Hair Loss After Surgery: Causes, Treatment, and Prevention

Post-surgery hair loss is most commonly caused by telogen effluvium (TE), a condition that’s triggered by a disruption of your normal hair follicle cycling.

Normally, you lose between 50 to 100 hairs per day. However, sometimes certain health events, such as surgeries or underlying medical conditions, can cause hair follicles to not produce hairs as they should.

The good news is, while hair loss after surgery is possible, it’s usually temporary. If you’re concerned about hair loss after your operation, talk with your doctor about the possible risk factors and treatment options.

In a typical hair cycle, your follicles go through a growth process that lasts for a few years at a time. Hair follicles don’t continuously produce new hairs — they cycle through resting phases known as telogens.

According to the American Hair Loss Association, it’s estimated that 10 to 20 percent of your hair follicles are in a telogen state at any given time.

If the proportion of telogen hairs is greater than 20 percent, it’s an indication of telogen effluvium, one of the most common forms of hair loss.

Surgery can sometimes put your hair follicles in a longer resting state than normal. Rather than large bald spots associated with alopecia areata, you’re more likely to see progressively thinner hair as a result of TE.

Surgery may cause TE-related hair loss in the following ways:

Stress

Surgery is considered an invasive process, which can put your body — and your mind — under a lot of stress.

According to the American Skin Association, hair loss after a major stressful event of this nature is most likely to occur within 3 to 6 months.

Your body needs certain nutrients for hair growth, such as:

• biotin
• iron
• zinc
• protein

A stressful event, like surgery, may cause your body to divert these nutrients away from your vital organs. This can lead to hair thinning and TE.

Positional alopecia

According to a 2012 research review, while not common, this type of hair loss occurs from your head being in one position for several hours at a time. This can cut blood flow to your hair follicles.

Positional alopecia isn’t as common in short procedures because your head isn’t in one spot for too long.

The same research review above showed that this type of hair loss has been reported most commonly in cardiac surgeries.

Positional alopecia is also possible after extensive reconstructive surgeries, due to the length of time spent laying in one position.

Anesthesia

According to Larry S. Nichter, MD, FACS, a board certified plastic surgeon with Pacific Center for Plastic Surgery in Newport Beach, California, while still debatable, some doctors suspect there may be a link between anesthesia and hair loss, particularly with surgeries lasting several hours.

It’s thought that lengthy anesthetic periods could possibly lead to TE-related hair loss by causing reduced cell division. Slower cellular division may in turn inhibit hair follicle production. But this has not been proven in clinical studies.

The type of anesthesia used may also contribute to hair loss. A 2012 research review found that hypotensive anesthesia, which is primarily used in maxillofacial surgeries, may increase the risk of positional alopecia.

A 2015 research review showed that while not tolerated by all patients, hypotensive anesthesia is still used to help decrease blood loss during certain operations, such as dental surgery.

Medication side effects

Certain medications taken post-surgery may lead to hair loss, especially if you’re allergic to them. The American Skin Association advises that you may also talk with your doctor if you take any of the following drugs linked to TE:

• anti-seizure medications
• anti-thyroid medications
• beta-blockers

Type of surgery

It’s also important to consider the site of your surgery. While all surgeries have the potential to cause TE and hair loss, you may be at an increased risk of hair follicles shutting down if your incisions are made on your scalp.

According to a 2012 research review, head and neck surgeries, as well as the use of hypotensive anesthesia, have also been linked to increased risk of positional alopecia that may lead to hair loss.

While hair loss after surgery isn’t entirely preventable, you may be able to help minimize the effects of TE. This includes:

• eating a nutritious diet full of plant-based foods
• regular exercise
• better sleep
• stress management

Make sure you don’t have any nutritional deficiencies

Nutritional deficiencies may play a role in hair loss — with or without surgery.

According to a 2018 research review, the following micronutrients have been identified by researchers as possibly supporting healthy hair follicles and, subsequently, typical hair growth cycles:

• iron
• selenium
• zinc
• antioxidants, including vitamins A, C, and E
• B vitamins
• vitamin D

Ensure you’re getting enough protein and iron

According to the American Academy of Dermatology Association, adequate protein and iron intake has also been linked to healthy hair growth.

