Hi, all.
Brief bio: 41yo male who has had acne to one extent or another for 25 years and would now describe the condition as mild. About one year ago, I noticed that I was losing my hair, had scalp acne (pustules), and also a mild scalp odor, despite the fact that I was shampooing every day. I also suffer from a mild case of sebaceous hyperplasia, barely noticeable rosacea, and have very sensitive skin. Neither my father nor mother's father had hair loss, for what it's worth.
For the past several years, I've followed a very healthy diet, that is basically Paleo, although I probably consume a bit more carbohydrate.
Although my stress levels are high, and I don't sleep as much as I should, I am convinced that something else is causing my hair/scalp issues. I have been to two dermatologists who are alopecia experts. One said I should try very low dose isotretinoin (Accutane) and that my hair loss was tied to my acne issues -- i.e., most likely not androgenic, per se. Another expert used trichoscopy and said it was definitely androgenic alopecia. She said isotretinoin could help, but was less optimistic about it than the first. My blood work has all come back normal, including hormones, but perhaps I have neglected to get tested for something in particular.
Head and Shoulders and weekly Nizoral 2% have clearly not done enough. I am now trying low-dose aspirin to see if that will work to curb some of the inflammation, which I may give up in favor of fish oil. I want to start using minoxidil but have tried in earnest to figure out what is causing my issues with excessive sebum production.
I would be most interested in hearing from others with similar conditions (hair loss coupled with either acne, scalp acne, or all of the above) and what you've done to address things. Have any dermatologists told you that the conditions were all related?
Thank you.
Brief bio: 41yo male who has had acne to one extent or another for 25 years and would now describe the condition as mild. About one year ago, I noticed that I was losing my hair, had scalp acne (pustules), and also a mild scalp odor, despite the fact that I was shampooing every day. I also suffer from a mild case of sebaceous hyperplasia, barely noticeable rosacea, and have very sensitive skin. Neither my father nor mother's father had hair loss, for what it's worth.
For the past several years, I've followed a very healthy diet, that is basically Paleo, although I probably consume a bit more carbohydrate.
Although my stress levels are high, and I don't sleep as much as I should, I am convinced that something else is causing my hair/scalp issues. I have been to two dermatologists who are alopecia experts. One said I should try very low dose isotretinoin (Accutane) and that my hair loss was tied to my acne issues -- i.e., most likely not androgenic, per se. Another expert used trichoscopy and said it was definitely androgenic alopecia. She said isotretinoin could help, but was less optimistic about it than the first. My blood work has all come back normal, including hormones, but perhaps I have neglected to get tested for something in particular.
Head and Shoulders and weekly Nizoral 2% have clearly not done enough. I am now trying low-dose aspirin to see if that will work to curb some of the inflammation, which I may give up in favor of fish oil. I want to start using minoxidil but have tried in earnest to figure out what is causing my issues with excessive sebum production.
I would be most interested in hearing from others with similar conditions (hair loss coupled with either acne, scalp acne, or all of the above) and what you've done to address things. Have any dermatologists told you that the conditions were all related?
Thank you.
