Acne And Hair Loss Medication Myths And Truths

Hello, I am Dr. Jung Ji-in, a dermatologist. According to a 2020 survey by the Korean Dermatological Association, 79% of respondents had heard the phrase "dermatology medicines are strong." It is true that the perception of dermatological medicines is not good. Are dermatological medicines really strong and bad? From now on, I will correct the misunderstandings and truths about medicines that many people take, especially acne and hair loss medications.

Negative perceptions of dermatological medicines have persisted for a long time. However, the idea that all dermatological medicines are unconditionally strong or bad can be a prejudice. The important thing is to understand the characteristics of each medicine and the correct way to take it. From now on, let's look at the misunderstandings and truths about dermatological medicines that are often asked about.

For young children, the answer may be 'O' (yes). Not only adolescents but also the number of pediatric acne patients has recently increased, and many parents worry that acne medications their children take might hinder their height growth. Generally, topical medications such as Differin, Duac, and Epiduo are used first, and if they are not effective, tetracycline-based antibiotics such as Inosin may be prescribed.

Therefore, for acne patients under 12 years of age, topical medications are used, or if necessary, other types of antibiotics are prescribed. Since it does not significantly affect growth after 12 years of age, if topical medications do not improve the condition, oral medications can be actively considered.

Note: The effectiveness of these antibiotics may decrease and absorption may be poor when mixed with food, so it is best to take them 1 hour before or 2 hours after a meal.

The answer is 'X' (no).

Isotretinoin is a vitamin A derivative commonly known as a sebum control medication. This ingredient is known to remain in the body for about 30 days. Therefore, it is not advisable to plan a pregnancy immediately after stopping the medication. For safety, it is recommended to use contraception for about three months after stopping the medication.

The answer is 'O' (yes). However, it is not absolute.

Hair loss is one of the skin concerns that both men and women are very interested in. You may have heard that taking male hair loss medication can cause decreased libido. This is indeed a side effect of male hair loss medication, but the actual probability of decreased libido is very low, around 2%. Dutasteride, a later developed medication, is also known to have a not-so-high rate of around 5%.

Furthermore, even if symptoms appear, they tend to improve immediately upon stopping the medication, so there is no need to worry too much.

Unlike isotretinoin, hair loss medications do not remain in the body for a long time after discontinuation, usually around 2-3 days. Therefore, there is almost no risk unless the pregnant mother directly touches the pills, and it is not necessarily required to stop taking them when planning a pregnancy. However, if you are concerned about possible side effects, it is advisable to consult a dermatologist sufficiently when planning a pregnancy to decide whether to take the medication appropriately.

The answer is 'O' (yes) for old medicines, and 'X' (no) for current ones.

This notion originated from antihistamines used to relieve itching. There are first-generation and second-generation antihistamines, and lethargy, drowsiness, and dry mouth were typical side effects of first-generation antihistamines. However, most medications prescribed today are second- or third-generation. The occurrence of these side effects has significantly decreased, so you don't need to worry. In particular, antihistamines are known to be safe enough for chronic urticaria patients to take daily for several years.

• So, are first-generation antihistamines not used at all anymore?
  • For patients whose itching is severe at night to the point of not being able to sleep, stronger first-generation antihistamines may be desirable.
  • During the day, we recommend taking second-generation antihistamines to effectively improve itching without causing drowsiness.

So far, we have looked at the misunderstandings and truths about dermatological medicines. The idea that dermatological medicines are unconditionally strong or bad can be a prejudice. If you consult a dermatologist sufficiently and are prescribed and take the right medication for you, you can greatly reduce your worries about side effects. If you have any questions, please feel free to consult a specialist.