You may be able to help minimize hair loss by eating foods rich in these nutrients, but it’s unclear whether you can prevent surgery-related hair loss with any particular diet.

A blood test can determine whether you’re deficient in any of the above nutrients, and your doctor may recommend certain foods or supplements based on the results.

However, you shouldn’t take supplements on your own without any established nutritional deficiency. According to a 2017 research review, doing so may increase your risk for worsening hair loss from toxicity.

Talk with your doctor about hair loss concerns before surgery

It’s also important to discuss the possibility of surgery-related hair loss with your doctor before your operation.

If you expect a long surgery or an intensive care treatment, you may ask about the medical team’s plan for head turning schedules to help prevent positional alopecia.

Your doctor can help assess other risk factors for hair loss, and potentially offer an action plan to help minimize it. This may involve the preventive strategies listed above, as well as potential post-surgery treatments.

While it may be concerning to see thinning hair or increased hair loss after your surgery, there are steps you can discuss with your doctor to help treat it.

A dermatologist can determine whether a home or professional treatment is best, but either option can take several months to take full effect.

At-home treatments

At-home treatments may include:

• minoxidil (Rogaine) topical treatment applied to your scalp once or twice daily
• microneedling devices, which stimulate hair follicles via fine needles
• laser caps or combs applied to your scalp up to three times per week

Medical treatments

Depending on the severity of hair loss, your dermatologist may recommend one of the following professional treatments:

• corticosteroid injections
• laser therapy
• platelet-rich plasma (PRP) injections, with or without microneedling
• prescription medications for hair loss, including spironolactone for women and finasteride for men

The chances of experiencing hair loss after surgery isn’t well-established, but it’s possible that this major stressor can interfere with healthy hair follicle cycles and lead to temporary hair loss.

Other risk factors for hair loss include:

• the type of surgery you have
• your overall health
• your lifestyle

In most cases, hair loss after surgery will reverse itself over several months’ time.

If you do lose hair post-surgery, talk with a dermatologist about potential treatments and possible ways you can regulate your hair growth cycle once again.

Teenage Hair Loss and Thinning: Symptoms, Causes, Treatment

The majority of people will experience some degree of hair loss throughout their life. Most people begin noticing hair loss during adulthood. But less commonly, some people start losing their hair as teenagers.

Hair loss can be difficult for anybody, but especially if you’re younger. Losing one’s hair can have a huge impact on self-esteem.

Potential causes of hair loss in teenagers include genetic factors, hormonal imbalances, and underlying medical conditions. In some cases, hair loss can be reversible with proper treatment.

Let’s look at a wide range of potential causes of hair loss in teenagers. We’ll also examine treatment options for each.

Here are some of the potential causes of hair loss in teenagers.

Genetics

Androgenetic alopecia is a genetic form of hair loss referred to as male-pattern baldness or female-pattern baldness. It occurs in a predictable pattern.

In men, it generally appears as a recession of the hairline in an M, V, or U shape and a gradual balding at the crown. Women usually notice a gradual thinning along the part of their hair.

Pattern hair loss usually starts in adulthood, but can also start during your teenage years. It’s not uncommon for teenagers to experience this form of hair loss, but its prevalence is currently not known.

You’re most likely to develop pattern hair loss if you have close relatives who also developed it.

Alopecia areata

Alopecia areata is an autoimmune condition that causes hair to fall out in patches.

Autoimmune conditions develop when your body mistakes healthy cells in your body for foreign invaders. In the case of alopecia areata, your immune system attacks your hair follicles. You may notice hair loss on your scalp, eyebrows, eyelashes, or body.

Alopecia areata affects about 2 percent of the population at some point in their life. Most people develop it before the age of 30, and it can start as early as childhood.

