Accutane and Hair Transplants

[SPimpernel]

I was curious what NHI doctors advise their HT patients and prospective HT patients who are either currently on Accutane (isotretinoin) or who are considering starting a course of Accutane, which is a treatment for acne.

How long after HT surgery would it be alright to resume a course of Accutane? Does a patient need to be off Accutane for a certain amount of time before HT surgery?

Also, what about a low or ultra-low dose of Accutane (1-5 mg/day vs. the standard full-blown 60 mg/day dose)? Would that change the recommendation any?

And what about with FUE vs. Strip surgery? Would the recommendation with regard to Accutane use be the same with both kinds of surgery?

Thank you so much for a great site!

[Mark]

I was curious what NHI doctors advise their HT patients and prospective HT patients who are either currently on Accutane (isotretinoin) or who are considering starting a course of Accutane, which is a treatment for acne.

How long after HT surgery would it be alright to resume a course of Accutane? Does a patient need to be off Accutane for a certain amount of time before HT surgery?

Also, what about a low or ultra-low dose of Accutane (1-5 mg/day vs. the standard full-blown 60 mg/day dose)? Would that change the recommendation any?

And what about with FUE vs. Strip surgery? Would the recommendation with regard to Accutane use be the same with both kinds of surgery?

Thank you so much for a great site!

Funny you mention Accutane, Dr Rassman just answered this question a few days ago on the blog. (http://www.baldingblog.com/2008/12/11/could-accutane-effect-growth-of-transplanted-hair/)

-Mark

[SPimpernel]

What does NHI advise patients regarding Accutane use after strip surgery? Hair loss is a reported possible side effect of Accutane (at least Accutane in higher doses), but some people also believe that Accutane may negatively affect wound healing.

Does NHI currently advise patients to avoid Accutane for a certain length of time after strip surgery?

[Mark]

What does NHI advise patients regarding Accutane use after strip surgery? Hair loss is a reported possible side effect of Accutane (at least Accutane in higher doses), but some people also believe that Accutane may negatively affect wound healing.

Does NHI currently advise patients to avoid Accutane for a certain length of time after strip surgery?

Just reading what Dr Rassman wrote in that blog, it seems that he hasn't seen any patients of his who have been taking accutane so he can't really speak from personal experience. The only thing he's got to go on is the literature which states that hair loss is a potential side effect, not necessarily an inevitable one.

I know that we tell our patients not to use hair products like gel or hairspray for a week or two after surgery to make sure that everything heals properly, but that's mostly to prevent patients from accidentally pulling out grafts.

In my own opinion, if you're planning on having a hair transplant and you're at all concerned about the potential risks associated with accutane, stop taking it at least for the two weeks after the surgery to make sure that there isn't any potential for it affecting the ability of your wound to heal. But that's a personal choice that you should make with your doctor.

And lastly, unless you're a patient of NHI, we always recommend that you seek your doctors advice on these matters, as they know your medical history best.

-Mark