Hair Loss After Anesthesia Causes, Prevention, and Treatment

Hair Loss After Anesthesia: Causes, Prevention, and Treatment If you have recently undergone surgery, you may have noticed an alarming amount of hair falling out when you brush, wash, or style your hair. This can be a distressing side effect of anesthesia, which is the medication used to make you unconscious during the operation. But why does anesthesia cause hair loss, and what can you do to prevent and treat it? In this article, we will explore the causes, prevention, and treatment of hair loss after anesthesia, and introduce a promising therapy that can stimulate hair growth using red light.

What causes hair loss after anesthesia?

Hair loss after anesthesia is a type of hair loss called telogen effluvium (TE), which occurs when a large number of hair follicles enter the resting phase (telogen) of the hair growth cycle prematurely. Normally, about 10 to 20 percent of your hair follicles are in the telogen phase at any given time, and you shed about 50 to 100 hairs per day. However, when you experience a stressful event, such as surgery, illness, injury, or emotional trauma, your body may divert its resources away from hair growth and trigger more hair

follicles to enter the telogen phase. This results in increased hair shedding, usually within two to four months after the stressful event.

Anesthesia is one of the factors that can cause TE, especially if the surgery is long and complex. Anesthesia can affect the blood flow to your scalp, which can deprive your hair follicles of oxygen and nutrients. Anesthesia can also interfere with your hormone levels, which can affect your hair growth cycle.

Additionally, anesthesia can cause nausea, vomiting, and fever, which can further stress your body and hair follicles.

How to prevent hair loss after anesthesia?

While it may not be possible to completely prevent hair loss after anesthesia, there are some steps you can take to reduce the risk and severity of TE. These include: 

Eating a balanced diet that provides enough protein, iron, zinc, biotin, and other vitamins and minerals that are essential for hair growth.

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Taking supplements that can support your hair health, such as collagen, keratin, or fish oil. However, you should consult your doctor before taking any supplements, especially if you are on any medications or have any medical conditions.

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Avoiding harsh chemicals, heat styling, and tight hairstyles that can damage your hair and scalp. Use gentle shampoo and conditioner, and let your hair air-dry whenever possible. You can also use a silk pillowcase to reduce friction and breakage.

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Managing your stress levels by practicing relaxation techniques, such as meditation, yoga, breathing exercises, or aromatherapy. You can also seek professional counseling or support groups if you are feeling anxious or depressed after surgery.

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Following your doctor’s instructions for post-operative care, such as taking your prescribed medications, keeping your wounds clean and dry, and avoiding strenuous activities. This can help your body heal faster and reduce the chances of complications or infections.

How to treat hair loss after anesthesia?

The good news is that hair loss after anesthesia is usually temporary and reversible. Most people will notice their hair regrowth within six to nine months after the surgery, as the hair follicles resume their normal growth cycle. However, if you want to speed up the process and improve the quality

of your hair, you may want to consider a therapy that can stimulate hair growth using red light.

Red light therapy, also known as low-level laser therapy or cold laser therapy, is a treatment that uses red or near-infrared light to irradiate the scalp. The light is absorbed by the hair follicles, which can increase blood circulation, oxygen, and nutrient delivery, as well as stimulate cellular activity and energy production. This can enhance hair growth, thickness, and strength, as well as prevent further hair loss.

Red light therapy for hair loss has been proven to be safe and effective by several clinical studies. For example, a 2014 study found that red light therapy increased hair density by 37 percent in men and women after 16 weeks of treatment. A 2013 study found that red light therapy resulted in a 39 percent increase in hair growth in men after 16 weeks of treatment. A 2017 study found that red light therapy improved hair growth, quality, and scalp health in women after 24 weeks of treatment.

Red light therapy for hair loss can be performed at home using a device that emits red light, such as a helmet, a cap, a band, or a comb. These devices are easy to use, painless, and convenient. You can wear them for a few minutes a day, a few times a week, depending on the instructions of the device.

However, you should consult your doctor before using red light therapy, especially if you have any medical conditions, are taking any photosensitizing medications, or are pregnant or breastfeeding.

Conclusion Hair loss after anesthesia is a common and temporary condition that can be caused by the stress and effects of surgery and anesthesia on your body and hair follicles. You can prevent and treat hair loss after anesthesia by eating a healthy diet, taking supplements, avoiding hair damage, managing stress, and following post-operative care. You can also try red light therapy for hair loss, which can stimulate hair growth and improve hair quality using red light.

Red light therapy is a safe and effective treatment that can be done at home using a device that emits red light. If you are interested in red light therapy for hair loss, you can check out our article on the best red light therapy devices for hair growth, where we review and compare some of the toprated products on the market. We hope this article has been helpful and informative for you. If you have any questions or comments, please feel free to share them below. We would love to hear from you and your experience with hair loss after anesthesia and red light therapy. Thank you for reading!