Hair loss after surgery is typically caused by telogen effluvium (TE). It’s an illness caused by an interruption in the normal cycle of hair follicles.
In normal circumstances, you will lose 50 and 100 hairs per day. However, there are times when specific health issues, such as surgeries or underlying medical conditions, may cause hair follicles not to grow inches as they ought to.
There’s good news even though losing hair following surgery is possible, it’s generally temporary. If you’re worried about hair loss after surgery, consult your physician about potential risks and treatment options.
What is the cause of hair loss after surgery?
In the normal hair cycle, your hair follicles undergo a growth process that lasts for several years each. Hair follicles do not continuously grow new inches. They undergo resting phases called Telogens.
Based to the American Hair Loss Association, it is believed that between 10 and 20% of your hair follicles are in the telogen stage at any time.
If the percentage of telogen hairs is higher than 20 percent, this indicates that you have telogen effluvium among the more frequent types of hair loss.
Surgery can result in hair follicles being in a more extended state of rest than usual. Instead of massive bald spots associated with Alopecia areata, You’re more likely to see gradually thin hair because of the TE.
The procedure can cause hair reduction in these ways:
Stress
Surgery is considered invasive and could put your body and mind under tremendous pressure.
According to the American Skin Association, hair loss after a stressful event is most likely to happen within 3 to six months.
Your body needs specific nutrients to help grow your hair for hair growth, including:
- biotin
- iron
- zinc
- protein
An emotional event, like surgery, can cause your body to take nutrients away from your vital organs. This can cause hair loss and TE.
Positional alopecia
According to a 2012 review of research conducted by Trusted Source, Although it isn’t typical, this kind of loss in hair is caused by the head being in a single position for an extended period at the same time. This may cut off blood flow to the hair follicles.
Alopecia in the head position is less prevalent in quick procedures because the director only stays in one place all the time.
The same review of research above found that this type of loss of hair has been frequently reported in heart surgeries.
Alopecia in the position of a person is also possible after extensive reconstructive procedures due to the length of time down in one place.
Anesthesia
As per Larry S. Nichter, MD, FACS, a board-certified plastic surgeon from the Pacific Center for Plastic Surgery located in Newport Beach, California, although the issue isn’t ultimately settled, the possibility that there is a connection between anesthesia and loss of hair, especially in surgeries that last more than an hour.
It is believed that prolonged anesthetic durations could result in hair loss due to a decrease in cell division due to TE. A slower rate of cell division could cause a reduction in hair follicle growth. But this needs to be demonstrated in clinical research.
The type of anesthesia employed could also cause hair loss. A 2012 review of research by Trusted Source discovered that hypotensive anesthetic typically used in maxillofacial surgery could cause an increase in the likelihood of having positional hair loss.
A 2015 study published in the journal trusted Source revealed that, while not all patients are tolerant Hypotensive anesthesia can be utilized to reduce the loss of blood during certain surgeries like dental surgery.
Medication side effects
Certain drugs taken following surgery can result in hair loss, particularly if you’re allergic. It is recommended that you consult your doctor about this. American Skin Association recommends that you consult your physician when you are taking any of the following medications that are linked to TE:
- anti-seizure medications
- anti-thyroid medication
- beta-blockers
The type of surgery
It’s also essential to take into consideration the place of the procedure. All procedures have the potential to result in TE and loss of hair. You could have a significantly higher risk of hair follicles closing down if the cuts are on the scalp.
According to a 2012 review of research conducted by Trusted Source, neck and head procedures, along with the use of hypotensive anesthesia, are also associated with an increased risk of alopecia in situ, which could result in hair loss.
Also Read: Does electrolysis work on grey hairs?
Could you stop the loss of hair after surgery?
Although hair loss after surgery isn’t always avoidable, you can lessen the adverse effects of TE. This can include:
- Eating a healthy diet that is full of plant-based food items.
- regular exercise
- Better sleep
- Stress management
Check to make sure that you don’t have any nutritional deficiencies.
Dietary deficiencies can contribute to hair loss, with and without surgery.
According to a review of research conducted in 2018 by Trusted Source, The following micronutrients were discovered in the study as possibly helping healthy hair follicles and, consequently, average hair cycle growth:
- iron
- Selenium
- zinc
- antioxidants, like vitamins A, C, and E
- B vitamins
- Vitamin D
Make sure you’re getting enough iron and protein.
As per the American Academy of Dermatology Association, an adequate amount of iron and protein intake is also connected to good hair health.
You could aid in reducing hair loss by eating foods rich in these nutrients. However, it could be more apparent if you can avoid hair loss resulting from surgery with a specific diet.
A blood test will reveal whether you lack any of these nutrients. Your doctor might recommend specific products or foods according to the results.
But, it is recommended to take supplements with a known nutritional deficit. According to an article in the 2017 study by the Trusted Source, doing this can increase the chance of hair loss due to toxic substances.
Also Read: Can you get laser hair removal while breastfeeding?
Consult your doctor about concerns regarding hair loss before surgery
You must also discuss any potential hair loss due to surgery with your physician before your procedure.
If you’re planning to undergo a lengthy operation or intensive treatment, you can inquire regarding the medical team’s strategy for head-turning schedules that will assist in preventing positional alopecia.
Your doctor will be able to help you identify the other risk factors that can cause hair loss and may provide a plan of action to minimize the loss. This may include the prevention strategies mentioned above and the possibility of post-surgical procedures.
Hair loss after surgery treatment
Hair loss after surgical treatment is a common occurrence. However, it is temporary and usually grows back within a few months. You can do several things to help manage hair loss after surgery treatment. Here are some tips:
- Talk to your doctor about your hair loss risk before surgery. They may be able to prescribe medication to help reduce the chances of hair loss.
- After surgery, take extra care of your hair. Avoid harsh chemicals and heat styling. Gently brush your hair and use mild shampoo.
- Try using a cool compress on your scalp after surgery. This can help reduce inflammation and swelling.
- If hair loss does occur, there are treatments available. Options include Rogaine, minoxidil, and hair transplants. Talk to your doctor about the best option for you.
With proper care and treatment, hair loss after surgery does not have to be permanent. If you are concerned about hair loss, talk to your doctor before surgery. They can help you plan for and reduce the risk of hair loss.
Conclusion
The likelihood of suffering hair loss following surgery isn’t widely known; however, this significant stressor will likely affect healthy hair follicle cycles, which could cause temporary hair loss.
Other risk factors that can cause hair loss are:
- the kind of surgery you’ve had
- your general health
- your lifestyle
In the majority of cases, the loss of hair following surgery will revert after some time of several months.
If you lose hair after surgery, consult an expert in dermatology about possible treatments and methods to control your hair’s growth yet again.
