Expert: Michael S. Fisher, <B>Ph.D., M.D.</B> - 10/18/2009

Question
My 14 yo daughter just finished accutane. She was on low dose over about a one year period. 10 mg 3x a week. For 3 weeks she was on 20mg 4x a week. She started having hair loss in last month of treatment. Took her off accutane immediately. Last does last week of 8-9-09. Hair loss continues and is really making her worry. Hard to find real statistics on how permanent the hair loss is and will it stop. Hard to find any real solid answers. Is there anything we can do?? I did have her thyroid checked just to make sure. Results were fine. This has been hard for me to watch her worry. Any answers would be helpful. Thank you for your time.

Answer
This can be a side effect of accutane and resolves with time as in a few months.  B12 shots help this condition.  We inject 1cc a month until the hair loss is resolved.  The oral form of B12 does not work this well.  The type of hair loss she has is called a telogen effluvium where there is increased shedding of the hair.  Instead of growing the hair is shedding.