Currently on big 3 for male pattern baldness: Wanting to take roaccutane (isotretinoin) for acne

[valeous]

Hi guys,

I am a man in my late 20s and I am a genetic ****-up. I have mild male pattern baldness, moderate acne, and I am short-statured. I am clearly trying to overcompensate for my non-modifiable short stature by making sure that I enhance my modifiable physical attributes (i.e., hair, skin, body, etc.).

I have been on the 'big 3' regimen of minoxidil, finast, and nizoral for the last 6 years or so with excellent results. Not only has hairloss stopped for me, I have somehow managed to grow and maintain a relatively thick head of hair. I am very happy and proud of this. I have this forum to thank for that.

I want to ask about the use of roaccutane to fight my acne. I have tried many things for acne with little to no result. I have heard great things about roaccutane and how it is a definitive cure for acne in most cases. I would definitely like to try roaccutane (especially since the courser is only 16 weeks (unlike finasteride which is life-long). However, I have also heard roaccutane's association with male pattern baldness.

I wanted to ask this forum what their thoughts are on the use of roaccutane? Is the hairloss issue real? if so, does it reverse once the roaccutane course finishes? are there any ways to minimize risk of hair loss?

Bottom line: I want to use roaccutane to defeat my acne without compromising the progress I have made in preventing my male pattern baldness.

Thanks

 

[fullhead]

Have you tried Zineryt for acne? I'd give that one a try (it's topical) and see how it works. It's powerful stuff, I think you need a prescription for it.

 

[zzzzz]

I don't know anything about that drug, but if it somehow supposedly increases dht and leads to hairloss, this effect will be covered/negated by the finasteride.

 

[DFWdesperado]

I took Accutane and it worked excellently for my ance. Don't know about the hairloss aspect though, I took it when I was about 14 and my thinning didn't start till about 21

 

[donyell]

which engine in ur avi zzzzzz?

 

[bilboswaggins]

if your acne is only moderate, you should be able to clear it with just an acne regimen of topicals
This means cleanser, benzoyl peroxide and moisturiser twice a day
I'm using it and it cleared up my skin in like a month. However, you need to be consistent with it as I took a month off and acne returned

 

[valeous]

if your acne is only moderate, you should be able to clear it with just an acne regimen of topicals
This means cleanser, benzoyl peroxide and moisturiser twice a day
I'm using it and it cleared up my skin in like a month. However, you need to be consistent with it as I took a month off and acne returned

So I've tried all those things. But it works in the beginning but stops being effective after a while. I guess I have more than moderate acne?

 

[psyhotria]

I wanted to ask this forum what their thoughts are on the use of roaccutane? Is the hairloss issue real? if so, does it reverse once the roaccutane course finishes? are there any ways to minimize risk of hair loss?

Roaccutane is just a brand name of the drug. The drug's name is isotretinoin. Inform yourself about the drug by carefully reading all of http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Isotretinoin And this is why it causes loss of hair: http://www.nature.com/jid/journal/v124/n6/full/5602839a.html It cannot be determined if the loss of hair is reversible, the drug is supposed to alter the gene machinery.

 

[valeous]

Have you tried Zineryt for acne? I'd give that one a try (it's topical) and see how it works. It's powerful stuff, I think you need a prescription for it.

I have tried something similar with topical antibiotic. It works at first, but I think resistance develops and it stops being effective. It also doesn't help with 'breakouts' due to high stress.