Retin-a (tretinoin) And Hair Loss, I Have Few Questions

[Garmor]

Hello. I recently started using retin-a (tretinoin) gel, 0.1%. Now, I know hair loss is listed as one of possible of side effects, I also know some people seem to use it to help combat hair loss, which confuses me.( I use it as gel for face btw.) So far, I have not experienced any unexpected side effects (outside of red skin etc.)

I hope you guys could help me figure out where I am standing

a) What is actual % of patients experiencing retin-a hair loss?Is it caused by retin, or rather vitamin A overdose?
If yes, can this be prevented by using for example, taurine? Because I use it for memory.
b)If it actually does help combat hair loss, how?
c)If hair loss occurs, is in reversible? Meaning If retin causes hair loss,, if I'll stop taking it will I regain lost hair?

Thanks for response in advance!

 

[Crystalclear12]

I just started using it on my hairline. Who said it causes hairloss people use it to fight it..

 

[CharAblaze]

Isn't that thing mainly used for getting rid of wrinkles?

 

[Crystalclear12]

It supposedly increase minoxidil absorption

 

[mr_robot]

Hello. I recently started using retin-a (tretinoin) gel, 0.1%. Now, I know hair loss is listed as one of possible of side effects, I also know some people seem to use it to help combat hair loss, which confuses me.( I use it as gel for face btw.) So far, I have not experienced any unexpected side effects (outside of red skin etc.)

I hope you guys could help me figure out where I am standing

a) What is actual % of patients experiencing retin-a hair loss?Is it caused by retin, or rather vitamin A overdose?
If yes, can this be prevented by using for example, taurine? Because I use it for memory.
b)If it actually does help combat hair loss, how?
c)If hair loss occurs, is in reversible? Meaning If retin causes hair loss,, if I'll stop taking it will I regain lost hair?

Thanks for response in advance!

a) No it does not cause hair loss, at least not for me. Hair loss is probably a result of an excessive reaction to it causing severe skin flaking.

b) No one knows exactly, the minoxidil absorption is kind of a myth with no research to support it. However there is research that shows minoxidil working better with it tretinoin. Tretinoin is actually a PTGDS inhibitor and hence will reduce PGD2 production. Additionally the red skin and subsequent turn over is good for hair because the same growth factors for skin help with hair growth.

 

[Garmor]

Well, i've seen numerous posts (not here) with people claiming they began losing hair after starting using tretinoin. Most importantly however, hair loss is listed as possible side effect. Hair loss can be caused also by vitamin A overdose, and since Retin-A is essentially vitamin A...
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tretinoin
"common side effetcs include ...hair loss..."
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hypervitaminosis_A#Signs_and_symptoms
...hair loss..."

 

[Crystalclear12]

Good to know..^ what's your thoughts on dutasteride

 

[Crystalclear12]

I wouldn't use Wikipedia as a creditable source t

 

[Garmor]

Good to know..^ what's your thoughts on dutasteride

Never heard about substance you mentioned.

I actually thought you guys would know that well about that potential side effect, and would answer my questions in no time.

Really nobody heard about that possible side effects? I thought if guys here are using it, they would at least read wikipedia article about it.

 

[Crystalclear12]

Never heard about substance you mentioned.

I actually thought you guys would know that well about that potential side effect, and would answer my questions in no time.

Really nobody heard about that possible side effects? I thought if guys here are using it, they would at least read wikipedia article about it.

well no one uses Wikipedia because I could write "retin-a makes your dick fall off" and it would post on Wikipedia. Doctors say it doesn't cause hair loss. https://www.realself.com/question/usa-retin-a-hair-loss

 

[Garmor]

I wouldn't use Wikipedia as a creditable source t

well no one uses Wikipedia because I could write "retin-a makes your dick fall off" and it would post on Wikipedia. Doctors say it doesn't cause hair loss. https://www.realself.com/question/usa-retin-a-hair-loss

Same website
https://www.realself.com/question/retinoids-cause-hair-loss

"According to an interesting scientific study published in the Journal of Investigative Dermatology, Retinoids can cause hair loss. The underlying mechanism is essentially slowing down cell turnover in the dermis, and all of the related cells including those responsible for hair growth AND for maintaining the proper cell cycle."

 

[Crystalclear12]

Same website
https://www.realself.com/question/retinoids-cause-hair-loss

"According to an interesting scientific study published in the Journal of Investigative Dermatology, Retinoids can cause hair loss. The underlying mechanism is essentially slowing down cell turnover in the dermis, and all of the related cells including those responsible for hair growth AND for maintaining the proper cell cycle."

http://www.hairloss-research.org/UpdateRetinA9-09.html

 

[bridgeburn]

From what Ive read about tretinoin, it may be good because of ptgds inhibition and increases CD49 cells and may make minoxidl more effective, however its bad because it slows down pge2 production through cox inhibition and increases TGFb2 which puts hair into catagen phase.

 

[Garmor]

From what Ive read about tretinoin, it may be good because of ptgds inhibition and increases CD49 cells and may make minoxidl more effective, however its bad because it slows down pge2 production through cox inhibition and increases TGFb2 which puts hair into catagen phase.

Sorry but it doesnt tell me much. I am a physicist, not a biologist.

What I understood is that it helps, when combined with minoxidil, but hurts in general.
Is there any way to prevent or minimize negative effect?

 

[bridgeburn]

like many things in life its good for hair in some ways and bad in others. which is probably why some will get improvement with it alone and for others it makes worse. it could be useful if combined with other treatments that counteract any negative effects. which is what i believe happens when combined with minoxidil. tretinoin decreases anagen but minoxidil increases anagen.

 

[Trichosan]

Seems like there is contradictory evidence. If I had a buzzed haircut, I'd apply it to a small area for three months in a less conspicuous area and see what happens. But since I don't, perhaps someone might volunteer(?)

 

[Garmor]

like many things in life its good for hair in some ways and bad in others. which is probably why some will get improvement with it alone and for others it makes worse. it could be useful if combined with other treatments that counteract any negative effects. which is what i believe happens when combined with minoxidil. tretinoin decreases anagen but minoxidil increases anagen.

Kind of ironic, I saw threads here claiming minoxidil speeds up skin aging for exactly same reason. I am really interested however is hair thinning/loss caused by vitamin a overdose. Perhaps it could be then countered by using supplements prescribed for hypervitaminosis A? Then positive effect could be maintained while negative effect could be minimised.

 

[kj6723]

Tretinoin causing hair loss is most likely from people getting skin irritation, which can happen with tretinoin if too much is used too soon

Use it just a couple times a week to start out, then slowly build up to every other day or every day. It is very potent and therefore you will have the best experience with it if you allow your skin to adjust to it

Also, .1% is a strong percentage to be starting out with Imo. It may be fine, but personally I would start lower, with like .025%, and if you want to go higher, gradually build up to .1%

 

[Garmor]

Tretinoin causing hair loss is most likely from people getting skin irritation, which can happen with tretinoin if too much is used too soon

Use it just a couple times a week to start out, then slowly build up to every other day or every day. It is very potent and therefore you will have the best experience with it if you allow your skin to adjust to it

Also, .1% is a strong percentage to be starting out with Imo. It may be fine, but personally I would start lower, with like .025%, and if you want to go higher, gradually build up to .1%

What if i'll use it, say once every three days? Would that do the trick?
So far I havent noticed any side effects to my hair.

 

[kj6723]

What if i'll use it, say once every three days? Would that do the trick?
So far I havent noticed any side effects to my hair.

That would be a good starting point I'd say