Comparing the Frequency of Isotretinoin-Induced Hair Loss at <0.5 mg/kg/d Versus ≥0.5 mg/kg/d Dosing in Acne Patients: A Systematic Review

This systematic review analyzed 22 studies involving 3940 acne patients to assess the frequency of hair loss in those taking different daily doses of isotretinoin. The results showed that 3.2% of patients on less than 0.5 mg/kg/d of isotretinoin experienced hair loss, while 5.7% of those on 0.5 mg/kg/d or more experienced hair loss. This suggests that higher doses of isotretinoin may be associated with a higher frequency of hair loss. However, the review also noted considerable heterogeneity in the reported data and study designs, which may affect the reliability of the results. The review concluded that more research is needed to definitively determine the relationship between isotretinoin dosage and hair loss.