Accutane - extra hair permanent?

[AlexUK]

Hello!

I've recently been prescribed RoAccutane for Body Acne, and am only 6 days in to an initial dose of 20mg daily (which will be increased to 40mg in a month.) I'm low dosing to reduce any side effects.

This morning I woke to find some rather odd hair growth on the lower half of my neck, underneath my usual shave area. This certainly wasn't there yesterday as I was inspecting the area for spots only last night.

This is worrying me rather a lot. I tend to read on this forum that you don't often see hair abnormalities with Accutane yourself, but this must be as a result of the medication as it's sudden and very abnormal for me.

My question is, now that these follicles seem to have been 'activated' by the Accutane, or as a result of it, will they continue to grow hair forever now, or only during the course of my treatment? If it's possible it'll be permanent I will consider stopping the drug as I'd hate to suddenly have abnormal hair growth all over.

Moreover, now that it seems that Accutane is affecting my hair, does this mean I may be more susceptible to hair LOSS on my head too?

Any help for this very worried guy would be wonderful! Thanks.

[Alan Rockoff, MD]

I'm not familiar with extra hair growth caused by Accutane--I certainly haven't seen it.  I can't explain your observation, except to speculate that you looked at yourself more carefully than before because you were concerned about side-effects.  I'd shave the hair and forget about it--just ask your doctor next time you go.

Best.

Dr. Rockoff

[AlexUK]

One, one extra question. I don't have acne on my face currently (but it's pretty much everywhere else...back, chest, legs etc), is it likely accutane will cause an initial attack there?