Does Anesthesia Cause Hair Loss?

If you recently had surgery, you might notice shedding and wonder what’s making your hair fall out more than usual. Does anesthesia cause hair loss? And if so, why?

Though there’s some speculation that anesthetics cause hair loss, there’s basically no clinical evidence that they do. Surgery might cause increased hair shedding because it’s quite a shock to your body.

Will hair loss from anesthesia grow back? Although it can be bothersome, post-surgery hair loss is only temporary—and many treatment options can stimulate hair growth and support healthy hair.

Below, we’ll discuss the connection between surgery, anesthesia, and hair loss, as well as treatment options for post-surgical hair loss.

While more studies are needed, preliminary research suggests anesthesia may be linked with higher rates of alopecia areata, an autoimmune condition that causes patchy hair loss. But anesthetics given during surgery don’t appear to directly cause male pattern baldness, one of the most common types of hair loss in men.

However, other causes of hair loss could be to blame. Surgery might lead to telogen effluvium, a temporary hair loss related to stress (after all, surgery is stressful). 

In some cases, lengthy surgical procedures can also cause positional alopecia (hair loss from restricted blood flow to the scalp).

So, while anesthesia hair loss isn’t typically a thing, post-surgical hair loss is.

To understand why, let’s first cover the basics of hair shedding.

It’s common—and normal—to shed between 50 and 100 hairs a day. This is because each strand of hair goes through different phases in the hair growth cycle.

These phases are:

• The anagen phase. Also known as the growth phase, this is when hair grows to its full length.

• The catagen phase. During this stage, hair transitions from growing to the next phase.

• The telogen phase. Also called the resting phase, this is when hair remains in place without growth.

After the telogen phase, the hair falls out. A new hair shaft will start to grow out of the hair follicle, starting the cycle over again.

While it sounds pretty straightforward, certain issues may cause the hair growth cycle to go off course, disrupting hair growth and leading to shedding.

Telogen Effluvium After Surgery

Sometimes, a physiologically stressful event disrupts the hair cycle, causing hairs to enter the telogen phase too quickly.

As a result, more hair falls out than usual, often leading to hair thinning all over the scalp. This type of hair loss is called telogen effluvium.

Telogen effluvium can be triggered by:

• Substantial weight loss

• Severe stress and trauma

• Medical conditions, including diabetes and thyroid disorders

• Significant blood loss

• Serious infections and illnesses

• Certain nutrient deficiencies, like lacking vitamin D or iron

• Certain medications

• Pregnancy and childbirth

Another physiological shock that can cause telogen effluvium is surgery.

Even when a surgical procedure goes off without a hitch, it’s a lot of stress for your body. This might be why surgery seems to trigger telogen effluvium.

General anesthesia itself isn’t one of the known causes of hair loss. Rather, it’s more likely the physical and mental stress of surgery may disrupt the hair cycle.

The good news? Telogen effluvium doesn’t ever get so severe that it causes full-on baldness.

The even better news? Telogen effluvium is only temporary—and hair loss treatments can help stimulate new hair growth.

Positional Alopecia After Surgery

Aside from telogen effluvium, post-surgical hair loss can be caused by positional alopecia, also called pressure alopecia.

Positional alopecia is a rare issue caused by your head being in one position for several hours, which can reduce blood flow to your hair follicles. This disrupts the hair growth cycle and causes hair to fall out in one area of the scalp.

Shorter surgical procedures are very unlikely to cause positional alopecia, but longer surgeries might.

Like telogen effluvium, positional alopecia is temporary. In time, your hair will grow back.

What About Other Medications? 

Other medications prescribed following surgical procedures can cause or worsen hair loss, including: 

• Beta-blockers

• Antiseizure drugs

• Antithyroid drugs

• Calcium channel blockers

• Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)

If you’re taking any of these regularly as part of your recovery, it’s possible they’re playing a role in hair loss. This doesn't mean you should stop them—but it may be worth asking your healthcare provider for guidance. 

How do you know if you’re experiencing post-surgery telogen effluvium or the early signs of hair loss?

Seeing a healthcare professional is the best way to determine the type of hair loss you’re experiencing. But there are also some telltale signs of telogen effluvium that set it apart from, say, male pattern baldness or alopecia areata.

Telogen effluvium is characterized by the following symptoms:

• Diffuse hair loss. Unlike male pattern hair loss, which often starts as a receding hairline or a bald patch near the crown, telogen effluvium causes shedding across the entire scalp.

• Hair loss several months after surgery. Because the hair growth cycle can take a while, you might notice hair loss a few months after your procedure.

• Tender scalp. Telogen effluvium can cause your scalp to be slightly painful when you touch it.

• Noticeable hair loss. Losing a few hairs is totally normal, surgery or not. Telogen effluvium causes visible hair thinning—so much so that you might be able to see your scalp through your hair.

Another major characteristic of telogen effluvium? It’s only temporary. This means your hair will slowly grow back over time.

If you’ve been experiencing hair shedding for several months and it seems to be getting worse, there’s a good chance you’re looking at another cause of hair loss. 

In that case, talk to a healthcare professional and get treatment to prevent further hair loss.

If you have telogen effluvium or positional alopecia, your hair will gradually grow back to its normal thickness and density. Patience is key.

While you wait, there are several things you can do to stimulate hair growth and keep your hair healthy.

A combination of good hair care habits and science-based hair growth products might help to speed up hair regrowth and restore your hair faster.