Malnutrition

Malnutrition is a lack of proper nutrition that can be caused by not eating enough, eating too much, or not getting the right balance of nutrients. A lack of access to food, dietary imbalances, eating disorders, or digestive conditions are some potential causes.

Deficiencies in nutrients may cause hair loss, including in:

• vitamin A
• vitamin E
• zinc
• vitamin C
• iron
• niacin
• vitamin D
• vitamin E
• biotin
• folic acid
• selenium

Thyroid conditions

Thyroid conditions that lead to an underproduction or overproduction of thyroid hormones may cause hair loss or brittle hair.

Hair loss caused by a thyroid condition usually appears as a uniform thinning across your scalp. Hair loss is most common in people with severe or prolonged thyroid disease. Lost hair often regrows with proper treatment.

Lupus

Lupus is an autoimmune condition caused by your immune system targeting your tissues and organs. Lupus can cause symptoms like joint pain, fatigue, a butterfly-shaped rash, and hair loss.

People with lupus may notice a gradual thinning. Hair loss may or may not grow back.

Polycystic ovary syndrome

Polycystic ovary syndrome is a common female health issue that leads to excess levels of androgen, or male sex hormones.

It’s normal for women to produce hormones like testosterone. But when they produce too much, it can lead to symptoms like disrupted menstrual cycles, acne, and hair thinning.

Treating the hormonal imbalances in your body may lead to hair regrowth.

Some medicines and medical treatments

A number of medications and medical treatments can lead to hair loss. Some examples include:

• acne medications
• antibiotics
• anticlotting drugs
• anticonvulsants
• antidepressants and mood stabilizers
• antifungal treatments
• blood pressure medication
• chemotherapy
• cholesterol-lowering drugs
• gout medication
• immunosuppressants

Hair treatment, coloring, and styling

Regularly coloring your hair or getting chemical hair treatments can damage your hair, and potentially lead to an increase in hair breakage. These treatments don’t usually affect your hair root, and your hair will likely grow back once you stop treatment.

Chlorine found in swimming pools, bleaching your hair, and exposing your hair to excessive heat are also all potential causes of hair damage.

Other causes of hair loss

• Traction alopecia. This form of hair loss is caused by the repeated stress of wearing your hair in tight buns, ponytails or braids. Hair loss is often along your hairline and may be reversible if you intervene early.
• Trichotillomania. This is a psychological disorder where a person feels the overwhelming need to pull out their own hair. Symptoms typically onset between the ages of 10 to 13.
• Ringworm of the scalp. Ringworm is a fungal infection that can cause patches of itchy and scaly skin on your scalp. In some cases, ringworm can cause inflammation that leads to scarring and hair loss.
• Telogen effluvium. Telogen effluvium is a temporary form of hair loss that causes excessive shedding of hair. Stress, illness, childbirth, or weight loss are some of the many potential causes.

Puberty causes fluctuations in hormone levels that can potentially affect hair growth. Pattern hair loss can start immediately after puberty and progress over time. Pattern hair loss is the most common cause of hair loss for men and women.

It’s possible for teenagers to experience patchy hair loss, thinning hair, or pattern hair loss depending on the underlying cause. If hair loss is caused by an underlying medical condition, you may experience a number of other symptoms along with hair loss.

If your child is experiencing hair loss, it’s a good idea to visit a doctor. They can help you determine if there’s a medical cause leading to hair loss or if it’s caused by genetic factors.

In some cases, an early diagnosis can increase chances of regrowing hair.

A doctor may be able to diagnose the cause of your hair loss with a physical examination and by examining your medical history. They may do a pull test to see how many hairs come out, and examine your scalp with a microscope.

A doctor may order a blood test if they suspect a hormonal imbalance or nutrient deficiency. They may also take a small biopsy of your scalp.

The best treatment option for your type of hair loss depends on the cause. In some cases, hair loss may be reversible with proper treatment.

* Topical minoxidil (Rogaine) is not FDA-approved for people under the age of 18 due to a lack of research. However, it’s been used successfully in some studies for treating pattern hair loss. You should only use minoxidil if your doctor tells you it’s okay.

