Can beta carotene cause baldness?

[olmert]

I know vitamin A can cause baldness. My question is whether beta carotene can do the same. Beta carotene is converted by the body into vitamin A.

I have been taking a lot of beta carotene pills in order to get an orange glow. I do this because I wear a lot of sunscreen and would otherwise be very pale. The self tanning lotions have left me looking spotty, so I gave up on them.

[Future_HT_Doc]

While I've also read that Vitamin A (in excessive amounts) can cause hair loss, most of the data on the subject is over a decade old and it seems like general Dermatological issues are more of a concern.

Furthermore, like you stated earlier, although beta carotene is converted into Vitamin A in the body, research indicates that conversion of beta carotene to "retinoids" (Vitamin A stores in the body) is selective and, therefore, cannot cause Vitamin A toxicity (Hypervitaminosis A). What's more, because beta carotene is crucial in human visual pathways and visual acuity, it's probably not advantageous to excessively limit beta carotene from your diet.

Altogether, beta carotene cannot cause hair loss and foods containing beta carotene (carrots, leafy vegetables, etc) should not be limited from the body. However, keep in mind that excessive amounts of Vitamin A (in levels beyond the metabolic capabilities of the human liver) can, allegedly, cause Dermatological issues, including hair loss. Because of this, any type of Vitamin A regimen or restriction should be reviewed by a trusted physician.

[olmert]

I'm going much more extreme than avoiding carrots. I've been swallowing 100,000 IU's per day of beta carotene supplements. It is the only way to get a little color on my face, while I deprive it of all UV rays.