One of the most worrying Accutane side effects is hair loss/changes (Telogen Effluvium). Around 10 to 15% of patients experience some sort of slight changes to your hair (either a loss or, rarely, an increase) while on Accutane. This is usually only temporary and your hair will return to normal after your Accutane treatment ends.
What is hair loss/hair thinning?
Your hair falls out - which means that you have less hair count than before. The hairs will grow will sill grow as thick (in diameter) as they ever did, but there will be less scalp coverage until the new hairs fill in. That is what is meant by “thinning” in this context. It can continue for several months after the course is over and then return to normal.
One misconception:
Hair thinning is not thinning of the hair shaft, it is thinning of the scalp.
My experience
I didn’t experience too much hair loss/ hair thinning. I started noticing slight hair thinning at the start of my Accutane treatment but this subsided as my Accutane treatment progressed – I guess my body just got use to Accutane.
While you are on Accutane there are some simple tips you can try:
Simple tips
- Use a good hair thinking shampoo.
- Grow your hair long before and during Accutane treatment. This can disguise any temporary thinning hair you experience whilst on Accutane.
- Wear a hat! No one will probably notice slight thinning of your hair, but wearing a cap might make you feel better.
- Shave your head! Not for everyone (especially girlies like me) - but can be effective.