Some causes of hair loss in teenagers can be stopped and potentially reversed. For example, if you’re experiencing hair loss caused by an imbalance of thyroid hormones, correcting the hormonal imbalance may improve hair growth.

Other causes, like genetic hair loss, have no known cure and will likely progress with time but can be slowed down with treatment.

The best way to know if you can stop hair loss is to get a proper diagnosis from a doctor.

Losing your hair at a young age can be very difficult. Your child may feel like they need to hide hair loss, and feel stressed and anxious about their hair loss progressing.

Hair loss can be caused by stress or anxiety in anyone, namely teenagers. Coping with hair loss can be difficult. It may cause poor self-esteem and have a big effect on confidence — especially at an age when many people start dating and learning who they are.

If your child is experiencing hair loss, it’s important to remind them that losing their hair doesn’t change the person they are and doesn’t mean anything is wrong with them. You can let them know that you’re ready to listen if they want to talk about it.

If your child is stressed or depressed, their doctor can recommend an experienced counselor.

There are many reasons why teenagers may experience hair loss. Genetic hair loss can start after puberty and lead to a pattern of hair loss. Alopecia areata is a common autoimmune condition that can onset in childhood or as a teenager.

It’s a good idea to see a doctor if your child is dealing with hair loss in order to get a proper diagnosis and rule out potential medical conditions.

Why does a newborn’s hair fall out, is it dangerous and what should a mother do? Baby hair loss is often the result of hormonal changes after birth. Also, chafing and areas without hair appear because the baby lies in one position for a long time on a certain part of the back of the head.

And this is not a problem – by the first birthday, new hair grows. However, if your child’s hair continues to actively fall out after 6 months, be sure to consult a doctor to rule out serious illnesses. Or confirm them and prescribe treatment.

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Alopecia or chafing? When should you be concerned about hair loss in a child?

Yes, in most cases this is the norm: almost all newborns lose part of their hair or even all of their hair, which later grows back and may be of a different color and density. If your baby was born bald, take a closer look: he most likely has a pale, barely noticeable fluff on his head. In a year you will know if your baby is blond or brown, but for now enjoy the “hairstyle” that does not require any maintenance.

How long does it take for babies to lose their hair?

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Babies often lose all their hair during the first six months. This is called neonatal alopecia, when the fetal hairs have completely shed off, and new ones have not yet grown. They will have to wait another six months. And when they start growing, you will be surprised (or even shocked) by the fact that your baby seems to have changed his hair color and generally replaced his hair with another one. Mature hair can be very different from baby hair – in color, texture and, of course, density. One baby can be born with a thick black shock, like Elvis, and in a year turn into a discreet blond. The other will come out of the womb copper-red with thin hairs, and by the year will grow thick blond hair. So if both parents are blondes, and the child was born a burning brunette, do not rush to draw conclusions and wait for his new hair.

Why do newborns lose their hair?

• One of the main reasons is hormonal instability immediately after birth. By the way, many mothers lose their hair for the same reason. In her and her baby, everything in the body adapts to new conditions: the pregnancy is over, feeding has begun, the baby’s intrauterine life has been replaced by life in the air – and the body needs time to rebuild. While this is happening, hair falls out mercilessly due to hormonal surges.
• Sometimes the hair falls out for a purely mechanical reason: the child constantly lies on his back, turns his head and rubs the back of his head against the sheet. As a result, he rubs his bald spots, leaving hairs on the mattress. If a newborn spends most of the time in the same position, and an older baby, for example, constantly rests his head on the back of a highchair or car seat, he may also “polish” the place where his head meets the support.
• Also, delicate baby hair often cannot withstand physical tension, such as ponytails, and also falls out. This is called traction alopecia.
• And obsessive pulling of one’s hair and winding strands around one’s fingers is called trichotillomania and is also often accompanied by the loss of uneven patches of hair.
• If there are red scaly spots on the bald spots or dark dots appear in the place of the fallen hairs, the baby may have picked up a contagious fungal infection – dermatophytosis, or ringworm.
• Smooth, round, bowling-ball-shiny bald spots suggest alopecia areata. This is a condition in which the immune system attacks the hair follicles, dramatically slowing hair growth. It usually appears in separate areas, although it can affect all body hair.
• Some endocrine disorders also cause infantile pattern baldness, such as hypothyroidism (thyroid disease) or hypopituitarism (an underactive pituitary gland).

