 6 months I have had what seems to be an oily scalp and a few pimples on my (I have thick/course hair) head. this is not such a problem except on the back of my neck at my hair line 'which I keep short' is about 10 pimples that dont go away.



I have tried showering with a acne cleanser, cleaning with alcohol and aplying gold bond. The acne yet persists.



I am not aware of any changes in my diet or soaps, If anything I tend towards the dryer, non-moisturising soaps and shampoos. Is there an over-the-counter shampoo for extemely oily hair? this may work.



Thank you







by Aline McCarthy, Apr 26, 2000 12:00AM
Dear dr. Rockoff;

I am only 19 and suffer from itchy, flaky scalp.  I have also loosed a lot of hair lately.  My scalp is so itchy sometimes it drives me completely crazy.  I cannot wear dark shirts because people can see the flakes on my shirt.  I have a history of Psoriasis and I am using medicated shampoo but it has not helped me so far. Please help me dr. Rockoff with this little annoying problem.

Thanks Aline McCarthy

***@****

PS: How can I pick up your answer?

by Aline McCarthy, Apr 26, 2000 12:00AM
Dear dr. Rockoff;

I am only 19 and suffer from itchy, flaky scalp.  I have also loosed a lot of hair lately.  My scalp is so itchy sometimes it drives me completely crazy.  I have a history of Psoriasis and I am using medicated shampoo but it has not helped me so far. Please help me dr. Rockoff with this little annoying problem.

Thanks Aline McCarthy

***@****

PS: How can I pick up your answer?

by Aline McCarthy, Apr 26, 2000 12:00AM
Dear dr. Rockoff;

I am only 19 and suffer from itchy, flaky scalp.  I have also loosed a lot of hair lately.  I have a history of Psoriasis and I am using medicated shampoo but it has not helped me so far. Please help me dr. Rockoff with this little annoying problem.

Thanks Aline McCarthy

***@****

PS: How can I pick up your answer?

by Aline McCarthy, Apr 26, 2000 12:00AM
Dear dr. Rockoff;

I am only 19 and suffer from itchy, flaky scalp.  I have also loosed a lot of hair lately.  I have a history of Psoriasis and I am using medicated shampoo but it has not helped me so far. Thanks Aline McCarthy

***@****

PS: How can I pick up your answer?

by Aline McCarthy, Apr 26, 2000 12:00AM
Dear dr. Rockoff;

I am only 19 and suffer from itchy, flaky scalp.  I have also loosed a lot of hair lately.  I have a history of Psoriasis and I am using medicated shampoo but it has not helped me so far. Thanks Aline McCarthy

***@****



by Aline McCarthy, Apr 26, 2000 12:00AM
Dear dr. Rockoff;I am only 19 and suffer from itchy, flaky scalp.  I have also loosed a lot of hair lately.  I have a history of Psoriasis and I am using medicated shampoo but it has not helped me so far. Thanks Aline McCarthy ***@****



by Aline McCarthy, Apr 26, 2000 12:00AM
Dear dr. Rockoff;I am only 19 and suffer from itchy, flaky scalp.  I have also loosed a lot of hair lately.  I have a history of Psoriasis and I am using medicated shampoo but it has not helped me so far. Thanks Aline McCarthy



by Ben, May 01, 2000 12:00AM
I stopped a six month accutane therapy  2 years ago and side effects are still very bad, even worse. Every morning, when I wake up my skin