Apply Minoxidil to Your Scalp

There are two main FDA-approved medications for hair loss: finasteride and minoxidil. While finasteride can only treat male pattern hair loss and not telogen effluvium, minoxidil might help encourage growth and speed up the recovery process.

Minoxidil, a topical hair loss medication, works by moving hair follicles into the anagen phase of the hair growth cycle and stimulating blood supply to your scalp.

We offer minoxidil liquid solution and minoxidil foam online. You can learn more about using minoxidil in our guide to applying minoxidil for hair growth.

Use Hair-Loss Prevention Shampoo

There’s a pretty pervasive myth that washing your hair increases hair loss.

Keeping your hair clean doesn’t just make it look, feel, and smell good. When you use a hair-loss prevention shampoo, it can help reduce shedding.

Just make sure to look out for products with quality ingredients. For example, our hair thickening shampoo contains saw palmetto, a plant-based extract that may prevent male pattern baldness by blocking a hormone called DHT (dihydrotestosterone).

You could also try our volumizing shampoo and volumizing conditioner to add some oomph to thin hair.

Take Steps to Minimize Stress

Stress can cause and contribute to telogen effluvium. So taking it easy is vital if you’re experiencing hair loss after undergoing surgery.

Simple ways to manage stress include:

• Taking time away from work, school, or other stressful activities to relax

• Staying physically active

• Spending time with friends and family

• Journaling

• Meditating

• Trying breathing exercises

Our online mental health resources have more information about dealing with the effects stress can have on your life and health.

Eat a Healthy, Nutrient-Rich Diet

What you eat plays a major role in the growth of strong, healthy hair. Certain nutritional deficiencies, like iron deficiency or low protein intake, can contribute to telogen effluvium and affect your rate of hair growth.

For optimal hair growth, try to eat a healthy diet full of foods rich in vitamins, minerals, and other nutrients.

The best foods for hair growth include lean proteins, vegetables, and fish (because of their omega-3 fatty acids).

Another option is to add a hair growth supplement, such as our biotin gummies, to your daily routine.

Use Gentle Hairstyling Techniques

Rough styling techniques and tight ‘dos can strain your follicles. Over time, this can lead to traction alopecia—a form of hair loss that can eventually become permanent.

While recovering from post-surgery hair loss, traction alopecia is certainly the last thing you need. So avoid extra-tight cornrows, buns, and ponytails.

While post-surgery hair loss is often temporary, there are steps you can take to reduce its severity and encourage regrowth. And many of the ways to prevent hair loss after surgery are similar to what you should do to treat post-surgery hair loss. 

If you’re concerned about something stressful (like surgery) triggering or worsening hair loss, these are some practical everyday tips that can help. 

Focus on Nutrition

Nutrition is a central player in your recovery from surgery. It’s also essential for healthy hair growth. Reflect on your current dietary habits and consider how you might make improvements to meet your calorie and nutrient needs. 

For example, a balanced diet is key—including a variety of foods is the best way to ensure a good mix of healthy fats, lean proteins, fiber, vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants. 

Certain nutrients, like iron, zinc, biotin, and omega-3 fatty acids, are especially important for maintaining hair health. Legumes, leafy greens, nuts, seeds, and fatty fish are great options to support your recovery—and optimize your health in general.

Manage Your Stress

Surgery and recovery can be physically and emotionally taxing. Stress can exacerbate telogen effluvium, so try to make it a habit to prioritize stress-management techniques in your everyday life—such as spending more time in nature or checking in with a therapist—before your procedure to do what you can to prevent hair loss.

Protect Your Scalp

Treat your scalp gently to avoid additional strain on your hair follicles. Use a mild, sulfate-free shampoo and avoid hairstyles that pull on the scalp, such as tight buns or braids. Opt for loose, natural styles that allow your hair to rest leading up to your procedure.

If you’re undergoing chemotherapy alongside surgery, consider wearing a cooling cap during infusions, as this can help minimize hair loss. 

Avoid Heat and Harsh Treatments

Post-surgery is not the time for excessive blow-drying, flat ironing, or chemical treatments. These can weaken your hair and exacerbate shedding. Stick to air drying and avoid harsh products until you and your hair recover.

Don’t Smoke

Smoking promotes inflammation throughout your whole body and is associated with hair loss. Research shows smoking makes blood vessels constrict, damages DNA, and causes free radical damage to your hair. 

It’s a good idea to quit no matter what, but an upcoming surgery on the schedule may be the extra motivation you need. Want some help kicking the habit? Call the smoking quitline at 1-800-QUIT-NOW (1-800-784-8669).

Does anesthesia cause hair loss? It’s unlikely. Although some people do experience temporary hair loss after anesthesia, there’s very little evidence to suggest that an anesthetic itself causes hair to fall out.

Here’s what to keep in mind:

• Post-surgery hair loss is a real thing. Major surgery can be a shock to your body, which might disrupt your hair growth cycle. This can cause a form of hair loss called telogen effluvium.

• It’s temporary, though. In time, your hair should grow back and return to its normal density. 

• There are actions you can take to promote hair health. Speed up the hair restoration process by using minoxidil, a science-backed topical hair loss treatment. Healthy hair habits will also help.

If you’ve been under anesthesia in the last few months and have started to notice excessive hair loss, take action quickly by making an appointment with a healthcare practitioner.

We can help you connect with a healthcare professional online so you can get expert advice and treatment from the comfort of your own home.

And for more about keeping your hair healthy in general, check out our guide to preventing hair loss and our best hair care tips for men.