TLDR Alitretinoin may cause irreversible hair curling as a side effect.
The document reported on two female patients, aged 45 and 51, who developed hair curling while being treated with alitretinoin for severe chronic hand eczema. The 51-year-old experienced hair curling after 9 months of treatment, and her hair remained curly even 2 years later despite a dose reduction. The 45-year-old developed curly hair and diffuse alopecia after 5 months, and her hair remained curly 9 months after the onset, even after a dose reduction. The Netherlands Pharmacovigilance Centre Lareb suggested a likely causal relationship between alitretinoin and hair curling, indicating that the effect might be irreversible. Prescribers should be aware of this potential side effect. The document also referenced previous reports of similar hair changes with other synthetic retinoids and suggested that these changes might be due to the direct effect of the medication on hair follicle function, with a possible involvement of thyroid hormones.
17 citations,
November 2013 in “Clinical and experimental dermatology” Acitretin therapy may cause hair to repigment and curl.
8 citations,
January 2013 in “European Journal of Dermatology” Alitretinoin may help treat alopecia areata.
115 citations,
August 2008 in “The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism” Thyroid hormones help hair grow, reduce hair loss, and increase hair pigment.
85 citations,
April 2007 in “Dermatologic Clinics” Some drugs can cause hair loss, change hair color and shape, or increase hair growth, and treatment may involve stopping the drug or using specific hair growth treatments.
19 citations,
October 1985 in “British Journal of Dermatology” The document concludes that unruly hair can be congenital or acquired, often lacks specific treatments, and can be managed with oils and short hairstyles.
6 citations,
September 2012 in “Our Dermatology Online” Retinoids are effective for various skin conditions and hair loss but have serious side effects, so low doses are recommended.
Proretinal nanoparticles are a safe and effective way to deliver retinal to the skin.
October 2018 in “InTech eBooks” The most effective treatments for hair loss are minoxidil, finasteride, PRP, and hair transplants, with steroids and immunosuppressants for autoimmune types.
2 citations,
February 2009 in “Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology” Many research paper titles in dermatology journals lack scientific precision.
23 citations,
April 2018 in “Journal der Deutschen Dermatologischen Gesellschaft” Permanent hair loss from cicatricial alopecia is treated by reducing inflammation and managing symptoms, but regrowth in scarred areas is unlikely.
