Does Differin cause hair loss?
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Mon Aug 18, 2008 11:50 am

Hi everyone I'm a newbie here and I LOVE this forum. I've been on Differin on and off for a year and for the first time my face can be clear since I was 15. But recently I found I've been losing hair in the crown area but I can't put my finger on the cause. Is it Differin? But my doctor has never mentioned this side effect.

If it's Differin, what else do you suggest to combat breakouts? I've done everything I can think of. I'm a vegetarian and I avoid eating spicy. I drink a lot of water and probably have only one real coffee a week ...

please help xxx

free skin care · Mon Aug 18, 2008 1:34 pm

Hello, djork.
Other users of Differin have experienced hair loss, as well. Still, it seems like FDA and the manufacturer won't acknowledge hair loss as a side effect. You can take a look at this thread on the forum keratin.net:

http://www.keratin.net/forums/viewtopic.php?t=6175

free skin care · Mon Aug 18, 2008 1:37 pm

could just be genetic...who knows!

Mon Aug 18, 2008 2:15 pm

Thanks septembergirl... *weep* Hopefully I can have some of my hair back after I stop using differin.

free skin care · Mon Aug 18, 2008 7:03 pm

Hi djork! I've used Differin several times over the years that I've struggled with my skin and have never had any problems with hair loss. The fact that you're using the Differin on your face and losing hair on the crown of your head makes me think that the two are unrelated.

Kind of a personal question, but are you on birth control pills? Hair loss is a rare side effect and unfortunately one that I've experienced. I've been on almost every brand of pill and have finally found one that seems to lessen the problem.

free skin care · Mon Aug 18, 2008 8:25 pm

Here is a thread where we discussed many of the reasons and fixes for hair loss....I know how stressful it can be, but there are options!

http://www.essentialdayspa.com/forum/viewthread.php?tid=29005&highlight=viviscal

free skin care · Tue Aug 19, 2008 2:35 am

djork wrote:

Thanks septembergirl... *weep* Hopefully I can have some of my hair back after I stop using differin.

It's established that large doses of vit A can trigger hair loss. A very unscientific hypothesis might be that a few individuals absorb too much of the vitamin A in the cream, or react abnormally in some way to topically applied vitamin A creams. This is supposedly a rare reaction, as topically applied retinoid on the scalp is also used to treat hair loss.

Please tell us if your hair grows back when you stop using Differin.

Tue Aug 19, 2008 4:41 pm

No, actually I'm not on birth control of any kind. But still, thank you Smile

Annie B wrote:

Hi djork! I've used Differin several times over the years that I've struggled with my skin and have never had any problems with hair loss. The fact that you're using the Differin on your face and losing hair on the crown of your head makes me think that the two are unrelated.

Kind of a personal question, but are you on birth control pills? Hair loss is a rare side effect and unfortunately one that I've experienced. I've been on almost every brand of pill and have finally found one that seems to lessen the problem.

free skin care · Tue Aug 19, 2008 4:56 pm

Septembergirl wrote:

djork wrote:

Thanks septembergirl... *weep* Hopefully I can have some of my hair back after I stop using differin.

It's established that large doses of vit A can trigger hair loss. A very unscientific hypothesis might be that a few individuals absorb too much of the vitamin A in the cream, or react abnormally in some way to topically applied vitamin A creams. This is supposedly a rare reaction, as topically applied retinoid on the scalp is also used to treat hair loss.

Please tell us if your hair grows back when you stop using Differin.

Hi Septembergirl
Just wondering, how much is "large doses of vit A"?

I've used two tubes of Differin, and have not experienced hair loss, though I didt really apply Differin on my hairline

free skin care · Wed Aug 20, 2008 6:08 am

yeahyeah wrote:

Septembergirl wrote:

djork wrote:

Thanks septembergirl... *weep* Hopefully I can have some of my hair back after I stop using differin.

It's established that large doses of vit A can trigger hair loss. A very unscientific hypothesis might be that a few individuals absorb too much of the vitamin A in the cream, or react abnormally in some way to topically applied vitamin A creams. This is supposedly a rare reaction, as topically applied retinoid on the scalp is also used to treat hair loss.

Please tell us if your hair grows back when you stop using Differin.

Hi Septembergirl
Just wondering, how much is "large doses of vit A"?

I've used two tubes of Differin, and have not experienced hair loss, though I didt really apply Differin on my hairline

Hello.
Too much vitamin A is toxic and can cause hair loss. I don't know how much "too much" is, but you should not need to worry at all when you apply it topically.

What I meant to say to djork, is that perhaps a few individuals get abnormal reactions from topical applied vitamin A creams. Hair loss from the use of Differin is most likely very rare.

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