Can Accutane Cause Hair Loss? Yes, Here’s How You Can Manage It

You’ve been taking Accutane (isotretinoin) and are finally starting to see your acne improve. But at the same time, you notice that your hair is shedding more than usual. What’s the deal?

While it isn’t that common, some people experience hair loss or thinning while taking Accutane. If this sounds like your situation, you may be wondering if there’s anything you can do — and if your hair will grow back. Rest easy, because hair loss from Accutane is usually temporary, and there are things you can do to keep your scalp and hair healthy in the meantime.

What is Accutane?

Accutane is a retinoid — a man-made form of vitamin A. It’s available with a prescription in the form of a capsule to treat severe acne. If you’re prescribed Accutane, you’ll typically take it by mouth twice a day for 15 to 20 weeks.

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It’s not fully clear how Accutane works to treat acne. But scientists do know it helps slow skin cell build up and oil production, both of which play a role in getting acne. And while Accutane is very effective at clearing up stubborn acne, it can cause a number of side effects.

Can Accutane cause hair loss?

Yes. Accutane can cause hair thinning or loss as a side effect, but this is usually temporary. Research suggests that 3% to 6% of people who take isotretinoin products report hair loss, depending on the dose. The risk of hair loss seems to be higher with older age, higher doses, and longer treatment times.

Normally, our hair goes through three phases — growth, transition, and rest — which can take several years to complete. Accutane is thought to stop the growth phase and put hair into the last phase of its life cycle, causing you to shed more hair than usual.

One systematic review found that people experienced hair loss from isotretinoin (the generic version of Accutane) anywhere from 1 to 24 weeks after starting the medication. Because of the way Accutane is thought to cause hair loss, this effect may be most noticeable about 3 to 4 months after starting it.

Is hair loss from Accutane permanent?

The short answer — probably not. There’s not much research on whether hair loss is permanent after stopping Accutane. One small study found that hair loss was temporary. But the manufacturer of Accutane warns that it’s possible for hair loss to last a long time, although this hasn’t been confirmed.

Because Accutane is thought to interfere with the hair growth phase, it’s likely that it won’t affect new hair that grows after you stop the medication. But it will take time for the hair you’ve lost to grow back again.

How to manage hair loss while taking Accutane

While you might not be able to avoid losing some hair as a side effect of Accutane, you can take a few steps to keep your scalp and hair healthy. Some things you can do to minimize hair loss while taking Accutane include:

• Talking to your dermatologist about taking a lower dose: Hair loss seems to be associated with higher Accutane doses. If you’re concerned about hair loss, your dermatologist may decide to lower your dose.

• Avoiding tightly-pulled hairstyles: Pulling your hair back tightly into ponytails or braids can damage your hair, leading to it breaking or falling out more easily.

• Being careful with weaves and hair extensions: Some types of artificial hair treatments can pull on your hair, as with those that are glued. Sewn-in weaves might be less damaging.

• Maintaining a healthy diet: Certain nutritional deficiencies can cause hair loss, so make sure to have a balanced diet.

• Using gentle shampoos: Some shampoos contain ingredients that have been linked to hair loss. Ask your dermatologist to recommend hair products that are less likely to cause this.

• Keeping calm: If you’ve ever heard that stress can make your hair fall out, it’s true. Try to find ways to de-stress to avoid losing hair.

How can you recover hair loss caused by Accutane?

It could take a few months after you stop taking Accutane for your hair to stop falling out. This is because Accutane switches your hair into a phase that causes it to fall out, which typically takes 3 months. For some people, it could be longer.

There are some supplements (such as biotin) that might help with healthy hair growth, as well as some natural remedies. Keep in mind that there isn’t a lot of strong evidence for most products that claim to help with hair growth, so it’s best to ask your provider first.

One of the best things you can do to recover hair loss caused by Accutane is to maintain a healthy diet, since vitamins are important for hair growth.

When should you talk to your dermatologist about hair loss caused by Accutane?

If you notice increased hair shedding or that your hair is thinner while taking Accutane, contact your dermatologist. They may suggest lowering your dose. If needed, they may recommend a different acne treatment.

Why trust our experts?

Written by:

Kristianne Hannemann, PharmD

Kristianne Hannemann, PharmD, is a licensed pharmacist in California. She has been a retail pharmacy manager and staff pharmacist for over 7 years and has contributed drug information content to different health companies.

Edited by:

Alyssa Billingsley, PharmD

Alyssa Billingsley, PharmD, is the director of pharmacy content for GoodRx. She has over a decade of experience as a pharmacist and has worked in clinical, academic, and administrative roles.

Reviewed by:

Maria Robinson, MD, MBA

Maria Robinson, MD, MBA, is a board-certified dermatologist and dermatopathologist who has practiced dermatology and dermatopathology for over 10 years across private practice, academic, and telehealth settings. She is a fellow of the American Academy of Dermatology and the American Society of Dermatopathology.

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