What should a mother do if her baby’s hair falls out?

Watch the baby. There is nothing you can do about hormonal hair loss, just wait until new ones grow back (and be surprised).

If an infant’s baldness is the result of a long stay in one position, try to periodically turn the baby from side to side, carry it on your arms, be sure to alternate resting on your back with laying it out on your tummy (when possible) and ensure the baby’s mobility. This is important not only for baldness reduction, but also for general physical development. Also try alternating the sides of the bed when laying down. For example, put the baby at one end of the bed at night, and at the opposite end during the day. Then it will lie on different parts of the back of the head, and the bald spots will decrease.

Tell your pediatrician if your baby has hair loss, especially if it continues beyond 6 months. Most likely, the doctor will calm you down and say that nothing terrible is happening. If baldness turns out to be a symptom of the disease, he will prescribe an examination and treatment. For example, for ringworm – antifungal drugs.

If your doctor suspects alopecia areata, he will refer you to a dermatologist for further evaluation. Some children simply outgrow alopecia areata without treatment. Others—usually older children—receive medications to stimulate hair growth.

Babies with thin, brittle, brittle hair can also lose quite a lot of hair. In this case, from the first months of life, take care of capricious baby hair and scalp until mature hair grows. For example, gently brush your baby’s “fluff” with the gentlest comb you can find, and don’t try to style your hair the opposite way, opt for a natural style.

Most hair loss in babies is temporary, and your bald baby is more likely to have a “lion’s mane” by one year.

How can I support my baby’s hair growth?

If they have already fallen out, then nothing, just wait until new ones grow. If the newborn still has some hair on the head, they can be taken care of so that they fall out less and grow better.

• Use a mild, paraben-, SLS-, fragrance- and other harsh chemical-free shampoo made for children.
• Wash your hair no more than two or three times a week, not every day – frequent washing dries out your child’s scalp, the hair follicles are undernourished and the hair may fall out.
• Use a soft washcloth to gently wash your baby’s head, and do not rub it with your nails or a towel .
• Use soft-bristled brushes to brush and remove scabs.

Baby hair loss – Center K33

The problem of hair loss occurs not only in adults or children, but also in newborns. If parents observe this in their child, first of all, do not panic. In certain cases, this phenomenon is not dangerous and is temporary. However, there are situations when a newborn loses hair on his head due to an acquired disease. But how can you tell if a baby’s hair loss is a sign of a serious illness? We will try to answer this question in the article.

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Why my baby’s hair falls out

This can be normal or dangerous. Let’s consider them in order. Hair loss in a newborn, if diseases are excluded, is due to the active replacement of lanugo (the scientific name for vellus hair) with stronger hair follicles.

Another reason for falling out is frequent head tossing during sleep. Because of this, a bald patch on the back of the head may also appear. Most often, the culprit of the problem is a tight hat. However, the appearance of rickets, which will be described below, is not excluded.

We will look at diseases that can cause alopecia.

1. Alopecia areata in children is accompanied by the appearance of completely smooth areas of oval or round shape on the head. The process proceeds quickly enough and after 2-3 days the child may turn out to be completely bald.
2. Hair loss is often the cause of hair loss. Hair loss in an infant occurs as a result of shaving the head, which is highly discouraged at this age. The roots of the hairs are located almost at the surface of the skin. One careless move will cut off hair follicles that will never regenerate. Burns of chemical or thermal origin always contribute to hair loss.
3. Rickets also leads to baldness. At first, it may look like a natural hairline change, but later it manifests itself: increased sweating at night; the shape of the head or limbs changes; poor appetite, capriciousness.